The world is never short of women who can inspire genuine admiration. There are heroines among women who, despite being women, can still rise to high positions in government and military affairs. These are true heroines.
There is no shortage of empresses who soared to the throne like a lone phoenix, or who, with a wave of their hand, subdued their ministers. Their delicate hands held the world in their hands, and the temples were established. The phrase "women" alone cannot fully express their ambition and spirit.
The Empress Dowager was neither a female general nor an empress who reigned supreme, but her face, though not intentionally angry, exuded an invisible pressure.
Seated among them was Liu Huan, a high-ranking official of the second rank, who held up a significant position in the court.
Having managed the Huo family's household affairs for several years, Huo Danlan, the eldest daughter of the Huo family, possesses a composure that is unmatched by ordinary people, honed by years of experience.
Peng Rui, who grew up in the military, was a young general who commanded troops, and among his peers, he only respected Wei Tingsi.
Having lived through three lifetimes, Zhao Shu is capable of remaining unmoved even when Mount Tai collapses before her. In this world, apart from her family, nothing and no one can stir her heartstrings.
Sun Yun, who is extremely proud and looks down on everything and everyone as if they were ants, is able to remain calm and undaunted when he learns that everyone around him is ruthless.
But none of these people dared to speak out of turn in front of the Empress Dowager. After Huo Danlan finished her report, she waited quietly for the Empress Dowager to respond.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, her gaze falling on each person before finally settling on Huo Danlan. She couldn't see through this woman; her courage and composure reminded her of herself in the past.
The Crown Prince is undoubtedly a huge problem, but she has intervened. Isn't she afraid that the world will think that the Huo family is part of the Crown Prince's faction? There are so many people who want the Crown Prince dead. Although the Huo family is a first-class family, it is absolutely no match for the powerful princes and nobles. Several other families are also getting involved. If the Huo family dares to get on the Crown Prince's side, it will be extremely dangerous.
Especially with even the Crown Prince's maternal family abandoning him and his leg broken, the Crown Prince has almost no chance of winning.
"So, the murderer hasn't been identified yet?" she said calmly after a moment of contemplation, her voice like a clear stream slowly flowing into everyone's hearts in the cold winter.
She didn't get angry, but she gave off the feeling that her anger was about to explode, and everyone lowered their heads.
Liu Huan, who was concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Justice, was the one who should answer this question. He kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to find out the murderer. Please rest assured."
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly upon hearing his words, "When will the truth be revealed? Are we to wait until the Crown Prince and I are both dead before making it public?"
Upon hearing the word "death," everyone lowered their heads even further. The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, and the Empress Dowager was the mother of the Emperor; neither of them should use the word "death." The fact that the Empress Dowager used the word "death" showed her thunderous rage.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Please give me a month. I will thoroughly investigate this matter." Liu Huan made a solemn pledge, his words barely out of his mouth. He had already devised several plans in his mind. Evidence would certainly be hard to find, and the time was too short. So... a murderous glint flashed across his face. Since entering the court as an official, he had never tainted his conscience!
"If you can't find out the truth within half a month, you can forget about being the Minister and come to Guanzhou to be my magistrate." As the Empress Dowager said this, her gaze fell on Huo Danlan, but Huo Danlan could not see her burning gaze.
The Empress Dowager was both delighted and worried about Huo Danlan. She was delighted because Huo Danlan possessed exceptional temperament, came from a first-rate family, and was quite capable. However, she was worried because Huo Danlan was too adventurous. She only knew part of the story about Chamei Manor, but she already felt that under such circumstances, Huo Danlan was able to seize the opportunity and eliminate all enemies in the future, which was truly remarkable. What worried her even more was that Huo Danlan dared to board the Crown Prince's ship so easily. Such a daughter-in-law was really not suitable for her son. Her son only needed a gentle and understanding beautiful wife. Such a capable and courageous princess was really not suitable.
