Chapter 66
After emerging from the Magnolia Pavilion, Liu Che felt a sense of gloom and a dark cloud over his entire being. Liu Ju, on the other hand, felt the exact opposite. He felt as if he had accomplished something great, his body and mind relaxed, his mind filled with the clear blue sky and fresh air.
The two men had such a huge difference in their moods that Liu Ju very tactfully chose to resign. He had done what needed to be done, and would avoid the rest if possible.
Anyway, after today's scene, Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Li's true colors were exposed, so there was no need to worry about their deaths.
For the next few days, Liu Ju ate and drank as if nothing had happened, taking it easy. He no longer interfered with the case, and whenever he had free time, he would hang out with his sisters or go to the Pepper Room to accompany Wei Zifu. The family was happy and cheerful, full of laughter.
Shi Yi couldn't help but sigh, "I never thought Madam Li was actually Caiqin's sister. Caiqin served me for several years, and I didn't even recognize her."
The guard shook his head. "Not to mention you, they don't look much alike, and their personalities and temperaments are completely different. We couldn't recognize them either."
After saying this, he looked at Liu Ju. Liu Ju shrugged: "I just happened to find out that she can't drink milk, and then I suddenly remembered that Caiqin can't eat it either."
The guard chief chuckled: "Just based on this?"
Of course not enough.
Liu Ju narrowed his eyes and said, "Make bold assumptions and verify them carefully."
These eight words made everyone present stunned for a moment, and then they all laughed.
Shi Yi frowned slightly. "No wonder she approached me several times to get close to me. She even sent gifts to the Princess Palace and stayed in my room. She even asked about the daily activities of my maids."
When these words were spoken, Liu Ju was stunned. The smile on his face disappeared instantly and his expression became solemn.
Wei Zifu replied, "I know about this. I originally thought she felt that none of you were approachable, and that Shi Yi was the most innocent. She could be the first to befriend you, thereby testing my attitude or gaining information about me."
Liu Ju curled his lips. "Then she's wrong. She knows Fourth Sister is our weak point, but how could we not know that? With Caiqin's experience as a precedent, how could Mother allow others to take advantage of Fourth Sister again?"
Wei Zifu chuckled, "That's right. I've cleared out everyone around Shi Yi, and those left behind are carefully selected. After learning of her actions, I was afraid Shi Yi might be deceived by her, so I warned her several times and even sent two more people out to keep an eye on Madam Li, just in case."
Shiyi: ...
Can you please stop calling me weak and naive? I'm still here, so don't say anything to my face. I'm not such a fool!
Shi Yi was a little unconvinced, but looking at her two sisters and then her younger brother, she snorted and lowered her head. Some gaps did exist, and she had to admit it.
Wei Zifu patted her head gently and said, "Our Shiyi is also an obedient child. She took the Queen Mother's advice to heart and was very vigilant. She didn't give her any chances. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but Shiyi's strengths are not in this area."
Shi Yi's lonely expression disappeared and he smiled again.
Liu Ju nodded: "Yes, Fourth Sister is really good at gathering gossip and information by listening to rumors."
Shi Yi glared at him angrily.
Liu Ju was puzzled, but as God knows, he was really praising him.
Fearing they would start arguing again, Wei Zifu held her forehead and was about to change the subject and move on from this when Feng He hurried over to report, "Crown Prince, Zhang Tang has entered the palace to meet the Emperor and has already gone to the Xuanshi Hall."
Liu Ju blinked, then immediately stood up and ran out.
Liu Che had anticipated his arrival and had already arranged a seat nearby. Liu Ju happily sat down, smiling broadly and saying, "Father, you still understand me."
Liu Che glanced at him, snorted lightly, and turned to signal Zhang Tang to report.
Zhang Tang handed over the bamboo slips of evidence and said, "At first, the Wang family and Xueqing refused to say anything, and Wang Dalang simply said it was all his own doing. Until they saw with their own eyes that Madam Wang was also taken to the prison.
"I deliberately separated the cells so that they could not see each other and communicate with each other. Afterwards, I interrogated them one by one, falsely claiming that the bandits were not completely wiped out. Like Wang Wanyi, some had escaped and were in the capital. I also tricked them into thinking that Madam Wang had confessed.
"At this point, they finally relented. The plot against Wang Wanyi was orchestrated by Madam Wang, and carried out by Wang Dalang. Wang's parents knew about it and acquiesced.
