Chapter 204 She's dead!

Li Ye's face darkened uncontrollably, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

He stared intently at Cui Yunyi, as if he wanted to devour her whole, but his throat felt blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.

That bitch, how could she know about what happened that day?

He clearly remembered that, in order to cover up the truth, he personally sent people to deal with all the palace maids, midwives and eunuchs who had been involved.

And the truth he was desperately trying to cover up was...

That day, what he said to Physician Wen was not "save the mother" or "save the child," but "kill the Empress."

He, Li Ye, was merely born to a palace maid. Among the late emperor's five sons, he was neither favored nor powerful, and was utterly inconspicuous.

Shen Lang is the eldest daughter of the previous General Shen, and she grew up in the border military camp.

She took up arms at the age of thirteen and fought on the battlefield, killing countless enemies. The soldiers in the camp all respected and admired her.

There were even rumors that the Crown Prince had considered taking her as a concubine.

But soon, the crown prince died unexpectedly, and he was also drawn into the struggle for the throne.

Just then, Shen Lang took the initiative to approach him and wanted to marry him.

Later, she personally led troops to quell the rebellion and kill all his political enemies, elevating him from an unfavored prince to the throne.

He certainly loved Shen Lang sincerely.

After all, who wouldn't love someone so dashing and dedicated to helping them overcome all obstacles?

But in the face of power, love and sincerity are worthless.

After he ascended the throne, Shen Lang's prestige grew day by day.

Her army obeyed her every word, and the generals would consult her before reporting to the emperor on matters large and small.

Even court officials would always ask, "Has Her Majesty the Empress given any instructions?" before presenting their reports.

She held military power and controlled the hearts of the people, while he, the emperor, seemed to be nothing more than a figurehead in the court.

The unease in my heart grew wildly like vines, entangled the love I once had, making it unrecognizable.

Until Shen Lang became pregnant...

Inside and outside the palace, everyone was saying, "The child in the Empress's womb is sure to be the future Crown Prince."

Even the courtiers privately discussed that "the prince is of noble birth and has been taught by the empress; he will surely become a wise ruler in the future."

ridiculous!

He had barely sat on the throne when these people had already eagerly chosen his successor!

Shen Lang, however, seemed to value the child in her womb more than he did.

When Shen Lang refused to get close to him again, citing her pregnancy, he began to frantically speculate: Had Shen Lang never loved him at all?

Did she support his ascension to the throne merely to pave the way for her unborn child?

What she wanted was for her child to become the next emperor of the Great Qi.

When the news of Shen Lang's postpartum hemorrhage came from outside the delivery room that day, his first reaction was indeed panic, and he wanted to save her.

Just as Imperial Physician Wen rushed out and knelt on the ground to ask, "Should we save the mother or the child?"

That long-suppressed, crazy thought suddenly sprang out like a venomous snake.

Once Shen Lang is dead, all his worries will be resolved.

With her dead, her army, leaderless, would naturally submit to her "husband," and she would be able to completely seize military power.

With her dead, no one in the court could restrain him anymore, and only then would those ministers who acted according to her wishes truly submit to him.

Only with her dead can he escape the shadow of "rising to power through the empress" and become a truly authoritative emperor.

"Kill the Empress."

He spoke those four words very softly, but without the slightest hesitation or regret.

He remembered the rest of the story rather vaguely.

He only remembered that he dared not stay in the Empress's palace any longer and hurriedly returned to Yanying Palace under the pretext of handling state affairs.

Even when a palace servant came to report that Shen Lang wanted to see him one last time, he dared not go.

He was afraid that Shen Lang would find out that he was the one who ordered her to be killed.

He only breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the news that "the Empress has passed away," and then went to the Empress's palace.

A midwife came out carrying a swaddled baby and handed it to him, saying, "The Empress died from postpartum hemorrhage, but fortunately the princess was born safely."

His first thought was: It's a daughter, not a son.

But he didn't even glance at the child, and went straight to the inner hall.

Shen Lang lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his complexion still rosy, as if he had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a little scared, afraid that she would suddenly open her eyes, stare at him with those clear eyes, and question him, "Why did you repay kindness with enmity?"

But no...

He sat holding her body for three days and three nights, until the body gradually stiffened and began to decompose, before he finally believed it:

She's dead!

She really is dead!

This woman, whom he both loved and feared, just like that... died!

He was deeply grieved and gave Shen Lang a grand funeral befitting an emperor. He also punished all the palace maids and midwives who had handled his care, citing inadequate care, and sealed away Shen Lang's portrait.

They even poured all their guilt into their biological child.

He personally raised Li Yuanzhao, giving her unparalleled favor, supreme power, and wealth beyond measure.

Everyone says that His Majesty is utterly in love with the late Empress!

Is this love?

This is certainly love, but it's also more of a performance than love.

He was telling all his followers: Look, this is who I am, a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness!

I will never betray my bedmate or the meritorious officials who supported me.

But he never expected that Cui Yunyi knew all of this.

How did she know all this?

He couldn't imagine what would happen if Cui Yunyi continued talking and revealed that most shameful secret to the public.

How would the officials talk about this emperor who "killed his wife and murdered his empress"?

How would the people condemn him for "betraying his promise"?

How will the Shen family, Shen Lang's former subordinates who hold military power, retaliate against him?

Therefore, at this moment, he would rather silence her than accept the evidence in Cui Yunyi's hands that could prove Li Yuanzhao's identity.

He spoke impatiently, "Consort Cui colluded with traitors, plotted rebellion and murdered the emperor first, and now she is behaving erratically and uttering insane words, daring to distort the royal bloodline and slander the princess's innocence. Her crimes are unforgivable! Guards! No need for further interrogation, execute her on the spot!"

Upon hearing this, everyone realized that something was wrong with the Emperor.

His reaction was too hasty, as if he couldn't wait to shut the imperial concubine up.

This reaction, however, raised suspicions. Could it be that what the Imperial Concubine said wasn't all nonsense?

But Chen Churong glanced at Li Yuanzhao, and seeing that she didn't give any indication, he gestured with his eyes to the two soldiers holding Cui Yunyi: "Don't be impatient."