Emperor Chongjin wanted Chen Zhixian to rest a bit more, but how could Chen Zhixian possibly fall asleep?
She leaned against the cushions, waiting for news from the Inner Court.
But what they received was a message from the Inner Court saying that Lady Feng refused to reveal her accomplices and even instigated the Fourth and Eighth Princesses to cause a scene at the Inner Court, spouting nonsense such as "Father Emperor listened to the slander of the witch and wanted to frame Mother Consort."
When Emperor Chongjin heard that Lady Feng had actually used her daughter to threaten him, he was furious. He ordered that the Fourth Princess and the Eighth Princess be sent to the palaces of the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort respectively, and that Lady Feng be imprisoned in the Cold Palace and given death as a punishment!
Upon hearing that Feng Shi had been punished, Chen Zhixian finally let out the pent-up anger she had held in for herself and her daughter for so many years.
She obeyed Emperor Chongjin's orders and went back to bed to rest and recuperate.
Emperor Chongjin had just come out from Chen Zhixian's place and was about to return to Gantai Palace when he saw the little eunuch from the Empress Dowager's side hurrying over.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence. When the Imperial Preceptor Yeji passed by Binling, he happened to rescue Xue Xuchang, the former heir of the Xue family, who had been taken in by Princess Xinglin and Marquis Changxing. This eldest son of the Xue family seems to know some of the inside story of Princess Xinglin and Marquis Changxing's murder."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongjin was startled and immediately turned to walk towards Shouci Palace, asking, "Where is this child now?"
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor Yeji has brought him into the palace, and he is currently in Shouci Palace."
"Back then, after being framed by the former Imperial Preceptor, Young Master Xue was forced to leave the capital and was taken in by the Princess and her husband. He has been living in the Princess's residence and is quite familiar with Princess Changyin. Just now, with Young Master Xue by her side, Princess Changyin vaguely remembered something about the day her family was massacred."
Previously, the Empress Dowager and Emperor Chongjin had suspected that on the day the Princess's family was massacred, little Changyin must have seen something. However, Changyin was too young, and whenever she remembered something, she would have nightmares. They felt sorry for little Changyin and could not bear to force her to recall it.
Emperor Chongjin was filled with mixed emotions. As soon as he entered the main hall of Shouci Palace, he saw Xiao Changyin nestled dependently in the arms of the young, resolute, and gentle-looking boy, sobbing as she spoke in her childish voice to his gentle coaxing.
"That uncle seems to be Daddy's good friend."
"I remember, I remember Father seemed to call him..."
"Brother Wan Ting?"
The little baby whimpered and wiped away tears, muttering to his older brother about his sad experiences, recounting everything that had happened that day in bits and pieces.
Emperor Chongjin had just reached the door when he heard the last sentence. He frowned in shock, his expression suddenly hardening.
Brother Wan Ting?
Marquis Xingbai, An Wanting?!
Marquis Xingbai and Marquis Changxing grew up practicing martial arts together and were very close, calling each other brothers.
No wonder... even a valiant man like Marquis Changxing could fall without any resistance, and the Princess's mansion could be slaughtered overnight!
Emperor Chongjin walked to the door but did not go in.
The Empress Dowager saw the figure behind the screen. She shook her head at Emperor Chongjin without making a sound, indicating that he should go to the front court to deal with the matter and not come in to disturb Xiao Changyin.
Emperor Chongjin could not suppress his murderous aura. He nodded slightly, did not go around the screen, and turned to leave.
If Emperor Chongjin still harbored a sliver of hope for the loyal Marquis Xingbai at this point, that hope vanished completely the moment he ordered someone to summon the Marquis to the palace.
Marquis Xingbai led his troops in a defection!
He ran into Xue Xuchang, who had been brought into the palace by the Grand Preceptor Yeji, right at the palace gate!
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