“Just as the prince guessed, the uncle and aunt of the Wang family later realized that something was wrong and wanted to report it to the authorities. How could the Wang family’s parents allow it? The whole family conspired to kill them and fabricated the illusion that they died of a serious illness caused by stress.
"A while ago, Wang Dalang stumbled upon Wang Wanyi on Liuli Street and learned that she was still alive and was actually Zhao Guo's wife. He was afraid that Wang Wanyi would use Zhao Guo's connections to inform on him to the Crown Prince. So he went to the palace to negotiate with Madam Wang. The brother and sister once again conspired to kill Wang Wanyi and silence her."
Liu Che had already guessed this from the conversation between Lady Wang and Lady Li that day. Now that he had obtained solid evidence, he was not surprised, but he was obviously in a worse mood.
Zhang Tang glanced at him cautiously and continued, "Besides this, I have also found something else."
He paused, then glanced at Liu Ju: "It's related to the Crown Prince."
Liu Che raised his eyebrows.
Liu Ju tilted his head. Is it related to him?
Zhang Tang lowered his head. "Madam Wang noticed that Madam Li's identity was different, but she didn't know she was Caiqin's sister. She just thought this was a handle for her to use. Her move was not just to consolidate her favor, but also..."
Zhang Tang glanced at Liu Ju again and lowered his head a little. "She wants Madam Li to be her sword in the palace, to be her vanguard when needed, to help her support the Second Prince to replace the Crown Prince."
Liu Ju:!!!
A little unexpected, but not particularly unexpected.
Liu Che scoffed coldly: "What a fool's dream! Why does she think Hong'er can replace Ju'er?"
Indeed. No matter how favored Lady Wang was, she couldn't surpass the Empress; the Wang family and the Wei family, or Liu Hong and Liu Ju, were even more incomparable. Whoever heard this thought would think it was pure wishful thinking.
Zhang Tang said cautiously, "Madam Wang's ambition isn't for the present, but for the future. When the Crown Prince achieves outstanding success, the world will only know him as the Crown Prince, not the Emperor."
This sentence was too sensitive. Even Zhang Tang felt his heart tremble when he said it.
Liu Ju was stunned on the spot, and Liu Che's face was gloomy.
"Madam Wang's plan is to accumulate strength first, waiting for the Crown Prince to grow up and become young and strong, while Your Majesty... Your Majesty is old and frail, and unable to do so. Then, she will have people raise the Crown Prince's reputation among the people, elevating him to the pinnacle, and then let the rumors reach Your Majesty's ears."
Liu Che's expression changed several times. He had to admit that this move was indeed clever. If she went directly against the Crown Prince, Lady Wang would have no chance of success, not even a single chance. But if she resorted to flattery, driving a wedge between them...
Liu Che trembled slightly, and subconsciously held Liu Ju's hand: "Don't be afraid. Father is not such a foolish person."
Liu Ju: ...Can you please stop shaking your hands? Am I the one who is afraid, or are you?
Liu Che asked again: "How does she plan to accumulate strength?"
“The Wang family sponsored some poor students, providing them with bamboo slips, books, writing brushes, inkstones, and paper. After they finished their studies, they were recommended to serve as officials in the imperial court and could become a supporter of the Wang family.
"Madam Wang's younger brother has a master teaching him horseback riding and archery, hoping that he will join the army when he grows up.
"Also, three daughters of the Wang family have married relatives of officials in the past two years. Madam Wang's youngest sister is thirteen years old. The Wang family intends to marry her to Li Ling, the grandson of General Li Guang. They have asked a middleman to mediate the marriage, but it's still in the negotiation stage and nothing has been finalized."
Support from the poor and alliances between relatives.
Or an important official like Li Guang.
Liu Che clenched his hands, and the joints between his fingers creaked.
If it weren't for this failure, he wouldn't have known that Wang Shi had such ambitions! He deserves death!
Seeing her face grow darker and darker, Zhang Tang's scalp tingled, but he had to continue: "These are all confessions made by Madam Li in order to reduce her sentence. I have carefully investigated and interrogated the Wang family again, and confirmed that they are true."
"But Madam Li... Madam Li refused to speak about her own affairs and requested to see His Majesty."
Liu Che snorted coldly: "No. If she refuses to speak, then find a way to make her speak. Zhang Tang, don't tell me you don't even have this ability!"
Zhang Tang was not surprised by this and simply said, "Madam Li claimed that she knew Liu Ling's secret and said she would not speak until she saw Your Majesty."
Liu Ling's secret? Liu Ling is dead, what secrets could there be?
