Princess Daming’s scream pierced through Yilan Hall’s silence. The palace maids waiting outside exchanged glances, their hearts crying out in alarm as they rushed into the courtyard like flying. The courtyard was empty save for Li Weiyang and… Princess Daming lying in a pool of blood to the side.
Just moments ago, Prince Xiang and the other two guards had already left through the back door, leaving Li Weiyang no time to stop them—though she had no intention of stopping them anyway.
Palace maids rushed to Princess Daming’s side, crying, “Princess, what happened to you?”
Daming struggled to prop herself up, gasping for breath, face covered in bloody tears. She extended a slender finger pointing at Li Weiyang, trembling as she said, “Murder… murderer… she is…” Before finishing her words, she had already fainted. All the palace maids stared at this scene dumbfounded. One of them shrieked, “Quick, quickly summon the Imperial Physician!” At the same time, Prince Xiang entered through the main gate with people, as if just witnessing this scene, extremely shocked. “What… what happened?!”
A palace maid pointed at Li Weiyang. “Miss Guo—Miss Guo pushed our princess down the stairs!”
Li Weiyang sighed. “The performance is truly excellent.”
Prince Xiang no longer wore that gentle, affectionate expression from before, only speaking ominously, “Still not detaining Miss Guo!”
Li Weiyang smiled coldly. “Prince Xiang, if you wish to convict me, I’m afraid you’re not qualified. Please summon someone who can actually convict me!”
Seeing her expression held little panic, Prince Xiang’s heart also trembled. Now with so many eyes watching, naturally they must convict Li Weiyang properly and legitimately. He turned back, shouting loudly, “What are you standing there for? Go quickly!” Everyone panicked in confusion, desperately rushing out the door, almost forgetting palace etiquette.
Prince Xiang approached Li Weiyang, lowering his voice. “Miss Guo, if you regret it now, there’s still time.” As long as he instructed Princess Daming to change her story, saying she accidentally fell down the stairs and was confused from the fall, the matter wouldn’t be so serious. At this point, Miss Guo should know which choice was best for her.
If not for Miss Guo’s beautiful appearance and clever capabilities, he wouldn’t give her this last chance again. He hoped she’d be sensible enough to seize it.
Li Weiyang only said lightly, “I’m very sorry. I won’t have a second answer for you.”
The last trace of smile vanished from Prince Xiang’s face. “Then wait for the imperial prison.”
Consort Guo Hui arrived quickly with Madam Guo and Princess Nankang. Princess Nankang had been trying various ways to hide gifts, unaware something had happened here. Seeing the courtyard scene, she was completely stunned. Soon after, Empress Pei and Consort Hu Shun arrived in succession.
The Imperial Physician had already treated Princess Daming’s wounds. At this moment, Daming had awakened, sitting on the bed covering her face and crying bitterly, as if extremely terrified. Empress Pei frowned slightly. “What happened here?”
Princess Daming wailed loudly, covering her face with a handkerchief. “Your Majesty, Daming nearly never saw you again!”
Seeing her cry like pear blossoms in rain, Empress Pei’s expression was extremely displeased. She glanced lightly at Prince Xiang. “What exactly happened?”
Li Weiyang had been sitting quietly since earlier, gazing at Princess Daming crying on the bed and Prince Xiang with faint smugness in his eyes, remaining completely composed.
Prince Xiang coughed lightly. “Daming, you witnessed this matter personally. Better you tell Her Majesty.”
Madam Guo looked questioningly at Li Weiyang, then at Nankang, more worry appearing in her eyes. But in this situation, without understanding circumstances, she couldn’t say much. Consort Guo Hui had already sat to the side, accepting tea from a palace maid, her expression composed.
Consort Hu Shun sat with restraint, raising the embroidered handkerchief in her hand to carefully wipe lipstick from her mouth corners—actually concealing a smile. When she heard news of the incident at Yilan Hall, her face had already bloomed with brilliant, incomparable smiles. This was a life-or-death chess game. Ultimately, only the winning side could survive. Consort Guo Hui, don’t blame me for being heartless.
Empress Pei looked at Princess Daming with a cold expression. “Speak.”
