Feng Guche's brows furrowed, his pupils filled with anger, and a low, oppressive aura emanated from him, making it hard to breathe. "Continue."
Consort Ling sensed Feng Guche's anger, her heart felt as if it were being squeezed by two hands, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes. She hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, one of the eunuchs in my palace suddenly disappeared. I sent people to search for him for a long time, but they could not find him. Until a few days ago, the soldiers patrolling the palace accidentally found his body in the pond in the forest courtyard. His neck had been twisted and thrown into the pond."
Countless eunuchs and palace maids in this palace have died unjustly, their cases never solved. But Eunuch Wang has served me for many years, always devoted and never offending anyone. I didn't want to see him die unjustly, so I secretly sent people to investigate. Unexpectedly, they discovered a considerable amount of valuables in Eunuch Wang's room.
As Consort Ling spoke, the eunuch kneeling behind her hurriedly stood up, bowed his head, and respectfully presented the package in his hands.
Eunuch Gao reached out and took the package, opened it, and handed it to Feng Guche. Inside the package were some gold and silver jewelry, which were clearly obtained through bribery.
Consort Ling continued, “Back in the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, my family sent me some items, including incense made by Sang Yunluo. These were all taken care of by Eunuch Wang. Eunuch Wang had told me before that the incense had run out and that the Imperial Household Department would have to send some more. At the time, I didn’t pay much attention to what Eunuch Wang said.”
It wasn't until I heard the palace maid mention that she had seen Eunuch Wang deliver incense to Consort Li half a month ago. Because I am on good terms with Consort Li, she assumed I had asked Eunuch Wang to deliver it. Upon hearing this, I suddenly realized that the incense might have been used against me, and thus I came to apologize to Your Majesty.
After Lingfei finished speaking, she kowtowed on the ground.
After hearing Consort Ling's words, Consort Li collapsed to the ground, completely limp.
This outcome was exactly what she expected.
Shen Nanzhi suddenly asked, "So, Consort Ling means that Eunuch Wang was killed by Consort Li to silence him. If it really was Consort Li, how could she have snapped a eunuch's neck?"
Consort Ling straightened up, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Consort Li, whose face had already turned ashen. In that brief moment of eye contact, Consort Li clearly understood the meaning behind those eyes.
Consort Ling answered Shen Nanzhi's question, "General Shen may not know, but Consort Li was also a martial artist."
"Consort Li, what else do you have to say now?!" Feng Guche questioned.
Consort Li suddenly threw her head back and burst into laughter, a wild yet sorrowful laugh. Her laughter gradually stopped, and her eyes were already brimming with tears.
She slowly stood up, gave a bitter laugh, and her eyes became empty and numb as she faced Feng Guche. "Your Majesty, I would like to ask you, if you had known from the beginning that the beauty lying in your arms was the executioner who killed your child, what would you have done?"
Looking at the woman before him, whom he had once doted on, Feng Guche's dark eyes revealed a hint of emotion.
Suddenly, Qi Mingsen shouted, "Nonsense! What evidence do you have to prove that Consort Rong is the murderer of your child?"
Consort Li laughed, her laughter laced with sarcasm, "I am a dying man, General Qi, and you still ask me for evidence? Perhaps His Majesty does not know why Consort Rong became pregnant so soon after I lost my child. It is because she used forbidden magic, using my child's blood as a guide, to transfer my child's life into her womb. My child was brutally torn away, yet I still have to see the child she obtained by exchanging my child's life, and she humiliates me in every way in front of me."
"Your Majesty only sees Consort Rong's tender gaze towards you, but does not know her cruel and vicious nature. Your Majesty truly only sees the smiles of the new concubines and not the tears of the old ones. Even though I have lost my child, I have not seen the slightest bit of concern from Your Majesty. How absurd and heartless is the Emperor's affection."
The main hall was completely silent.
Consort Li's accusations appeared particularly poignant and helpless.
"Your Majesty, there must be more to this than meets the eye. Consort Rong would never do such a thing," Qi Mingsen said in a panic.
Feng Guche's expression was somber. He didn't give Qi Mingsen any response and asked Consort Li, "Then why did you frame the Empress?"
Consort Li looked up at the sky and laughed weakly. "Your Majesty the Empress, as the head of the six palaces, holds the position but does not care about the grievances of the other concubines. She just deals with them hastily and cannot redress my grievances. Since no one can redress my grievances for my child, then I will have to do it myself. A life for a life is an unchanging truth."
Feng Guche closed his eyes, turned around, and the anger in his eyes turned into a heavy one. He ordered, "Someone, take Consort Li away."
The words had barely left his mouth.
"Your Majesty, be careful."
Everyone gasped in surprise.
Feng Guche turned around in alarm, only to see Consort Li pull out her hairpin and rush straight at him.
Qi Mingsen, who was standing by, took the opportunity to draw his sword and stab Consort Li in the abdomen.
Consort Li's eyes widened, and blood slid down the corner of her lips.
Qi Mingsen sheathed his sword, and Consort Li collapsed to the ground. As she lay there, she reached out to touch Feng Guche with all her might, saying, "Your Majesty, tell Consort Rong... I will be waiting for her in the Fiery Hell."
It was as if this was the final curse.
After saying this, Consort Li breathed her last. The moment she rushed forward, she was simply going to her death.
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