Concubine Xue's reaction amused Fang Shaojian.
He smiled and said, "Don't misunderstand, Imperial Concubine. The Empress didn't appear in my dream. The Empress was very thoughtful. Before she passed away, she had already instructed me that when the time comes, I must come to see the Imperial Concubine and explain everything clearly."
Concubine Xue stared at Fang Shaojian suspiciously.
"What's the timing? How many things did Queen Ruizhen Cui tell you?"
Fang Shaojian said slowly, "The Empress had already predicted that the fool Meipin would end up like this. She instructed me that when Meipin's incident happened, I must come to see the Imperial Concubine and tell her the truth about the Fourth Prince's death."
"What did you say?"
Concubine Xue was horrified.
The Fourth Prince was Concubine Xue's eldest son, but he died at the age of twelve. Twenty years had passed since this incident, so what was the purpose of Fang Shaojian bringing it up now?
As for the fact that Concubine Mei abused the Eighth Princess, everyone inside and outside the Imperial City knew about it except the Emperor.
But no one thought of exposing this.
Because exposing this matter will not only do no good, but will also bring trouble to yourself.
Just like now, the eighth princess died and her abuse was discovered by the emperor. The emperor was furious and blood flowed like a river.
It's only been one day, and over a hundred palace maids have already died. Who knows how many more will die next.
Anger and hatred flashed in Concubine Xue's eyes. She sneered, "Empress Cui Ruizhen is dead. Do you still want to vindicate her?"
The death of the Fourth Prince was Concubine Xue's greatest regret. From that time on, she targeted Empress Cui Ruizhen in every way.
Fang Shaojian's eyebrows moved slightly, and he said softly: "Of course, this is not to redress the Empress, I just want to tell the Imperial Concubine the truth."
Concubine Xue said angrily, "The truth is that my prince was killed by that woman, Empress Cui. Now she is dead, but the prince is still alive. I will never let him go."
Fang Shaojian raised his eyelids and asked, "Does the Imperial Concubine really believe that the Fourth Prince was killed by the Empress?"
"Isn't it?" Concubine Xue sneered, her eyes full of sarcasm.
"Of course not." Fang Shaojian said in a loud voice.
Concubine Xue smiled contemptuously and leaned back in her chair, relaxing her whole body.
She said, "Do you think I will believe you if you say that?"
Fang Shaojian lowered his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, think carefully. If it was really the Empress who harmed the Fourth Prince, why did His Majesty just reprimand her a few times and let the matter go?"
Concubine Xue smiled coldly, "Of course it's because the Queen's family is powerful and His Majesty is wary of them."
"No! The reason why Your Majesty did not pursue this matter is because Your Majesty is the real murderer."
Fang Shaojian's words were earth-shattering.
Concubine Xue shouted angrily, "Nonsense! Do you really think I'm a three-year-old child who will believe anything you say?"
Fang Shaojian smiled slightly, "Am I really talking nonsense? Your Majesty, please think about what happened before the Fourth Prince passed away."
Concubine Xue was shocked and confused. She couldn't help but recall what happened a few months before the Fourth Prince's death.
It’s been so long that I can’t remember many things.
However, Concubine Xue always remembered that there was a Taoist priest in the palace who had read the Fourth Prince's fortune and said that he was extremely intelligent and a rare talent.
She was quite happy at that time. The Fourth Prince had shown extraordinary intelligence since he started learning at the age of three.
He had a photographic memory and could draw inferences from what he learned. At a young age, he was able to converse with great scholars and express unique insights into state affairs.
Back then, Concubine Xue was proud of the Fourth Prince, and all the civil and military officials in the court praised the Fourth Prince.
However, a slight cold took the life of the Fourth Prince.
The death of the Fourth Prince made Concubine Xue heartbroken.
All the evidence points to the Queen.
At that time, the court was discussing the issue of appointing a crown prince, and the intelligent Fourth Prince was an obvious threat to the Queen and her son.