Princess Daming bit her lower lip, trembling all over, as if filled with struggle. But finally, she opened her mouth. “Today I arranged to visit Huaiqing with Sister Nankang and Miss Guo. Halfway there, Sister Nankang suddenly said the gift for Consort Hui had gone wrong and left first, saying she’d return soon. Miss Guo and I came to Yilan Hall. Because Sister Huaiqing always loved quiet with few serving maids, we didn’t dare disturb her and left the palace maids outside. After entering, we discovered no maids serving. I thought it wouldn’t be good to neglect Miss Guo, so I went first to find people. Miss Guo heard there was a lake behind and wanted to walk around to relax… I believed her and never expected—just reaching the second-floor corridor corner, I saw at the lakeside Miss Guo had already encountered Huaiqing. But somehow they started arguing. I was far away and couldn’t hear anything clearly. I wanted to go mediate, but unexpectedly I saw Miss Guo suddenly push Huaiqing. Huaiqing fell into the water, still struggling desperately…”
Empress Pei’s voice carried a trace of surprise. “What happened to Princess Huaiqing?”
Daming covered her face crying bitterly, as if heartbroken to the extreme. “She… just… just…” She couldn’t continue.
Empress Pei shouted sternly, “Still not going to check the lake behind!”
Before long, a eunuch reported with a deathly pale face, “Your Majesty, Princess Huaiqing… has already… already drowned in the lake!”
Princess Daming’s crying grew louder. Consort Hu Shun glanced at her, a trace of cunning flashing in her eyes as she said slowly, “To think such a thing truly happened—it’s really too strange!”
Consort Guo Hui’s expression remained normal. She only quietly drank tea from her cup. But Madam Guo’s face showed anxiety, almost unable to control herself. “Complete nonsense! Why would my daughter murder a princess?!”
Daming looked at Madam Guo’s ice-cold face as if frightened, subconsciously shrinking backward. Already born pitiful-looking, now she appeared extremely terrified. Consort Hu Shun stood up, actively blocking the bed, her gorgeous face carrying three parts mockery. “Madam Guo, what are you doing? Knowing Princess Daming is injured, you still frighten her?!”
Madam Guo’s anger surged. “Where did I frighten her?! I only want to clarify the truth! My daughter just entered the palace a few days ago—why would she murder Princess Huaiqing who has no grudge against her!”
Princess Nankang never expected such developments. Looking at a roomful of people, she was nearly frozen.
Empress Pei’s smile at her lips stiffened slightly as she looked at Princess Daming. “Speak more clearly.”
Princess Daming, already possessing a delicate, willow-like physique, now shook her head miserably. “I stood far away and couldn’t hear them talking… How would I know why?”
Consort Hu Shun smiled charmingly, yet that smile seemed to carry sharp coldness. “Since murderous intent arose, there must be some reason. We might as well interrogate everyone in this palace. Perhaps we’ll know the answer.”
Empress Pei’s beautiful long eyebrows raised slightly in doubt. “People in this palace?”
Consort Hu Shun smiled respectfully. “Yes, Your Majesty. As for Miss Guo, naturally we dare not interrogate her. But the palace maids and eunuchs in this palace can certainly be questioned.”
Empress Pei looked at Consort Guo Hui. “What does Sister think?”
Consort Guo Hui’s face bore a smile, yet her eyes held not a trace of mirth. The light in her pupils was sharp and cold. “Consort Shun just said to investigate thoroughly and not harbor criminals. Since that’s so, we must question carefully.”
Madam Guo looked at Consort Hui in surprise, not understanding why she could still maintain composure. This concerned Guo Jia’s life or death!
Empress Pei’s gaze wandered over Consort Hui’s face. For a moment, she couldn’t determine if she truly didn’t care or was deliberately feigning composure. She quickly shifted her gaze, smiling faintly as she called melodiously, “Someone!”
A female official beside her stepped forward. “This servant is here.”
Empress Pei said lightly, “Arrest all palace maids and eunuchs assigned to Yilan Hall. Question them thoroughly without exception.”
Li Weiyang sneered coldly. Earlier, the entire Yilan Hall had been completely empty—clearly people had been deliberately sent away. Now they suddenly appeared?
Yilan Hall’s palace maids and eunuchs totaled only eight—not even meeting the standards of Li Weiyang’s household in the Guo family. When the incident occurred, these people either claimed the princess sent them out on errands or went elsewhere—in any case, none witnessed what actually happened. So this group was dragged out for questioning. After fully half a shichen, the sound of beating boards continued. Finally, the female official led a palace maid back in and reported, “Your Majesty, the princess’s personal maid Cui Rou has confessed.”
Empress Pei looked at Cui Rou kneeling below, trembling with fear. “What exactly happened?”
Cui Rou’s face was deathly pale. “This servant… this servant suddenly remembered… but this servant dared not speak… Your Majesty must first forgive this servant’s offense!”
“Speak. I pardon you!” Empress Pei said slowly.
