Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C106 pt2

The Empress Dowager roughly explained the bone-dripping blood test to Consort Dowager Hu, and after finishing, she revealed an apologetic expression, "It's just that it wrongs Prince An."

How could it not wrong Prince An?

The bone-dripping blood test, plainly speaking, involves taking the bones of the deceased and the blood of the living to test. If the two have a blood relationship, the blood will seep into the bone; if not, it naturally cannot seep in.

But this method also has a drawback, which is that it requires human bones, which means that Prince An's tomb must be exhumed in order to obtain his remains.

People nowadays attach great importance to matters after death, and consider the destruction of the deceased's remains a great taboo. This is more than just being wronged; it is simply suffering a great injustice. Consort Dowager Hu now wished she could jump up and strangle this old hag in front of her.

But she couldn't. She had to endure it, because the Empress Dowager spoke again.

"In this way, it will both save Prince Jin and the Emperor from having to test blood, so as not to harm the affection between father and son, and also clear Prince An of suspicion, so as not to be brought up and discussed by others in the future. Moreover, the Emperor promised this Majesty that after the test, if the two truly have no blood relationship, he will personally step forward to quell the rumors and rebuild Prince An's mausoleum."

The Empress Dowager looked at her with a troubled expression and sighed, "Just take it as this Majesty being selfish. This Majesty still remembers how pitifully thin Prince Jin was when he first returned to the palace. He is, after all, this Majesty's grandson, and this Majesty really can't bear to hurt him. You say, if that blood-dripping test is used, no matter the result, a gap will arise between father and son, and it will not benefit Prince Jin in any way..."

"Indeed, the blood-dripping test cannot be used." Consort Dowager Hu murmured.

Once the blood is dripped on the spot, the secret that Prince Jin is not Emperor Taihe's son can no longer be concealed.

She had already lost her son, and could not lose her grandson as well. On the contrary, the bone-dripping blood test, while seemingly shocking, actually has a lot of room for manipulation.

It's just that her son is to be pitied!

Consort Dowager Hu gradually calmed down, and the hatred in her heart grew deeper and deeper.

She hated Emperor Taihe, hated the late Emperor, hated the Empress Dowager, hated Prince Wei, hated everyone... But she was accustomed to concealing the hatred in her heart; it was not difficult for her.

Just wait, she would definitely not let these people off!

Consort Dowager Hu's eyes revealed a distorted light of hatred, but the moment she looked up, it all transformed into tears and a bearing of humiliation.

"Enough, all thunder and dew are imperial grace. The Empress Dowager has treated me like a sister for many years, and Prince Jin is indeed a pitiful child. If using Prince An's bones can truly clear Prince Jin's name, and fulfill the father-son bond between His Majesty and Prince Jin, it would also be my son's good fortune..."

She was in tears, and suddenly knelt down: "I only hope that the Empress Dowager can grant this concubine's request, that this concubine personally handle the bone retrieval. This concubine truly cannot bear to let others touch Prince An's remains."

The Empress Dowager hurriedly helped her up, also sighing and saying: "Naturally, I will let you do it personally; I only fear that you will not be able to bear it. Alas, this Majesty originally intended to hold a Buddhist ceremony for Prince An, using the ceremony to conceal..."

Consort Dowager Hu listened to the Empress Dowager speaking of how to take her son's remains in such high-sounding words, and her heart was filled with hatred, so much hatred.

But now she could only endure it, endure it to first protect Prince Jin, and then plan for what would come after.

***

"This method was your idea? How could you be so wicked!"

Wushuang laughed until she was swaying like a blossoming branch.

It wasn't that she was unkind, but it was truly because as soon as she thought of Prince Wei wickedly coming up with such an idea, and Consort Dowager Hu being played around in circles, wanting to protect her son and also wanting to protect her grandson, and finally having no other choice, in order to protect her grandson, she could only personally go and dig up her son's remains, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Prince Wei was truly too wicked!

Oh, he wasn't Prince Wei anymore, but the Crown Prince.

Only because the Crown Prince had no plans to move into the palace for the time being, they were currently still living in the Prince Wei's mansion.