However, after considering all the options, she realized that no other noblewoman could please her more, especially since most noblewomen these days disliked her beloved granddaughter.
Even if those noble ladies are good in every way, looking down on them is still a huge problem.
"The Crown Prince was able to escape danger and arrive at the palace safely thanks to the quick thinking and capable young general. I thank you very much." After saying that, she waved her hand gently, "Minister Liu and General Peng, please go and rest first." She said calmly, without any joy or anger.
After saying that, Ji Yun came over and invited Liu Huan and Peng Rui out.
“Protecting His Highness the Crown Prince is my duty. Your Majesty is too kind. I shall take my leave.” Peng Rui became extremely serious and proper. Unlike many noble sons who held military power, he was an extremely polite and well-behaved person.
"Your humble servant takes his leave." Liu Huan also kowtowed and left with Peng Rui and Ji Yun.
The two men stepped out of the main hall, exchanged a glance, and both breathed a sigh of relief. Sweat beaded on their backs. The Empress Dowager usually didn't interfere in affairs, but whenever she did step in to take charge in previous years, she was a force to be reckoned with, capable of causing rivers of blood to flow. Although the Empress Dowager couldn't do anything to them arbitrarily given their status, a person with a fearsome reputation was still a deterrent force.
Back then, the Imperial Concubine offended the Empress Dowager, who was then the Empress. Now she's imprisoned in the Prince's Mansion, neither human nor ghost. I've heard terrible things about her, but she's not dead. She suffers torture every day and has to kowtow in the direction of the palace to repent for her sins.
After dismissing Liu Huan and Peng Rui, the Empress Dowager thought for a moment and said to Sun Yun, "Sun Liu, you should go back too." She had nothing to say to Sun Yun; she could tell that Sun Yun genuinely cared for Zhao Shu, unlike Lin Xiuxue.
Sun Yun kowtowed, "Yes, A-Yun takes her leave."
After Sun Yun, Liu Huan, and Peng Rui left, only Zhao Shu, Huo Danlan, and the Empress Dowager remained in the main hall. The Empress Dowager glanced at Hongxia and the others, and they all understood and left at the same time.
After the palace maids and eunuchs left, the vast hall instantly became empty. The Empress Dowager sat on the phoenix chair, her hand slowly stroking the phoenix head on the armrest. "What happened to Hao Jie?" Her tone was still indifferent, but Zhao Shu and Huo Danlan both felt immense pressure, as if Mount Tai were pressing down on them.
Huo Danlan replied again, "Your Majesty, Hao Jie and his son, seeing that His Highness the Crown Prince's leg injury was difficult to heal, began to whisper negative thoughts in his ear every day, attempting to trick him out of the gold mine in order to get rid of him. Their intentions were extremely malicious. Seeing that His Highness the Crown Prince might be cured, they sent someone to poison and assassinate him. Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince was blessed with good fortune and divine protection, and he was able to escape death. It was truly a great blessing."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager slammed her hand heavily on the armrest. "Outrageous!" Her tone was no longer indifferent; she was now furious. "Who gave you the right to inflict cruel torture on your own? Even if Hao Zi and his son deserve to die, the Ministry of Justice must make a judgment, and the Emperor must decide before the execution can proceed. Who gave you the audacity to overstep the court and privately murder the Emperor's father-in-law! To torture the Emperor's brother-in-law! Have you considered the consequences? No matter what wrong Hao Zi and his son have done, it is not your place to deal with them!"
Zhao Shu and Huo Danlan had anticipated this question from the start. No matter how serious their crimes were, they had no right to punish them. The imperial court had laws and regulations. They were not officials and were women. If this matter got out, someone would put a huge disaster on their heads in no time.
But how can I feel at ease if I don't handle it myself!
Before the two could speak, the Empress Dowager loudly questioned them, "I ask you two, who should marry a wife like you? What family would want a daughter-in-law like you! No matter how much you hate them, you should consider your reputation. Is it worth sacrificing your reputation for a beast?"
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