Chapter 289

Only at this moment did Zhen Zhen truly see the appearance of the doll. A slip of paper with the birth date written in blood-red cinnabar was pasted on the doll's chest, and long needles had pierced the delicate little figure until it was unrecognizable. It was indeed chilling. Zhen Zhen sneered; Xin Yuening had gone all out this time. To frame her, she was willing to curse even herself. Was she not afraid that by doing such evil things, she would lose her fortune and lifespan!

Zhen Zhen did not even look at the clamoring Xin Fucheng and replied coldly, "Zhen Zhen has never practiced witchcraft in the palace, and there is no accomplice."

The evidence was laid out in the hall, and she was already a guilty person, yet she was still so arrogant. Xin Fucheng stepped forward, pointed at Zhen Zhen, and scolded, "The Empress is still out of her mind, yet you say you don't know why the doll is in your palace. You have already set up an altar to perform rituals in the palace, and you still dare to quibble."

Despite his stern words, Zhen Zhen remained kneeling silently in the hall, no longer defending herself but refusing to admit guilt. Xin Fucheng wanted to press her further, but saw Qingfeng standing quietly outside the hall door. Xin Fucheng changed his tone and said to Yan Hongtian, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and must be investigated thoroughly, especially those who are close to Concubine Hui..."

So, the next step is to drag her into it, right? Qingfeng did not deliberately hide. Everyone in the hall, except for Zhen Zhen, had likely seen her long ago. Qingfeng raised a smile, strode into the hall, and said loudly, "Is it Qingfeng that Master Xin is talking about?"

Xin Fucheng did not expect her to dare to walk into the Yilan Palace so openly at such a time, and he was stunned for a moment. Qingfeng stood still beside Zhen Zhen, bowed slightly, and saluted, "Qingfeng greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well, and may the two Empresses Dowager be well."

Yan Hongtian, who had been silent for a long time, only said two words coldly: "Rise."

Qingfeng rose slowly, meeting Yan Hongtian's deep, cold black eyes. She saw the deliberately suppressed anger within them, which seemed even stronger at the sight of her. Qingfeng averted her gaze and did not look at him. It was useless for Yan Hongtian to glare at her; this matter really had nothing to do with her, and if one were to count it, she was just a victim.

Lou Xiyan's insistence on marrying Qing Ling had annoyed Lou Suxin for a long time, and consequently, she did not look favorably upon Qingfeng either. Her tone was naturally impatient, "Concubine Qing, what are you doing here? As if this isn't chaotic enough!"

"Your concubine heard that the Empress is unwell, so I came specifically to see..."

Before Qingfeng could finish, Xin Fucheng said sarcastically, "So, Concubine Qing knows nothing of what Concubine Hui has done?"

Qingfeng nodded generously, "Qingfeng truly does not know."

"Concubine Hui practiced witchcraft to plot against the Empress, and everyone in the harem knows that Concubine Qing is close to Concubine Hui. If you truly don't know what happened, you should know to avoid suspicion."

Having long expected him to use this as an excuse, Qingfeng smiled and smoothed her skirt, replying, "Last night, your concubine was unwell and was with the Emperor the whole time. Whether or not I practiced witchcraft to plot against the Empress, the Emperor naturally knows. Qingfeng has nothing to hide, and there is nothing to avoid."

Did she think she could be safe just by bringing up the Emperor? Xin Fucheng sneered, "Last night the Empress was possessed, and Concubine Qing just happened to be unwell. Could it be that you used this to cover your tracks, making it convenient for Concubine Hui to act while also clearing yourself?"

This was going too far. She was not Zhen Zhen; she never believed that silence was the best resistance. She didn't even put the two Empresses Dowager in her eyes, so why would she be afraid of this treacherous official? Qingfeng put away the smile on her face and mocked, "The Empress is in this state now, and it is understandable that Master Xin is protective of his sister. However, Qingfeng was unwell, and there is an Imperial Physician to testify. Master Xin is making such wild accusations, framing Qingfeng for plotting against the Empress—do you have any evidence? The Qingfeng Palace has also just been searched thoroughly; was anything found?"