She leaned in his arms, laughing until she swayed like a blossoming branch, not feeling it herself, but Prince Wei was not having an easy time.

Although the weather was cold now, the floor heating was burning in the room, and Wushuang was wearing only a thin dress. Her high and prominent places were already large, and ever since she gave birth to a child, they had become even more rounded and astonishing. As she laughed and trembled, those places were also trembling. Prince Wei had been so busy recently that his feet hadn't touched the ground, and he hadn't been intimate with her for several days, and immediately a reaction started under his robe.

Wushuang was sitting on his lap, how could she not feel it? She hurriedly picked up her son beside her and said, "Zuo'er is still here."

Actually, there were also maids beside them, but Mei Wushuang was too embarrassed to say it. She held her son as a shield, staying away from him. Now she had discovered that Prince Wei was much more wicked than Ji Yang. Ji Yang seemed reckless, but he was actually simple and honest, while he, on the other hand, was insidiously wicked.

She changed the subject and asked, "Then when are you planning to verify it?"

"Tonight."

Today was the final day of Prince An's Buddhist ceremony. The remains must have been retrieved, and naturally, the opportunity had to be seized while it was fresh.

"I really want to go see the spectacle," Wushuang said with a hint of regret.

Prince Wei pulled her, along with their son, closer, "These days are fraught with incidents. Behave yourself and stay put in the Prince's mansion. Once everything is over, you can watch whatever spectacle you desire."

"I understand."

***

The location for the blood verification was chosen to be Cining Palace.

Emperor Taihe deemed it inappropriate to appear, so the Empress Dowager naturally took the lead in presiding over the matter.

No one else was present, except for the Empress Dowager, Princess Changhe, Prince Wei, and Fengxi, who served by Emperor Taihe's side.

Prince Wei's appearance further convinced Consort Hu that he was the mastermind behind the blood verification scheme, deepening the hatred in her heart.

Prince Jin arrived soon after, his face pale, barely concealing an expression of bearing humiliation and heavy responsibility. Upon entering, he offered a series of emotional remarks to the Empress Dowager and Princess Changhe.

The Empress Dowager sighed repeatedly, saying, "I know this is unfair to you, Prince Jin, but the sooner this matter is clarified, the better it will be for both you and Prince An."

Prince Jin nodded understandingly.

The Empress Dowager gestured for Consort Hu to bring out Prince An's remains.

Consort Hu took out a small cloth bundle from her bosom, extremely reluctant and heartbroken. But in the end, she unfolded the handkerchief, placing the already decayed and withered bone on the table in the hall.

After placing it down, she couldn't bear to look any longer, turning her head away and covering her face with the handkerchief.

Prince Jin, at this moment, was quite composed, "How should we verify?"

Fengxi said, "Your Highness, prick your finger and drip the blood onto it."

In an instant, all eyes were focused on him.

Prince Jin looked at the screen to the side and sighed tragically towards the heavens, "I only hope that after this verification, Father Emperor will no longer doubt his son."

He took the knife from a palace maid nearby and, without another word, made a small cut on his finger, displaying an air of uprightness. If those present were not aware of his true nature, they might have praised his fine demeanor.

Unfortunately, there were no such ifs.

Prince Jin, his face betraying complete confidence, dripped blood onto the skeletal remains. Once finished, he didn't bother to look again, for he was certain the blood would not be absorbed.

The bone-blood test was meant to verify consanguinity and blood ties. Since the bones were not Prince An's, Prince Jin was naturally assured of the outcome.

When Consort Hu had relayed the information to him earlier, he was initially furious. But upon further reflection, he realized this method could greatly benefit him.

Back when he first returned to the palace, rumors had run rampant. His imperial father was unwilling to acknowledge his birth order, and he always felt it was due to those rumors. If this matter were settled, confirming his status as a prince, he would certainly use it as grounds to have his imperial father restore his birth order. Surely, the Empress Dowager would also speak on his behalf.

Prince Jin was contemplating how to broach the subject with Emperor Taihe when a surprised exclamation echoed through the hall.

"The blood… the blood seeped in…" a palace maid cried out, her voice filled with disbelief.

