Chapter 509 Confusing the Royal Bloodline
News of Wu Wenguang's fall into the river quickly spread throughout the imperial court.
His Majesty said nothing, but sent the imperial physician to visit him.
Three days later, an imperial edict was issued requiring all officials involved in the imperial examinations to be gathered in seclusion in advance.
Before the imperial examinations concluded, candidates were not allowed to have contact with other candidates or officials.
Once the decree was issued, there were no dissenting voices.
Wu Wenguang entered the venue specially prepared for the officials participating in the imperial examination with a smug look on his face.
The third prince practiced calligraphy in his residence.
His aide stepped forward and said, “Your Highness, there’s something fishy about Wu Wenguang falling into the river.”
The Third Prince continued writing, “There are only two possibilities for Wu Wenguang’s fall into the river: either others didn’t want me to meet Wu Wenguang, or it was Wu Wenguang’s own decision.”
The advisor frowned. "Wu Wenguang has been hiding from people in the court. It's hard to say that he might be behind this."
The Third Prince chuckled, "If it's the first scenario, I can forgive him to some extent, but if it's the second, he has no reason to live."
The aide nodded. "I'll go investigate right away."
The third prince put down his pen and walked to the window.
He thought that with Qin Jinzhi dead, his schemes could finally be carried out.
But he discovered that the court, though seemingly turbulent, was actually a united front.
Many initiatives could not be implemented.
The Emperor could easily find out the background and details of Wu Wenguang's fall into the river with a simple investigation.
Although no punishment order was issued, the attitude was already clear.
It is not Wu Wenguang who is refusing, but the Emperor himself.
No wonder Qin Jinzhi kept her death a secret.
She gave the impression that she was using the news of her death to delay the forces in the capital.
This shifted everyone's attention to whether the news of her death was true or false.
In reality, it was to ensure the smooth progress of matters in the capital.
His eyes turned cold.
Qin Jinzhi was truly a strategist; even in death, she was still able to make so many moves.
If the situation in Beijing is truly set in stone.
I'm afraid that position will really be given to that little baby.
No matter how much Qin Jinzhi schemes, so what?
That seat still belongs to the Xiao family.
If the baby wasn't actually a member of the Xiao family, then everything Qin Jinzhi planned would still have meaning.
A relieved smile appeared on the Third Prince's face.
He was wrong before; he excluded the baby from his plan.
It now seems that only by addressing all the root causes can we succeed.
If the Crown Prince Palace completely loses its master, who will the people Qin Jinzhi arranged to serve?
Even if he were to simply be a loyal subject, he would face no obstacles.
Those who serve in the imperial court are all intelligent people.
If there's no way out, then you'll have to find your own way out.
It is unclear when exactly, but rumors have been circulating in the capital.
The grandson of the crown prince is not the biological son of the deceased crown prince.
She was born from an affair between Consort Shen and another man.
This news spread rapidly in Beijing.
Since it concerned the royal family, it quickly spread throughout the court and the public.
To confuse royal bloodlines and commit adultery is a grave crime.
Upon receiving the news, the Censorate immediately submitted a memorial requesting the Emperor and Empress to conduct a thorough investigation.
The emperor and empress were furious.
He immediately ordered the three judicial departments to conduct a thorough investigation.
This investigation led to the discovery of the adulterer.
The adulterer was found thanks to a witness.
The confusion of royal bloodlines is no longer just a matter for the royal family.
This matter was of great importance, and Zhao Wuji received a handwritten edict from the Emperor and Empress.
Shen Liangyuan was taken away for interrogation.
Shen Liangyuan stood below with a composed expression.
Zhao Wuji asked, "Consort Shen, do you admit to adultery?"
Consort Shen raised her head, "Reporting to Lord Zhao, I do not acknowledge it!"
Zhao Wuji said coldly, "The evidence is overwhelming, are you still going to deny it?"
Consort Shen said, "I am willing to confront that so-called adulterer face to face!"
Zhao Wuji looked at the jailer beside him, "Bring the witnesses."
"yes!"
Soon a man was brought up.
The man immediately knelt down, pleading, "My lord, please have mercy! I was coerced by Consort Shen."
Shen Liuying glanced at the weeping man and then looked away.
The person behind framing her really went to great lengths.
This man was none other than her lover, whom she was forced to part ways with before she was forced to enter the palace.
However, judging from this posture, it should be an enemy.
Zhao Wuji looked at the man and asked, "You say you committed adultery with Liangyuan. Do you have any witnesses or physical evidence regarding the time, place, and whether you had any?"
The man immediately said, "I have Consort Shen's personal clothing as proof. On the fourth day of every month, Consort Shen would meet with me at my residence in the east of the city. The two concubines of the Eastern Palace were in trouble because they discovered our affair."
After the Crown Prince died, both of the Eastern Palace's concubines suddenly fell ill; one died, and the other was sent to a manor to recuperate.
Many people speculate that it was Shen Liangyuan who made the move.
She is the birth mother of the crown prince, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, she will also be the birth mother of the future emperor.
How could someone possibly put their head on hers?
I never expected it to be like this.
The undergarment the man was referring to was a bellyband.
Shen Liuying chuckled softly and walked to the bellyband.
She gently picked up the bellyband and then stuck it to her skin.
Before long, large patches of red rashes appeared on Shen Liuying's skin.
She calmly looked at Zhao Wuji, "Lord Zhao, I have a special constitution since childhood and can only wear certain clothes. Even just touching this brocade will cause me to break out in these red rashes. Do you think this item could be mine?"
The man was stunned. How could this be?
Before entering the palace, Shen Liuying loved this kind of brocade the most.
Why did I get a rash?
When Zhao Wuji saw the red rash on Shen Liuying's hand, his expression immediately turned cold.
"You dare to slander the Crown Prince's mother and try to distort the truth? Who is behind this? Confess now!"
The man immediately cried out, "I am innocent! If Your Honor does not believe me, please summon Consort Cheng!"
Zhao Wuji looked at Pei Jinnian and Wei Ziming beside him.
What are your thoughts, gentlemen?
Pei Jinnian said, "What this man said is all fabricated and untrue. However, the royal bloodline is a major issue. Let's hear what Consort Cheng has to say."
Wei Ziming nodded and said, "I agree with what Lord Pei said."
Zhao Wuji nodded, "Go and invite Consort Cheng here!"
Then he looked at Shen Liuying and said, "Shen Liangyuan, this matter still needs to be verified. We will have to ask you to stay here for a few more days."
Shen Liuying smiled and said, "I believe that the three of you will surely clear my name."
The prison had already been taken care of, so Shen Liuying didn't suffer any hardship.
Men and women should be imprisoned separately.
I wonder if Zhao Wuji arranged it on purpose.
The man was locked up opposite Shen Liuying.
Shen Liuying showed no joy or sorrow in his presence, not even giving him a glance.
The man said smugly, "Shen Liangyuan, when we were deeply in love, you called me Gu Lang. Why are you treating me so coldly now?"
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