NOVEL WEB
Chapter 398
The Tianqi Emperor glared coldly at Li Yang, disappointedly saying, “Bring him in.”
Gu Ying called back, “Mr. Shen.”
Shen Munian then walked in from the dark corner, respectfully kneeling before the Tianqi Emperor.
The Tianqi Emperor was shocked to see him, “Minister Shen, you’re still alive?”
Didn’t he die protecting Xing’er from the mountain bandits on the way back to Bianjing after picking her up from Changzhou with Xia Zixi?
How did he appear at the Qingyun Temple now?
Shen Munian's eyes were tense as he looked up at the Tianqi Emperor's astonished brows and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I...did not die at the hands of the mountain bandits that year, but at the hands of Xia Zixi."
The Tianqi Emperor, "What?"
Shen Munian said, "That year I escorted Concubine Wan back to Bianjing with Xia Zixi. On the way, I discovered the secret between Xia Zixi and Concubine Wan...and was silenced by them. But I was fortunate enough to be saved and have since been disguising myself as a beggar wandering near Bianjing.”
The Tianqi Emperor felt a little dizzy, unable to focus after the series of blows tonight, "What secret?"
Shen Munian continued, "The secret about the prince."
The Tianqi Emperor realized something, and his eyes filled with sadness as he opened his lips, "What do you mean, Minister Shen..."
Shen Munian said firmly, "I saw Xia Zixi and Concubine Wan copulating at the station, and heard them say the child in her belly was not Your Majesty's. Once Concubine Wan entered the palace, their child would be recognized by Your Majesty as the crown prince. If it's a son, he might even be granted a princely title in the future."
The Tianqi Emperor, "..."
Shen Munian went on, "But Xia Zixi said at that time that a prince was not worthy of their son's status. He would try every means to plan a swift rise for their child to that position."
Li Yang was shocked beyond belief, jumping up angrily, "You despicable liar, spewing blood from your mouth! Father Emperor, the Empress Mother is not that kind of person!"
"Wretched creature, shut your mouth!"
"Does Father Emperor not believe in the Empress Mother and your son?"
"Guards! Tie this wretch up!"
"Father Emperor!"
"Gag his mouth!"
Zhao Changdu kicked over, and Li Yang collapsed to his knees.
Several eunuchs came over and gagged his mouth with handkerchiefs.
The Tianqi Emperor was furious, with a splitting headache and chest pain. A mouthful of blood spewed out and he immediately fainted.
Ying’er painfully bit her lip, hesitating whether to go over to see the pitiful emperor.
Gu Ying gently pushed her, "Go on, he was just kept in the dark, not truly wronging your mother. If anything, he is the pitiful one."
To unknowingly raise another's son for over ten years, the most hateful thing was that the woman he loved all his life was killed by his own pillow mate.
Nothing could be more heartbreaking than this truth.
One could only say...fate had been too cruel to some people...good people die young.
"Thank you, sister Gu."
"Go on."
The palace guards were in turmoil, carrying the Tianqi Emperor up while Li Yang was dragged away.
His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Gu Ying, making muffled wailing sounds.
Gu Ying stood with the light behind her, quietly watching him get pulled away. Recalling Li Yang’s miserable life in their last lifetime, she couldn’t help feeling mournful. At least in his previous life, nobody knew of his true origins.
He was buried in the Li imperial tomb when he died, honored by the people as the Rebel Prince.
But in this life, what likely awaited him was the death penalty of exterminating nine generations of his clan. Him, Concubine Wan, no, it should be Guo Mengxue, and Xia Zixi, none would meet a good end.
The tragic royal drama had finally drawn to a close at this point.
To Gu Ying, the wheels of fate over two lifetimes had finally changed.
At least with the execution of Concubine Wan and deposing of Prince Shu, the military coups and civil turmoil of their last life would not happen.
She had also avenged the prince’s mother beautifully. Mrs. Lin would no longer be shackled by Concubine Wan for life and could live freely and happily.
“Ah!”
Yanzhi suddenly recalled something important, “Mistress, sister Yin Lan is still tied up by Weimian! I must hurry and find Weimian!”
Yanzhi rushed anxiously towards Concubine Wan’s secret chamber.
Gu Ying turned and saw a certain person's displeased expression. Her expression froze.
Zhao Changdu looked down at her condescendingly, "Does Ying'er have nothing to say?"
Gu Ying went up and pulled his big hand, smiling ingratiatingly, "Husband, thank Weimian this time."
Zhao Changdu narrowed his eyes dangerously, stroking her nose teasingly, "This lord is asking you, mentioning her is useless."
He knew early on that Weimian was the prince's subordinate.
Also, to facilitate her entry into the palace for the banquet, the prince had ordered Weimian to obey her commands for her use.
Seeing that he was not truly angry, Gu Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Changdu, I'm tired, I want to go home."
Zhao Changdu's interrogation was interrupted by the girl's weary tone, and he had never been able to get truly angry with her anyway.
"Alright, wife, you've worked hard. I'll take you home."
Gu Ying curved her eyes into a crescent moon, far too beautiful.
Zhao Changdu's fingers stopped at her cheek, involuntarily pinching the girl's unexpectedly soft skin. His eyes were pained as he embraced her slender waist and carried her in his arms.
On the way from Qingyun Temple back to the Zhenguo Duke Manor, Gu Ying nestled in the man's embrace.
She carefully and earnestly admitted her "mistakes" and confessed her "rashness" in privately taking action during this scheme against Concubine Wan.
Originally in this plan, she did not intentionally put herself in danger to "seduce" Li Yang.
When Concubine Wan sent someone to pass her the note, the prince had rejected her proposed visit to Qingyun Temple. Not wanting her to take such risks.
But worried the plan might fail, she took the initiative to inform Concubine Wan that she would come.
That was how she deliberately pretended to be drugged by Li Yang later on.
She came to Qingyun Temple to lower Concubine Wan's guard. And pretended to drink the flower tea she gave before Concubine Wan, making Concubine Wan believe she was harmless and easily manipulated.
Concubine Wan thought that having her in hand meant controlling the prince.
But she did not expect the prince had long planted people in the Qingyun Temple guards and Yilan Hall.
Weimian was the key to her success this time.
After lurking in Concubine Wan's palace for so many years, her true identity was actually a mole the prince had planted in the harem.
When Concubine Wan prepared the drugs, Weimian had long replaced them with ordinary flower tea beforehand.
So she had only pretended to be drugged. But afraid Concubine Wan would be suspicious, she deliberately concealed this from Yin Lan.
She also deliberately showed discomfort before Madam Zhang and Mrs. Li, using the two bootlickers to report her condition to Concubine Wan.
To put it bluntly, she owed Yin Lan the most this time...
If she didn't deceive her, she was worried that with her temperament, it would be hard to act truly anxious and flustered.
And it was precisely because of Yin Lan's genuine fear and panic...that made Concubine Wan firmly believe she had completely fallen into her trap.