Instantly, everyone's gaze was drawn to the skeletal remains.

The blood had indeed seeped into the bones.

"Impossible! How could this be?!" Prince Jin exclaimed, losing his composure as he rushed forward to examine the bones. "How could it possibly seep in!"

"This old servant has been watching closely, and the blood truly did seep in," Fengxi said, shaking his head with a sigh.

Ignoring him, Prince Jin grabbed a knife and cut his finger, dripping blood onto the bones once more. This time, he dripped a larger amount; whereas before it was only two drops, now he dripped a puddle.

Then, he stared intently, and everyone else stared along with him.

They watched with their own eyes as the blood diminished, becoming less and less, gradually seeping into the bones.

"How is this possible!"

Prince Jin, agitated, knocked over the low table. In the hall, another person displayed utter astonishment – Consort Dowager Hu.

In truth, it wasn't just Prince Jin who was bewildered; Consort Dowager Hu was equally stunned.

She hadn't retrieved any bones from Prince An's tomb at all. Instead, Prince Jin had prepared a set of bones and given them to her. How could blood possibly seep in?!

"How could it not be possible?!"

Princess Changhe frowned and stood up. "Originally, this Princess thought it was absurd and advised Imperial Brother against such actions, lest it wound people's hearts. But now it seems there is a need to verify, so as to prevent those vile individuals from tainting the imperial bloodline!"

The Empress Dowager's face was filled with sorrow and grief. "Prince Jin, Consort DowagerHu, to think that this old one trusted you both so much!"

"Empress Dowager…"

Prince Wei coldly stated, "It seems Father Emperor should send someone to investigate the affairs of the imperial retreat that year. There's no smoke without fire; there must be some truth to it."

These words, each and every one, shattered Prince Jin's reason. The gazes of everyone in the hall felt like a slow, agonizing death to him.

In that moment, he felt his head swell, and his mind began to drift.

"Impossible, impossible! This skeleton was just one I had someone find at random; it's not Prince An's at all…"

Consort Dowager Hu cried out sharply, "Yi'er!"

But it was all too late!

Emperor Taihe emerged from behind the screen, his gaze fixed on Prince Jin with icy severity.

Prince Jin's face paled, and he snapped back to awareness, saying in a fluster, "Father Emperor, Father Emperor, please listen to your son's explanation…"

"Take Prince Jin and Consort Dowager Hu down. Interrogate the people of Shoukang Palace thoroughly, but do not let them die. I want to know everything they have done these past years!"

The blood test and even the bone test were not the ultimate goal.

From the beginning, Emperor Taihe's aim was to make Prince Jin 'justifiably' become Prince An's son. Once the crime of muddying the imperial bloodline was established, Prince Jin would be guilty of deceiving the Emperor.

Not only could he not escape, but Consort Dowager Hu couldn't either.

Next was to detain them and slowly interrogate them. Even if Prince Jin and Consort Dowager Hu didn't speak, they still had confidants and trusted aides. As long as they could pry open one mouth, they wouldn't have to worry about not knowing the truth. After all, with the interrogation methods of the Court of Judicial Review, there wasn't a mouth that couldn't be forced open.

Tanxiang and Dongkui, who were by Consort Dowager Hu's side, were the first to bear the brunt.

These two were also loyal and wanted to bite their tongues and commit suicide, but in the Court of Judicial Review, it would be a miracle if they were allowed to do so.

Tanxiang could still hold on, but Dongkui couldn't. Under severe torture, she slowly revealed some unimportant matters to avoid further torment.

For example, the medicine that was added to the bird's nest soup before the New Year was done by Consort Dowager Hu.

Seeing that this mouth had been pried open, Zhao Quan personally came forward, using the promise of sparing her life as bait, to have Dongkui exchange a secret for it—a secret that could save her life.

In the end, with endless torture on one side and a chance to eke out a living on the other, Dongkui revealed a shocking secret.

She said that Consort Chen's madness back then had hidden secrets. It was Consort Dowager Hu who had someone administer a drug to Consort Chen, which caused her to go mad.

However, this matter was not handled by her. She only knew that such a thing had happened, and it was Tanxiang who carried it out.