Chapter 418 Complaints

The atmosphere in the study was unusual, because there was not only the emperor, the supreme ruler, but also Concubine An, who was looking at them with a smile. The incense in the room and the fragrance of flowers outside the window intertwined, but they could not cover up the subtle tension in the study.

However, things were obviously not as simple and clear as the eunuch described.

At this moment, Concubine An was almost clinging to the emperor, and her every move and every look was full of attachment to the emperor. The emperor, a monarch who usually attached great importance to court etiquette, seemed to turn a blind eye to Concubine An's close behavior at this moment. He did not stop her, but looked at the three people who had just entered the study with a deep and complicated look.

The eldest princess and Qin Xixi immediately noticed something was wrong when they stepped into the study with a subtle atmosphere. Although they were full of confusion, they did not dare to look or ask too much since they were in front of the majestic emperor. The two of them quickly lowered their eyelids to hide their curiosity and confusion.

The eldest princess had previously told Zhao Shuoer in private that when dealing with this matter, she should not directly target Concubine An. Since the emperor was thinking of Zhao Shuoer and remembered to help the Prince of Jinnan and his wife take care of her, he would not ignore this matter, even if the other party was a favored concubine.

It was impossible for the emperor to ignore this matter. It would be wiser to strategically shift the focus of the attack and blame the problem on An Yuesheng and Anyueya. After all, they are just children of the An family. If they really committed such evil deeds, he, as the emperor, would never cover them up.

Zhao Shuoer pondered the princess's meaningful words deeply in her heart, and those words kept repeating in her mind. She came back to her senses, and her eyes were wet without her knowing when, and crystal tears rolled in her eyes, as if they would overflow at any time.

At this moment, Zhao Shuoer's emotions broke out, and she seemed unable to bear this kind of oppression and grievance any longer. She suddenly knelt on her knees, staring at the emperor with her tearful and pitiful eyes. Her body was pressed tightly against the ground, as if silently telling her own suffering.

"Your Majesty," Zhao Shuo'er's voice was choked with sobs, "Please help Shuo'er!"

The emperor was startled by this sudden situation. He quickly came to his senses and gently persuaded Zhao Shuo'er to get up.

"What's the matter?" The emperor's tone was full of concern, "It seems that there is a great injustice, get up quickly and talk slowly!"

Zhao Shuo'er's eyes were red, and she shook her head firmly, choosing to continue kneeling on the ground, as if only in this way could she express her determination and grievance.

She secretly glanced at Concubine An, it was a complex and subtle look. However, Concubine An had a blank expression on her face, as if she didn't care about Zhao Shuo'er's accusations at all, and even had an attitude of facing it calmly.

Zhao Shuo'er was a little surprised by Concubine An's reaction, but now she had no time to investigate further.

She took a deep breath and began to narrate her experience in a crying voice.

"Uncle Emperor, I was happily attending a banquet in the palace, but I didn't expect Anyueya to poison me. I was walking on the road and suddenly felt dizzy, and then I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found Anyueya looking at me coldly. She threatened me to marry Anyuecheng, otherwise she would ruin my reputation. Fortunately, the eldest princess and others arrived in time and rescued me from danger. Otherwise, I really don't know what would have happened..."

Zhao Shuoer narrated her experience in a soft voice, and every word revealed deep grievances and unspeakable fear. Her tears fell silently like pearls from a broken string, wetting her clothes. Her tearful eyes looked even more charming and touching under the light, making people feel pity.

The emperor listened attentively, and his face gradually turned livid as Zhao Shuoer spoke. When Zhao Shuoer finished speaking, the emperor slammed the table and stood up angrily, obviously angered by Zhao Shuoer's experience. His eyes flashed with anger, and he could not tolerate such an act of blatantly challenging the imperial power.

"Someone come!" The emperor's voice was like thunder, echoing throughout the hall, "Call the An brothers and sisters to me!"

The eunuchs had been observing the situation from the side. When they heard the emperor's order, they immediately took action and went to summon the An brothers and sisters as quickly as possible.

Although the emperor angrily asked to bring both of them, deep in his heart, he did not believe that this was done by Anyueya. He was more inclined to think that Anyue had threatened the young Anyueya. After all, in the eyes of the emperor, Anyueya was just a child.

When the An brothers and sisters were brought before the emperor, their faces were full of confusion. They really didn't seem to know why they were urgently summoned by the emperor.

The emperor had a gloomy face and stared at them with a sharp gaze. The An siblings felt the emperor's stern gaze, and although they didn't understand why, they knelt on the ground obediently, not daring to be negligent.

"Asshole!" The emperor glared at An Yuesheng, his tone cold and stern, "You have evil intentions towards Princess Shuo and attempted to humiliate her. Do you know how serious this crime is?"

An Yuesheng's eyes widened, his face full of shock and confusion, as if he was suddenly caught in an unknown vortex. He stared at the emperor in a daze, his lips slightly parted, but he seemed unable to find the right words to defend himself. That confused look seemed to silently declare his innocence, indicating that this matter really seemed to have nothing to do with him.

"Your Majesty, it's unfair!" An Yuesheng finally found his voice and defended himself eagerly, "I do have a good impression of Princess Shuo, and this is my true heart. But I would never do such a ridiculous thing! Your Majesty, please look carefully!"

His voice was full of anxiety and sincerity, as if every word was squeezed out of sincerity from the bottom of his heart.

At this time, Concubine An also hurriedly stood up to defend An Yuesheng.

"Your Majesty, Yuesheng grew up under my care, and I know his character best. He would never do such a thing to hurt Princess Shuo. Your Majesty, please look carefully and clear Yuesheng's name!"

However, the eldest princess was disdainful of the innocent performance of the An brothers and sisters. She snorted coldly and said sarcastically.

"When we went to rescue Shuo'er, she was so scared that she was trembling. She looked so pitiful. Do you think she has any reason to slander you? Or do you think my words are so insignificant that you can question them at will?"

The eldest princess' tone was full of majesty and unquestionable. Her sharp eyes swept across the faces of the An brothers and sisters and Concubine An, as if she wanted to see through their hearts.