The palace immediately suppressed news of the deaths of the three princes.
However, while the common people could be kept in the dark, the officials could not be fooled.
Those who died while praying for blessings were not only the three princes, but also their companions and the grandsons of several important court officials.
For a time, people's hearts were unsettled.
No one believed that the deaths of these princes were unrelated to Wei Jingzhong.
Everyone believed that Wei Jingzhong was the one who killed him. After all, this man had previously said that he would kill all the princes and leave only the crown prince, so Emperor Hui had no choice but to pass the throne to Zhou Jingrui.
Emperor Hui had a total of seven sons. Now the crown prince has been deposed, Prince Qi has become mentally impaired, Prince Jin has died, and three of the older princes have also died.
Of those who survived, besides a deposed crown prince, there was only one son born to an old man, seven-year-old Zhou Jingqi.
Zhou Jingqi's birth mother was originally just a maidservant by the side of Consort De. Even after giving birth to a son, she was only granted the title of Consort Jing.
Because of their humble origins, the mother and son were ignored and had virtually no presence, which is why they escaped this calamity.
But what can a seven-year-old child accomplish?
Emperor Hui was unconscious for two days and nights.
All the imperial physicians went to serve outside the palace, while Consort Xi stayed by the emperor's side day and night, attending to him without ever changing her clothes and offering words of comfort.
The news of His Majesty's illness was also completely kept under wraps. During the great war, no negative news about the court could be leaked out.
His Majesty is in a coma, and the loyal ministers of the cabinet are all staying in the palace to guard him. Everything is being handled in a fast-paced and orderly manner.
Xie Zhaozhao had no idea that Emperor Hui was ill. She adhered to a rule: she could not hold Gu Shaoyu back.
It mainly targets a homebody.
In the past, because of her stepmother Xu's deliberate suppression, she didn't like to join in the fun and often meditated, chanted scriptures, and copied Buddhist texts.
Now, besides eating, I simply spend my days taking walks in the yard, copying scriptures, and reciting sutras.
After leaving court, Xie An came to Qingpu Courtyard to visit Xie Zhaozhao. Xie Zhaozhao was both surprised and delighted, as her father was a rare guest.
"Jing Chen has arrived at the front line, seven days earlier than expected. In the first encounter, Jing Chen's troop deployment was commendable, and Wei Jingzhong did not gain any advantage."
The Wei family's cronies are hidden in every corner; you've done a good job quietly staying in the mansion.
Xie Zhaozhao keenly grasped the meaning behind her father's words. Since her father didn't mention winning or losing, it seemed that it was a draw.
"I estimate that the Grand Secretary is testing the strength of the Wei family, while the Duke of Chengen will definitely go all out to give Grand Secretary Gu a warning."
Xie Zhaozhao smiled faintly and said, "As long as the first battle is evenly matched, then the imperial army will surely win!"
"Your father agrees with you. I hope good news will come soon."
"Are there people in the court criticizing Grand Secretary Gu's military strategy?"
"His Majesty's health is failing. A few days ago, the Fourth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince went to Huguo Temple to pray for blessings, but they were assassinated on the way and are all dead."
Xie Zhaozhao was taken aback, her first thought being: "Was it Wei Jingzhong who did it?"
Xie Anfeng shook his head: "Of course Wei Jingzhong was involved, but it was mostly Consort De's doing."
Xie Zhaozhao was even more confused. Was Consort De harming the imperial heir?
Has she gone mad?
Even if all the other princes are gone, it won't be Prince Qi's turn.
If only the deposed crown prince remains, and he ascends to the throne, is Consort De certain that Prince Qi will have a good outcome?
That's Prince Qi's enemy.
Xie Anfeng said, "Your aunt is now in charge of the inner palace. She has investigated the inner palace and the princes and discovered some clues."
It turns out that someone had instigated the princes at the Jade Dragon Academy, saying that with the country in crisis and even Grand Secretary Gu abandoning his studies to join the army, these princes were enjoying peace and tranquility in the rear, which was truly heartless.
These princes felt uneasy, so they all prayed for the soldiers at the front lines to show their sincerity.
Later, the princes went to ask their teacher for leave, and the teacher dared not refuse.
Ultimately, it was the concubines' greed that led them to push their own sons to compete for the throne. They supported their sons in carrying out vanity projects for His Majesty's benefit, but little did they know they were falling into someone else's trap.
Consort Xi inquired about the mothers of the princes one by one. Consort Hui mentioned a detail: the princes, imperial relatives, and sons of powerful nobles who studied at Yulong Academy all knew each other.
After the incident, the fourth prince Jingyi's personal attendant was not present at the scene.
Therefore, Consort Xi sent Liuli to the Dali Temple to report to the Dali Temple Minister, who ordered the immediate arrest of Jingyi's chief attendant.
The deaths of three princes were a truly momentous event.
The Dali Temple dug three feet into the ground, and on their way to the old servant's hometown, they happened to encounter the fleeing servant and arrested him.
The attendant couldn't withstand the torture and quickly confessed, saying that someone had given them several thousand taels of silver to spread a message in the academy: during times of national crisis, princes should set an example and pray for the country's well-being.
Although it was somewhat strange, these teenage princes were persuaded and, in a fit of fervor, all went.
Following this clue, they eventually found Duanmei, the head maid of Consort De. Seeing that she could not deny it, Duanmei said that she had hired someone to do it and that it had nothing to do with anyone else.
As for the reason for killing her, it was very simple: these princes had all bullied her.
Furthermore, during the interrogation, Jingyi's attendant, Duanmei, could not withstand the torture and committed suicide when no one was paying attention.
Duanmei's confession was full of loopholes, and more than a hundred imperial guards were all killed. This was no ordinary killer.
Where would a palace maid get so much money to hire so many experts?
All the evidence points to Consort De.
Consort Xi ordered her men to surround Consort De's palace, forbidding the master and servants from entering or leaving.
When Emperor Hui awoke, Consort Xi and the Court of Judicial Review submitted their investigation results to His Majesty. The birth mothers of the three princes stood outside the palace, disheveled and weeping, begging for severe punishment of Consort De.
Emperor Hui was truly furious!
He immediately ordered, "Bring that wicked woman here before me."
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