Chapter 202 Promotion Points
With each word Jiang Huan spoke, Huo Ting's expression grew increasingly grim.
The commotion here was so great that the palace servants and guards who rushed over upon hearing the news all gasped in shock.
They didn't show it on their faces, but the glances they exchanged privately were full of disdain.
Huo Ting's facial muscles twitched, and he was momentarily speechless.
Seeing that there was no way to argue back, he made a snap decision and turned his anger towards the unconscious He Ling.
"Don't make false accusations. It was clearly this shameless woman who invited me here, and I was caught off guard and she ambushed me."
They've turned black into white; they're worse than animals.
Jiang Huan's chest heaved with anger, and she was about to rebuke him.
Just then, a voice came from the courtyard gate.
"Such noise and disturbance, what kind of behavior is this?"
She is the Empress Dowager.
She was helped over by several old women, her face grim. Clearly, the commotion had alerted the main hall.
Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, Huo Ting grasped at a straw and immediately began to cry loudly.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please see the truth! He Ling seduced my nephew with ill intentions. My nephew was caught off guard and fell into her trap. Not only does Consort Zhuang not believe my nephew, but she also sides with this vile woman. Please, Your Majesty, do justice for my nephew!"
He burst into tears, as if he had suffered a tremendous injustice.
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept across the scene, her brows furrowing deeply.
Clearly, she was more inclined to favor the Huo family's nephews and the royal family's reputation.
She snorted coldly: "In my opinion, this matter is immoral. He Ling, as a concubine, has behaved improperly. No matter what the truth is, she cannot escape punishment."
"Although Prince Mu may have been negligent, his status is of high importance, and the Imperial Clan Court will investigate according to the law. Guards! Take this shameless woman away first. Prince Mu, you will also come with me to the front hall to await the Emperor's decision."
She didn't give Jiang Huan a chance to defend herself and was about to convict and detain He Ling.
The palace servants remained silent, too terrified to speak.
A hint of smugness flashed in Huo Ting's eyes, and Jiang Huan felt a chill rise from her heart.
They cannot distinguish right from wrong, and they distort the truth.
Is it really worth sacrificing the innocence and life of an innocent woman just to save face for the Huo family?
He Ling was almost killed by that beast Huo Ting, and she still wants to convict He Ling first.
This is utterly absurd!
Her clenched fists were so tight that her knuckles turned white, and her nails dug deep into her palms, almost drawing blood.
She cannot back down; once He Ling is taken away and convicted, there will be no chance of turning things around.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!" Jiang Huan looked up, her voice clear and bright, instantly drowning out the surrounding noise.
"Consort Ling is currently unconscious and her life hangs in the balance. To convict her based solely on Prince Mu's statement would be too hasty and unfair."
"Your Majesty, I implore you to immediately summon the Imperial Physician to examine Consort Ling's injuries and ascertain the truth. If the Imperial Physician confirms that Consort Ling indeed acted improperly, I will have no objections. But if she was murdered..."
Jiang Huan's gaze pierced Huo Ting. "Then, no matter who it is, no matter how noble their status, they must pay the price. Otherwise, where is the discipline of the harem? Where is the law of the royal family?"
Her words were resounding, and the entire inner hall fell silent instantly. Everyone was stunned by Jiang Huan's unyielding demeanor.
The Empress Dowager's face was ashen, and her chest heaved violently; she was clearly furious with Jiang Huan.
Just as she was about to erupt, a voice suddenly interrupted.
"I grant your permission."
Huo Lin appeared at the doorway, with Wang Degui and several imperial guards standing behind him.
He had obviously received the news and rushed over as quickly as possible.
"It's good that she's alright; I was terrified."
Now that I am here, she can speak freely.
Huo Lin strode over to Jiang Huan's side, his gaze sweeping over her slightly pale face and clenched fists. A hint of heartache flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper anger.
He stood in front of Jiang Huan, his cold gaze sweeping over the Empress Dowager and Huo Ting.
"Consort Zhuang is absolutely right. Consort Ling's injuries are suspicious and must be thoroughly investigated. Where is the Imperial Physician?"
"Your humble servant is here! Your humble servant is here!"
The imperial physician, whom Xiao Zhao had summoned at great speed, scrambled in and knelt down with a thud.
"Immediately examine Consort Ling's injuries and find out for me exactly what drugs were in her body and how the wound on her forehead was caused. If there is any concealment or error, I will hold you accountable!"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, I will obey! I will do my utmost!"
The imperial physician was terrified and quickly got up. With Xiao Zhao's help, he settled He Ling on a soft couch.
Huo Ting's face turned extremely ugly, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.
The Empress Dowager pursed her lips and stared at the Imperial Physician's Order, clearly exerting invisible pressure.
Under the gaze of a crowd, the Imperial Physician was covered in cold sweat, which streamed down his forehead and soaked through his official robes.
He first carefully examined the wound on He Ling's forehead, then used a silver needle to probe He Ling's fingertips, and then pried open He Ling's eyelids to check her pupils and carefully took her pulse.
After examining the body, the imperial physician withdrew his hand, trembling, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, the wound on Consort Ling's forehead was indeed caused by a violent impact with a hard object, and there are signs of struggle and friction at the edges of the wound..."
He paused, his voice trembling even more violently: "Consort Ling's body does indeed have traces of a potent aphrodisiac. This poison is extremely potent; if it weren't for Consort Ling's unwavering will and her attempt to maintain a semblance of consciousness by banging her head against something, she would probably already be..."
He didn't dare say anything more, but the meaning was crystal clear.
Huo Lin's eyes instantly turned as cold as ice, and his killing intent almost solidified.
Huo Ting forced himself to remain calm and immediately retorted, "Imperial Physician, you must see this carefully. This poison might have been ingested by this slut herself to seduce me. Her banging her head might have been a way to frame me. I am innocent!"
The imperial physician trembled with fear, lowered his head even further, and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"This...this...Your humble servant only knows how to examine for poison and injuries. As for...as for where the poison came from, Your humble servant dares not make a judgment."
Looking at Huo Ting's stubborn refusal to admit his mistake, and then at the Empress Dowager's clearly biased attitude, Jiang Huan knew that it was almost impossible to bring Huo Ting to justice today based on the imperial physician's diagnosis.
A deep sense of powerlessness and anger welled up inside me.
These two have skin thicker than a city wall.
Wait, she'll remember this debt!
Huo Lin clearly understood this as well. His gaze swept over Huo Ting and the Empress Dowager before finally settling on the unconscious He Ling.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his murderous intent, and his voice regained its usual composure.
"By imperial decree, Consort Ling, of the He clan, has suffered a great shock due to an unexpected turn of events. Furthermore, she has been poisoned with a vicious drug that has damaged her health. Considering that she has always adhered to palace rules since entering the palace, and that she was willing to risk her life to preserve her purity, her determination is commendable."
He paused, scanned the entire room, and his voice suddenly rose.
"Effective immediately, Consort Ling is promoted to Noble Consort Ling and granted residence in the West Hall of Changchun Palace to recuperate in peace. The necessary medicines will be supplied by the Imperial Hospital without fail."
"Furthermore, today's events involve the reputation of the palace; no one is allowed to make any unfounded comments! Anyone who violates this rule will be beaten to death!"
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