In order to clear the obstacles for her own son, the Queen killed the Fourth Prince, and Concubine Xue never doubted this.
However, the emperor's handling of the fourth prince's death was all talk and no action, which made Concubine Xue extremely dissatisfied.
This incident was like a thorn in Concubine Xue's heart.
Whenever she had the chance, she would cause trouble for the Queen and the Crown Prince.
She united those who opposed the prince in the palace and the court, and spent nine years to finally make sure that no one around the emperor would speak for the prince.
Now Fang Shaojian actually told her that the person who killed the Fourth Prince was not the Empress, but the Emperor. How could this be possible?
Seeing Concubine Xue's solemn expression, Fang Shaojian smiled and said, "I think the Concubine has remembered what happened in the past."
Concubine Xue scoffed, "Nonsense! Why would His Majesty harm the Fourth Prince? He's his own son, his most intelligent son."
Fang Shaojian said expressionlessly, "The Fourth Prince died because he was too clever. He was so clever that even His Majesty was afraid of him."
"How outrageous!" Concubine Xue scolded Fang Shaojian angrily.
Fang Shaojian remained unmoved and said coldly, "Don't you know what kind of character His Majesty is?"
Concubine Xue had a serious expression.
She was certainly aware of the emperor's temperament. Because she knew this, she never expressed any opinions on state affairs or the princes, as this would arouse his majesty's suspicion.
The emperor was able to sit on the throne by stepping on the corpses of his father and brothers.
He has always been suspicious and cannot trust anyone completely.
As for the relationship between father and son, in the royal family, there is first the ruler and his subjects, and then there is the father and his son.
Would the emperor really kill the Fourth Prince because he was afraid that he was too smart?
Could the emperor be so cold and cruel?
Yes, the emperor is so cold-blooded and cruel.
There was a flash of panic in Concubine Xue's eyes, which was caught by Fang Shaojian, but he did not expose it.
"Back then, the Fourth Prince was just a child. How could Your Majesty have been so cruel?"
Concubine Xue felt cold all over.
Fang Shaojian said, "It was precisely because the Fourth Prince was a child that it was easier to attack him. Your Majesty, did you know that the alchemist had read the Fourth Prince's fortune twice before?"
"Why don't I know?" Concubine Xue looked suspicious.
Fang Shaojian smiled and said, "Only four people know about this. The Emperor, Chen Jianzheng who is beside the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and me. But I also heard it from the Empress Dowager."
Concubine Xue's face was solemn. "What did the Taoist priest say when he read the Fourth Prince's fortune for the second time?"
"The alchemist only said one thing: the son harms the father."
"Nonsense!" Concubine Xue's face turned pale. These three words determined the life and death of the Fourth Prince. What a vicious alchemist, what a vicious emperor.
Her expression twisted. "How do I know you're not making this up? Perhaps that alchemist was invited to the palace by the Empress to deliberately cause chaos and alienate the relationship between His Majesty and the Fourth Prince."
Fang Shaojian said slowly, "I knew the Imperial Concubine would have this question. Let me tell you another story. Back then, the Emperor asked a Taoist priest to predict the Empress's fate, and the Taoist priest said that the Empress would harm the Emperor."
"You must be making up stories in an attempt to sway me. I won't be fooled."
Concubine Xue gritted her teeth and said that she didn't believe Fang Shaojian, but in fact she already believed him in her heart.
She remembered that before the Fourth Prince died, the alchemist suddenly disappeared from the palace one day, and no one knew whether he was dead or alive.
Also, since then, the emperor and empress, who originally had a good relationship, began to confront each other.
If it weren't for the Empress's elder brother, the previous generation Duke Zhenguo, who was deeply trusted by the Emperor, the Emperor would have deposed the Empress long ago.
The Empress had the means, the strategy, the support, and the formidable fighting ability to fight the Emperor on equal terms. Therefore, the Empress survived and passed away this year.
