NOVPUBXu Zening frowned slightly and whispered, “Stay out of it.”
Shen Roujia playfully stuck her tongue out under her veil. “Got it, got it.”
Without the Emperor’s permission, no one dared to leave.
The royal family stood in the Hall of Eternal Celebration, the tense atmosphere making everyone too scared to breathe deeply, fearing any misstep that might anger the Emperor.
Consort Shu gently held the Emperor’s arm, trying to soothe him. “It’s probably nothing serious. Please, Your Majesty, don’t be angry.”
The Emperor snorted and shot a sharp look. “Consort Jia, do you know this man?”
Li Yong, kneeling below, didn’t dare make a sound.
Consort Jia, her face pale, said, “I do not.”
Li Yong, seeing the Emperor looking at him, began kowtowing frantically.
“Your Majesty, this humble one, Li Yong, greets you!”
The Emperor glanced at him, feeling irritated. “Speak. Who gave you the nerve to cause trouble in the palace?”
Li Yong instinctively glanced at Consort Shu, trembling as he took out a jade pendant from his robe.
“Your Majesty, I did come to find Consort Jia. She owes me three thousand taels and… and hired someone to kill!”
Consort Jia shouted, “You’re lying!”
Her sudden outburst made An’er in her arms start wailing.
Consort Shu rubbed her temples. “Are you all blind? Hurry and take the little prince away.”
The attendants glanced at each other and immediately rushed to take An’er.
Shen Roujia didn’t want to step forward, but since Xu Zening stood in front, she had to stay close by his side.
As the standoff continued, the Emperor took the jade pendant from Li Yong and his expression changed dramatically.
How could this be so coincidental? 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
The Emperor abruptly grabbed the jade pendant from Consort Shu’s waist and compared them.
Seeing the Emperor’s sudden anger, Consort Jia collapsed weakly.
Consort Shu looked at Li Yong. “I’m also curious. What business do you and Consort Jia have that involves such a large debt?”
Consort Jia said nothing, and Li Yong kept his head down.
The Emperor then realized that Li Yong might have been forced into this, leading him to the palace in desperation.
Still, it was inexplicable. What was going on?
Consort Shu turned to tease An’er. “Your Majesty, look how An’er laughs at me like a big child.”
The Emperor looked at An’er, his suspicions growing.
“Li Yong, explain yourself.”
Li Yong, terrified by the Emperor’s imposing presence, was utterly disoriented.
“Your Majesty, this humble one was coerced by this woman. I know nothing! She… she said she wanted a child…”
The crowd gasped at his words.
“How dare you!”
Chaos erupted, and even the Emperor’s face turned red with anger.
Shen Roujia sighed softly, looking at the confused child.
At least the child is innocent.
Children have no choice in their parents…
Xu Zening, seeing this, no longer wanted to watch.
Consort Jia lunged forward. “It’s not true, Your Majesty! They’re framing me! I know nothing about this!”
The Emperor, gritting his teeth, threw the jade pendant in front of Consort Jia.
The pendant hit the ground with a crack, splitting in two.
Consort Jia held her head, crying, “It’s not me…”
Consort Shu smiled triumphantly.
“Your Majesty, the evidence is clear. What now?”
Li Yong, already terrified, wet his pants, filling the air with a foul stench.
The attendants frowned and covered their noses.
