The Emperor talked with the old Duke for over an hour in the Imperial Study Room, only ending their conversation when Yu An announced that Imperial Concubine had personally come to deliver pear soup to His Majesty.
The old Duke stood up, "Your Majesty has matters to attend to, this humble servant will take his leave."
The Emperor, also feeling like they had said enough, nodded and let the old Duke leave. "Yu An, escort the old Duke out of the palace."
Yu An acknowledged.
As the old Duke exited the Imperial Study Room, he saw the Imperial Concubine, standing on the steps in a peach-red cloak. Given the Duke’s status, it would be impossible for him to greet the Imperial Concubine, so he simply said, "Your Highness, you are very kind."
If it hadn’t been for the Imperial Concubine personally delivering the pear soup, he suspected the Emperor would have continued to interrogate him. He couldn’t say much more, after all, how much more could there be to say on the same subject?
There has been a long-standing rift between the sovereign and the servant, so naturally not everything can be laid bare.
Imperial Concubine was extremely beautiful, with exceptionally white skin. The peach-red dress suited her well, particularly in this late autumn when everything else seemed to be withering. Her single figure, standing outside the Imperial Study Room clad in peach-red, was a captivating sight.
She smiled at the old Duke, and her voice was soft and pleasant, "Is the old Duke’s health greatly improved?"
"Thanks to your Highness’s kindness, it is still robust," the old Duke replied as he descended the steps, "His Majesty awaits, Your Highness should enter quickly!"
Imperial Concubine nodded slightly, moved aside, and cleared the way, "Take care, old Duke!"
The old Duke walked towards the palace gate, hands behind his back. Yu An personally escorted him until he exited the palace gate, watching as the old Duke climbed onto a carriage, before turning back. He thought to himself that the old Duke still commanded respect, causing fear and obligations of decorum from the Emperor.
Imperial Concubine delivered the pear soup to the Imperial Study Room herself, placing it on the jade case, and then bowed gracefully, "Did this servant come at an inopportune time? Did I disturb Your Majesty?"
The Emperor always loved Imperial Concubine’s demeanor, but today he seemed somewhat distracted, he extended a hand and gently helped her up, "Concubine, your hands are so cold, and you didn’t even bring a hand warmer. The servants have served you poorly and should be punished."
Imperial Concubine shook her head, "This servant does not feel cold."
"You are too soft-hearted towards your servants, who therefore do not do their utmost," the Emperor said, pulling her hand to sit down, "You’ve just recovered a bit, why are you running around? If you fall ill again, wouldn’t that break my heart?"
The Imperial Concubine laughed flirtatiously, "So you’re saying, Your Majesty is reluctant to see this servant? And you don’t want to taste my pear soup either? This servant supervised its preparation in the kitchen for a long time."
The emperor quickly tightened his grip on her hand, "How can I be reluctant to see you? I’m just worried about your health; every autumn and winter, you always catch a cold. I can go without the pear soup, but you must stay healthy for me."
The Imperial Concubine showed a tender smile, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. As long as you care for me, I will also take good care of myself."
She stood up to serve the Emperor pear soup, "It’s still hot. Your Majesty, please try it sooner, eating autumn pears can relieve internal heat."
With Yu An absent, she didn’t call anyone else to come in and taste it for poison. She scooped it up herself, took a sip, and then proactively fed the Emperor.
The Emperor obeyed, sipping the pear soup. In that moment, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study Room was transformed from its previous heaviness to a warm and cozy ambiance.
After the Emperor finished a bowl of pear soup, he had a sudden whim, patting the Imperial Concubine’s hand, "I will visit the Changle Palace tonight."
The Imperial Concubine blushed, "This servant did not struggle to bring you the pear soup in order to seek favors."
The Emperor laughed heartily, "I know, my Imperial Concubine does not need to seek favors, and I still love her dearly. You brought pear soup because you care for me. Recently there have been many affairs at court, I really do feel a bit heaty, and your pear soup was sent at just the right time."
The Imperial Concubine asked with concern, "I heard that the mastermind behind the attempted assassination of Princess Qingping has committed suicide, and all the accomplices have been poisoned. No matter how angry you are, Your Majesty, you have to take care of your health."
The Emperor nodded, "I understand."
Imperial Concubine personally cleaned up the empty pot and bowl and placed them in the food box, "Then, this servant will take her leave."
The Emperor waved her off with a smile, reminding her again, "Wait for me tonight."
In embarrassment, the Imperial Concubine stomped her feet, then picked up the food box and left the Imperial Study Room.
The Emperor’s joyful laughter resonated behind him.
After departing from the Imperial Study Room, the delighted smile on Imperial Concubine Zhen’s face faded. She handed the food box to a palace maid, adjusted her cloak, and quietly instructed, "Let’s go, it’s time to return."