Cui Rou desperately kowtowed twice. “That day the princess went to Consort Hui’s palace. Coming out, she saw a young man standing very intimately with Miss Guo. The princess didn’t pay attention then, thinking he was just an ordinary guard. Later hearing they’d captured the Palace Commander and Miss Guo’s maidservant, she remembered—that person was the Palace Commander!”
In fact, when Consort Hu Shun designed that scene, the real Princess Huaiqing was already dead. Where would there be opportunity to “remember”? But now there was absolutely no way to verify Huaiqing’s true death time. The other party had calculated everything precisely, pinning the matter on Li Weiyang.
“Cui Rou, dare you confront that Peng Dazu face-to-face?” If Cui Rou truly saw him, then what Peng Dazu needed to conceal was definitely not merely having an affair with a maidservant! Consort Hu Shun smiled.
Cui Rou lowered her head, not daring to look at her masters’ ugly expressions. “This servant dares.”
“Good, take her down!” Empress Pei waved her hand.
Half a shichen later, guards came to report. “Your Majesty, Peng Dazu has confessed. That maidservant Zhao Yue came for her mistress. His secret lover is also Miss Guo.”
Everything timed perfectly. Madam Guo’s face had already lost its last trace of blood.
Consort Hu Shun sneered coldly, looking at Li Weiyang. “So that’s how it is. Miss Guo feared she remembered that Peng Dazu had been there, so she wanted Princess Huaiqing to keep silent. But Huaiqing was upright and probably didn’t agree with you, so you developed murderous intent—”
Li Weiyang showed no fear, meeting her gaze steadily. “Consort Hu Shun, Princess Daming just testified I murdered Princess Huaiqing, then Cui Rou remembered seeing Guo Dazu at Consort Hui’s palace, then that Guo Dazu confessed. He didn’t confess earlier or later, but confessed at such a coincidental time. Don’t you find it strange?”
Consort Hu Shun immediately said, “Isn’t this all to conceal for you, this noble young lady? People say you know someone’s face but not their heart. Miss Guo appears so noble and elegant, yet who’d expect you’d first do such shameful things, then commit murder to silence witnesses? Poor Princess Huaiqing considered you a friend—you’re clearly a wolf in human skin! I advise you—caught red-handed, you should just confess.”
Li Weiyang said expressionlessly, “What I did, I’ll naturally admit. What I didn’t do—how can I admit?!”
Empress Pei’s brows furrowed slightly, yet her face remained so noble, like a compassionate bodhisattva seated high in the clouds. “Miss Guo, people often say those who can correct errors achieve the greatest good. If you confess, I’ll leave you some leeway, preserving the Guo family’s face. But if you know your error yet refuse to reform, stubbornly denying it, I can only hand you to the Ministry of Justice.”
Handing her to the Ministry of Justice meant complete loss of face. Consort Guo Hui couldn’t help but show slight displeasure, sneering coldly. “You’ve joined together to frame Jia’er. What should she say? Say what?”
Empress Pei closed her eyes slightly. “Sister Consort Hui, Huaiqing was such a kind, gentle child. She never dared step on even one ant. This time suffering such misfortune—any person watching would feel chilled. Now the witnesses are Daming and Peng Dazu, plus that maid Cui Rou. You say others are framing her, but they have no grudge against Miss Guo. Why would they frame her? I know you feel for Guo Jia, but wrong is wrong. We can’t show leniency because she comes from the Guo residence. Huaiqing is after all a national princess. What Guo Jia did has gravely insulted the imperial family’s dignity. If she confesses, it’s just a cup of poisoned wine. I’ll decide this matter and won’t let it spread. But if she doesn’t confess, I’m sorry—I can only hand her over.”
These words sounded so righteous that everyone nodded in agreement.
But Consort Guo Hui didn’t look at the righteously indignant Empress. She only asked Li Weiyang, “Jia’er, what do you say?”
Li Weiyang’s eyes flashed with a trace of smile as she said unhurriedly, “Though Jia’er didn’t grow up in the Guo family, she absolutely wouldn’t do anything damaging the Guo family’s reputation. Please trust me, Your Ladyship.”
Consort Hu Shun said angrily, “You still refuse to admit your error! Then don’t blame palace rules for being merciless!” With that, she waved her hand. A eunuch retrieved a thorny rod from the side, said “Excuse me,” and was about to strike Li Weiyang.
