Han Ran, the Commander of the Jinlin Guard, and Wang Hai, the Commander of the Jinwu Guard, were both shocked by Zhen Shicheng’s deduction.
To suggest that Consort Yang had an affair with a guard was indeed a bold conjecture…
They finally understood why Zhen Shicheng had prefaced his words with “a bold conjecture” and asked for the Emperor’s forgiveness if he was wrong. He was distancing himself from the start.
What had Emperor Jingming said in response?
“We trust that Lord Zhen’s deductions must have merit.”
Recalling the Emperor’s words, both men felt deep sympathy for Emperor Jingming, while also reminding themselves to avoid dealing with the old fox Zhen as much as possible in the future.
Faced with the danger of being cuckolded, Emperor Jingming couldn’t wait a moment longer. He immediately ordered Pan Hai, “Bring Consort Yang here!”
At this moment, his only consolation was that few people knew about this, and they were all his most trusted confidants.
Pan Hai immediately obeyed and left.
The hall fell into a suffocating silence.
Emperor Jingming’s fingers unconsciously tapped on the armrest of his chair, tapping faster and faster, then suddenly stopping. He leaned back in his chair, motionless.
This didn’t mean he had calmed down. On the contrary, Emperor Jingming was like a tightly drawn bow, the arrow that could change heaven and earth ready to be released at any moment, turning the peaceful capital upside down.
Han Ran and Wang Hai were so nervous they broke out in a sweat.
If Zhen Shicheng’s deduction was correct, hadn’t Consort Yang cuckolded the Emperor?
Would the Emperor, in his fury, have them all executed for knowing about this?
It shouldn’t come to that, but they were still nervous…
After what seemed like an eternity, footsteps were heard outside, and then the door was pushed open. Pan Hai stumbled in, his steps unsteady.
Emperor Jingming’s eyelid twitched violently.
Pan Hai had followed him for many years and had seen all sorts of situations. Such a loss of composure was extremely rare.
Could it be that Consort Yang had already received the news and taken her own life?
Remembering how Consort Chen had hanged herself out of guilt, this thought crossed Emperor Jingming’s mind.
Han Ran and Wang Hai keenly sensed something was amiss. They exchanged a glance and simultaneously retreated to the wall, standing as still as wooden posts.
Pan Hai ignored them completely and didn’t even bother to bow to Emperor Jingming. He went straight to the Emperor and whispered in his ear.
Emperor Jingming stood up abruptly, nearly falling due to the sudden movement.
Pan Hai steadied the Emperor, his voice trembling, “Your Majesty, you must take care of your health—”
Emperor Jingming waved his hand, his expression colder than ever before, gritting his teeth, “We are not dead yet!”
After a moment, Emperor Jingming exhaled deeply, his voice hoarse as if he had aged years in an instant: “Come with Us to see.”
Pan Hai said nothing, supporting Emperor Jingming as they walked out.
Han Ran and Wang Hai exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion and terror in each other’s eyes.
The Emperor should have been prepared for Consort Yang’s affair with a guard, so this reaction didn’t make sense unless something even more shocking had happened—
They dared not think further and obediently stood by the wall.
As he reached the door, Emperor Jingming looked back at the two, his lips twitching slightly: “You two come along as well.”
Han Ran and Wang Hai’s hearts jolted, and they silently followed.
The temporary palace built on Cuiluo Mountain served primarily as a place for the Emperor and his officials to rest and feast after the annual winter solstice ceremony.
The palace wasn’t large, with only a small area reserved for the imperial concubines to rest.
With Pan Hai’s support, Emperor Jingming quickly arrived at a residence deep within the palace. It appeared calm on the surface but was guarded by numerous eunuchs.
Seeing Emperor Jingming approach, the eunuchs silently opened the door.
Emperor Jingming glanced at Pan Hai.
Pan Hai nodded slightly.
Emperor Jingming’s lips tightened, and he stepped inside.
Han Ran and Wang Hai hesitated at the doorway for a moment.
This was where the imperial concubines rested. Although the rules weren’t as strict as in the main palace, they still felt uneasy coming here given their positions.
After a moment’s hesitation, they steeled themselves and followed.
Whether it be thunder or dew, all was the Emperor’s grace. They had to do whatever the Emperor commanded, even if knowing too much might lead to a swift death.
Unlike the solemn grandeur of the front hall, walking along the small path to the bedchamber had a unique tranquility.
Emperor Jingming signaled Han Ran and Wang Hai to stay outside. He looked up at the sky, where rain and snow were falling, then strode in.
The door was immediately closed behind him.
Emperor Jingming walked in step by step, his face tense. Passing through layers of curtains, he saw Consort Yang huddled in a corner, her body covered by a brocade quilt, while the Crown Prince sat on the floor, his clothes in disarray.
Emperor Jingming’s blood rushed to his head at the sight. He raised his leg and kicked the Crown Prince hard.
The Crown Prince fell over, rolling onto his stomach, crying and begging for mercy: “Father, I was drunk, I was drunk…”
Emperor Jingming closed his eyes and ordered Pan Hai: “Lock up this beast. Don’t let him speak nonsense.”
Pan Hai immediately complied, arranging for several eunuchs to take the Crown Prince away.
Emperor Jingming looked at Consort Yang.
Consort Yang lowered her head, revealing her long, graceful neck.
This was the consort he had favored, yet she had done something so disgusting to him…
“Why?” Emperor Jingming asked, anger filling his entire being.
Consort Yang remained silent.
“Was Duke An’s death also your doing, instigating that guard to kill him?”
Hearing Emperor Jingming’s question, Consort Yang finally raised her eyes and nodded slightly.
Emperor Jingming grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at Consort Yang.
“Have you gone mad? Speak! How did you collude with that guard, and how did you seduce the Crown Prince!”
Consort Yang suddenly laughed.
The woman’s silvery laughter echoed in his ears, making Emperor Jingming feel suffocated and nauseous.
“Is Your Majesty asking about Zhang Hu? I knew him before I entered the palace,” Consort Yang said, twirling a lock of her hair. “He has always been fond of me, choosing to remain unmarried after I entered the palace. So I didn’t need to seduce him. He would do anything I asked, like killing someone.”
At this, Consort Yang smiled slightly: “For example, murder.”
“You were so determined to see Duke An dead?”
“Indeed.” The smiling woman’s expression suddenly turned ice-cold. “Your Majesty knew I had no family left except for my elder brother. But when Duke An caused my brother’s death, Your Majesty’s punishment was merely a slap on the wrist. Did you ever consider my feelings?”
With no possibility of having children and her only relative gone, what meaning did the Emperor’s fickle favor hold? Why shouldn’t she choose revenge?
Emperor Jingming closed his eyes, barely able to stand: “You had a reason for avenging your brother, but what about the Crown Prince?”
Consort Yang sneered: “It takes two to tango. Would Your Majesty feel better if I admitted to seducing the Crown Prince first?”
Looking at her exquisitely beautiful face, Emperor Jingming felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife: “You did this on purpose, deliberately ruining the Crown Prince!”
Consort Yang suddenly burst into laughter.
After laughing, she curved her lips: “Your Majesty can believe that I seduced the Crown Prince, and he was momentarily confused if you wish.”
Even so, could a Crown Prince who had an affair with a palace consort still securely hold his position as heir apparent?
What did the death of one Duke An matter? She wanted the Crown Prince of the Great Zhou to accompany her brother in death!
That person was right, this kind of revenge was truly satisfying.