"I hate her to the core! That's why I used witchcraft to harm her child! It was me who did it!"
Aunt Zhang's voice was as loud as a bell, causing Gu Jiangru to burst into tears.
"Mother! What are you saying! You were clearly the victim! Why are you admitting it!"
Unmoved, Aunt Zhang continued to shout, "Empress Dowager, punish me as you see fit! Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you! Anyway, I'm the one who caused Gu Jiangli's child!"
"I hid this in Lanfang Palace simply because I couldn't find anywhere else to hide it! Lanfang Palace is the only place I can frequently enter and exit, that's all! It has nothing to do with Ru'er... or Consort Gu!"
"Mother! You've gone mad!"
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes. "Hmph, do you think it's enough for you to take the blame all by yourself? I will not let anyone who uses such evil methods in the palace get away with it!"
Aunt Zhang paused, "Why don't you believe me! Consort Gu knew nothing about this; I did it all by myself! You are the Empress Dowager; you cannot wrong an innocent person!"
"If you wish to die, I will grant your wish. Guards, drag Zhang out! Beat her to death the next day!"
Aunt Zhang was deflated, her eyes lifeless.
If her death could save Ru'er's life, that would be fine. She could just consider it her own fault for misjudging people and falling into a trap. As long as Ru'er wasn't implicated, anything was acceptable.
"No, no!! Empress Dowager! Mother is innocent! You can't kill her!"
The Empress Dowager remained unmoved.
Two guards grabbed Zhang Yiniang by the armpits, dragged her up from the ground, and pulled her out of the hall.
Gu Jiangru pleaded desperately, but to no avail.
"Mother!" she cried out in anguish, but all she saw was her mother's figure gradually disappearing outside Guangming Hall.
Gu Jiangru's eyes were bloodshot; she could hardly bear this sudden disaster.
She glared fiercely at Gu Jiangli, who was sobbing, and hatred welled up in her heart.
"You bitch! It was you who did it! What kind of witchcraft is this! You used the child to frame my mother! I'll fight you to the death!"
Gu Jiangru rushed towards Gu Jiangru like a madwoman, and the Empress Dowager was completely caught off guard and could not stop her in time.
The emperor turned around and kicked Gu Jiangru in the waist.
Gu Jiangru flew backward a distance of ten feet, got up and spat out a mouthful of blood, her fierce gaze showing no sign of abating.
The Emperor decreed: "Gu Jiangru has behaved improperly in front of the Emperor. She is hereby demoted to the rank of Consort and banished to the Cold Palace for life. All palace servants in Lanfang Palace shall be dismissed and reassigned by the Shanggong Bureau. No one is permitted to take care of Consort Gu."
The servants immediately obeyed the order, feeling fear in their hearts.
The emperor did not execute Consort Gu, but instead left her to fend for herself.
She was not allowed to leave the cold palace and was not allowed to be cared for.
Winter has already arrived, and within a month at most, Consort Gu will freeze to death in the cold palace.
Instead of begging for mercy in the face of the emperor's punishment, Gu Jiangru burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Gu Jiangli, you're so proud of yourself, aren't you! You got your revenge with just a child! You're truly amazing!"
The Empress Dowager looked annoyed and refused to listen to another word. "Drag him out immediately!"
Even as she was being taken away, Gu Jiangru continued to curse: "Your Majesty! You've been blinded by greed! Do you think Gu Jiangli is a good person? My mother didn't do anything at all! It was all done by Gu Jiangli alone! You've all been deceived by her! You've all been deceived by her!"
The Empress Dowager frowned and comforted Gu Jiangli, saying, "Good child, rest assured and recuperate. The Emperor and I have taken care of those who harmed you. If you recover, you will have children in the future."
Gu Jiangli tried to force a smile onto her troubled face. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will definitely recover."
"Hmm, alright, I'll have someone bring you some nourishing soup right away. Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself."
Before leaving, the Empress Dowager gave the Emperor many instructions.
The emperor simply nodded without saying a word.
The Empress Dowager took everyone away from the palace, leaving only a few palace maids outside to keep watch.
Even when facing the emperor alone, Gu Jiangli still couldn't manage a smile.
"Your Majesty... I'm sorry to disappoint you, this should have been your first child..."
There was a hint of sorrow in the emperor's dark pupils, but it was not reflected on his cold and stern face.
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice filled with immeasurable sorrow:
"Li'er, are you... satisfied now?"
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