Why is the Empress Dowager so stubborn? The evidence is right in front of her.
Is there really a hidden story?
Looking at her pitiful appearance, Mi Shan seemed to be able to sense the despair in her heart.
However, the current situation is very unfavorable to her.
She has already lost everything.
"Tongji, if she doesn't admit it, then you will. The late emperor trusted you so much when he was alive, but you cheated on him with the Empress Dowager and even dared to dream of letting this rebellious son ascend the throne and confuse the royal bloodline. What should your crimes be!"
After Li Shengyuan finished speaking, everyone suddenly realized what was going on.
Now that the dust has settled, it all started because of the Empress Dowager and Tongji University.
"It's all their fault, Your Majesty. I was also misled by them, Your Majesty—"
Prime Minister Xia was the first to react, pulling the Prince of Pingxi, who was also stunned for a long time and didn't know how to organize his words.
He knelt down on the ground with a thud.
“Prince Pingxi, quickly, you also apologize to the Emperor. We didn’t know Your Majesty was faking it, and we didn’t know that the Empress Dowager and Abbot Tongji dared to deceive the Emperor…”
"Now that things have come to this, this old monk has nothing more to say. What the Empress Dowager said is true; this child was acknowledged by the late Emperor."
Finally, the Tongji University host spoke in a deep voice.
"Even if he doesn't have royal blood flowing through his veins, you can't touch Li Shengyuan."
"Do you still remember the ironclad decree that the founding emperor left to our Yunyin Temple?"
"No matter what mistake the host makes, his life must be spared. He must be exempted from blame. This is equivalent to a get-out-of-jail-free card, or even more effective than one."
After Tongji finished speaking, he glanced at the absent-minded Kongwang and said in a deep voice,
"I will now pass on the position of abbot to him. With the imperial edict and ironclad contract, Your Majesty, you cannot kill him, nor can you torture him."
"Ha, so you admit it, you bald monk? You dare to say that his existence was approved by the late emperor? Isn't that slandering the late emperor? What man would tolerate a bastard child born from his wife's infidelity, especially since Father Emperor was the Son of Heaven!"
"I know you won't believe it, but it's the truth. Do with me as you please."
His gaze lingered intently on Kong Wang.
"It's all the old monk's fault. Now, let the old monk repay everything."
The Empress Dowager seemed to be lost in painful memories as well. Looking at Kong Wang, she raised her hand to stroke his cheek.
"I'm sorry, my child, perhaps I shouldn't have brought you into this world."
"Your Majesty, you betrayed me first! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been driven mad by you!"
"We've come to this point because of your sins, and it's also retribution for my poor judgment of people!"
The Empress Dowager let out a mournful cry and reached out to snatch the sword from the Sixth Prince's hand, attempting to kill herself.
"Your Majesty, as long as you don't make things difficult for my child and spare his life, I am willing to atone with my death!"
"Royal Uncle, don't let her kill herself!"
The emperor roared.
The sixth prince reacted quickly, snatching the sword back, but he could not stop the Empress Dowager's determination to die.
She crashed headfirst into a golden pillar carved with dragon patterns.
It made a loud thud.
Fresh blood gushed from her forehead.
Her body went limp and collapsed.
Everyone present was shocked.
"Empress Dowager!" Li Shengyuan exclaimed in astonishment, helping her up. "Why... Although you have committed a capital offense, you are still my mother!"
His face showed three parts feigned sincerity, four parts sorrow, and the rest was pure glee.
But to outsiders, he seemed to be a man of great loyalty and affection.
"You know how much I wanted to be a good son to you. I was so forgiving and wanted to treat you like my own mother. But you, you shattered that peace!"
"It's me... so what... isn't this exactly the situation Your Majesty wanted to see? Why are you still pretending in front of me?"
The Empress Dowager, clinging to her last breath, gave a bitter smile.
"If you had truly seen it back then, you would have known... Kong Wang, he was indeed recognized by your father. Even if you are unwilling to acknowledge his identity, I beg you... spare his life."
I have no other requests.
Only this, only this, you must agree!!!
The Empress Dowager gripped his arm tightly; her withered hand had nails digging deep into his flesh.
Mi Shan stared at this scene in astonishment.
The Empress Dowager died in such a way.
No, it's different. Looking at the timeline, the Empress Dowager's death occurred much earlier. Qin Miaomiao, who should have been the first to die, has only been banished to the Cold Palace.
Could it be that her intervention, giving her a second chance at life, ultimately changed everything?
She watched as Li Shengyuan, feigning sorrow, raised his hand and closed her eyes.
"Your Majesty, sleep. I promise you, I will spare Kongwang's life, and order him to remain at Yunyin Temple for the rest of his life as its abbot, never to step out of the temple!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes and released Li Shengyuan's hand that she had been holding tightly.
Xu Ninghai stepped forward and cautiously reached out to probe the Empress Dowager's breathing.
Then he hurriedly knelt down.
"The Empress Dowager...has passed away!"
"By my decree, the Empress Dowager attempted a rebellion and committed suicide out of fear of punishment. Although her crimes were grave, in consideration of her many years on the throne, she shall be given a grand funeral. However, she shall not be buried in the imperial mausoleum after her death, nor shall she be allowed to receive incense and worship from her descendants!"
"As for Tongji University, they are playing tricks, using clever words to mislead the public, and conspiring with the Empress Dowager to rebel. Drag them away immediately and tear them apart by five horses!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tongji University suddenly rose from the ground.
He leaped into the air and flew in front of Li Shengyuan, striking him hard with a palm before anyone could react.
Li Shengyuan was startled and retreated rapidly.
Li Changyu reacted the fastest and took the blow for Li Shengyuan.
Li Shengyuan was greatly alarmed.
Even though he had doubts about his son, after this experience, he couldn't help but look at him with new respect and felt a deep sense of gratitude.
"Changyu, you...you're so foolish! How could you disregard your own life and safety..."
"No, compared to Father's good health, my injury is nothing." Li Changyu clutched his shoulder and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Mi Shan:......
His face turned pale. He swayed and almost collapsed.
She was in excruciating pain.
But they still had to endure it and pretend that nothing was wrong.
Li Changyu, what are you really thinking? Do you want the emperor's life, or do you want to lose your own?
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