Madam Guo threw herself forward without thinking, protecting Li Weiyang behind her. Consort Guo Hui shouted sternly, “Ah Jiang!” The eunuch called Ah Jiang flew forward, snatched the thorny rod in one motion, and with swift successive strikes, the eunuch who’d prepared to attack Li Weiyang screamed once, nearly fainting to the ground, his back bloody and gory—truly unbearable to witness.
Consort Hu Shun’s expression changed as she shouted furiously, “Consort Guo Hui, what are you doing?!”
Consort Guo Hui smiled coldly. “Doing what? Before conviction, you dare strike randomly. What kind of place do you think the palace is? Your Hu family’s torture chamber?”
Li Weiyang glanced at the thorny rod fallen to the ground—fully two fingers thick, sharp barbs protruding, blood continuously dripping down. If it had fallen on her body earlier, even if not dead, she’d be crippled. Consort Hu Shun had grown so arrogant—was she convinced Li Weiyang had no way to turn things around?!
Madam Guo, heart still pounding with lingering fear, watched while gripping Li Weiyang’s hand tightly, refusing to release it. Li Weiyang squeezed her hand, saying warmly, “Mother, I’m fine.”
Madam Guo felt both shocked and worried, her face showing extreme anger. “Consort Hu Shun, you’ve gone too far! My Guo family’s daughter—is she someone you can harm?!”
Consort Hu Shun elegantly raised her slender eyes, calling out, “Madam Guo, don’t frighten me. I can’t bear such a great accusation! I didn’t strike the Guo family’s daughter—I struck a criminal who murdered a Princess of Yuexi—”
Madam Guo shouted sternly, “Without conviction, how can you harm people randomly?! Even to convict, His Majesty should personally issue an edict, or the Ministry of Justice should investigate!”
A voice laughed. “Hearing Madam Guo’s meaning, does she think Her Majesty the Empress’s authority over the inner palace doesn’t exist?”
At this moment, Prince Xiang’s laughter sounded especially detestable, making Princess Nankang’s fury surge—she wanted to rush over and kick him hard. She stared hatefully at Prince Xiang, her heart filled with both guilt and regret. Even a fool could now see this situation clearly—Princess Daming had designed both Huaiqing and herself successively, deliberately creating this false impression. She turned to look at Princess Daming, eyes nearly reddening uncontrollably. “Sister Daming, why exactly would you fabricate such lies?”
Though three meters’ height wouldn’t break legs, Daming’s injuries weren’t light. Moreover, she had to force herself to perform this scene—quite impressive really. At this moment, her face sticky with cold sweat clinging to her hair, she still murmured miserably amid desolation, “Nankang, everything I said… is true…” Before finishing, she seemed about to faint from pain.
Consort Hu Shun secretly praised Daming’s realistic acting, then walked a few steps, smiling as she looked down at Li Weiyang, her voice full of pity. “Miss Guo and the Palace Commander were originally young and ignorant, so they committed this monstrous crime. Now exposed with ironclad evidence, unable to explain themselves—Miss Guo, you should obediently confess. Her Majesty is magnanimous and will leave you an intact corpse…”
Madam Guo gripped Li Weiyang’s hand tightly. She never expected entering the palace once would cause so many incidents. If she’d known earlier—they should have returned home early, avoiding these people each using their evil schemes. One after another in succession, determined to force Guo Jia to death! Doing this, they weren’t targeting Guo Jia herself—clearly they were attacking the Guo residence! She gritted her teeth, almost wanting to slap Consort Hu Shun!
The entire atmosphere froze. People watched tensely, not knowing what would happen next.
Empress Pei was about to speak when she heard Li Weiyang smile. “Have Consort Shun and Princess Daming finished saying everything?”
Consort Hu Shun was astonished, then frowned. “What do you mean?”
Li Weiyang smiled. “If you’ve finished saying everything you can say, then next it’s my turn to speak.”
Consort Hu Shun looked at her incredulously. Could Guo Jia possibly have some way to turn things around? She raised her eyebrows, saying coldly, “What do you have to say?” She believed this plan, though not perfect and flawless, at least from current appearances, Guo Jia absolutely had no way to reverse the situation.
Li Weiyang’s expression was ordinary, yet her eyes were black as lacquer, shining brightly. “Never mind that I came to the palace as a guest—even if I wanted to have an affair, there’d be no need to secretly meet someone when I barely know the palace roads. Moreover, clearly knowing Princess Daming was nearby, I still committed the foolish act of killing Princess Huaiqing—tell me, does such a stupid person truly exist in this world?”
Prince Xiang said calmly, “Perhaps you were befuddled by that Peng Dazu’s sweet words, or perhaps you accidentally killed Huaiqing. These are all possible, aren’t they? After all, if your affair was exposed, your reputation would be ruined forever.”
