Read Novel Full Volume 1 Chapter 11 - Accusation and Body Examination
Volume 1 Chapter 11 - Accusation and Body Examination
The usually deserted courtyard was now filled with people. Not only the most noble emperor but also the highly favored Concubine Li, Consort Hui, and layers of Forbidden Army soldiers surrounded the area. Such a grand lineup was arranged for one person—whether he considered himself fortunate or pitiful was uncertain.
With an angry expression, Long Yi stood in the courtyard, flanked by two beautiful consorts. Before him knelt a disheveled woman, trembling in fear of her impending fate.
Long Yi’s gaze, sharp as a sword, fell onto Lan Zhe, questioning the woman on the ground, “Is this the person?”
Trembling, the woman turned her head to look at Lan Zhe. Within her eyes, there was pain, fear, and struggle. Lan Zhe didn’t lift his head, but he could feel the woman’s gaze. Finally, the woman turned to Long Yi, knocking her head on the ground, “Replying to the Emperor, yes, it’s him!”
With confirmation, Long Yi’s suppressed anger erupted. He raised his hand and waved, “Guards! Seize him!”
Two Forbidden Army soldiers approached, ready to take action. At this moment, a languid voice, filled with a hint of a smile, interrupted, “Your Majesty, I’ve arrived a bit late. Did I miss anything exciting?”
Hearing this, the people in the courtyard were startled. Why did the Empress Dowager come here? Meanwhile, without anyone noticing, Lan Zhe on the ground shivered, his slender fingers tightly clenched on the ground, seemingly suppressing something.
Long Yi’s anger was at its peak, and even when the Empress Dowager arrived, his expression did not soften. “Why is the Empress Dowager here?”
“It seems like someone has been overlooked, Your Majesty.” Long Yue Li leisurely walked over, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Empress Dowager. His fox-like eyes narrowed, sweeping over the people in the courtyard. Finally, his gaze fell on Lan Zhe on the ground. “Is it because I haven’t returned for a long time, or has the palace etiquette changed? No one knows how to pay respects to the Empress Dowager anymore? Is filial piety and virtue just a decoration in this palace?”
At Long Yi’s stiff expression, he couldn’t endure, but the Forbidden Army soldiers immediately kneeled, “We pay respects to the Empress Dowager!”
Zhao Yan, the first to kneel, performed a standard court bow, “This subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager!”
Consort Li, pregnant for two months, with no visible bump, also had to slightly lower her body, “This subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu, originally not fond of these complicated rituals, didn’t mind. However, since this irritating fox brought it up, she had to show her authority. She raised her arm, imitating the Empress Dowager’s posture. “You may rise.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu walked gracefully into the palace, like a crane strolling in the courtyard. When she reached Long Yi’s throne, she stopped and glanced over the courtyard, finally landing on Consort Rong on the ground. “Can the Emperor tell me what’s going on with such a grand assembly?”
Long Yi, already in a bad mood, saw Leng Jiu arrive with Long Yue Li, and his expression became even colder. “This is a matter for Us. Empress Dowager need not inquire!”
Leng Jiu raised her eyes to look at him, smiling slightly. The innate dignity in her gaze was no less than Long Yi’s. “It seems that the Emperor has forgotten. I am the master of this harem, holding the seal of the mistress of the six palaces. The etiquette of harem affairs is still in my hands! The Emperor is busy with state affairs, managing myriad tasks daily. These harem matters need not occupy your mind so much!”
“Empress Dowager!” Long Yi’s handsome face darkened, and when he shouted the words Empress Dowager, there was already a hint of threat.
Unfortunately, Leng Jiu wasn’t affected by his threats. She glanced at the eunuch chief steward, Qu Gonggong. “Trouble Chief Steward to explain. What exactly happened?”
Qu Gonggong’s old face twitched, smiling and not smiling. “Empress Dowager, you have put this old servant in a difficult position. It’s just some dirty matters that shouldn’t be tainted with the Empress Dowager’s delicate ears!”
“If I insist on knowing?”
“This…” Qu Gonggong looked at Long Yi with difficulty.
Knowing that Leng Jiu wouldn’t give up, Long Yi waved his hand, indicating him to speak. Qu Gonggong then explained, and it matched Leng Jiu’s speculation. Consort Rong accused Lan Zhe of being her lover, and the child she carried was supposedly Lan Zhe’s!
Leng Jiu chuckled upon hearing this, turning her gaze to Consort Rong, who was now trembling on the ground. “So, Prince Lan Zhe is Consort Rong’s lover. Consort Rong, can you tell me when you two met? When did you fall in love? What was the reason for falling in love?”
Consort Rong’s body trembled as she spoke hesitantly, “Replying to… Replying to the Empress Dowager, this servant… this servant met Prince Lan… Lan Zhe three months ago… Prince Lan Zhe gave this servant an orchid flower picked from the Imperial Garden… and we established a relationship!”
“Tsk, tsk! Nicely said. Truly a pair of adulterers!” Leng Jiu suddenly sighed with a smile. On the ground, Consort Rong’s body trembled once again, and Lan Zhe’s clenched fingers tightened even more.
“Empress Dowager, have you finished your inquiry?” Long Yi’s fists were clenched, making a grinding sound.
Leng Jiu turned her head, “Finished!” Without waiting for Long Yi to speak, she waved her hand, “Guards! Take this adulterous couple away. I will investigate thoroughly before deciding their fate!”
This time, Lu Chang didn’t hesitate. He immediately ordered the eunuchs to take the two away. Leng Jiu then turned to leave.
“Empress Dowager!” Long Yi took a step forward, looking down at Leng Jiu, “This is a matter for Us. There’s no need for you to intervene!”
Leng Jiu played with her manicured nails, “I handle the affairs of the harem, what does it have to do with the Emperor? Moreover, with the Emperor making such a big scene, I’m afraid the entire court will know about the Emperor wearing a cuckold’s hat. Instead of shouting at me, why not deal with these servants first?”
Long Yi suddenly realized his blunder, but he was not willing to let them off, “This is clear-cut evidence. We can execute them immediately. Empress Dowager need not investigate further!”
“Only based on this woman’s testimony, the Emperor has already concluded that Prince Lan Zhe is guilty. Doesn’t the Emperor think it’s unfair? Moreover, Prince Lan Zhe is a prince from the Snow Country. How can he be executed so casually? Has the Emperor’s mind been clouded just because of a woman? What about everything else?”
Long Yi was embarrassed by Leng Jiu’s words, but he still resisted, “How can you prove she’s lying?”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in her eyes, “I heard the royal physicians can verify a virgin’s body. Why not invite two experienced physicians to examine it? If Prince Lan Zhe is indeed a virgin, this matter would be a false accusation and would be exposed without any attack. If not, the Emperor can continue the investigation!”
“Hmph!” Long Yue Li, who had been watching the play, couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Empress Dowager, you are indeed wise. You even thought of such a method!”
Leng Jiu gave him a cold glance, but Long Yue Li continued to smile.
Realizing that a verification could be done, Long Yi immediately waved, “Summon the royal physicians!”
After a short while, two old royal physicians arrived. After explaining the situation, they entered Lan Zhe’s room. Moments later, they came out and reported, “Reporting to the Emperor! It has been confirmed that Prince Lan Zhe is indeed a virgin!”
Leng Jiu lightly chuckled and approached Long Yi, whispering something into his ear. She then looked at Consort Rong on the ground. “So, Consort Rong, Prince Lan Zhe is your lover. Consort Rong, can you tell me when you two met? When did you fall in love? What was the reason for falling in love?”