Chapter 122 Murdering the Princess, Death Sentence
Pei Zhilan shuddered violently, her face turning deathly pale: "This humble woman knows her guilt! This humble woman deserves to die! It was my mother-in-law who forced me... forced me to have no other choice. This humble woman shouldn't have harbored thoughts of revenge against the Princess Consort of Yan. This humble woman was momentarily blinded by evil spirits. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness! I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!"
When the Duke of Dingguo walked outside the palace to wait for the summons, he heard these words, and his expression changed, with shock and anger appearing in his eyes.
Revenge on the Princess Consort of Yan?
Pei Zhilan is actually taking revenge on the Princess Consort of Yan at home? Is she trying to drag her whole family down a dead end?
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Dingguo requests an audience."
Emperor Zhaode's anger subsided slightly: "Come in!"
The Duke of Dingguo was tall and imposing, his brows and eyes revealing suppressed anger. After entering the hall, he bowed with restraint, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Pei Zhilan had always been afraid of her father-in-law, who had been a military officer. Now, she didn't even dare to turn her head to look at him. She trembled and lay on the ground, feeling a chill in her heart.
She knew she had made a mistake.
But she doesn't regret it.
Anyway... anyway, the worst that can happen is that I'll be divorced and then die with my mother and older brother.
So be it if I die.
Her mother-in-law originally wanted to divorce her.
Even if she does nothing, and even if her elder brother's matter doesn't implicate the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, she will lose the protection of her family, and her life in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion won't be easy in the future.
"Duke Dingguo." Emperor Zhaode's face was cold and stern, clearly still angry. "Ask your daughter-in-law what good deeds she has done."
The Duke of Dingguo lowered his eyes: "I have already heard it. It is my fault for failing to manage the household properly, which led to the incident involving the Princess Consort of Yan and the Sixth Princess at the Duke's residence. I will have my wife personally visit to apologize, and I will also apologize to His Highness the Prince of Yan when he returns from the border."
He paused for a moment, then said, “The incident occurred at the Duke’s residence. The Princess Consort of Yan and the Sixth Princess were both invited by my wife. I will take full responsibility for the outcome and leave it to His Majesty to decide.”
Emperor Zhaode's gaze was deep: "Does Pei Yi'an's treasonous act make you very uneasy?"
The Duke of Dingguo straightened up and lowered his eyes to reply: "My son married Pei Yi'an's sister, and the kinship between our two families is undeniable. Although I did not know that General Pei was colluding with Nanzhao, kinship is a matter of shared honor and shared loss. No matter what the final outcome is, I am willing to accept it."
When two families marry, they enjoy the benefits of the marriage, and when trouble comes and they are implicated, they naturally have nothing to say.
Emperor Zhaode said calmly, "Pei Zhilan plotted to harm the Princess Consort, a capital offense. Take her back and deal with her accordingly."
Pei Zhilan's body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.
Although she resentfully thought that she might as well die, she was still terrified when the time came for her to be executed.
It's better to live a miserable life than to die a good death.
But now she doesn't even have the chance to live.
Emperor Zhaode was still furious: "Duke Dingguo has failed in managing his household properly. He shall be given twenty strokes of the cane and his salary shall be deducted for one year. He shall stay at home and reflect on his mistakes."
Having said that, he waved his hand and said, "Take him out."
The Duke of Dingguo kowtowed respectfully: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
In the side hall, Chu Yunjin looked somewhat dazed: "Pei Zhilan has been sentenced to death?"
“Yes.” Yan Jinyue nodded. “She is Pei Yi’an’s sister. In principle, Pei Yi’an’s crime of treason should have implicated nine generations of his family, including Pei Zhilan’s husband’s family. However, Father has rarely carried out mass killings in recent years, and the extermination of nine generations of a family is even rarer. In addition, the eldest son of the Su family married the third princess, which is considered a royal marriage. Father would never implicate the Duke of Dingguo.”
He paused for a moment, then added, "I didn't expect the Duke of Dingguo to be the first to get restless."
Chu Yunjin remained silent.
Yan Jinyue said calmly, "But even if the Pei family's matter doesn't implicate them, Pei Zhilan's open plot to murder the current princess is still an unforgivable crime."
Chu Yunjin gave a soft "hmm" and looked down at her abdomen: "Is there really a child here?"
"Who knows?" Yan Jinyue pouted. "The imperial physician said it's not very obvious yet, and it's possible it's a misdiagnosis."
Chu Yunjin looked up at her expressionlessly: "Can't you wish me well for once?"
"You want a child that badly?" Yan Jinyue sneered. "Back then, who was it that cried, made a scene, and even threatened suicide with my brother, insisting on a divorce no matter what?"
"Let's not bring up the past anymore." Chu Yunjin frowned, unable to help but sigh. "We're living such a good life now, why do you have to make things difficult for me?"
What does the original owner's affairs have to do with her?
Bringing up old flames is not the style of a true hero.
Yan Jinyue pursed her lips, remained silent for a moment, and looked at Chu Yunjin suspiciously: "You just said that what happened at Mother Consort's birthday banquet was someone framing you?"
Chu Yunjin slowly shook her head: "Who knows? No matter how hard I try these past few days, I can't remember what happened that day. It's like a piece of my memory is missing."
Yan Jinyue worried: "If this is the case, won't there be no way to clear my mother's name?"
Chu Yunjin thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I think everyone in the harem knows whether Mother Consort is innocent or not. There are so many spies in the palace, it's impossible for her to have an affair... unless she can cover up everything. But obviously, Mother Consort is far from that level. The harem probably all know that Mother Consort is innocent. It just depends on whether Father Emperor is willing to release Mother Consort."
In the main hall, separated by a curtain, Emperor Zhaode listened quietly to the two talking. His anger had long since subsided, and his expression gradually became subtle.
Xu Baozhong, who was standing next to him, had his head down.
"Jinyue," Chu Yunjin suddenly lowered her voice, "Do you think that once I confirm I'm pregnant, I can use my child to ask Father to release Mother?"
Emperor Zhaode frowned.
Is a mother's status elevated by her son's?
Yan Jinyue said, "If you want to release Mother Consort, you still need to have evidence to prove her innocence. However, the royal family has few offspring. If you can give birth to a grandson, Father Emperor might be pleased and release Mother Consort."
Chu Yunjin's expression changed slightly: "This...who can guarantee it will be a grandson of the emperor? Can't it be a granddaughter? It's not like I can decide whether it's a boy or a girl. Besides...well, it's not like I'll stop having children after one. I can have more."
Yan Jinyue glanced at her sideways: "When will that be? You can wait, but your mother can't."
Chu Yunjin was extremely worried: "Then what should we do?"
Yan Jinyue sighed, "I don't know either."
Emperor Zhaode listened for a moment, then turned to look at Xu Baozhong before turning to walk out: “Tell them that if they have rested well, they should go back early. Chonghua Palace is not a place for them to gossip and plot.”
Xu Baozhong responded and entered, lifting the curtain.
Chu Yunjin and Yan Jinyue looked up and saw Xu Baozhong enter, only then realizing that they had been there for a while.
Chu Yunjin quickly stood up: "Eunuch Xu, does Father have any instructions?"
Xu Baozhong respectfully smiled and said, "His Majesty said that if the Princess Consort of Yan is feeling better, she should return to the Prince's residence to rest as soon as possible."
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