Qingfeng pressed him step by step, and Xin Fucheng was speechless. This bitch! Relying on her pregnancy, she dared to be so arrogant. Xin Fucheng was consumed by anger, turned, bowed to Yan Hongtian, and said loudly, "Since ancient times, witchcraft has been vicious and evil. Practicing witchcraft in the palace is a capital offense, not to mention that Concubine Hui and her accomplices are plotting against the Mother of the Nation. In any case, this cannot be let go! I request that the Emperor and the Empresses Dowager uphold justice for the Empress."

Qingfeng found it amusing. Were all the Xin family members so unable to read the room? The Empress was like this, and the Imperial Uncle was the same? Did he not see that Yan Hongtian's expression had already turned cold as frost and dark as ink?

Both Empresses Dowager sensed Yan Hongtian's anger. The two looked at each other, and Yang Zhilan said softly, "Your Majesty, this matter... it would be better for you to decide."

The hall suddenly became terrifyingly quiet. Everyone was waiting for Yan Hongtian's verdict, and Qingfeng's heart was in her throat. With the doll found in Lingyun Palace, it was useless for Zhen Zhen to say anything now; she would likely be thrown into that terrifying Heavenly Prison to await further trial. While Qingfeng was still thinking, Yan Hongtian's cold, stern voice suddenly rang out: "Someone, strip Zhen Zhen of her title of Concubine Hui and throw her into the Cold Palace."

What? Thrown into the Cold Palace? Qingfeng was stunned. She could feel the woman beside her, who was still kneeling but remained calm and indifferent, almost collapsing to the ground.

Wu'er, who had been standing tremblingly in the corner, heard Yan Hongtian's words and rushed to Zhen Zhen's side, crying, "Your Majesty, you must not! The Concubine, she..."

"Shut up!" Zhen Zhen, who had been limp on the ground, suddenly scolded Wu'er loudly and pushed her away. Zhen Zhen stood up staggeringly, her tearful eyes fixed on the man in the high seat, and she said slowly, word by word, in a choked voice, "Since the Emperor has determined that Zhen Zhen is guilty, Zhen Zhen has nothing to say."

Qingfeng could not bear to look at that tear-stained face. Perhaps she had no hatred, but she could not suppress the endless heartache. Qingfeng also felt chilled. Yan Hongtian, how could he not investigate thoroughly? Just because of an inexplicable cloth doll, he threw this woman who had accompanied him for so many years into the Cold Palace? How could he be so cold-blooded?

He was indeed colder than she had imagined. Until the moment Zhen Zhen was taken away by the guards, he did not show a trace of reluctance, not even disappointment, as if the woman being taken to the Cold Palace was completely irrelevant to him. Was this the outcome of three years of his favor? At this moment, Qingfeng felt cold from head to toe. Yan Hongtian—he had no heart.

Finally having gotten rid of Zhen Zhen, Xin Fucheng was secretly pleased. Now Qingfeng was the Empress's biggest obstacle. Xin Fucheng still did not want to give up and reminded him in a low voice, "Your Majesty, what about the other doll...?"

"The entire harem has been turned upside down; is Master Xin still not satisfied?" A sharp gaze bore down on him. Even as stupid as Xin Fucheng was, he felt Yan Hongtian's displeasure and quickly replied, "This official does not dare."

Yan Hongtian was angry, and no one in the large palace dared to mention the doll again. In the hall, only the indistinct chanting of the young monks could be heard. Yan Hongtian suddenly rose and walked down from the high seat. Everyone thought he was leaving, but to their surprise, he walked toward Qingfeng. Standing before her, Yan Hongtian said in a deep voice, "Didn't the Imperial Physician tell you to rest well?"

Although Yan Hongtian did not scold her, Qingfeng felt the invisible pressure. Yan Hongtian probably wanted to strangle her even more now. Wiping a secret sweat, Qingfeng replied in a low voice, "Your concubine is much better."

