Chapter 426 Shi Yu is a concubine's son

Seeing Changning nod, the old man looked at the Queen with bloodshot eyes, "Your Majesty, for your own selfish desires, imprisoned your brother-in-law. This is extremely shameless and despicable. You are truly unworthy of being a role model for Fengzhao women."

He is Xiao Pei's uncle.

Because of Xiao Pei's rebellion, his Yan family was suppressed and ridiculed by the world. He survived for these years, but learned that all this was a conspiracy of the Queen.

When Lord Yan thought about his nephew, who was as bright as the morning sun and was imprisoned in the dark for his entire life by a woman, how could he not be angry?

Even though he was extremely angry, he still had to weigh the pros and cons. The Queen liked Xiao Pei but never promoted their Yan family, and there was no hope for them in the future. It would be better to take this opportunity to stand firmly on the side of the Prince and attack the Queen, which would also be a way out for the Yan family.

The Queen saw through Lord Yan's thoughts and knew that there would be many people who had the same thoughts as Lord Yan after today, but she didn't care about these fence-sitters at the moment.

Just as he was about to say something in rebuttal, he heard Xiao Zhian say, "Yes, my father was imprisoned in the prayer tower in the palace, and I rescued him together with my brother and sister-in-law.

However, he was unwilling to be humiliated by his mother, so he died long ago. Zhi'an cremated him and his ashes were scattered by the wind on the territory of Fengzhao.

There are traces of his life inside the prayer tower. If you don't believe me, you can go check it out."

It is impossible for the Queen Mother to destroy everything in the tower so quickly.

The old Marquis of Zhenbei said in a deep voice, "I will take people to see what kind of filthy underworld is hidden in the prayer tower where the late emperor prayed for blessings."

After saying that, he called Liang Fusu and several young officials to stride towards the prayer tower.

The Queen was furious and said to Xiao Zhian, "You are really crazy."

How could he call Xiao Pei "father" in public?

And what did he mean by cremating Xiao Pei?

Did they really kill Xiao Pei?

When Wei Qingyan heard what Xiao Zhian said, she frowned. She had a premonition that Zhian was so reckless, probably with the intention of destroying both herself and the enemy, so she turned her head and winked at Abu who was hiding beside her.

Abu understood and walked past the queen and came to Xiao Zhian.

The Queen couldn't see Abu and tried to remain calm, "Xiao Pei is a traitor, Lai Fu is his man, how can the words of the traitor's accomplices be counted?

As for the Second Prince, he was acting very strangely today. Perhaps he was under some kind of sorcery and was being manipulated by someone. This statement is of course unreliable."

When she said this, she was looking at Wei Qingyan, "Crown Princess, you have put a lot of effort into fighting for this throne. You actually used evil spirits to control Zhi'an and fool the ministers."

Shi Yu said solemnly, "This Jiangshan family's surname is Xiao, and the auspicious day for my ascension to the throne has already been set, so why fight for it?

But your ability to confuse right and wrong is a source of shame to me. You can deceive the world for a while, but not forever. Please, Queen Mother, please stop struggling."

"Hmph, one is unrecognizable, the other is an accomplice of the traitor. And they're trying to accuse me of a crime. The Crown Prince, in his quest for the throne, is this any different from matricide?"

"If their testimony doesn't count, what about Chun Xing and me?"

A female voice came from outside the crowd before Shi Yu.

Everyone turned around and saw Lin Qianning walking towards them. Beside her was Princess Qingyin, and behind them was Chun Xing who was being escorted.

When the queen saw the person coming, she subconsciously clenched her sleeves.

Why didn’t Chun Xing die? She was clearly killed by the butcher.

Qian Ning is fine, but is Xiao Pei really dead?

She suddenly looked at Xiao Zhian.

This thing is worse than a beast. Xiao Pei is his biological father. How could he allow Wei Qingyan to extract Xiao Pei's soul fire? How could he watch Xiao Pei die?

The resentment in her eyes almost burned Xiao Zhian to ashes.

Everyone made way for her, and Lin Qianning walked up to the Queen, "My elder sister sent someone to kidnap my child back then, and she sent a message to me, saying that she wanted to see the child, so she came to the palace.

I arrived, but was trapped by my eldest sister in the palace where the prince was. When the palace caught fire, my maid Chun Xing took the prince away, and I was trapped in the fire and couldn't get out.

