Chapter 676: It Would Be Difficult For The Empress To Maintain A Righteous Front
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Naturally, she should not be let off so easily,” Long Yang said grimly.
Lu Yunshuang had conducted so many wrongdoings; there was no reason for her to continue enjoying the honor and luxury of being the Crown Princess.
It was time for her to pay for her sins.
“Chu Qi, continue keeping a close watch on Lu Yunshuang. The Autumn Hunt is the day after tomorrow. Lu Yunshuang would no doubt choose to take action tomorrow.”
“Yes, master,” Chu Qi replied respectfully and left.
Zhao Qian was slightly curious about how his master would handle Lu Yunshuang.
Lu Yunshuang was the Grand Duke’s daughter, after all, and she was also the older sister of the Empress.
If this matter were to be exposed, it would hurt the Empress’ reputation.
No one would entertain the fact that the Empress was not involved with whatever Lu Yunshuang did. They would only think that with an older sister like that, the younger sister might not have many virtues either.
If that happened, the Grand Duke Family would be impeached by the imperial censor, and it would be difficult for the Empress to maintain a righteous front.
That said, his master would never do anything that would cause harm to the Empress. If he had decided to take care of Lu Yunshuang, whatever that transpired would not implicate the Empress.
Just as Zhao Qian was thinking about this, a junior eunuch working under him came reporting, “We’ve used all sorts of torture, but the Prudence Consort still refuses to admit any wrongdoing.”
Zhao Qian was a little surprised to hear this.
He had not expected someone as fragile and delicate as the Prudence Consort to be stubborn to the bone.
Even a man of iron will and physique would not be able to take the torture once he was brought into the interrogation room, but the Prudence Consort was actually able to bear the torture.
Zhao Qian could not deny that he was rather surprised at this.
The junior eunuch took a look at Zhao Qian’s face and asked in a low voice, “What should we do next?”
Zhao Qian replied, “It’s already quite late. We’ll let her rest for a night. She’s being tight-lipped, right? We’ll continue the torture tomorrow until she’s willing to confess.”
With that, he waved the junior eunuch away.
Zhao Qian took a look at his master who was going through the memorials and gave this some thought before deciding not to report the matter to him.
His master must have forgotten who was the Prudence Consort by now, anyway.
The next day.
The imperial court had just ended when Ji Qingyuan ran up toward Long Yang.
“Your Majesty, I have something to ask of you.”
Zhao Qian spotted this and quickly turned to his master. “Master, Duke Ji seems to have something to ask you about.”
Long Yang paused in his steps and turned back. He saw Ji Qingyuan running toward him breathlessly from behind.
“Duke Ji, what do you need?”
Ji Qingyuan took a deep breath as he bowed toward Long Yang. “Your Majesty, I…I want to know what the Prudence Consort has done for you to lock her up in the interrogation cell.”
He had found out about this the night before.
However, it was already late at night and officials living outside the Palace were not allowed to enter the Palace without the Emperor summoning them.
He was so anxious that he was unable to sleep the entire night. It took him much difficulty to wait until the imperial court began in the morning. He was only able to see His Majesty after the session had ended.
It was only then that Long Yang remembered that the Prudence Consort was his daughter. He gave a pause before saying, “The Prudence Consort attempted to harm the Grand Princess’ son yesterday. The attempt was discovered by me, but she refused to admit her wrongdoing. I had no choice but to have her thrown into the interrogation cell in the hopes that she will have remorse and admit her crime. However, she still refuses to confess and there is nothing more I can do. Since you’ve already come to me, why don’t you try to advise her? If she is willing to admit her crime, I will be lenient with her.”
Ji Qingyuan broke out in cold sweat.
All he had heard was that Hui’er had offended the Empress, which was why His Majesty had punished her by locking her up in the interrogation cell. He had never expected that the Grand Princess’ son was implicated.
Attempting to harm the Grand Princess’ son…
Ji Qingyuan pressed his dry lips and lowered his head, saying with full sincerity, “Your Majesty, the Prudence Consort has always had a kind heart. She could not even bear to step on an ant. How is it possible that she could be so vicious as to harm the young Prince? There must be some sort of misunderstanding here.. I beg of Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and give the Prudence Consort justice.”