Liu Ju's eyes rolled around: "Father, how about meeting him?"
Liu Che was speechless. Just now, when Zhang Tang said that Lady Wang wanted to dethrone you, you didn't react at all. But now, hearing about Liu Ling's secret, your eyes lit up. You're really good!
At this moment, he really wanted to raise his hand and slap Liu Ju, but after moving his hand, he finally held back.
Liu Ju even suggested, thinking he was being very "kind," "If your Majesty doesn't want to see him, how about I go and see him and ask for your Majesty's help?"
Liu Che: ...What a naughty kid! Shouldn't you consider the situation when expressing your curiosity?
Liu Che felt depressed and helpless, so he stood up and walked out.
Liu Ju was puzzled: "Father?"
Liu Che turned around and said: "Aren't you going to see him? Why don't you go quickly?"
"Eh? Eh!"
Liu Ju agreed decisively and hurried to follow.
********
interrogation room.
Liu Ju saw Madam Li again. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were dirty, and her face was haggard. Even though there were no obvious scars on her body, she had long lost the bright and beautiful appearance she had shown a few days ago as the emperor's favorite concubine.
She was dazed as she was carried here, her whole body like a puppet. Only after seeing Liu Che did a trace of life appear in her eyes, and she struggled to move: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I was wrong. I was wrong. I was also forced, by Sister Wang.
"I am simply afraid that my identity will be exposed, leaving me with nowhere to go and nowhere to go. I am indeed Caiqin's sister, an orphan raised by Liu Ling. But this is not what I want.
"I am a refugee, born without parents. I lived with my sister by begging, being bullied daily and starving. It was Liu Ling who brought us back, trained us, and coerced us into working for her using her kindness and family connections.
"I have been helpless in the first half of my life, and in the second half I just want to give myself a new identity and live a new life. Your Majesty!"
Liu Che had a cold face and said nothing. Instead, Liu Ju asked curiously, "Have you ever thought about revenge?"
Madam Li was stunned, then gritted her teeth and said, "Liu Ling has trapped me my entire life. Why should I avenge her?"
"If not for Liu Ling, what about your sister? You have no feelings for Liu Ling, but you do have feelings for Caiqin, right? Otherwise, why would you approach Fourth Sister and ask about her maidservant?"
After hearing these words, Liu Che was stunned and his eyes became more fierce.
Madam Li was trembling all over, her eyes filled with fear. She hurriedly explained, "No. I didn't. I just wanted to know what my sister was doing in the palace and whether she was living well. I wanted to... I wanted to ask, to listen, to understand. I swear to heaven that I have no desire for revenge."
"I know that my sister's fate is not someone else's fault. If anyone is to blame, it's Liu Ling. If Liu Ling hadn't ordered her and threatened her, how could she have taken this path? All the mistakes are Liu Ling's fault.
"I only hate Liu Ling, and have never hated anyone else for it. Furthermore, I have finally gained my freedom and can start anew. How could I have such delusions that would plunge me back into hell?"
Madam Li raised her hands to the sky and said, "I swear, if I have such intentions, I will be struck by five thunderbolts and die without a burial place."
Liu Ju nodded slightly, probably believing this.
Madam Li breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Your Majesty, although I am Liu Ling's servant, I have never been involved in his affairs. I have had little contact with my sister over the years. We are just tools that Liu Ling uses to restrain each other."
"I have always been obsessed with how to get away from Liu Ling. I am happier than anyone else that Liu Ling is dead. Your Majesty, I cannot refute my past, but that was also because I had no choice."
Liu Ju pursed his lips. "You really had no choice before. Becoming a spy adopted by Liu Ling wasn't your fault. You had no choice. You can't be blamed for this. But what happened next?"
"You could have escaped far away, hidden your identity, and lived an ordinary life. But you chose to take on Li Xiaomei's identity and colluded with the Li family to seek entry into the palace.
"People always strive for higher things. I can assume that you want to live a good life and have a good future. But what about Madam Wang who was silenced?"
Madam Li's face turned pale. "That was Sister Wang's doing. She forced me to do it. She kept using my background to blackmail me and intimidate me. She even wanted to drag me down with her and make me die with her. I was just trying to protect myself. I had no choice, I..."
"It is true that Madam Wang was silenced, but was it also true that your companions in Anlingyi were silenced?"
Liu Ju stood up and looked around disdainfully.
Madam Li's throat trembled and her lips moved: "I... I..."
