Chapter 514 Proving the Empress's Innocence
Consort Li explained, "That day, I was greedy and ate a fruit that the imperial physician usually forbids. After eating it, I was walking on the bridge when I felt dizzy, which is why I accidentally fell into the water."
As she spoke, she knelt before the emperor and cried, "Your Majesty, it was my fault. If I hadn't been so greedy, I wouldn't have felt dizzy, fallen into the water, or lost our child."
The emperor looked at his concubine, who was crying her eyes out, and felt a mix of emotions. He wasn't angry, but rather heartbroken.
Now that he's older, he's lost the manic and furious tendencies he once had.
In addition, Consort Li was naturally strong-willed, and he liked her, so he couldn't bear to see her looking so haggard.
The emperor, his hands trembling slightly, held Consort Li tightly in his arms and comforted her, saying, "It's not your fault, it's not your fault. The child is gone, but you're still young. You'll have other opportunities in the future. The most important thing now is to take good care of your health."
Consort Li nearly fainted while crying.
The emperor was immediately alarmed and quickly sent someone to send Consort Li back, and invited the best doctor to treat her.
After Consort Li was sent back, the emperor sat weakly on the dragon throne.
The Seventh Prince took two steps closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, now that the matter of Consort Li's miscarriage has been investigated, may we return to the matter of Consort Wu's miscarriage?"
The emperor raised his fierce eyes, preparing to reprimand him.
Zhou Ruiyuan immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is right. Since there are witnesses and physical evidence, we should investigate the matter of that year as soon as possible. Firstly, so as not to wrong the Empress, and secondly, so as not to wrong Your Majesty."
"Wrong me? Wrong me in what way?" the emperor asked in confusion.
Zhou Ruiyuan continued, "There are rumors circulating among the people that the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine conspired to frame the Empress."
That hit the nail on the head.
The emperor was furious and slammed his fist on the teacup on the table. "Insolence! Who? Who is slandering me?!"
Zhou Ruiyuan slowly said, "I have not found out who it is, but I have heard such rumors among the people."
The emperor struggled to calm his anger and said coldly, "Investigate! Don't let a single one escape!"
Zhou Ruiyuan advised, "Your Majesty, there are always people who spread rumors. Why don't you take this opportunity to prove your innocence and settle the matter once and for all?"
He then turned his gaze to the Seventh Prince, saying, "Your Highness is doing this for the Emperor's own good, which is why you insist on investigating this matter."
After hearing this, the emperor noticed that the seventh prince's expression had indeed improved considerably.
He changed his previous rejection and said to Liu Xiangxiang, "Say what you just said again."
Liu Xiangxiang then recounted how Consort Duan had poisoned Consort Wu.
The emperor is now in a dilemma. If he clears the empress's name, it will prove that he was wrong before. If he doesn't clear the empress's name, more and more people will slander him.
After listening to Liu Xiangxiang finish speaking, he had a sudden inspiration and decided to push all the blame onto Consort Duan.
Anyway, Consort Duan is already dead.
The Emperor softened his expression and said, "After listening to what the Seventh Prince and Lord Zhou said, I understand. Tomorrow I will announce to the world that it was Consort Duan who poisoned Consort Wu, and Consort Wu, harboring resentment, framed the Empress for it."
The Seventh Prince and Zhou Ruiyuan bowed together and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
It's unlikely that the emperor will admit his mistake now, but it would be good enough if the empress could be exonerated.
The two men did not pursue the matter further. After listening to the emperor's words, they led the two witnesses away from the palace.
The next day, the emperor indeed issued an imperial edict. Although this edict cleared the emperor of the conspiracy with Consort Duan, people still had doubts.
Meanwhile, Consort Wu, who was tied up in the dilapidated temple, felt her heart die the moment she heard the imperial edict.
She was now certain that her child had been murdered by the Emperor and Consort Duan, and she was filled with rage, wishing she could tear the two of them to pieces.
Hai Qingyang slowly walked in from outside. "Consort Wu, you are now wanted by the Emperor. Have you decided where to go?"
Consort Wu kept her head down and remained silent.
Hai Qingyang slowly said, "The Seventh Prince said that he would spare your life because you helped us find witnesses."
"Will you let me go?" Consort Wu sneered.
Hai Qingyang crossed his arms and laughed, "It seems that the Imperial Concubine has some self-awareness."
Consort Wu slowly rose, her face full of mockery. "I don't know why you and the Seventh Prince went to such lengths. Now that the Empress is dead, what good is it even if we prove she was wronged? Does she think she can come back to life?"
Hai Qingyang remained silent.
Consort Wu noticed something amiss in his gaze and quickly sat up in surprise, exclaiming, "She's not dead? She's not dead, is she?"
Hai Qingyang looked at her with a slightly somber gaze, without answering her.
Consort Wu grabbed his leg, her voice frantic, "The Empress is still alive?! She's really still alive?"
As she spoke, she suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly, "We've been fighting for most of our lives, but in the end, I lost! I lost!"
Hai Qingyang kicked her away, "Of course the Empress is dead! She was killed by all of you!"
Consort Wu was slightly lost in thought and didn't hear what he said at all.
She suddenly looked up and said, "Could you send me to the palace?"
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