The Emperor decided not to press the matter further and instead directly ordered someone to summon Xu Yuehuai.
"Someone, summon Princess Heyue to me."
It seemed to be to save face for the Duke of Zhenguo, since he had just directly rejected him. This time, the Emperor did not call Xu Yuehuai by her name, but instead called her Princess Heyue, which made the Duke of Zhenguo very happy.
It was nearly night, and Xu Yuehuai was about to have dinner when she heard hurried footsteps approaching from outside.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she still went to open the door. Usually, hurried footsteps didn't bring good news, so she frowned. But she didn't expect that things weren't always so simple.
"Princess Heyue, His Majesty summons you to the Imperial Study." The little eunuch said hurriedly as soon as he saw Xu Yuehuai come out, and then made way for her.
"What brings Your Majesty to summon me?" Xu Yuehuai asked coldly, her brows furrowed. She was also puzzled; wasn't the Emperor supposed to dislike her? Why was he acting so strangely today, actually summoning her?
"How would this servant know? It's just that the Duke of Zhenguo and his servant are currently in the Imperial Study. They might be talking about you, Princess." After saying this, the little eunuch bowed again, gesturing for Xu Yuehuai to leave quickly.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai felt somewhat relieved. How could a mere servant be allowed to share a room with the Emperor and the Zhenguo Gonggong? It must be because Qi Guze had come along. After thinking this, she hurried towards the Imperial Study.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the room, she saw the Duke of Zhenguo and Qi Guze, and two women were kneeling inside.
"Your Majesty, this humble woman greets you." She curtsied and quickly asked, "May I ask why Your Majesty has summoned me here so urgently?"
"Princess Heyue, it wasn't I who summoned you today, but the Duke of Zhenguo and the Regent have something to discuss with you," the Emperor said in a hoarse voice, looking extremely dejected. Xu Yuehuai was puzzled, wondering what was wrong.
Although the Emperor already knew why Qi Guze had entered the palace today, he didn't know why the Duke of Zhenguo was acting so mysteriously. However, he could tell that Qi Guze had come to see Xu Yuehuai on the surface, but he also wanted to tell him these things. That's why he arranged to meet in the Imperial Study. All the talk about how safe it was here was a lie. There were probably more people watching this place than anywhere else.
The Duke of Zhenguo immediately pulled out another letter from his bosom and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I wish to accuse Prime Minister Zhao Shenchen of embezzlement and treason, suspected of fraud, and his sister, Consort Min, of harming the imperial heir. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
The chief eunuch immediately handed the letter to the emperor.
The Emperor was struck by lightning upon hearing this. The shock from before had not yet subsided, and now he was struck by another blow. He had read two letters today: one telling him that he might have a child, and the other telling him that his child had been deliberately murdered.
He tremblingly opened the letter in his hand. Every single item on it was signed by the witnesses, and there was even an account book. The bright red handprints seemed to be telling a story in silence, making the emperor's shoulders tremble slightly with anger.
"But the physical evidence seems to lack some persuasiveness." After finishing his reading, the Emperor took a deep breath and asked. He then glanced at the two people kneeling on the ground. It was like when the kite string broke while flying a kite, he was unwilling to give up until he looked up and watched it fly further and further away before he finally gave up.
“These two were originally serving in the palace. Because they helped Consort Min harm the imperial heir, they were sent out of the palace after receiving a sum of money. However, someone wanted to silence them, but fortunately the Regent saved them,” the Duke of Zhenguo replied, pointing to the two kneeling on the ground. He then added, “Your Majesty, the Zhao family’s behavior is clearly a contempt for the law. I beg Your Majesty to handle this matter impartially.”
Now that all the evidence and proof are available, the Emperor took two deep breaths.
Although he knew about the collusion between the former dynasty and the harem, he never expected that the brother and sister were truly preparing to control the entire country.
"Your Majesty, although Prime Minister Zhao and Consort Min's actions are improper, I believe they might not have the audacity to do such a thing. There might be someone else behind them. Perhaps a thorough interrogation would uncover the real culprit." Seeing that His Majesty remained silent, Xu Yuehuai seized the opportunity to say this, hoping to spur him to make a decision.
The two of them have intricate connections with Marquis Ningyuan, and they might actually be able to capture him in one fell swoop.
His face was grave, but he remained silent for a long time. The blow he suffered today was greater than all the blows he had suffered in the past combined.
For a moment, the three people below were at a loss as to what to do.
After an unknown amount of time, the Emperor finally spoke and made his decision: "Prime Minister Zhao Shenchen is suspected of embezzlement and is also involved in fraud. He shall be immediately imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, and Consort Min, Zhao, shall be sent to the Cold Palace to await further judgment."
"yes."
That night, both the Prime Minister's residence and Consort Min's residence were filled with noise, which did not subside until late at night.
And all of this can be considered to have settled down for the time being.
Looking at the three people below who were exchanging bewildered glances, the Emperor put the letter in his hand into his pocket and forced himself to speak, "Princess Heyue, now that the culprit who caused Consort Jia's miscarriage has been caught, you should go to the Underworld with the Regent. After the matter in the Underworld is resolved, I think the other things I asked you to do will also have a result."
Xu Yuehuai and Qi Guze exchanged a glance, wondering what the emperor was up to.
Now, however, she was more worried about Consort Jia's emotions, fearing that something might happen to Consort Jia if she left. Moreover, with Consort Min and the Prime Minister falling from power, she feared that Marquis Ningyuan would retaliate against her fiercely. Perhaps he already knew the news and was furious at home.
Xu Yuehuai pondered for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, may I ask Consort Jia to temporarily stay at the Duke of Zhenguo's residence to rest during her pregnancy? She is currently emotionally unstable, and if I leave, her emotional fluctuations may affect the fetus in her womb. I beg Your Majesty's permission."
Upon hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Since the beginning of the dynasty, no concubine in the imperial harem has ever returned to her parents' home to rest during her pregnancy.
Consort Jia was not an extremely important person, so there was no need for her to set this precedent.
Seeing this, the Duke of Zhenguo quickly spoke up, "Please grant me permission, Your Majesty. After all, she is carrying your child. If another incident like that were to occur..."
"Duke Zhenguo, you old bones are getting more and more cunning. Very well, take the person away." After saying this, the Emperor casually waved his hand and dismissed the people.
Qi Guze, dressed as a servant, opened the door first, leaving Xu Yuehuai stunned. She touched his clothes and chuckled, making Qi Guze blush. He just felt he couldn't arouse suspicion.
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