Following her instruction, the palace maid, carrying the food box, followed her lead.
A congregation of people came and went, appearing to do nothing more than deliver a bowl of pear soup.
After Imperial Concubine Zhen had left, the Emperor’s laughter gradually subsided. For a time, he found no interest in reviewing the documents and sat desolate. It was not until Yu An returned after escorting the old Duke that he poured a cup of tea for the Emperor, who suddenly asked, "Yu An, what is Imperial Concubine Zhen’s maiden name?"
Taken aback, Yu An responded in a lowered voice, "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine is a Shen by birth, her given name is Yi ."
"Shen Yi. How could I forget?" The Emperor paused momentarily, "How many years has she been in the palace?"
"Fourteen years, I believe!" Yu An replied, uncertain of the exact years.
"Fourteen years." The Emperor seemed to drift away for a moment, "Su Rong turned fifteen this year."
Once again, Yu An was shocked. Unable to comprehend the link between the two, he quickly glanced at the Emperor. Seeing his misty expression, he dared not probe further and hastily lowered his head.
It was a good while before the Emperor returned to his senses and ordered, "Summon Rui’an King."
Yu An acknowledged the command.
Rui’an King had also attended the grand court conference that morning. He had just returned to his residence and not long after he heard of His Majesty’s summons. He hastily bathed, changed his clothing, and hurried back to the Palace.
Upon seeing Rui’an King, the Emperor said, "I want you to lead the investigation into the assassination attempt on Princess Qingping. The Judicial Ministries will assist you. You must thoroughly investigate this matter. Do you understand?"
Rui’an King was taken aback. Earlier that morning, during the court session, His Majesty had talked about this case, admonished the Minister of Dali Temple, and ordered the Ministry of Justice to collaborate with the three Judicial Ministries to investigate the case. Why was he now also being summoned to assist in the investigation? He looked at the Emperor, puzzled.
Seeing his puzzled expression, the Emperor knew that Rui’an King was not involved in the assassination attempt on Princess Qingping. It seemed that he was also unaware of Su Rong’s real identity, or else he would have recognized that the assassination attempt was not targeted at Qingping, but at Su Rong.
If he had not inquired about Su Rong’s identity from the Old Duke, he would believe that there was no problem with the three Judicial Ministries investigating the case. But now that he knew Su Rong’s identity, the matter had become more complicated. However, as the Emperor’s words were sacrosanct, he could not backtrack on his order. Therefore, he needed someone capable, someone who was impartial and free from the influence of the court’s murky politics, someone of high rank who had always maintained neutrality. That person was Rui’an King.
He was also curious as to who in his court would collude with the Nangong family or the royal family of Nanchu to assassinate Su Rong.
So, the Emperor looked at Rui’an King and said, "The Ministry of Justice, Dali Temple, and Supreme Court each have their own shortcomings. I’ve always felt uneasy. As this case is of great importance, I believe you are the right person to handle it. With you taking charge, I will be at ease."
Hearing this, Rui’an King quickly bowed, "Since Your Majesty has put it that way, I will give it my all to thoroughly investigate this case."
The Emperor nodded his head in approval, "That boy of yours, Xie Lin, I find him quite promising. Once the imperial examination results are released, as long as he ranks high, I intend to promote him."
Rui’an King was delighted, but he also understood that His Majesty was making a promise to him. As long as the Rui’an King’s family remained loyal to the Emperor, there would be no need to worry about Xie Lin’s future.
He quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Although Lin still acts somewhat childishly, it is only because he has not been tested. Once he is put through more trials, I believe he will prove to be useful."
The Emperor nodded, appearing to be quite satisfied, "I believe so too."
As a result, when Rui’an King left the palace once again, he carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. He thought it would be best to first visit the Dali Temple to get an update on the case progress, then visit the Princess Residence to hear Princess Qingping’s account of the day’s events firsthand.
He astutely sensed something peculiar about the situation, especially that the Old Duke had just had a lengthy conversation with His Majesty and immediately afterwards, he was summoned to the palace to take over the case. There was definitely something unusual about it.
Moreover, it was common knowledge that the cells of Dali Temple were strictly guarded. The Minister of Dali Temple was skilled, lucid, and understood the gravity of an assassination attempt on the Princess. Especially given that Princess Qingping had always dispatched people to keep a close watch, how could anyone have slipped through the cracks and poisoned her in jail? Yet, such an event did occur, indicating that someone had managed to infiltrate the Dali Temple and wield immense power.
As Rui’an King made his way, he contemplated that since the Emperor had entrusted this case to him, it meant that His Majesty trusted him and expected him to investigate the matter thoroughly. He would have to do an excellent job, regardless of whom it implicated, he would have to resolve it resolutely.
After all, the outcome of the case would determine his son’s future.
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