The Fourth Prince was only a teenager back then, completely defenseless against the Emperor. It would have been easy for the Emperor to harm him, and he could have easily pinned the blame on the Empress.
It was clearly May and the weather was so hot that it made people feel uneasy, but Concubine Xue felt as if she was in the coldest days of winter and her whole body was cold.
Fang Shaojian knew very well that Concubine Xue was already moved.
He said to Concubine Xue: "Whether it is fabricated or not, I believe Your Majesty will make her own decision."
Concubine Xue snorted coldly, "You said that it was His Majesty who killed the Fourth Prince, then why did the Empress willingly bear the crime of murdering the Fourth Prince?
She can just tell the truth. As long as she provides evidence, I will believe her.
However, twenty years have passed since the incident, and the Empress has already passed away, and you have only just come to tell me the so-called truth, Young Master Fang, what are your intentions?
Fang Shaojian's eyebrows moved slightly, and he said, "The Empress was willing to bear the crime of murdering the prince rather than tell the truth. It was naturally to save her own life.
The emperor will only feel at ease when the imperial concubine and the empress are at odds with each other.
You know, the emperor is very suspicious and can't stand seeing everyone being so affectionate and affectionate as if they were a family. Only when everyone fights to the death will the emperor feel at ease."
Concubine Xue had a stern face, and she still had many questions in her mind.
"Why are you telling me the truth now? What is Queen Choi Ruizhen thinking?"
Fang Shaojian said sincerely, "The Empress simply doesn't want everyone to kill each other."
After a pause, he lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty is old."
The implication is self-evident.
Your Majesty is old and has little time left.
Killing each other at this time only satisfies His Majesty but harms everyone else.
Concubine Xue sneered, "Alright, I understand your intentions. Thank you for sharing the truth, but I cannot possibly cooperate with the Eastern Palace. Whoever murdered the Fourth Prince happened twenty years ago and cannot possibly influence my decision today."
Fang Shaojian smiled and said, "I understand what Your Majesty means. Actually, I didn't come here this time expecting Your Majesty to cooperate with the Eastern Palace. Your Majesty dislikes the Crown Prince, and the Eastern Palace is on the decline. Everyone can see this situation. I came here simply to seek protection for myself."
Concubine Xue was shocked and confused at first, and then she burst into laughter.
She laughed until tears came out of her eyes. "You, the dignified Young Master Fang, still need my protection. Are you kidding me?"
"I'm not kidding. Your Majesty knows my current situation better than anyone else. I beg Your Majesty to grant me protection when necessary, considering that I have spoken the truth."
Concubine Xue narrowed her eyes and asked, "Does the Meipin incident have anything to do with you?"
Fang Shaojian smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Concubine Xue frowned, looking puzzled. "Why did you do this?"
Fang Shaojian chuckled softly, "Of course it's to kill someone with a borrowed knife."
"Aren't you afraid of hurting yourself?"
"So that's why I asked the Queen for protection?"
Concubine Xue smiled coldly, "Don't tell me what you did. Was it all instructed by Empress Cui Ruizhen before she died?"
"Of course not. The Queen asked me to tell the truth to buy time for the Eastern Palace."
Fang Shaojian looked frank.
Concubine Xue sneered, "Empress Cui Ruizhen has been so worried about the Crown Prince. And yet, you betrayed her so quickly. You're offering the truth in exchange for your own safety. Aren't you afraid that Empress Cui Ruizhen will die with regrets and come looking for you in the middle of the night?"
Fang Shaojian said seriously, "I don't believe in ghosts and gods."
"Hahaha...you're truly treacherous. Asking me to protect you is a small matter. But the truth alone won't earn me protection. Have you thought it through?"
Concubine Xue seemed to smile. She had been distracted by the so-called truth and had been led around by Fang Shaojian.
Now, it is her turn to control the pace and lead Fang Shaojian by the nose.
Fang Shaojian frowned slightly, "What does the Imperial Concubine want me to do?"