While I was still in a daze, I was accused of treason. Elder sister, can you tell me how Qian Ning offended you?

So much so that my eldest sister wanted to place Chun Xing and Tao Hong as two chess pieces by my side? When they came to me, I was only seven years old.

How did I, a seven-year-old, offend my elder sister and cause her to make such a plan?

After hearing this, many court officials shuddered and looked at the queen with fear, but more of disgust.

Lin Qianning's words were exactly in line with what Lin Guozhang had just said. The Queen was so cunning and had such a vicious mind at such a young age.

Thinking back to the accusations made by the Second Prince against the Queen that they had heard earlier, although the Queen had recanted her confession, she had just admitted it.

If meritorious families like the Marquis of Zhenbei, the Marquis of Zhongyong, and the Lin family were all within her conspiracy, then the Queen must have done countless evil things that they were unaware of.

Such a vicious heart is like the reincarnation of a demon. How can they not be frightened?

"My Lady, Chun Xing is loyal to you and has obeyed your orders. She has been away from home for many years. Why do you want to kill her?"

Chun Xing suddenly pounced forward.

She was unwilling to accept it.

The Queen had clearly promised her that as long as she took good care of Cao Yizhao, she would enjoy endless wealth and glory after returning to Fengzhao.

Over the years, she treated Cao Yizhao as her own son. In order not to reveal the Empress's plan, she never dared to contact her family.

However, he did not expect that after returning to Fengzhao and cooperating with the Empress to perform the play, the Empress wanted to kill him to silence him.

If Princess Qingyin had not rescued her in time, she would have been lying dead in a mass grave. How could she not hate him for being so loyal?

The Queen remained silent. Shi Yu stepped forward and said, "Chun Xing, I want to ask you, did Lin Qianning plot treason back then?"

Chun Xing had been in Wei for many years and naturally recognized Shi Yu, so she hurriedly said, "The third lady did not plot treason, this is all slander by the Queen.

Taohong and I were originally the Queen's people. We were assigned to the Third Young Lady's side since we were young. When the Queen learned that the Third Young Lady was going to Mobei, she had the young master abducted and tricked the Third Young Lady into the palace. She then had Taohong accuse the Third Young Lady of treason..."

She told everyone with hatred how the Queen had framed Lin Qianning.

The appearance of Lin Qianning and Chun Xing made the queen no longer calm. At this moment, Liang Fusu came running over, holding a portrait in his hand and facing everyone.

"What the Second Prince said is true. There is indeed an elegantly decorated room in the prayer tower, with a lock and a handcuffs at the head of the bed. This portrait was taken from that room."

The portrait was of the Empress, Xiao Pei, and Xiao Zhian, a family of three. When everyone arrived here, they believed it 100%.

Seeing that the queen seemed to have no power to fight back, she threw herself at Shi Yu and said, "How disgraceful, how disgraceful."

Scholar Cen was the first to speak. He was furious when he thought that the woman who ruled Fengzhao was actually having an affair with her brother-in-law behind her husband's back.

"Pah, we were deceived by such a vicious woman. Thinking about the years of being subservient to her, I, Old Liao, feel as if I've eaten a fly."

Liao Xiaohua said bitterly, "The prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people. The Queen's evil deeds are too numerous to list. I implore the Crown Prince to sacrifice his own family for the sake of justice, depose her from the throne, and punish her severely according to Fengzhao Law."

He was such a good eldest son, but he was almost ruined by this vicious woman. He also had to avenge his second brother, and he couldn't sleep well without avenging him.

Many ministers immediately echoed, "We ask the Crown Prince to sacrifice his relatives for the greater good, depose her from the throne, and punish her severely according to Fengzhao Law."

Shi Yu nodded, "Come here, remove the Empress' phoenix crown and court robes, and bring her to the Council Hall. Have the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Three Departments jointly conduct the trial."

"presumptuous."

Before anyone could get close, the Queen shouted angrily, "Shi Yu is not my son at all. He is the concubine of Prince Consort Song and Lin Qianning.

Naturally, he is not Crown Prince Feng Zhao, so how can he be qualified to depose me?

Didn't you ask me why I framed Lin Qianning? Because she had evil intentions and traded her son for my child. The one she sent to Mobei was my son, Cao Yizhao.

"Yes, I can testify to this."

An imperial physician stepped forward, pointed at Qingwu, and said, "When the blood test was performed, it was Princess Qingwu who forced me to tamper with the test.