Li Weiyang raised a hand, interrupting him. “No, everything is because Princess Daming is lying.”
Daming only felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet. Her hands involuntarily clenched. Why could Li Weiyang still remain so composed when everything was already proven with conclusive evidence?!
“Princess Daming, starting a year ago you often personally made shoes and socks, secretly having your personal female official deliver them out. Exactly to whom were they delivered?” Li Weiyang smiled as she spoke.
“I… I… I don’t know what you’re saying…” Princess Daming’s eyes immediately widened, her face showing faint abnormality.
“Oh, since Princess Daming’s brain was damaged from the fall, her comprehension is inadequate. Then I’ll speak bluntly.” Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, yet her gaze was sharp as a knife. “The princess grew up in the deep palace, lonely and unable to bear it. Having an affair with a man—this is human nature…”
Her voice was very gentle, yet her tone carried mockery. Princess Daming’s face instantly turned deathly pale, her voice abnormally shrill. “What are you spouting? I… where did I do such a thing? I… I…”
Li Weiyang leisurely interrupted her. “Princess, I heard half a month ago you were bedridden. But I wonder what illness you had? Could you clarify for everyone?”
Princess Daming’s eyes trembled as she pressed her lips together tightly.
Li Weiyang’s gaze held hidden coldness, yet her smile was warm as spring breeze. But these two combined made one’s hair stand on end. “Outwardly you claimed a chill, but that’s not the truth. Rather than letting me speak it, better you admit it yourself and avoid becoming a laughingstock.”
“What exactly are you saying? Why suddenly turn on a pitiful person like me… I truly don’t know where I’ve offended Miss Guo. Could it be because I testified for Huaiqing’s death that you want to slander me like this?” Princess Daming’s eyes reddened as tears flowed down in streams.
Li Weiyang’s smile was supremely elegant. She stared at her face for several moments. “I’m very sorry. I’m only speaking the truth.”
Princess Daming’s eyes flashed with panic as she lowered her head, saying sullenly, “I don’t know at all why you’d wrong an innocent person like me…”
“Very good.” Li Weiyang smiled broadly. “Since you refuse to speak yourself, I’ll speak for you. Someone, please have Imperial Physician Zhou enter.”
Both Consort Hu Shun and Princess Daming’s expressions changed simultaneously, staring in shock at the person appearing at the entrance. Princess Daming’s entire body began trembling, as if seeing a ghost.
Imperial Physician Zhou entered and performed courtesy to Empress Pei and everyone, then stood. Consort Guo Hui said slowly, “Imperial Physician Zhou, tell everything you know.”
Imperial Physician Zhou looked at Princess Daming with eyes full of hatred before saying slowly, “Not long ago, I went to treat Princess Daming. She said she had a chill, but my diagnosis revealed—signs of pregnancy.”
The moment those two words emerged, everyone in the room widened their eyes, all looking at Princess Daming in disbelief.
Empress Pei’s smile stiffened for an instant, her gaze turning cold and sharp as she looked at Imperial Physician Zhou. “Say that again!”
“Signs of pregnancy!” Imperial Physician Zhou lowered his head and repeated the words. But no matter how many times he said it, those two words were especially jarring.
“Imperial Physician Zhou, do you know what you’re saying? This is slander!” Consort Hu Shun shouted sternly.
Imperial Physician Zhou bit down hard, saying in a deep voice, “Originally I also couldn’t believe it. Only after repeated examinations did I believe it. Princess Daming desperately begged me to remain silent and demanded I give her an abortive drug to remove this illegitimate child—”
Princess Daming shrieked in terror. “No—no! No… you’re lying. Your Majesty, he’s lying. I didn’t—there was no such thing…”
Li Weiyang sneered coldly. “Since Princess Daming says there wasn’t, why not have another physician examine whether Princess Daming is still a virgin? Oh, I’m not well-versed in medicine. I don’t know if after half a month, one can still verify prior pregnancy?”
Imperial Physician Zhou’s expression was calm. “Having carried a child makes one a woman. Experienced physicians can tell. If Her Majesty the Empress and everyone doesn’t believe it, by all means summon someone to examine.”
Consort Hu Shun flew into a rage. “Absurd! A dignified princess—how dare you humiliate her like this?!”
But Li Weiyang ignored her, smiling to herself. “Imperial Physician Zhou, Princess Daming’s matter could be major or minor. Why would you help her conceal it?”
