He was lost in thought, tapping the small table on the couch with one hand.
It seems difficult to find out if the imperial concubine was poisoned, but there is a way.
No matter who you are, there will always be flaws in what you do.
The Queen Mother did not immediately respond to Jun Zechen's words. Instead, as if she suddenly remembered something, she asked, "I remember that today is Concubine Chun Shu's birthday?"
"Yes, I had originally planned to celebrate Concubine Chunshu's birthday today. After all, the late emperor had passed away not long ago, so birthday banquets and the like were waived. However, the noble concubine was poisoned today, so I broke my promise to her."
A trace of guilt flashed across Jun Zechen's face, and his eyes were a little dim.
When the Queen Mother heard this, a strange look flashed in her eyes and her eyelashes drooped slightly, making it difficult to tell what she was thinking at the moment.
"Is the imperial concubine feeling well now?" the empress dowager asked softly again.
"After taking the antidote, the imperial concubine is now fine." Jun Zechen replied.
"Then will the Emperor accompany Concubine Chunshu tonight?"
The Queen Mother asked casually, her expression still calm, but there seemed to be a different deep meaning in her eyes.
"Of course, I have asked Fuquan to inform Concubine Chunshu. I will go to see her later." Jun Zechen answered without hesitation.
The Queen Mother looked at his determination and felt a sense of helplessness in her heart. Her son was good in every way except that he could not understand women.
No, it’s not that I can’t understand women, but I no longer doubt the women I have entrusted with my trust, but I have a keen eye for other women.
The Queen Mother shook her head slightly, feeling a little helpless.
Then I chatted with the emperor for a while.
Not long after, Anshun walked in and immediately bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, pays respects."
"Get up, have you checked it out?"
Jun Zechen stared at Anshun intently, his face remained calm, but there was a hint of urgency in his voice.
"Your Majesty, Qin'er, a maid in charge of the Imperial Concubine's meals, said that a maid named Guo'er had touched the Imperial Concubine's meal today. Qin'er thought it was accidental and didn't take it seriously."
"I just remembered it after I questioned you."
"Then I searched Guo'er's room and unexpectedly found An Zhaorong's pearl earrings. These pearl earrings were part of An Zhaorong's dowry."
Anshun paused slightly when he said this.
How could the dowry be left with just a palace maid?
He continued, "I have looked at An Zhaorong's medication records from the Imperial Hospital over the past few months and discovered that she also took aconite when she was in the Eastern Palace. However, I heard it was given to a palace maid with rheumatism."
"I have not yet gone to An Zhaorong's palace to explain this matter. I have come to ask Your Majesty if I need to interrogate the people in An Zhaorong's palace."
Jun Zechen's eyes were filled with anger and disgust.
"It's her again. Since she entered the Eastern Palace, she has framed the Imperial Concubine many times. This time, she even poisoned her. How can such a scheming and vicious woman be worthy of being a Imperial Concubine?"
His tone was particularly cold, as if it carried the chill of December.
When the Queen Mother heard this, her brows suddenly frowned.
"Your Majesty, everything requires evidence. There's no evidence to prove that An Zhaorong framed the Imperial Concubine. Could it be that Your Majesty is blaming me for being unfair and slandering the Imperial Concubine?"
"Although the evidence now points to An Zhaorong as the imperial concubine's poisoning, the emperor cannot convict her so easily."
The Queen Mother looked serious, staring intently at Jun Zechen, and spoke solemnly.
Jun Zechen knew that his mother had been managing the harem for many years and had always been fair and impartial in handling matters between the concubines.
But for Jun Zechen, his time is precious.
In his mind, the imperial concubine and An Zhaorong had always been at odds. Since all the evidence pointed to An Zhaorong, convicting An Zhaorong would not only punish An Zhaorong and satisfy the imperial concubine, but also save him from wasting his time and manpower.
Why not?
In the entire palace, the only ones he would bother to find out the truth about were Ling Yue and Yao Yao. As for the others, they could investigate on their own initiative.
"Mother, matters in the harem are inherently mixed. Even as the emperor, I cannot investigate and understand everything. However, the harem is my harem, and how to punish them is up to me."
Jun Zechen's eyes were firm and his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty.
It would not be difficult to convict An Zhaorong of this matter. It would only take one word from him, and no one would be able to find any fault with her.
If he wanted to continue investigating, it would only take him a word, but why would it be necessary for him?
There was a complex look in the Queen Mother's eyes, and a hint of emotion in her expression.
His son is really becoming more and more like the late emperor, with his autocratic demeanor and unquestionable attitude. Is this what an emperor's mind looks like?
It is no wonder that the concubines in the harem spared no effort to fight for favor, because without favor, they would not even have a chance to seek justice.
"I plan to have Concubine Chun Shu investigate the matter of An Zhaorong. The Emperor is busy with government affairs, so please don't interfere in the affairs of the harem."
The empress dowager's expression seemed extremely serious. She looked at the emperor with a firm gaze and then spoke slowly.
"If Concubine Chunshu fails to prove An Zhaorong's innocence within three days, An Zhaorong will be at the Emperor's disposal."
Ever since the Emperor bestowed upon Concubine Chunshu a unique title, the Empress Dowager had a vague suspicion in her heart that Concubine Chunshu might have already won the Emperor's heart.
When I heard him say today that he wanted to spend Concubine Chunshu's birthday with her, I became even more certain of this guess in my mind.
Letting Concubine Chunshu investigate this matter is undoubtedly the best choice, which can just shut the emperor up.
You can also test Concubine Chunshu. The Empress Dowager is a little curious about how Concubine Chunshu will handle this matter.
Jun Zechen showed dissatisfaction on his face, "Mother..."
Before he could finish, the Queen Mother interrupted him.
"Doesn't the Emperor trust Concubine Chunshu?" the Empress Dowager asked sharply, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Jun Zechen pursed his lips and remained silent.
Yaoyao is kind and fair, and the Su family has taught her so well. She is extremely intelligent, so he naturally believes in her.
After a while, seeing that his mother was so determined and insistent, Jun Zechen had no choice but to agree.
It's just a matter of waiting a few days.
By the time Jun Zechen left the Cining Palace, it was already completely dark.
"Your Majesty, where are you going now?"
Fuquan asked softly. After Anshun reported the matter, he continued to deal with other things. At this time, it was Fuquan who followed Jun Zechen.
"Go to Zhaochun Palace."
After Jun Zechen finished speaking, he stepped directly into the imperial carriage.
Then Fuquan shouted in a shrill voice: "Your Majesty, please go to Zhaochun Palace——"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
