In the open courtyard in front of the gate, a crowd of people knelt, surrounded by the Imperial Guards. Among them were imperial physicians, palace maids, and guards. Even Physician Jiang, who had just been arrested, was among them. Everyone trembled with fear, not daring to breathe.
The door to Emperor Kangping's room was open, and the dim yellow light shone in a fan shape onto the ground outside the door, where several long shadows were constantly moving.
"Slay...slay them all!"
Emperor Kangping's weak and feeble voice came from the room. Although it sounded listless, it was filled with extreme anger.
"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Consort Li's cries came from the room. "I know I deserve to die, but I beg Your Majesty to spare my lowly life in consideration of our past love."
Seeing that Consort Li didn't even try to defend herself, Yang Yaozu was shocked and rushed to the door.
The guards were about to stop him, but Yang Yaozu flashed the imperial gold medal on his chest and said, "Who dares to stop me?" Upon seeing the medal, the guards immediately lowered their heads and retreated.
Yang Yaozu entered the room. He saw Consort Li kneeling in front of Emperor Kangping's bed with her hair disheveled. Her head ornaments and palace dress had been stripped off, leaving her in only plain clothes. She was crying and kowtowing repeatedly. Imperial guards stood on both sides, seemingly waiting for Emperor Kangping's order to drag Consort Li out.
Emperor Kangping lay on the bed, coughing violently, his face ashen and his body emaciated. Half of the bed curtains had been torn off and were left on a chair. Qiu Jie, a woman in black robes, stood by the bed, her hands tucked into her sleeves, a cold smile playing on her lips as she looked at Consort Li kneeling on the ground.
After coughing, Emperor Kangping gasped, "Imperial Physician Chai has already confessed. With witnesses and evidence, you...you still want to live?"
Consort Li raised her head, her face streaked with tears, her forehead bruised and swollen from kowtows, and cried, "Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment and was misled by treacherous people..."
Emperor Kangping said, "Shut up! If I weren't so heavy-hearted, I would have skinned you alive with my own hands. Drag me out!"
Just as the commanders of the Imperial Guards on both sides were about to step forward, Yang Yaozu quickly stopped them: "Wait."
He realized the situation was dire; if he didn't speak up soon, Consort Li would die. What if she, in a fit of desperation, suddenly revealed the urgent report he had been concealing?
He stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt down: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger and listen to what this servant has to say."
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