Since Zhou Defa had chosen to stand against Concubine Zhuang, he had no intention of sparing her life. Concubine Zhuang cried out in pain as the board struck her, but her eyes remained focused on the emperor.
The emperor signaled Zhou Defa unhappily, and Zhou Defa took out his handkerchief and covered Concubine Zhuang's eyes.
After ten consecutive strokes of the cane, Concubine Zhuang's lower body was covered in blood. Miaochun, the senior palace maid beside Concubine Zhuang, knelt trembling, almost losing control of her bladder. At this time, Concubine Zhuang remained silent, and Zhou Defa continued the caning.
Miaochun couldn't hold back any longer, so she kowtowed and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I have something to say." Seeing the emperor nod, Miaoqing hurriedly said, "Empress Zhuang murdered the Second and Fifth Princes, and I have other witnesses."
The Emperor hadn't expected Concubine Zhuang to commit such a heinous act. He stood up and approached the bloodied Concubine. "Concubine Zhuang, strip her of her position and be cut into pieces. All nine clans will be exterminated. The Third Princess will be sent to the Northern Frontier to marry a foreign prince. She will depart immediately. All the servants of Feiyan Palace, if you know Concubine Zhuang's crimes, those who have made meritorious contributions will be spared and sent to the coal mines. The rest will be killed."
When Concubine Zhuang heard that the Third Princess was going to marry in the Northern Frontier, she immediately spoke up, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I acknowledge my guilt and will bear all the responsibility. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy. The Third Princess is only thirteen years old. How can she marry in the Northern Frontier?"
The emperor ignored her and left. As he left Feiyan Palace, his heart ached. How was he going to explain to Fangting the cause of his two children's death? For the first time, the forty-year-old emperor felt a little lost. He didn't get in the carriage, but slowly walked towards Fengyang Palace.
The Second Prince was his legitimate son, the child of him and Fantine. He had been born so healthy, yet unexpectedly died overnight. Both he and Fantine had slowly come to terms with their child's passing, having lost him at such a young age. But today, the truth was revealed. The Emperor's body went limp, and Zhou Defa quickly supported him.
The emperor looked at Zhou Defa, who had served him since childhood, and asked, "Little Defa, what should the queen do?"
Zhou Defa replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, the Empress can get through anything with you by her side. You are the Empress's support. Please take care of yourself."
The emperor nodded, and seeing Yiyue Palace not far ahead, he changed direction and headed towards Yiyue Palace.
"Your son greets you, father." Princess Jinyi knelt on the ground and saluted. The emperor hurried forward to help her up and pulled Princess Jinyi into the flower hall.
After they sat down, the emperor asked, "How has Jinyi been these days?"
Jin Yi smiled sweetly and said, "Father, I am doing fine. I have been learning to embroider purses these past two days. Please take a look at my masterpiece later."
The emperor was soothed by Princess Jinyi's kindness. After dismissing everyone, he stated his purpose: "Jinyi, father has something to ask of you."
Princess Jinyi looked at the emperor in astonishment, then asked, "Father, what can I do for you?"
The emperor mentioned Concubine Zhuang's story. Princess Jinyi was surprised at first, then angry. Finally, she stood up and was about to leave. The emperor called out to Princess Jinyi: "Jinyi, she is a sinner and is filthy. She is not worthy of you to see her."
Princess Jinyi turned around with tears on her face and threw herself into the emperor's arms: "Father, why? Why does she treat the queen mother like this? The queen mother is so good to her, why!"
The Emperor stroked Princess Jinyi's head and said in a deep voice, "Some people are born ungrateful. Whether they are treated well or not, they will find reasons to harm others." "Jinyi, if your mother knew about this, she would be deeply shocked. Jinyi and your father should consider whether to let your mother know about this."
Princess Jinyi stopped crying, looked up at the emperor with a serious expression, and put forward her own idea: "Father, the Queen Mother has been poisoned for three years, maybe..."
The Emperor squeezed Princess Jinyi's arm and said sternly, "Impossible. Your mother's poison can be cured. She will stay with me for a hundred years."
Princess Jinyi felt the pain from the Emperor's pinching, her face pale. "Father, there's more than just Zhuang who harmed Mother. I don't believe Zhuang could do such a thing without anyone noticing."
The emperor let go of Princess Jinyi and said, "Someone come here."
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