Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen immediately felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy.
She stood directly in front of the two of them and said, word by word, "Consort Liang, what right do you have to do this?"
Consort Liang laughed in anger: "I have the authority to assist in the management of the six palaces. Isn't it my duty to search the palace of a mere concubine like you?"
"The power to assist in managing the six palaces?"
Consort Zhen repeated Consort Liang's words in a soft voice. She frowned slightly, clearly saying nothing, yet it seemed as if she had said everything.
Consort Liang sensed her contemptuous attitude and instantly understood the sarcasm in her words. She was so angry that her chest heaved: "You! You wretched servant!"
Seeing this, Princess Jingyue gritted her teeth, her eyes turning sinister, and she suddenly spoke:
"Where is Song Xizhi?"
"Why did you say you were sick and invited Physician Song to examine you, when you weren't sick at all?"
"Why did you come out alone, while Song Xizhi is nowhere to be found? If you are innocent, why didn't you dare let us search the palace?"
Princess Jingyue spoke, then suddenly seemed to realize something, her expression turning arrogant: "Either you harbored an assassin, or you had an affair, Consort Zhen, you have quite the audacity!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Zhen suddenly knelt down before the two men, her voice softening as if she were showing weakness:
"Your Highness, please forgive me. His Majesty is resting in my palace today, so it is inconvenient for you two to enter. As for Physician Song, I only wish to have her come to check on his health."
Consort Zhen's sudden change in attitude and the contradictions in her words made the two of them increasingly suspicious.
The two, who had just felt guilty for having no legitimate reason to act, now truly felt that they had caught Consort Zhen red-handed, and even their voices became more confident.
"Since you put it that way, then hand over Song Xizhi first. I came here precisely because I suspected her of having connections with the thieves!"
Consort Zhen shook her head again: "Please forgive me, Your Highness..."
Princess Jingyue's chest heaved, and an unnamed rage surged within her.
Since her birth, she has been pampered and cherished by her father, mother, and grandmother. No matter what she does, it doesn't matter. Even if she asks for the moon, they will give it to her.
This was the first time she had ever suffered so much humiliation. It was all because of those two vile women, Consort Zhen and Song Xizhi!
Princess Jingyue thought to herself, and felt that Consort Zhen was definitely up to something tonight, so she didn't hesitate to stretch out her foot and kick her hard in the chest.
Consort Zhen was kicked to the ground. Princess Jingyue gave a mocking snort: "Some people are of bad character. Guards, break in!"
Since Princess Jingyue had said so, Consort Liang nodded indulgently: "Consort Zhen is acting strangely, have someone search her!"
So the eunuchs and guards who were prepared behind them barged directly into Consort Zhen's palace.
Consort Zhen was caught off guard and kicked in the chest, causing her to vomit blood.
The old woman beside Consort Zhen was heartbroken at the sight. She rushed forward to support Consort Zhen, her voice trembling with tears.
"That mother and daughter have always been arrogant and domineering, and you've always tolerated it, never saying a word to His Majesty. But Your Majesty, this is truly too much..."
Consort Zhen lay on the ground for a long time before she could barely lift herself up.
Her hair was disheveled, her face was pale, one cheek was swollen, and there was a large shoe print on her plain chest.
She looked as if she were humbled to the point of being in the dust, yet she still possessed a poignant and delicate beauty.
She turned around with difficulty, looking at the imposing figures of Consort Liang and Princess Jingyue, but a slight smile appeared on her lips:
"It's because I've endured it for so long that today... I can finally stop enduring it."
The old woman was startled and looked in the direction of Consort Zhen, not understanding what was going on.
Consort Zhen gritted her teeth and limped toward the palace.
When she reached the outer hall, she found it packed with people.
At the threshold leading to the inner palace, Song Xizhi blocked Consort Liang and Princess Jingyue from entering.
Seeing this scene, Consort Liang felt even more strongly that there was something fishy going on in the palace.
Today, not only is Consort Zhen going to die, but even that vile Song Xizhi can't escape responsibility. It's truly a win-win situation.
"Song Xizhi, I suspect Consort Zhen of having an affair and harboring thieves. I am about to search the palace. What are you trying to do by blocking my way here?"
Princess Jingyue hurriedly retorted, "Could it be that you and Consort Zhen were harboring thieves together? Then you both deserve to die!"
Before Song Xizhi could speak, Consort Zhen pushed through the crowd and staggered to Song Xizhi's side.
Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into fists nervously. She looked into Song Xizhi's eyes with a mixture of fear and urgency, as if seeking confirmation from her.
Song Xizhi naturally understood her meaning, so he nodded gently.
Consort Zhen finally breathed a sigh of relief, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks: "Your Highness Consort Liang, Princess Jingyue, now that Imperial Physician Song is here, there's nothing left in the inner palace..."
Before she could finish speaking, Princess Jingyue interrupted her:
"What a joke! You shameless woman, you've done something despicable, so don't be afraid now!"
Princess Jingyue's triumphant gaze swept back and forth between Song Xizhi and Consort Zhen's faces. She naturally noticed the subtle interaction between the two and understood that Consort Zhen must be doing something shameful.
"I was just wondering why you two are so close. It seems you're both equally filthy and lewd!"
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