Yi Chenli had no intention of stepping down for the Empress and directly exposed her.
An Yuan'er looked at Yi Chenli beside her in surprise. He seemed a little different, with a hint of fierceness between his brows.
After all, she was the Empress, and An Yuan'er was a little worried that Yi Chenli's future days would not be easy. She tugged at Yi Chenli's clothes.
Yi Chenli squeezed An Yuan'er's hand and whispered in her ear, "Keeping back will only embolden the Empress. It's time for the Empress to pay the price."
An Yuan'er replied, "But the Empress's arms are too thick; we are no match for her!"
Just then, the Emperor walked in.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Greetings to Father Emperor."
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
"......"
An Yuan'er secretly observed the Emperor. His bright yellow robe was embroidered with a dragon soaring over the sea. The Emperor exuded an aura of authority without anger. Although the Emperor had gained some weight in middle age, one could still vaguely see his once handsome face in his eyebrows and eyes.
Before the Emperor could even speak, the Empress preemptively accused him of wrongdoing.
"Your Majesty, please do justice for me! I heard that someone recently impeached me, saying that I mistreated the prince. I did not, I am innocent!" The Empress wiped away her tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Du Ruo added on behalf of the Empress: "The Emperor has no idea how hard Your Majesty works. The princes' studies and health are all under Your Majesty's supervision. Moreover, Your Majesty is devoted to Buddhism and would not even bear to step on an ant. She prays for Tiansheng in the Buddhist hall every day. How could she possibly mistreat anyone?"
"Someone must have framed Her Majesty; such a person is despicable."
If An Yuan'er hadn't personally witnessed the Empress's ferocious appearance, she probably would have been fooled by the Empress's tearful and aggrieved face.
Sure enough, the women in the palace all have two faces. They have one face on the surface, and another on their minds.
An Yuan'er was secretly worried for Yi Chenli. She knew that Yi Chenli had never been favored by the emperor, and the empress had a reputation for being virtuous. What could she do to make the emperor believe her?
After listening to the Empress's explanation, the Emperor said nothing, but instead asked Yi Chenli, "My son, has the Empress treated you poorly?"
The Empress gave Yi Chenli a cold warning, signaling him that he had better not say anything more, otherwise...
Without evidence, the Empress's position cannot be shaken. An Yuan'er tugged at Yi Chenli's sleeve again.
Now is not a good time for it to flare up.
Yi Chenli gave An Yuan'er a reassuring look and said frankly, "Father, Mother did more than just mistreat me; she tortured me to death. If I hadn't been lucky, I probably wouldn't be seeing you again."
"Your son is already unlucky, having lost his leg at a young age. I dare not dream of anything more, only wishing for a peaceful life. But even so, Your Majesty cannot tolerate your son."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression changed drastically. He sternly questioned the Empress, "Empress, is what Li'er said true?"
The Empress remained unmoved: "Your Majesty, I am innocent. I have always treated all of His Majesty's children equally. I am heartbroken that the Sixth Prince, whom I have cared for for so long, has turned around and bit me."
The Empress feigned magnanimity: "The Sixth Prince may be heartless and ungrateful to his mother, but as a mother, the most important thing is to educate your child well. I have failed in my duty to educate my child, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
The Empress is quite formidable; she keeps claiming to be a loving mother and that Yi Chenli is an ingrate.
Who knows who the unpredictable king will believe?
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