Imperial Physician Zhou lowered his eyes. “Originally I also wanted to report to Her Majesty the Empress. However, Princess Daming cried too miserably, desperately pleading with me. She said if I revealed this matter, she’d definitely be executed by Her Majesty the Empress. Because having private relations with a guard violated palace rules. Your Majesty has always been strict and would absolutely not easily forgive her… I momentarily felt compassion and agreed, helping her eliminate this hidden danger. The so-called bedridden with a chill was actually miscarriage. I thought the matter had passed. Who knew one day ago, a group of secret assassins infiltrated my residence, disguising themselves as thieves, killed my wife and pair of young children, even thrusting a sword into my ribs. Seeing those people extremely vicious and coming for me specifically, I simply held my breath and played dead. As a physician, I’m naturally proficient in such methods. I exhausted all efforts to evade those people, disguising myself to leave home. Later I learned the capital magistrate posted notices saying my home was robbed by thieves, the entire family killed…”
Consort Guo Hui sneered. “Consort Hu Shun, did you think helping Princess Daming silence witnesses would work? Many things easily leave evidence.”
Li Weiyang only smiled. Princess Daming had originally begged Imperial Physician Zhou not to reveal this matter, but unfortunately Consort Hu Shun learned the truth and remained silent, waiting for an opportune moment. After the banquet, Consort Hu Shun developed schemes, using this secret to threaten Daming to help complete her plan. Princess Daming steeled her heart and simply told Consort Hu Shun that Imperial Physician Zhou already knew about this. To eliminate the hidden danger, they decided to kill Imperial Physician Zhou to silence him. But they didn’t know that from the day Princess Huaiqing visited, she’d begun suspecting Princess Daming. Because Huaiqing had no friends—the only person who could make her believe and persuade her was Daming… Simultaneously, Yuan Lie had also sent people to secretly watch Princess Daming and Consort Hu Shun’s every move. Through careful investigation, they finally found Imperial Physician Zhou. And Imperial Physician Zhou, to avenge his family, had been waiting for an opportunity to petition the palace but feared the power behind them. Now with Consort Guo Hui’s support, he dared enter the palace again.
In fact, Consort Hu Shun initially kept Imperial Physician Zhou alive certainly to grasp Daming’s weakness. But Daming insisted on killing Imperial Physician Zhou first before acting. Naturally the matter had contradictions.
“I… I…” Princess Daming looked at Empress Pei in panic. “Your Majesty…”
“Even if Princess Daming was once pregnant and deliberately aborted, naturally Your Majesty will handle it according to palace rules. It has absolutely nothing to do with this incident. Why connect two matters together?” Consort Hu Shun’s expression was abnormally ugly.
Li Weiyang sighed, suddenly raising her voice. “Zhao Yue, come out.”
Everyone was startled to see Zhao Yue walk in from outside, face rosy, spirits high. Upon entering, she spoke, “This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress, Consort Hui, Consort Shun.” Her voice was clear and crisp—not the slightest trace of a destroyed throat.
Everyone was completely shocked, staring at Zhao Yue in disbelief. They saw her smile cheerfully. “This servant followed Miss’s orders, pretending to be captured by Consort Hu Shun. I personally heard Consort Shun say to have Princess Daming lure Miss to Princess Huaiqing’s Yilan Hall and take the opportunity to act. This way, she wouldn’t reveal Princess Daming and that Peng Dazu’s adultery…”
“You—you deliberately set a trap!” Consort Hu Shun’s voice held momentary shrillness. From the beginning, Li Weiyang had pretended not to know this was a setup, deliberately having Zhao Yue pretend to fall for it. In reality, most of that boiling water spilled on the ground. The bit that entered her mouth only scalded a little skin—not half a drop entered Zhao Yue’s throat. But she pretended her throat was truly scalded, then was escorted by Consort Hu Shun for confrontation, making the other party believe it was real and continue this plan. It was merely luring the snake from its hole…
But not everything was within Li Weiyang’s expectations. Like how she vaguely suspected Princess Daming was the one secretly prompting Huaiqing to plead, also the one preparing to lure her into the trap. But she didn’t know her so-called bait and trump card was actually Huaiqing’s life.
“I I I… I never had anything with that man…” Princess Daming, from extreme fear, trembled violently. Suddenly she fell from the bed but desperately crawled to the Empress’s side, grasping her robe hem, crying, “Your Majesty, I didn’t. Everything is their lies. Believe me, believe me!”
Empress Pei looked down at her as if viewing something unclean.
