Chapter 57: Bad Fruit

The hall suddenly fell silent, everyone's gazes shot toward Xu Qinghuan like arrows.

She stood in the corner, her complexion deathly pale, her fingertips clutching the handkerchief tightly; the face that moments ago was as blooming as a flower had now lost all color, even the rouge on her lips looked wan.

The Empress Dowager narrowed her phoenix eyes, her stare like a blade, scraping over Xu Qinghuan's face inch by inch.

— Who is this again?

The Empress Dowager's voice was not loud, yet it caused the temperature of the entire hall to drop sharply.

Xiao Mingshu hurried forward, her crimson Phoenix Robe trailing on the ground: — Mother Empress, this is the new beauty the Xu family has sent into the palace, named Xu Qinghuan. I, your humble subject, was negligent and failed to report to you in time.

She lowered her head, her posture supremely deferential.

The Empress Dowager hefted the Nine Phoenix Staff in her hand and gave a heavy jab, sneering: — You are the Empress; matters of the harem should be decided by you.

The gilded armor lifted Xiao Mingshu's chin, and her voice suddenly sharpened:

— I have said, the Emperor has few heirs; I now only wish to see a new life born in the harem.

The Empress Dowager turned to look at Xu Qinghuan, her eyes already filled with icy frost.

Xu Qinghuan knelt on the cold golden brick floor, the Empress Dowager's phoenix eyes carving at her like a blade.

Xu Qinghuan was so frightened that even her breath seemed to freeze; her small face turned as pale as paper, looking like a quail stared down by a raptor.

She frantically shook her head, tears spilling down, yet she could not utter a single word.

— Look at you, such a good‑for‑nothing! — Xu Luoyan suddenly stepped out from the crowd, her red lips curling into a sneer, — Being falsely accused makes you this scared; how will you survive in the harem thereafter?

Her tone was laced with unmistakable smugness, and a sidelong glance from the corner of her eye flicked toward the inscrutable Emperor seated above.

Seeing Xu Qinghuan still trembling on her knees, Xu Luoyan glanced at Wang Jingyi again, raising her voice a few notches: — Look, you're not a proper master; you're adept at flattering the Emperor, but you crumble at the first trouble.

Wang Jingyi immediately glared at Xu Luoyan in a scolding manner, lowering her voice: — Since when do we still squabble in the nest?

A perfectly measured anxiety graced her face, yet a glint of calculation flashed in her eyes.

Wang Jingyi hurried forward, knelt, and gave the Empress Dowager a deep bow: — Empress Dowager, with your permission, this is my goddaughter, returned from the frontier.

Her voice choked: — Her father fell in battle on the sands; my husband and General Xu then took her in as an adopted daughter and brought her back.

She stole a glance at the Emperor's expression, then continued: — To receive the Emperor's mercy is her blessing. Yet this child's nature is simple; once falsely accused, she loses all composure.

As she spoke, she dabbed the nonexistent tears at the corner of her eye with the handkerchief.

Xu Qinghuan was now drenched in cold sweat, the sheer silk skirt clinging to her back.

She seemed to snap back to herself, lifted her tear‑blurred small face, and stammered: — Emperor…

Her voice was soft and syrupy, tinged with grievance and fear, the ending trembling lightly.

Emperor Chu Yunzheng's gaze was deep and distant, his slender fingers tapped the armrest intermittently.

His eyes swept among the three, finally resting on Xu Qinghuan's rain‑kissed, pear‑blossom face, a faint, obscure expression flickering in his eyes.

【Disgusted, can you still pretend? Do you really think the Emperor is a fool?】

【I don't know if the Emperor said he's not a fool, but I do know that General Xu has returned in triumph, and the Xu family's face must be honored.】

【Unless it concerns the Imperial Heir; if it's a Prince, then it's even different.】

【After all, a Prince is the nation's foundation; no one can protect him.】

Xu Qinghuan knelt on the ground, raised her tear‑blurred eyes, her lips trembling slightly, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: — Emperor, please discern… this girl truly does not know what's happening…

Her slender fingers clenched the handkerchief tightly, the tips turning white as if bearing a world‑sized grievance, yet she dared not argue aloud, only sobbing softly: — I only went out… just stepped out for a moment, and when I returned… I was slapped with this accusation…

As she spoke, another tear rolled from the corner of her eye, sliding down her pale cheek to her chin, dripping onto her collar and spreading a dark stain.

