Read Novel Full Chapter 726 - 357: Cooperating with the Li Family to Eliminate the Crown Prince_2
Chapter 726: Chapter 357: Cooperating with the Li Family to Eliminate the Crown Prince_2
Jiang Chuan noticed that both Noble Princess and Shu Consort did not come, feeling quite frustrated and displeased.
Among the concubines who came, Princess Consort Li held the highest position, so naturally, she took the lead in inquiring about Empress Xie’s health condition.
Jiang Chuan said that Empress Xie’s illness was not serious and urged the ladies not to worry, then asked them to leave.
Just as Princess Consort Li was about to leave, Jiang Chuan called her back.
Lady Liang and the others glanced back at Princess Consort Li before they walked away.
Jiang Chuan led Princess Consort Li into Empress Xie’s bedchamber, where Empress Xie was leaning against the bed, appearing quite well.
Princess Consort Li hurriedly saluted Empress Xie to pay her respects, then inquired with concern about Empress Xie’s health status.
Empress Xie said there was nothing wrong with her health and that two days of rest would suffice.
Princess Consort Li knew that Empress Xie had certainly called her in to give some instructions.
"Empress, is there something you would like to instruct me?" With her majesty’s temper, if there was nothing, she would never meet her alone.
Empress Xie smiled slightly: "I have no instructions for you, but there is something I want to tell you."
Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Li’s heart tightened, although she did not show it. Her expression became even more respectful: "Please enlighten me, Empress."
Empress Xie liked concubines like Princess Consort Li who were compliant, understood the rules, and never behaved ostentatiously or arrogantly.
"I have received news from Prince Jing that Prince Chu had an incident in Jinling."
Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Li’s expression immediately changed. She asked anxiously and restlessly, "What happened to Prince Chu?"
Empress Xie replied: "Prince Chu was assassinated by the Crown Prince’s men and died on the Jinling River."
With a bang, Princess Consort Li suddenly stood up, the stool beneath her falling to the ground.
"Empress, your words..."
Empress Xie knew what Princess Consort Li wanted to say and confidently told her: "I am not deceiving you; a couple of days ago, the Crown Prince’s men pursued Prince Chu..." She detailed the process of Prince Chu’s murder to Princess Consort Li.
After hearing it, Princess Consort Li’s body staggered slightly, almost falling, but thankfully Qiu Sang quickly reached out to support her.
"My lady, are you alright?"
"I..." Princess Consort Li’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes filled with horror and worry, and her body trembled slightly. "Is Prince Chu really..."
Empress Xie was very satisfied with Princess Consort Li’s reaction, and she continued to embellish the story: "It’s said that when Prince Chu fell into the Jinling River, it turned the river’s water red."
Princess Consort Li’s eyes were red, her face covered with tears.
"Empress, Prince Chu..." She wanted to say something, but was too sorrowful to form a complete sentence.
"Prince Jing said he sent people to recover Prince Chu’s body but couldn’t find it; it’s feared the body was washed away by the river." Empress Xie sighed heavily, "Prince Chu’s body has yet to be found."
Princess Consort Li’s vision darkened, and she fell backward, completely losing consciousness.
Jiang Chuan and her palace maid Qiu Sang hurriedly supported her, exclaiming in unison: "My lady..."
Princess Consort Li fainted from excessive sorrow but regained consciousness in less than an hour. Upon waking, Empress Xie did not comfort her properly and even instructed her to find the emperor for an explanation.
After leaving Zhao Yang Palace, Princess Consort Li, with a pale face, stumbled towards the Imperial Study.
In the Imperial Study, the emperor was reviewing memorials when Sun Kui walked in, bowing.
"Your Majesty, Princess Consort Li requests an audience."
The emperor was holding a brush, writing on a memorial, and his pen paused when he heard Sun Kui. He looked up at Sun Kui, slightly surprised: "Princess Consort Li?" Princess Consort Li rarely came to the Imperial Study to find him, especially at such a time, knowing he was busiest then.
"Yes, Princess Consort Li’s face was pale, and she looked very sorrowful; it seems something has happened."
The emperor slightly frowned and said: "Let her in."
Sun Kui led the bloodless and grief-stricken Princess Consort Li inside.
The emperor waved a hand to dismiss Sun Kui, then walked to Princess Consort Li, reaching out to help her up.
Sun Kui walked to the door, standing there with his apprentice Sun Doudou.
"Master, what’s wrong with Princess Consort Li? She looks like the sky is falling." In Sun Doudou’s impression, Princess Consort Li had always been composed and dignified, never losing composure. This was the first time he saw her so distraught.
Sun Kui gently shook his head: "I don’t know."
Sun Doudou leaned to Sun Kui’s ear, speaking softly: "Master, Princess Consort Li just came from Zhao Yang Palace."
Upon hearing this, Sun Kui showed a look of astonishment: "From Zhao Yang Palace?"
"More than half an hour ago, the ladies of the court all went to visit Empress, and then Empress kept Princess Consort Li alone, talking for half the time." Sun Doudou gestured towards the Imperial Study, "Based on Princess Consort Li’s appearance just now, it’s likely that Empress said something."