Before she could argue, Liu Ju continued, "When the imperial officers and soldiers went to Anling, the people inside had already drunk the poisoned wine, and the courtyard was engulfed in flames. Do you remember what you said to Madam Wang?"
"You said you didn't want to be stained with blood again. That means you've already killed someone. They were the ones you killed. You poisoned the wine, and you started the fire.
"Madam Wang threatened you, coerced you, and wanted to sink with you. What about them? You keep saying you had no choice, that you were helpless. Do they have a choice, and not their own will? Like you, they were taken in and trained by Liu Ling, forced to become her tools.
"To get away, you killed them all. Before that, you might have been able to protest your innocence. But after this, you no longer have the right to do so."
In an instant, all the blood drained out of Mrs. Li's face, turning as pale as paper. However, her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something else.
Liu Ju no longer wanted to listen to her nonsense and made his position clear: "I and my father came here because of the secret of Liu Ling you mentioned. If you continue to talk about this, it will be meaningless."
He stood up, looking depressed, with an expression that said if he had known this would happen, he would not have come. He regretted not falling.
Liu Che twitched his lips and said, "Tell me, what is this so-called secret of Liu Ling? If you are just using this to deceive me and deliberately lured me here to listen to your nonsense... Ha."
The last one clearly revealed the emperor's anger.
Madam Li trembled with fear. "No! I did not lie, nor would I dare to deceive Your Majesty. I do know... something."
How could she dare to tell such a lie? She was just taking this opportunity to try and see if she could gain the emperor's mercy and a chance of survival.
She closed her eyes, hoping against hope: "If...if I tell you, Your Majesty might spare...spare my life?"
Liu Che snorted lightly, his face cold and his eyes sharp as a knife: "I can consider leaving your body intact and giving you a quick death."
Madam Li's heart trembled, her body softened, and she collapsed to the ground, her face filled with despair. But even so, she still had to say what she had to say.
"Liu Ling...Liu Ling has another son."
Liu Che and Liu Ju stopped at the same time, both looking shocked.
Liu Che frowned: "When did she give birth to a child, and with whom?"
"I don't know. Although Liu Ling lived in Chang'an for a long time, he would find an excuse to leave the capital every year, such as the Prince of Huainan's birthday or the queen's illness.
"She didn't always return to Huainan when she left the capital, and she didn't always stay at the Huainan Palace when she returned. Sometimes she went to see her child. I don't know who she had the child with, and I've never actually seen that young man, but I'm sure she does have a son."
Liu Che and Liu Ju exchanged a glance and asked, "After the Huainan Rebellion was over, Liu Ling and the Huainan royal family were arrested and interrogated, but no one mentioned that Liu Ling had fathered a child."
"She hid it very well. Even the King of Huainan didn't know about it. Only a few of her confidants knew about it."
Liu Ju was even more surprised: "Then how did you know?"
Madam Li tugged at the corner of her mouth with a hint of sneer. "My sister is her most capable spy, the head of all the spies in the palace, and she manages all palace affairs. And I am the one she chose to send to His Majesty's bedside, her most useful chess piece in the future."
Liu Ju raised his eyebrows: "So you want to say that you are also her confidants."
"Yes. But we, the confidants, are not qualified to know such private matters. However, we do have some advantages and conveniences that other subordinates do not have.
"My sister truly considers her her benefactor and is loyal to her, but she loves me more. She would give unconditionally for her, even to death, but she doesn't want me to be like her. She has been trying to find a way to set me free.
"But freedom isn't easy for people like us. My sister is afraid that I will end up with the same fate as her, or even more dangerous than her.
"I'm even more afraid that Liu Ling will one day turn his back on me, or abandon his chariot to save his master. After all, this isn't uncommon for Liu Ling; Ah Yu experienced it once before. Ah Yu... Ah Yu was originally sent to the palace with my sister.
"She wanted to help me find a way out. She's been keeping a close eye on Liu Ling, gathering information through every possible means. I'm doing the same. This is what we discovered privately."
Liu Ju blinked. He hadn't expected Madam Li and Cai Qin to have such a skill and back-up plan. Tsk, it seems Cai Qin wasn't entirely devoted to Liu Ling, not to mention Madam Li.
"Where is that child now?"
"I don't know. I only know of his existence, nothing else. But Liu Ling never let him show his face, keeping it a secret from anyone. He must be afraid that his failure would affect him. So I guess Liu Ling left him a way out, so that he could live a stable life after his death."
Liu Che looked displeased.
