“Your Grace!” Princess Consort Jing cried out and rushed to the boat’s edge.
Old Madam Xiao trembled violently and fainted.
When Xiao Mingrou fell into the water, Mo Zi, who had originally been only one step away from the Empress, had opened up a distance of three or four zhang due to her sudden fall—a distance that made it impossible, no matter how much anyone lied with eyes wide open, to claim she had harmed the Empress or Xiao Mingrou. At that moment her body was beyond her control, but by borrowing Xiao Yi’s leg that stuck out, she broke free from the secret restraint of the palace maids behind her. Though it seemed coincidental, everything was actually within her calculations.
Using their own methods against them.
Seeing Xiao Mingrou fall into the water, the Empress was dumbfounded. She wasn’t stupid—from the very beginning she had never intended to use Imperial Consort Chen’s belly to create trouble. When she caused the first pregnancy to be lost, the matter had become somewhat significant. If she caused the second pregnancy to be lost as well, the Emperor would suspect her even without evidence. She would absolutely not be so rash as to lose the Emperor’s trust, and using the same method twice was also meaningless. After the child was born, there would still be a long future with plenty of opportunities.
Therefore, what she had planned was to release lanterns together with Song Mo Zi, fall into the water herself, then blame it on the other party, making the Emperor and all civil and military officials think Song territory harbored malicious intentions toward Great Zhou. Of course, she wouldn’t blame Mo Zi herself and would even speak on Song Mo Zi’s behalf, attributing it to her own carelessness, the boat’s instability, and so forth. But after the noble ladies on the boat returned, they would give their own men a different version: Song Mo Zi bore a grudge against the Wang family because of a songstress sister and thus took revenge on the Empress. And she would also send others to spread word in the marketplace that while it appeared to be a personal grievance, it was actually Song territory’s conspiracy.
Everything had proceeded according to her plan. The trip to view red leaves at Tianen Temple was to provide an opportunity for Noble Consort Ying and Song Mo Zi to be alone, allowing Noble Consort Ying to reveal the fake plan to Song Mo Zi. She arranged Imperial Consort Chen and Song Mo Zi’s seats together so that Song Mo Zi would focus all her attention on guarding Imperial Consort Chen’s belly. When Song Mo Zi was at maximum tension, she would then suggest releasing lanterns together, which would throw her thoughts into confusion and make her easy to manipulate.
But how did it turn out like this? Song Mo Zi was so far from her, hadn’t gone down to the stern. Imperial Consort Chen had actually been swept into the water by her. What on earth had happened?
Splash—someone jumped into the water.
Right, they needed to rescue Imperial Consort Chen. Empress Wang came back to her senses. If something happened to Imperial Consort Chen and the fetus in her belly, how could she explain it?
“Why aren’t you rescuing her?!” she shouted loudly. From the corner of her eye, she saw the Emperor’s boat rapidly approaching. This was bad—had the Emperor seen or not? Even if she really did sweep Imperial Consort Chen into the water, it was accidental. But she feared no one would believe it. Princess Consort Jing was looking at her with resentful eyes—at least the Xiao family women wouldn’t stand on her side this time.
The eunuchs steering the boat jumped into the water one after another.
Imperial Consort Chen surfaced. Beside her was Wang Shiniang.
Xiao Yi helped Mo Zi up, deliberately raising her voice. “Are you alright? I told you not to board the boat. Once you’re with child, you get seasick easily.”
Mo Zi pinched Xiao Yi’s face and glared with wide eyes. “My monthly course is just a few days late, that’s all. Who said I’m pregnant?”
“Who knows if it’s late or if you’re pregnant?” Xiao Yi spoke as if it were true. “If you ask me, this pleasure boat is inauspicious. You fell for no good reason, and over there, who knows why the Empress pushed someone into the water. When the Emperor’s boat arrives, we should switch quickly.”
The Empress was furious. “I did not push Imperial Consort Chen.” According to Xiao Yi’s meaning, Song Mo Zi was pregnant. If there was any injury, wouldn’t she become the murderer who harmed two pregnant women?
“Right, didn’t push—just swept her with a sleeve.” Xiao Yi didn’t blink an eye.
