The Empress looked confident of victory. The Fifth Prince was the Emperor's most beloved child, and she was his biological mother. Based on her understanding of the Emperor, even if he had any doubts about her, he would consider the Fifth Prince and the Murong family, and wouldn't really do anything to her, the Empress.
What can an unfavored prince possibly do?
The Emperor did not immediately draw a conclusion, but instead said to An Yuan'er, "I heard that you were there that day. Tell me, what did you see that day?"
An Yuan'er was pushed to the front, and it was impossible for her not to be nervous, as it was the first time she had stood so close to the Emperor.
The wrath of heaven's thunder can cost you your head with a single word.
An Yuan'er's hands were sweating profusely with nervousness.
The Empress's cold gaze fell upon them, and she silently warned An Yuan'er what she should and shouldn't say.
An Yuan'er was filled with anxiety and felt immense pressure. She couldn't understand why Yi Chenli would choose this time to attack the Empress. Given the tyrant's mind, even in his previous life, he would only slowly take action several years later.
An Yuan'er took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
Regardless of the circumstances, An Yuan'er still chose to unconditionally support Yi Chenli.
Her voice still had a hint of childishness as she honestly said, "Yuan'er saw the Empress use very thick silver needles to prick the Sixth Prince, and even called many thugs to humiliate the Sixth Prince and want to see his legs."
"You scoundrel! How dare you!" Upon hearing this, the Emperor angrily smashed the cup in front of him on the table.
Water splashed out of the glass and landed on the Queen's face, making her look rather embarrassed.
But the Empress was still trying to argue: "How can Your Majesty doubt me based on the one-sided words of a little maid? That little maid and the Sixth Prince were clearly in cahoots all along."
When the Emperor saw the Empress, his eyes were filled with disappointment.
"She's only a six-year-old girl, and you think she's just like you, full of lies? You're all talk and no action, you disgust me."
Although the Emperor did not favor the Empress, he had always given her a lot of face over the years. The Emperor rarely spoke such harsh words to the Empress, and she could not accept it, appearing dazed.
"Your Majesty, please believe me, I am truly innocent. If I had used a needle to prick the Sixth Prince, there should be needle marks on his body." After saying this, the Empress ran to Yi Chenli and tried to lift his clothes.
Yi Chenli was prepared; the wheelchair slipped, and the Empress missed her target.
An Yuan'er said childishly, "Although I am a child, I know my master's teachings. The princes are of noble status, and they cannot be examined so casually. The Empress's actions show that she does not care about the Sixth Prince at all."
Du Ruo stepped forward to defend the Empress: "How can Your Majesty's innocence be slandered? Your Majesty acted in a moment of desperation. On the contrary, the Sixth Prince avoided the examination. Is he guilty and afraid that his lies will be exposed?"
The Empress knew perfectly well that the silver needles she used to pierce Yi Chenli's body were specially made; they would only cause pain and would never leave any marks.
The Empress, now emboldened, said, "Your Majesty, please do justice for me. Otherwise, I will never accept such an injustice."
The Emperor's expression was unreadable. He then asked Yi Chenli, "My son, would you be willing to let someone examine you so that we can distinguish right from wrong today?"
Yi Chenli did not agree immediately, but said with difficulty, "Your subject is truly wronged. It is one thing for Your Majesty to treat your subject poorly, but now you insist on forcibly examining your body. Your subject is filled with fear."
The more Yi Chenli retreated, the more the Empress felt that he dared not perform the examination.
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