"There's one more thing..." Mrs. Li hesitated, "I'm not sure."
Liu Che frowned: "Speak!"
"Liu Ling has been courting officials and relatives in the capital, and he's been very generous with his money. Only a portion of this money came from Huainan. After all, Huainan still needs to recruit soldiers and manufacture weapons and armaments. Everything costs money. The King of Huainan and the Crown Prince of Huainan are both extravagant and indulgent people, and they wouldn't give her such a large amount of financial support."
Liu Ju opened his mouth wide and asked: "How can Liu Ling's Shengping Tower make so much money?"
Liu Che shook his head and replied, "Shengping Tower is indeed prosperous, but Liu Ling made many concessions to win over the other owners, leaving him with only two points. Not enough."
He looked at Mrs. Li: "Are you trying to say that she has other sources of money?"
"Yes. But all her businesses and channels are out in the open, nothing else. So I suspect she has some huge treasure in her hands, or perhaps she has other allies supporting her."
Treasure, alliance?
Liu Che's expression turned cold again: "Anything else?"
“No…no more.”
Since there is none, there is no need to stay any longer.
Liu Che stood up.
Madam Li raised her eyes, still with a hint of hope, "Your Majesty..."
Liu Che didn't even give her a serious look, but said lightly: "I promised to give you a quick death, and I will do it naturally."
After he finished speaking, he left.
Mrs. Li collapsed to the ground, the light in her eyes completely gone.
After being taken back to the cell, Mrs. Li looked even more dazed and lifeless.
Mrs. Wang from next door glanced at her and curled her lips slightly: "Did your begging for mercy fail?"
Mrs. Li didn't move.
"It seems you haven't served His Majesty long enough to understand him. Our Majesty may be drawn to beauty, but he will never be captivated by it. When it comes to court affairs, he's more insightful and ruthless than anyone else, let alone something as serious as this treasonous plot."
Mrs. Wang said this with a tone full of emotion.
Although she knew this, she still had her own illusions. She also hoped there might be a glimmer of hope. Although she hated Madam Li, she hoped she would succeed. If she could survive, then so could she.
But the result was as she expected, no surprises, no miracles.
Madam Wang took a deep breath and glared at Madam Li, hating herself for having lost her mind and even gotten involved with her. God knew she was actually a remnant of treason!
If this had not happened, if she did not have such a fatal identity, at most he would have been stripped of his position and sent to hell.
But now, it's impossible.
Mrs. Wang gritted her teeth, realizing that Mrs. Li's words of persuasion had become reality.
She needed to think about Liu Hong. She had to die, and only she could die.
Without Madam Li, Liu Hong would have other adoptive mothers. No matter who the adoptive mother was, she would always be better than her or Madam Li.
Mrs. Wang tore off her outer garment, bit her finger, wrote a final letter in blood, and placed it safely aside. Then she pulled out the golden hairpin on her head and plunged the sharp end of the blade into her neck, swiftly and decisively.
Blood splattered, splashing on the wall, the ground, and even on Mrs. Li's face.
Mrs. Li shuddered and came to her senses. She looked up and saw Mrs. Wang lying on the ground, her body twitching, in unspeakable pain, with tears rolling down her eyes.
The noise attracted the jailer, who hurriedly reported the matter to Zhang Tang.
When Zhang Tang arrived, Mrs. Wang had just breathed her last. His face was expressionless and calm, and he allowed the jailer to deal with him respectfully.
After moving Mrs. Wang's body out, Zhang Tang came to the next room and put down a glass of wine.
"Your Majesty promised. The poison is extremely potent, instantly killing you in three steps. It will be quick, and the pain won't be too severe, at least not like she did."
Not like her, she...
Madam Li subconsciously glanced at the now-empty cell, then tremblingly lifted her wine glass. Reluctantly, she gritted her teeth and drank it all. Only after the wine entered her stomach did she realize she was in tears.
The next moment, a mouthful of blood spurted out and he fell to the ground with a bang.
Well, at least... at least I'm reunited with my sister.
The sisters rarely saw each other during their lifetime and hoped to meet again after their death.
As she thought about this, Madam Li seemed to see Caiqin. She was wearing the clothes they had last seen each other in years before. She slowly walked towards her, squatted beside her, hugged her and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'll be with you."
Just like when they were little, before they were taken away by Liu Ling, every time she was too hungry, or was beaten for begging, and cried, her sister comforted her like this.
Mrs. Li opened her mouth, gently uttered the word "OK", and then closed her eyes forever.
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