The leading noble ladies gasped. The secret decree they had received was to simply accuse Song Mo Zi of causing the Empress to fall into the water after boarding the boat. As long as they insisted on it unanimously, everyone else would follow suit. But now, Song Mo Zi was so far from the Empress, and the Empress was standing perfectly fine. What should they do?
“If the Minister’s wife hadn’t suddenly cried out, I wouldn’t have hastily turned around and accidentally collided with Imperial Consort Chen.” After all, she was experienced in waging silent wars—deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces.
Xiao Yi was sharp-tongued today. “According to Your Majesty the Empress’s meaning, is the Minister’s wife at fault? She stumbled because this boat was unstable, so she shouldn’t have cried out? If she cried out, she must take responsibility for Imperial Consort Chen’s safety? There’s actually such a forceful logic in the world. I’ve truly broadened my horizons. By this reasoning, when Daqiu and Song forces faced each other in battle, I saw Wang Yang together with Prince Su. So Your Majesty the Empress, and all the Wang family members, all rebelled along with Prince Su.”
When this matter was spoken aloud, those who heard it were greatly shocked.
Empress Wang’s willow-leaf eyebrows stood on end. “You’re slandering wildly! The Wang family was once on good terms with Prince Su, but we were completely deceived by him. How many among the full court of civil and military officials were more than just the Wang family? Since his rebellion, my father and brothers have drawn a clear line with him, and also requested His Majesty to dispatch imperial commissioners to investigate all our dealings, which proved the Wang family’s innocence. My father is a pillar of two reigns, loyal to country and ruler—how could he consort with traitors? If you continue to speak nonsense, even though you are Song people, I will absolutely not be lenient.”
“Those who saw Minister Wang number in the tens of thousands, not just Prince Su’s forces but also our Song army. Your Majesty the Empress need not be agitated. Minister Wang is Minister Wang, you are you. Xiao Yi’s meaning is simply that many things shouldn’t be forcibly connected to avoid wronging good people.” Mo Zi stood in place without moving.
This matter truly couldn’t be blamed on Empress Wang—she really didn’t know at all what her father was doing or why he was together with Prince Su.
Wang Yang had spent his life pursuing treasure. Perhaps out of excessive pride, perhaps foreseeing the tragic outcome of harming others and himself, he had never told any Wang clan descendant.
“I cannot believe you. My father has been retired in his hometown, not concerning himself with worldly affairs for many years.” At this moment, Empress Wang couldn’t be bothered with her own conspiracy. Her father was the Wang family’s pillar, the person she most respected and relied upon. Though she hadn’t directly told him about her ambitions, since her elder brother supported her, she also assumed her father tacitly approved. With such a major matter and her father’s capabilities, it was impossible he didn’t know. “Minister’s wife, the rebel forces of Prince Su have already surrendered under the Song army’s banner. Since my father was together with the rebel army, he should also be in Song territory now? Where is he? You can’t make baseless claims.”
“Does Your Majesty the Empress not know Prince Su’s fate?” Mo Zi was surprised.
“Prince Su encountered a mountain collapse and was buried to death.” Empress Wang naturally knew this, but after saying it, her brows knit tightly. “What do you mean?”
“Minister Wang was right beside Prince Su at that time.” He died too. Mo Zi looked coldly at the Empress.
Empress Wang’s entire body shook. “What did you say?” She immediately looked toward Noble Consort Ying.
Noble Consort Ying was stunned, while almost imperceptibly shaking her head slightly, indicating she didn’t know.
Mo Zi watched the two interact and was no longer surprised, only answering indifferently, “The Empress heard very clearly—why must I say it again? If you don’t believe it, just send someone to investigate back in your hometown. Minister Wang is definitely not at home at this time.” Wang Yang’s death would sooner or later be exposed to strike at the Wang family.
Xiao Mingrou and Wang Shiniang came aboard dripping wet. Empress Wang had no mood to deal with them, feeling only as though heaven and earth were spinning, and everything she had painstakingly built up to this day seemed about to collapse.