"I want you to deal with the East Palace, are you willing?"
As soon as Concubine Xue opens her mouth, it becomes hellish.
Fang Shaojian shook his head without a second thought, "That's impossible. The Empress saved my life and showed me her appreciation. I can't possibly help you deal with the Eastern Palace."
"You speak so righteously, yet so shameless. Don't forget that you have just betrayed the Empress."
Fang Shaojian shook his head. "I didn't betray the Empress. I just knew that the truth wouldn't win the Imperial Concubine's cooperation, so I changed my mind temporarily, hoping to gain her protection."
Concubine Xue sneered, "You've received my protection, yet now you're using the Crown Prince's power against me. Do you really think I'm a fool? Young Master Fang, if you still want to play tricks, don't blame me for being rude. His Majesty is furious right now, and I could kill you with just one word."
Fang Shaojian shook his head slightly and said firmly: "The Imperial Concubine is reluctant to take my life because I am still useful."
Concubine Xue sneered. She was indeed reluctant to take Shaojian Fang's life, but she was willing to let him suffer physical pain.
Concubine Xue relaxed her whole body and said in a cold voice, "Tell me, what can you do for me?"
Fang Shaojian stared at Concubine Xue and bewitched her, saying, "I can avenge the loss of your son."
Concubine Xue sat up suddenly, straightened her back, and looked shocked, confused and panicked.
She lowered her voice and scolded sternly, "Don't talk nonsense. What revenge? I have never thought of revenge."
Fang Shaojian continued to bewitch her, "Is Your Majesty truly indifferent to the Fourth Prince's death?"
Concubine Xue was agitated and shouted angrily, "Shut up! I told you to shut up, did you hear me? I don't want to hear the same thing again."
Fang Shaojian was very tactful, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I will take my leave now."
"Get out! Get out of here right now!"
Concubine Xue picked up the teacup and threw it at Shaojian Fang.
Fang Shaojian dodged, straightened his back, and left the hall.
Concubine Xue was furious, her chest heaving violently.
She threw out everything she could, and the hall was in a mess.
The palace maids hurried into the hall to clean up.
The trusted palace maid advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. That Young Supervisor Fang is not a good person. It would be better to take advantage of this palace purge to get rid of him."
"not busy."
Concubine Xue panted as she said, "Help me back to my room."
The trusted palace maid hurriedly helped Concubine Xue up and took her to the bedroom.
Concubine Xue was lying on the chaise longue, her whole body tense.
In her mind, she couldn't help but recall what Fang Shaojian had said.
Revenge! Help her avenge the loss of her son.
Does this mean you want to kill Your Majesty?
Concubine Xue subconsciously covered her mouth, afraid that she would say what was in her heart.
She was panicked, confused, and upset.
She gritted her teeth, waved her hand, and told her trusted maid to leave. No one was allowed to come in without her permission.
When she was the only one left in the bedroom, she finally didn't have to hide anymore.
Her hands were shaking, her heart was beating faster, her face was pale, her ears were red, but she felt inexplicably excited.
She knew that this was very abnormal.
what to do?
She asked herself.
As time passed, Concubine Xue gradually calmed down from her nervous and excited state.
Fang Shaojian said he wanted to avenge her. Could it be a trap?
Could it be a trap set for her by Queen Choi Yeojin before her death?
Killing the emperor was a heinous crime punishable by the death of nine generations of her clan. If she showed even a hint of such intention, and the emperor knew about it, she, her son, the Prince of Zhao, her grandchildren, and her entire family would be doomed.
By then, not to mention fighting for the throne, you won’t even be able to save your life.
Concubine Xue gritted her teeth and paced back and forth in the bedroom.
This must be a trap.
What a wise and true Empress Cui! Even after everyone died, she still plotted against her. She is indeed a vicious woman.
Concubine Xue smiled coldly, "Come here, pass on my order to arrest Young Supervisor Fang immediately."
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