She tilted her face slightly upward, allowing Chu Yunzheng to see her pitiful expression clearly, yet she dared not meet his gaze directly.

Wan Tang watched with a cold sneer in her heart; she had grown tired of such tactics.

When men and women make love, pity and charm make men feel compassion.

But once it touches the other's interests, a little pity won't do.

Wang Jingyi, seeing this, stepped forward, her voice steady and firm: — Emperor, the Xu family's daughter may be a bit spoiled, but she is nonetheless a daughter of a prestigious lineage.

She lifted her chin slightly, her tone bearing a hint of arrogance.

— We would never resort to such despicable tricks; even if we told them how, we would disdain to do it.

Her words rang out like a hammer strike, yet her gaze flicked at Wan Tang in a half‑hidden manner, the implication obvious.

— Indeed, perhaps some people deliberately orchestrated this, framing her, huh?

Her gaze fixed straight on Wan Tang, the malice in her eyes unmasked.

Chu Yunzheng's deep gaze, his slender fingers gently caressing the jade ring, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Lady of Grace Qi was poisoned while pregnant; if anything truly happened, the court would be thrown into turmoil.

As for the forces of the Xu and Wang families, he already harbored a three‑part caution toward them.

Now they seize the chance to bite at Wan Tang, hoping to stir the waters even more?

Or… have other schemes?

A barely perceptible curl lifted his lip corner, a dark glint flickering in his eyes.

【Wan Tang spoke well; it hits right where the Empress Dowager's heart lies.】

【No need to fear; just stoke the fire further. Everyone fails to see the Emperor's attitude toward the Xu family, but the Empress Dowager understands it well.】

【The Xu family, boasting outstanding military merit, now wields power that shakes the ruler, and even in Bei Mo they replace the Emperor in rewarding the three armies.】

【This matter has both the Emperor and Empress Dowager fuming.】

【What use is lying? The palace is full of the Emperor's people; only he decides who to deal with, no one can fool him.】

Chu Yunzheng sat high upon the throne, his slender fingers resting on the gilded armrest, tapping intermittently, his expression indifferent as he observed the hall's dispute.

His eyes were deep as a still ancient well, revealing no hint of emotion.

Xiao Mingshu, seeing everyone clinging to their own arguments, suddenly raised her voice, her phoenix eyes cutting across the crowd: — Everyone has their excuse; could it be that this matter still cannot be uncovered?

Her tone was severe, bearing undeniable authority, clearly already angered.

Xu Luoyan sneered, stepped forward a pace, her red lips slightly curled, and in a tone tinged with sarcasm said, "The Empress's methods have become soft."

She lifted her eyes to stare directly at Xiao Mingshu, a hint of provocation flashing in her gaze, "When such incidents occurred before, I, the consort, would invoke the law without hesitation; were you afraid it wouldn't draw attention?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the hall fell silent instantly.

Xiao Mingshu's complexion suddenly darkened, her fingertips tightened slightly, and her knuckles turned pale.

Xu Luoyan was openly mocking her for not being as thunderously decisive as she had been when she wielded power, and was also reminding everyone.

Xiao Mingshu's seat as Empress may not be stable.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered slightly, a trace of coldness passing through his gaze, yet he still said nothing.

Wan Tang, seeing this, immediately knelt, bowed her head heavily, and with a choked yet clear voice said, "My status is low; to have received the Emperor's favor is a debt of endless gratitude."

She lifted her head, her gaze fixed on Xu Qinghuan, and pointedly said, "Now that the facts are before us, to still call a deer a horse is truly remarkable."

Having said that, she bent down again, her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles, and with a trembling yet firm voice declared, "Whether I live or die, I am as light as a feather."