Mo Zi, however, was very concerned about Xiao Mingrou—after all, this idea had been hers. The pleasure boat itself wasn’t high, and today with many female family members, the draft was heavy. The distance from the water surface was just over two meters. Xiao Mingrou could swim and had psychological preparation beforehand, so the miscarriage probability was minimal, and it could be blamed on Empress Wang’s malicious intentions. As for Wang Shiniang jumping into the water to save someone—that was completely beyond her expectations.
“Imperial Consort Chen! Imperial Consort Chen!” Wang Shiniang called to her.
Xiao Mingrou slowly came to and the instant she opened her eyes, she cried. “Is the child alright?” Although she had agreed to Mo Zi’s proposal to use the fetus in her womb to take the first step in bringing down the Empress, at this very moment, her tears were genuine.
Amid the chaos, the Emperor’s boat had already drawn alongside. He was extremely anxious, somewhat incoherent. “Imperial Consort Chen! Imperial physician! Quickly, quickly save her!”
Yuan Cheng also quickly stepped forward to support Mo Zi. “What happened to your foot?”
“I accidentally tripped and fell.” Mo Zi squeezed his palm.
Yuan Cheng knew everything had gone smoothly, but his tone was still worried. “It seems becoming a mother has truly made you clumsy.”
The King of Daqiu didn’t board the pleasure boat, standing on the boat’s edge with an indifferent expression. His gaze swept past the dazed Empress and met Noble Consort Ying’s eyes. The latter shook her head again. This trap that on the surface was to damage Mo Zi’s reputation but in essence targeted Song territory had failed to catch its prey and might instead ensnare one of the main conspirators.
The King of Daqiu lowered his eyes, concealing the dark gloom within them.
While the imperial physician was examining her, the Emperor immediately confronted the Empress. “Empress, what a fine thing you’ve done! I have always believed you to be benevolent and virtuous. My descendants are few, which I also thought was heaven’s will. Some unfavorable rumors about you—I never took them to heart. Who would have thought that today I would witness with my own eyes your evil deed. It truly chills my heart.”
“Your… Your Majesty, it wasn’t this consort, it was—” In her hesitation, the Empress chose not to hide or evade, which was also the smarter approach. “It was the Minister’s wife who fell, and this consort turned around too hastily and accidentally bumped into Imperial Consort Chen. Your Majesty’s descendants are precious—how could this consort not know? Just now, this consort even told Imperial Consort Chen not to release lanterns because she’s with child—everyone heard it. If this consort truly had intentions to harm, under no circumstances would I do it before the eyes of everyone. Your Majesty, please investigate clearly!”
Was this a trap set in reverse by Song Mo Zi? Quickly recovering from the fear and panic of her father’s death, the Empress carefully responded.
The Emperor had a gentle temperament, and these words softened his anger. He asked the various female family members, “Did Her Majesty the Empress truly say these words?”
No need to lie—everyone’s reaction was swift, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
“Mo Zi, did you also hear it?” Clearly, for the Emperor, compared to those women he didn’t understand, he was more willing to believe Mo Zi’s words.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress did indeed say so.” Mo Zi certainly didn’t think that having Xiao Mingrou jump into the water once would bring down the Empress. This was only the first step. “However, as to what exactly happened, I’m afraid we must ask Imperial Consort Chen.”
“Reporting to Your Majesty.” The imperial physician finished taking the pulse. “Imperial Consort Chen has suffered some fright, but her pulse is still stable. The fetus is unharmed.”
Mo Zi then said, “To be fine after such commotion—it seems Your Majesty will have a healthy, intelligent, and extremely fortunate prince or princess this time.”
The Emperor’s originally terrible mood improved immediately at Mo Zi’s words. “Girl, I accept your auspicious words. I hope Imperial Consort Chen can bear for me a healthy, intelligent, and extremely fortunate prince.” Taking matters into his own hands, he removed the mention of princess.
Mo Zi raised her eyebrows, thinking she couldn’t guarantee the birth of a son. Just as she was about to speak, Yuan Cheng tugged at her sleeve. Knowing he was telling her not to dampen the Emperor’s spirits, she pressed her lips tightly shut.