Suddenly feeling pain in her hand, Yan Hongtian gripped it tightly and said softly, "I will send you back." To others, Yan Hongtian must have been doting on her, but only Qingfeng knew how hard he was gripping her.

"Your Majesty!" Watching Yan Hongtian take Qingfeng's hand and prepare to leave, Lou Suxin was furious, "The Empress is physically weak and possessed by evil spirits. As the Son of Heaven, you should stay and accompany the Empress!" What on earth was he thinking? Even doting had its limits.

The old monk finally finished drawing the charm. Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, he hurried forward and added, "Yes, yes, yes. The Emperor is of the Yang body, his grace covers all living things. With the Emperor by her side to care for and accompany her, the Empress will surely recover soon."

Yan Hongtian gave a low laugh, "The Empress has the protection of the Empress Dowager's blessings, the chanting of the Master to exorcise evil, and so many Imperial Physicians to attend to her—where would she need me?"

Gently stroking Qingfeng's waist, Yan Hongtian said loudly, "Feng'er is now pregnant, and I intend to name her Consort Qing. The Ceremonial Officer will draft the edict for the Empress Dowager to review."

Name her Consort? Qingfeng's body stiffened, and the hand on her waist tightened. Qingfeng obediently kept her mouth shut. Yang Zhilan could not sit still either and urged, "The Emperor intends to confer the title of Consort upon Qingfeng?"

"No!" Lou Suxin was almost driven mad by them. What was going on? How were all these children so bewitched by the Qing sisters!

Yan Hongtian replied coldly, "Why not?"

He still dared to ask why not? Lou Suxin pointed at Yan Hongtian, too angry to speak.

Failing to bring Qingfeng down and instead seeing her named a Consort, Xin Fucheng became more and more annoyed. He also wanted to step forward to oppose the naming, but Shui Xin hurried up to him, pretending to go into the inner chamber to care for the Empress, but actually blocking Xin Fucheng. Shaking her head at him, Shui Xin said in a low voice, "Imperial Uncle, do not act rashly. Go back and report to the Master; let the Master decide everything." Xin Fucheng thought for a moment and finally retreated.

The Emperor had not even held the morning court early in the morning, and because of the Empress's affair, he was already harboring hidden anger. If they clashed with the Emperor again at this time, it would truly damage the mother-son relationship. Xu Shuping gently tugged at Lou Suxin's sleeve, shook her head at her, and smoothed things over, "It is naturally fine for the Emperor to confer a title upon a concubine, but conferring a title is no small matter and should not be done rashly. Besides, the celebration is approaching; the matter of conferring the title can be discussed after the celebration ends."

"Xu Momo, how many years have you been in the palace?"

"Forty years..." Meeting Yan Hongtian's slightly squinted black eyes, Xu Shuping broke into a cold sweat instantly. Just now, she had been focused on protecting her master and had forgotten her own status. In such an occasion, it was not her place to speak! Xu Shuping knelt down with a thud and begged urgently, "This servant deserves to die! I beg the Emperor for mercy!"

The old nanny who had served her for so many years was so disheveled in front of everyone, and Lou Suxin was trembling with rage, "Does the Emperor want to get rid of me as well!"

Yan Hongtian's sword-like brows narrowed, and he replied coldly, "Xu Momo has been in the palace for so many years; it is time for her to leave the palace and enjoy her old age."

"No... no!" Xu Momo had entered the palace with her and had served and cared for her for forty years; she was like her own relative. If she left the palace, how would she spend her future days?

Xu Shuping was an old nanny in the palace, protected by the Empress Dowager, and few people in the palace dared to offend her. Although she was a servant, she enjoyed great glory and did not want to leave the palace at this time. Xu Shuping was truly panicked this time, kowtowing hard while crying, "Your Majesty, have mercy—"

Yan Hongtian remained unmoved, taking Qingfeng out of the hall. The sound of the kowtowing seemed to still be audible even after Qingfeng walked out of the Yilan Palace. This time, Yan Hongtian was truly angry.

(End of chapter)