A palace maid beside her, fearing Princess Daming would lash out desperately and harm the Empress, quickly pried away her hand. Princess Daming tried to cling on but was pushed even farther. She quickly grabbed Consort Hu Shun. “Your Ladyship, you must help me! You must help me!”
Under these circumstances, Consort Hu Shun was eager to clear any connection—it was already too late. She subconsciously stepped back. But Consort Guo Hui clearly already knew Li Weiyang’s plan and now said lightly, “Princess Daming, do you think you can still escape guilt?”
Princess Daming looked at Consort Guo Hui in terror, nearly unable to speak.
Li Weiyang looked coldly at Princess Daming. “Originally I thought you were merely coerced by Consort Hu Shun into using Huaiqing and Nankang. But I truly overestimated you. You deliberately caused Princess Huaiqing’s death because you were jealous—you envied Huaiqing! At this point, continuing to act pitiful is useless. You might as well tell the truth!”
Princess Daming no longer resembled her earlier pitiful appearance. Her eyes gradually turned vicious. She crawled on the ground yet seemed like an empress, aggressively saying, “Yes, I hated Huaiqing! Her mother died but the Sun family still exists—what right does she have to feel sorry for herself?! In looks and talent, where do I lose to her?! Yet no one saw me! Even Peng Dazu initially liked her. I deliberately stole him away. I deliberately wanted Huaiqing heartbroken!”
Nankang looked at Princess Daming in disbelief, murmuring, “What exactly are you saying? Sister Huaiqing always trusted you so much. Why would you—”
“Humph, what are you, Nankang?! Like me, daughter of a palace maid. Without Consort Guo Hui, with your brain you’d have long since fallen into some dusty corner!” Princess Daming viciously interrupted her. Those delicate features, once somber, appeared unspeakably terrifying. “The truth is—I’m better than you in everything, superior in everything. Just not as fortunate as you. If my mother had died earlier, I could have found a better backer instead of reaching today with nothing!”
“Sister Daming…”
“Stop disgusting me!” Princess Daming’s features began distorting, filled with resentment. “Seeing you disgusts me! Seeing you nestled sweetly in Consort Guo Hui’s arms makes me hate you! Why did I work so hard only to reach this end, while you understand nothing, know nothing, yet live so happily?! All these years, so many years! In this palace I’m outwardly a princess, but everyone can trample and look down on me. What exactly am I?! Why do you all have people protecting you while I have nothing?! That woman dying would be so good—falling from such a height yet not dying, pointlessly dragging me down all these years!”
Li Weiyang’s expression trembled slightly. She suddenly understood something, saying, “That year—you pushed your mother downstairs?”
Princess Daming’s body began trembling from disappointment and rage, saying hatefully, “Yes, it was me! Everyone said Nankang was adopted by Consort Guo Hui because she had no birth mother. Back then I was still young and naively thought if my mother died I’d have everything! But in reality?! Even if she died, I’m still a worthless person! No one would want to adopt me! Moreover, she didn’t die!” If not for Prince Xu later seeing her days were miserable and sympathizing with them, specifically petitioning the Emperor, she’d have no way to survive till now! She’d have long since died in some corner of the Cold Palace! So she realized—her birth mother not dying was also good. Her existence let everyone know her filial piety, know her uniqueness, appreciate her kindness!
Princess Nankang momentarily couldn’t speak. Li Weiyang’s gaze grew increasingly cold. “Daming, you’re truly a madwoman. Huaiqing regarded you as her only relative, yet you killed her out of jealousy.”
Princess Daming’s eyes flashed with imperceptible guilt, but quickly became arrogant again, making her pitiful face appear especially savage. “That’s right. I suggested to Consort Hu Shun to kill Huaiqing. Not just Huaiqing—initially I also prepared to kill Nankang! I hate seeing people like you who understand nothing yet possess everything!”
Nankang involuntarily stepped back slightly.
“In kindness, you can’t compare to Nankang. In sincerity, you can’t compare to Huaiqing. Now your actions precisely prove you’re not superior to them in any way. Huaiqing was the last person in this world who truly trusted you, yet you killed her. So you’re destined to have no one like you, no one love you for life, destined for everyone to detest and be disgusted by you. This is your own choice—you must bear it well!” Li Weiyang looked down at her just like that. Her indifferent expression held more wounding power than any contempt or mockery. She didn’t care why Princess Daming went mad. Everyone had their own misfortune. Daming only saw her own sorrow yet stared fixedly at others’ halos. Such mentality would distort and go mad someday. She only cared whether the mastermind behind this matter could be brought to justice.
