Chapter 287 Who this knife will stab in the end may not be what she wants

Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground with her eyes lowered. She only heard a faint voice, unable to tell whether it was happy or angry.

"Oh? Are you saying someone is trying to frame you?"

"Yes." Chu Ruohan raised her head with a frank look in her eyes.

"The Imperial Concubine Jing summoned me a few days ago and mentioned the past of the Tian family. She also specifically pointed out the connection between the Tian Court Envoy, the Empress, and the Crown Prince."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

The cold sweat on Doctor Qian's forehead increased, and he quietly clenched his sleeves.

This young lady actually dared to directly name Concubine Jing!

A flicker of fluctuation flashed across the emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Do you have any evidence?"

"I have no evidence, so I can only guarantee with my life that everything I say is true."

Chu Ruohan replied calmly, "I am a woman with little influence and no power. Why would I bother spreading rumors that could lead to my own death?"

The emperor remained silent, tapping the table with his fingers, making a slight sound.

"Besides," Chu Ruohan continued, "I am pregnant and my husband is away on the battlefield. If I hadn't been forced into this, how could I be standing at the center of this storm?"

Doctor Qian finally plucked up the courage, took a step forward and knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I have been patient for many years and have not yet married, because I don't want to pass on hatred to the next generation."

"If I hadn't been forced into a desperate situation..."

The emperor raised his hand and interrupted Doctor Qian.

"I have ordered the Dali Temple to conduct a thorough investigation into the Tian family case and will bring justice to your family."

He turned to Chu Ruohan with a complicated look.

"As for the matter you mentioned regarding Imperial Concubine Jing, I will personally inquire about it."

Chu Ruohan kowtowed respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your wise decision."

"Go away." The emperor waved his hand seemingly casually, but a hint of deep thought flashed in his eyes.

The two men bowed and took their leave. Just as they walked out of the palace gate, they saw a eunuch hurried in, entered the hall, and whispered something in the emperor's ear.

The emperor's face suddenly turned gloomy.

On the way out of the palace, Chu Ruohan and Doctor Qian remained silent.

It was not until they were far away from the palace that Doctor Qian spoke, his voice filled with unconcealable worry.

"Young Madam, your move today was truly risky."

Chu Ruohan smiled slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes.

"When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. Imperial Concubine Jing has pushed us into the cusp of trouble, so let's drag her into the water as well."

"But if we directly name Concubine Jing, will it be..."

Chu Ruohan interrupted softly, "If we just hint at it, it's tantamount to admitting that we spread the rumor. Instead of passively taking a beating, it's better to take the initiative and show our hand directly."

Doctor Qian sighed, "I hope so. But the water in this palace is too deep."

"Yes, it's too deep." Chu Ruohan whispered, looking at the palace wall in the distance, "It depends on who the emperor believes."

Return to Jing'an Residence.

Chu Ruohan didn't delay for a moment and immediately gave the order.

"Go, call Qin Fang."

Yuling retreated in response.

Doctor Qian looked at her and his lips moved.

"Young Madam, you..."

Chu Ruohan raised her hand to stop him from speaking.

"Doctor Qian, I know what you want to say."

"Noble Concubine Jing wants to kill someone with a borrowed knife. She wants to see us and the Queen fight to the point of both being hurt, so she can reap the benefits."

"Since she handed us the knife, there was no reason for us to refuse it."

But who this knife will eventually stab may not be what she wishes.

Doctor Qian looked at the person in front of him with mixed feelings.

This courage and boldness far exceeded what he had when he first met Chu Ruohan.

In just half a year, the young lady's growth rate is too fast...

Not long after, Qin Fang hurried over with a solemn expression.

"Young Madam."

Chu Ruohan motioned him to come closer, her voice lowered a bit, but every word was clear.

"Qin Fang, go do something right away."

"Use all the connections our Chu family has in Beijing, especially the information channels among merchants."

Qin Fang listened attentively.

A cold light flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes.

"Spread this news to me."

"Just say that Concubine Jing has a huge handle on the Empress."

Qin Fang's pupils shrank slightly.

Chu Ruohan paused and continued, "Back then, the Queen substituted a cat for the Prince."

"The current Crown Prince is not of royal blood."

These words exploded in Qin Fang's ears like thunder. He subconsciously held his breath, his heart trembling violently.

This... this is a huge event that will break the world!

Chu Ruohan looked at his shocked expression, her tone remaining steady.

"Hasn't Prince Su always wanted to fight the Crown Prince?"

"Noble Concubine Jing wants to use me as a knife to strike the Queen, but she wants to keep her hands clean?"

A cold arc appeared at the corner of Chu Ruohan's mouth.

"I'm not what she wants."

"Since this pool of water is muddy, let's make it even muddier!"

She looked at Qin Fang with sharp eyes.

"Make sure this news spreads to every corner of the capital as quickly as possible."

Qin Fang took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and clasped his fists solemnly.

"I understand!"

"This matter is of great importance. Madam, rest assured, I will handle it flawlessly and leave no trace."

Chu Ruohan nodded slightly.

"Go, the sooner the better."

Qin Fang took the order, turned around and left quickly.

Peace returned to Jing'an Residence again.

The next day.

It seemed as if the sky in the capital changed color overnight.

The news, which was even more explosive and sensational than the previous rumors about the Tian family massacre, spread like wings and flew into the streets and alleys of the capital.

In the teahouse, the storyteller's gavel had not yet fallen when the tea drinkers below were already in an uproar.

"Have you heard? Something big has happened!"

"What's so mysterious?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! This is a palace secret!"

"Tell me now!"

"It is said that... the current crown prince is not a dragon seed!"

"What?!"

Exclamations rang out one after another.

In the private room of the restaurant, several well-dressed businessmen were also talking in low voices.

"Is this news...true or false? It's too shocking!"

"It's almost certain! It was said that it came from Concubine Jing's side, saying that they had something used against the Empress back then."

"A cat replacing a prince? Oh my god, that's a life-threatening thing!"

"That's right! It is said that the queen couldn't conceive, so she found a man from outside the palace."

"Then...then the Emperor..."

"Who says it isn't? The capital is going to be bustling with activity!"

In the streets and alleys, peddlers and even women in deep houses were whispering.

"No wonder the Tian family incident caused such a big stir, it turns out the root of the problem lies here!"

"Yes, it must be the Queen who killed people to silence them!"

"Tsk tsk, the imperial family is the most ruthless!"

"That's great now. I'm afraid the Crown Prince's position is unstable."

"I think it's uncertain! I'm afraid His Royal Highness Prince Su will..."

Various speculations and versions of the story were exaggerated and brought to life.

The name of Concubine Jing, the Queen's past, the Crown Prince's background, Prince Su's ambition...

Everything is mixed together.

The situation was tense and people were in a state of panic.