Chapter 232

Shen Qingnian raised her head, looked at the Empress Dowager, and said, "I was forced to leave the palace three years ago by Shen Zheng."

Next, she briefly recounted what had happened, and then kowtowed to the ground, awaiting the Empress Dowager's instructions.

The Empress Dowager's face was solemn, with a hint of bewilderment. This matter was so impactful to her that she did not know how to react.

Since Xuan'er has brought the person back, it means that this is indeed the case. Although this woman has a different temperament from the late Empress, she looks exactly the same.

If she was indeed a deliberately chosen "thin horse" (a woman of slender build), why didn't she learn from the late Empress's gentle and graceful manner, since that would have been more likely to win His Majesty's favor?

He had been busy ever since Xuan'er returned to the palace. He probably didn't expect that he would find her so quickly, or perhaps he hadn't figured out how to tell her.

The Empress Dowager was furious at the thought of Song Xuan's suffering over the past three years. Shen Qingnian had vanished without a trace, but what about Xuan'er...?

Xuan'er was immersed in pain every day and even almost lost her life. Now Shen Qingnian has returned with a different identity. Does she still care about Xuan'er?

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager felt a surge of anger. She gritted her teeth and said in a cold tone, "Shen Qingnian, do you know that you have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"I beg Your Majesty to punish me," Shen Qingnian said, kneeling on the ground, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.

The Empress Dowager sneered: "Punishment, of course she must be punished! Guards, take this woman who deceived the emperor away!"

The next moment, a dozen or so palace servants immediately stepped forward, surrounded Shen Qingnian, and took her into custody.

Shen Qingnian knelt on the ground, her hands bound behind her back by a palace servant. The servant was very strong, and her arms ached from the pressure.

Seeing this, Xiao Ju, who had been kneeling behind her, couldn't help but plead, "Empress Dowager, please spare Miss! Miss was forced into this situation; she had no other choice..."

"How dare you!" the Empress Dowager shouted angrily, her face full of rage, clearly recognizing Xiaoju.

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiaoju was also taken away by the palace servants.

Shen Qingnian turned her head to look at Xiaoju and gently gestured, "Xiaoju, don't say anything more."

The Empress Dowager resented her, and if she didn't let the other party vent her resentment, she feared she would never have peace in the future.

Xiaoju pursed her lips upon hearing this and remained silent.

The Empress Dowager walked up to Shen Qingnian and asked bitterly, "You left so heartlessly, do you know how Xuan'er has managed all these years?"

Since Song Xuan brought Shen Qingnian back, it represented his attitude, which the Empress Dowager understood. She could not punish Shen Qingnian privately.

It can only intimidate the other party, preventing them from doing anything that would hurt Xuan'er.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Shen Qingnian's face showed guilt, and her tone was sorrowful: "It is my fault, but I really had no choice at the time. I am guilty."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager said coldly, "None of these are valid reasons for you to fake your death and leave the palace!"

No matter what her reasons are, they cannot absolve her of the harm she caused to Xuan'er, nor can they absolve her of her guilt.

“The Empress Dowager is right. We shall do as she sees fit,” Shen Qingnian said without further argument.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager waved to the palace servants, about to give an order, when she was interrupted by a small figure.

Along with that came a soft, childlike voice: "Mother, why aren't you in the Golden Hall? I've been looking for you inside for so long!"