She paused, her tone tinged with sorrow, and added, "But I see Lady of Grace Qi so delighted, it must be a Prince."

She slowly rose to her feet, her eyes reddened, and her voice grew clearer as she said, "I truly cannot understand; I am merely an orphan, what benefit is there for me in plotting against the Prince?"

As those words were spoken, the people in the hall showed varied expressions.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered, and finally he spoke slowly, "All of you, shut up."

His voice was neither light nor heavy, yet carried an undeniable pressure; the hall fell silent instantly.

He scanned the crowd with his gaze, finally landing on Wan Tang, a hint of deeper meaning flashing in his eyes.

The Empress Dowager's phoenix eyes were like tempered ice; she struck the table heavily with the prayer beads in her hand, saying, "Emperor, as the Son of Heaven, all the women of the world belong to you."

Her voice suddenly deepened, the armor scraping a harsh sound against the rosewood, and she added, "But the Prince— is he the first in the palace?"

Xiao Mingshu's fingertip suddenly pinched into her palm.

She lowered her eyes, covering the pain in her gaze.

She had once had a child, but it miscarried before term.

The jeweled curtain hanging from the phoenix crown swayed lightly, obscuring her expression in darkness.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to make a gesture.

Li Defu immediately bowed and stepped back; shortly after, he returned swiftly, holding a secret letter.

When the Emperor took the letter, his knuckles paused subtly on the wax seal before respectfully handing it to the Empress Dowager.

"Very well, very well!"

After reading the letter, the Empress Dowager abruptly rose and said, "Drag me down."

"Investigate!"

Two old women stepped forward and directly dragged Xu Qinghuan away.

From outside the palace, wailing sounds came; when Xu Qinghuan was dragged back in again, her moon‑white gauze dress was soaked with fresh blood, and intermittent bloodstains marked the floor.

Li Defu also returned with people, kneeling with the evidence and reporting, "In Miss Xu's hidden compartment of her makeup box, we found remnants of a hook‑kiss."

"Plotting against the Prince, a crime unforgivable!"

The Empress Dowager's sharp gaze swept to Xiao Mingshu, "Empress, you handle it."

She then turned to the Grand Physician, saying, "Lady of Grace Qi, move to the side hall of Cining Palace; I will personally attend to her."

She said this with great emphasis, her phoenix eyes scanning everyone, "As for the child in the womb, I will watch with my own eyes that it is safely delivered."

The moment Xiao Mingshu took the Dragon-head Staff, she caught a glimpse of the Empress Dowager's probing in her eyes.

This was not only a warning to everyone, but also a warning to the Empress.

Hatred shone in Xiao Mingshu's heart, yet she still forced herself to endure all emotions.

Wang Jingyi had collapsed on the ground, "This is impossible!"

Xu Luoyan also wore a shocked expression, for such a thing, they truly had never let Xu Qinghuan do.

Wang Jingyi cried out in anguish, "How foolish! How could you do this?"

"Foolish?" Xu Qinghuan suddenly let out a hoarse laugh, her blood‑stained fingertip pointing at Wan Tang: "I brought my good sisters into the palace to enjoy blessings, yet she hasn't even become a proper palace maid."

"... and was brutally beaten to death."

She coughed up blood‑filled foam, her eyes wild: "Can't kill the Emperor, yet cannot kill this scum?"

"Poisonous woman!" Chu Yunzheng rose in fury, his dragon robe's wide sleeves flipping, the Jiangjin Xianglu.

Amidst the swirling incense ash, his murderous intent surged like a tide: "Drag them to the Scorpion Basin, shred the bodies into countless pieces!"

Xu Qinghuan's wailing gradually faded.

The air seemed to be filled with the scent of blood.

The Empress Dowager's gaze was as cold as if tempered with poison.

Xiao Mingshu now also stepped forward, her icy gaze pressuring everyone to death, especially Xu Luoyan.

She said word for word, "Everyone, stay here!"

"If Lady of Grace Qi and the Prince are safe, that's enough; if any harm comes…"

She did not continue speaking; that look alone already said everything.