Princess Daming shrieked. She rushed toward Miss Guo regardless of everything, but Zhao Yue’s slap sent her entire person flying to the ground, mouth full of blood. Consort Guo Hui waved her hand. Guards pressed Princess Daming down. She still struggled madly, but no one cared about her anymore.
Perhaps the reversal was too quick, Princess Daming’s before-and-after contrast too strong, causing everyone to stare dumbfounded. Madam Guo watched this scene, also very surprised. She looked at Consort Guo Hui, then at Li Weiyang, finally realizing they’d been acting since yesterday. Clearly knowing everything, they pretended not to know, deliberately luring Consort Hu Shun to act, waiting until today to trap her in the net.
Li Weiyang looked toward Consort Hu Shun. “Your Ladyship, what else do you have to say?”
Consort Hu Shun froze, then showed a stiff expression, shouting loudly, “Guo Jia, don’t speak nonsense. Princess Daming clearly went mad…”
Li Weiyang’s voice instantly drowned hers out. “Consort Shun, do you truly think everything was without omission?”
Consort Hu Shun gritted her teeth. “This matter was all Princess Daming’s doing. Everything has nothing to do with me!”
Li Weiyang laughed. “Consort Shun, for this you must thank yourself. You thought I’d definitely be defeated, so you never left yourself an escape route! Think carefully—from beginning to end, you made many mistakes! First, Princess Daming had an affair with Peng Dazu, yet Cui Rou specifically claimed to see Peng Dazu with me together. This shows Cui Rou was instructed to fabricate. Second, you obscured Princess Huaiqing’s death time, showing she absolutely didn’t die this morning. Moreover, she stopped breathing last night or even earlier. This way, all eight palace maids and eunuchs in Yilan Hall are lying. Their mistress was already gone since last night, yet they claim she sent them on errands this morning. Whether Cui Rou or others, as long as they’re bound and sent to the Ministry of Justice for harsh interrogation, naturally everything will come to light!”
Consort Hu Shun’s face had turned pale, large drops of sweat flowing down her forehead. Her mouth said uncontrollably, “It’s also possible you bribed Daming. No—bribed those people to frame me!”
Li Weiyang smiled mockingly.
“What are you laughing at?” Consort Hu Shun’s heart grew increasingly anxious, nearly flying into a rage.
“I laugh at Consort Shun’s cleverness by half. Unfortunately, even if I bribed these people, there’s still one person I couldn’t bribe! You forgot there’s still a Peng Dazu. He was originally doing well as Palace Commander. If not for having the affair with Princess Daming exposed as leverage, he wouldn’t help you frame me. Would you claim I even bribed this Palace Commander who hates the Guo family? No one would believe such a thing! So from the very beginning, Consort Shun and Prince Xiang were lifting a rock to smash your own feet! Moreover, you chose the biggest, heaviest rock!” Li Weiyang finished speaking with ice-cold eyes. Of course, Peng Dazu agreeing to frame her must also involve the Mighty General. But for now, there wasn’t sufficient evidence.
Consort Hu Shun initially selected Peng Dazu as candidate—on one hand thinking he was Daming’s lover, a weakness grasped in hand. Second, he was Guo family, had opportunities to contact Miss Guo, yet happened to be on bad terms with Duke Qi’s branch. This way, concealing a romance with the Guo family young lady was logical. But she never expected Li Weiyang would turn the tables on her. Princess Daming had already admitted everything. Peng Dazu would also become a huge problem! Would she claim Peng Dazu was also bribed? Who would believe that?
“Your Ladyship, you coerced Daming and Peng Dazu to frame me first, then murdered Princess Huaiqing and threatened me—saying if I refused to marry Prince Xiang as you wished, you’d make everything public and leave me without a burial place. Such methods are truly despicable and shameless. Do you still have the face to continue claiming innocence? For your own selfish desires, not hesitating to murder innocent people, setting trap after trap in succession—such cunning schemes are already exposed to the world. What more can you say?!” Step by step by step by step, Li Weiyang pressed the other party, nearly forcing Consort Hu Shun into a dead end!
“Silence!” Consort Hu Shun’s face turned purple with rage. She almost stepped forward and raised her arm to strike Li Weiyang, but Li Weiyang had long since perceived her intent. With a light dodge, Consort Hu Shun lunged at empty air and fell embarrassingly to the ground. Prince Xiang rushed forward several steps, catching Consort Hu Shun, saying furiously, “Guo Jia, your scheming is too vicious!”
Li Weiyang’s smile was gentle, her eyes ice-cold. She thought—vicious? You’ll soon know what vicious truly means!