Chapter 1981: Wrongly Accused
n.o.ble Lady Zhou was a hundred percent sure that she was wrongly accused in this instance. She never thought that Zhao Xu would suddenly attack her.
As n.o.ble Lady Zhou knelt on the ground, the chill of the floor seeped into her bones.
“Your Majesty, please believe in this concubine! This concubine is truly innocent!” n.o.ble Lady Zhou mournfully shouted at Zhao Xu. At the same time, she mentally yelled at the favored concubine system. Despite her desperation, the system didn’t respond.
n.o.ble Lady Zhou’s current appearance was almost like an originally pristine, but now trampled petal: an incomparably poignant image. But Zhao Xu’s expression was as cold and detached as before. He exuded an air of ruthlessness, showing not even the slightest reaction to n.o.ble Lady Zhou’s pleading.
Their fallout was faster than turning the page of a book. How terribly shameless.
Ning Shu contemplated the situation, then curtsied towards Zhao Xu. “Your Majesty, this subject wife will carefully interrogate n.o.ble Lady Zhou and procure an explanation for Your Majesty.”
“This isn’t just an ordinary inner palace incident! n.o.ble Lady Zhou is affiliated with that dancing girl. She’s an a.s.sa.s.sin.” Zhao Xu’s expression was cold. He stared at Ning Shu and said, “I want to personally interrogate her.”
“What does Your Majesty mean?” Ning Shu inquired with a dumbfounded expression.
Zhao Xu said, “I suspect that n.o.ble Lady Zhou is a.s.sociated with the dancer. She deliberately saved me to gain my trust.”
Ning Shu: … What a leap.
“That’s impossible. n.o.ble Lady Zhou suffered a real stab wound that night.” Ning Shu glanced at the similarly dumbfounded n.o.ble Lady Zhou.
“That’s precisely it-they killed two birds with one stone. While it would be good if they were able to kill me, they could still use the event to gain my trust if they failed.” Zhao Xu turned his head to his personal eunuch and said, “Have the imperial bodyguards detain n.o.ble Lady Zhou. I’ll interrogate her personally. No one else should be able to visit her.”
“Yes.”
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!” Though n.o.ble Lady Zhou seemed still to be in a daze, she reacted immediately. She swiftly crawled to the bedside and grabbed the leg of Zhao Xu’s trousers as she shouted, “Your Majesty, this concubine was wrongly accused! Your Majesty, you must believe this concubine!”
“This concubine had no dealings with the dancer! This is a misunderstanding…” For once, n.o.ble Lady Zhou’s expression was absolutely sincere. She really was being framed.
Why would Zhao Xu accuse her of something like this? She hadn’t committed regicide! She hadn’t…
Two imperial bodyguards walked in. They grabbed n.o.ble Lady Zhou’s arms and dragged her outside the room. Yet she struggled with all her might, dashing in front of Zhao Xu as a last-ditch effort. “Your Majesty, you have to believe this concubine!”
“Take her away.” Zhao Xu waved his hand.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…” n.o.ble Lady Zhou kept shouting as she dissolved into tears. The imperial bodyguards dragged her off before finally gagging her.
Zhao Xu’s expression was one of deep contemplation. His narrowed eyes betrayed no trace of his thoughts.
Ning Shu glanced at Zhao Xu and lowered her head. This man is really…
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Xu had taken action.
This was the true definition of having someone else’s life in the palm of his hand and toying with it.
Framing a woman with the object that the woman gave him… He actually did something like this? Despite being the emperor, he had handled the situation immaculately. As the emperor, he could’ve just come with any random excuse to deal with n.o.ble Lady Zhou…
However, he chose this method.
“Empress.” Zhao Xu’s voice interrupted Ning Shu’s quiet contemplation.
Ning Shu immediately replied, “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
Zhao Xu kneaded his forehead, betraying a hint of exhaustion. “Don’t let the n.o.ble Lady Zhou’s ident.i.ty as a fox spirit spread throughout the palace.”
“This subject wife understands.” Ning Shu curtsied. “Your Majesty, there is still some time before you need to depart for the morning court session. Please rest properly.”
Translator: Kiara