I, the old man, have helped Princess Qingwu confuse the royal bloodline. I feel incredibly guilty and anxious every day. Today, I will die as an apology. Please do not be instigated by those with ulterior motives and wrongly accuse the Queen..."

He stopped talking there, and thick black blood oozed from the corner of his lips. When Liang Fusu checked his breath, he was already dead.

"I... I can also testify that Shi Yu is not the Crown Prince at all. All of this is a collusion between Qing Wu and the Crown Prince and others, all for the purpose of seizing power."

Princess Rong'an was brought to the public by a cold arrow. She walked to the queen, followed by two maids.

Rong An said, "At the palace banquet that year, it was my father who was with Aunt Lin. Although my father was drugged and lost his mind, he always felt guilty, so he took the risk to save Aunt Lin and raised her outside.

A few nights ago, my father and brother met with Shi Yu, hoping to persuade him to turn back from his wrong path and stop pretending to be the crown prince and deceiving the world. However, he never returned, and his whereabouts remain unknown to this day."

She suddenly knelt down in front of Shi Yu and said, "Brother, please let my father and brother go. They are also your biological father and brothers."

Shi Yu looked at her calmly.

Qing Yin was furious and slapped Rong An in the face, "How can you say such nonsense?"

"My daughter is not lying. Before leaving, my father was worried that Shi Yu would kill to silence us, so he told her everything that happened and left her a witness. If you don't believe me, ask this nanny."

The old maid she pointed at bowed to Qingyin and said, "At the palace banquet that year, I did see Prince Consort Song enter Miss Lin San's room."

Qingyin didn't know why Rong'an was still involved with the Queen. Her poison had clearly been cured. Seeing her daughter seeking her own death, she was extremely anxious.

Rong An continued, "Maybe Aunt Lin wanted to drug the late emperor that night, but failed, and she felt unhappy.

So, taking advantage of the opportunity to serve the Empress during her childbirth, she bribed the people around the Empress and exchanged her own child for the Empress's.

Upon hearing this, another woman behind her hurried forward and said, "I used to be a servant at the Lin family temple. I saw with my own eyes the third girl sneakily hiding the child in a box and taking him out of the temple.

The next day, he returned with a box and the old woman could see clearly that the child he brought back was different from the previous one.

Thinking of something, she took out a small piece of yellow silk from her bosom and said, "Oh, this is the clothes that the child brought back by the third lady was wearing. The third lady threw it into the fire to burn it.

The old woman felt something was wrong, so she fished it out of the fire, and only these were left.”

It was a piece of bright yellow silk cloth, something only available in the palace.

The Queen took it and burst into tears, "This is the bellyband I prepared for my child. Perhaps because of the bond between mother and child, I noticed something was amiss a long time ago..."

"That's enough. Besides these witnesses, the Queen has other witnesses. Call them all up.

I am old and injured, so I can't watch the show for too long. I think the old guys like the Marquis of Zhenbei and the old lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong are the same as me."

The old Zongzheng interrupted the queen and pointed at Xiao Zhian, "Your child is still injured. If you delay any longer, he will probably lose too much blood."

In fact, Xiao Zhian had already been fed medicine by Abu. The queen naturally didn't know this and didn't care much. She was now thinking about the serious moment of identifying Shi Yu's identity. The old clan leader was not angry at all, but was in a joking mood.

I suddenly felt something was wrong.

But she had no other evidence. In her opinion, these witnesses and evidence were enough to kill Shi Yu.

Rong An took over her duties and said hurriedly, "These evidences are sufficient to prove that Shi Yu is not the crown prince, but my brother."

The old patriarch glanced at her and muttered to the old Zhenbei Marquis, "Back then, this king said that no matter what you marry, you must marry someone with the right character. Otherwise, if the child is born with a deformed body, the family will be implicated."

The old Marquis of Zhenbei couldn't agree more, "What the old prince said makes sense, but even good bamboo can produce bad shoots."

He and his wife lived a clean and honest life, but they gave birth to that evil creature Liang Yongan. He then found a concubine named Yue, and brought in two extremely crooked concubines, who were a complete disgrace to the Liang family.

The old master knew what he was thinking and patted his shoulder soothingly. "Okay, let's not think about the past anymore. Let's get down to business."

He smiled at the queen and said, "Since you have no evidence, then I will produce evidence to prove that the prince is the bloodline of the late emperor and was personally appointed as the prince."