OBS Chapter 1771 A Little Faith in Justice and Conscience
Chapter 1771 A Little Faith in Justice and Conscience
Then Su Quanye was interrogated.
Finally, the criminals confessed and identified the mastermind...
Everything is interconnected, the logic is clear, the evidence is complete, and the direction is obvious.
It went so smoothly...it was too perfect!
With Consort Zhuang's shrewdness, the foundation she had built in the palace over many years, and her consistently meticulous and ruthless actions...
How could her attack on the Third Prince be discovered so easily?
Shen Zhinian looked at Consort Zhuang.
Her eyes were unusually calm, showing no panic at the exposure of her conspiracy, but rather a barely perceptible hint of mockery.
wrong!
Things are probably not that simple...
What exactly is Consort Zhuang plotting?
Upon hearing the emperor's question, Consort Zhuang's eyes were filled with disbelief: "Your Majesty is wise!"
“Xiao Yizi is indeed from Changchun Palace, and he has private dealings with Physician Qin. I cannot deny these things.”
"But...but the claim that I instructed them to murder the Third Prince is utter nonsense!"
"I have no children, why would I do this?"
At this point, Consort Zhuang's voice gradually lowered, and she said sadly, "Since Prince Huai died young due to his ill fortune, I have been unable to have any more children for many years. This is a fact known to everyone in the six palaces."
"Now, the only person by my side is the eldest princess who brings me joy."
"Third Prince... Even if something were to happen to the Third Prince, what benefit would it bring to me? What does the continuation of the imperial line have to do with a childless woman like me?"
"May I ask, what motive would I have to take such a huge risk to harm the Third Prince?"
Many people who heard this thought it made sense.
Yes, but what about the motivation?
Consort Zhuang has no sons. Even if she kills the Third Prince, what will she gain?
The throne could not possibly fall to the eldest princess.
As for favors...
His Majesty did not particularly favor the Third Prince. His life or death would have a limited impact on the power dynamics within the harem.
The wind direction inside the hall subtly changed.
Some of the lower-ranking concubines watching the show showed hesitation on their faces.
Consort Xuan's saying, "You can know a person's face but not their heart," while harsh, seems illogical to accuse the Imperial Concubine of plotting against the imperial heir without any tangible benefit.
Of course, some people are quick-witted, and a thought flashes through their minds in an instant—
Consort Zhuang's actions may not have been for her own benefit. Perhaps... it was to shift the blame and frame the Imperial Noble Consort, who has a prince and is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor?
After all, if something happens to the Third Prince, the Imperial Noble Consort's Fourth Prince will be the eldest son!
At that time, the Imperial Noble Consort would be the prime suspect...
However, since the Imperial Noble Consort has not yet been implicated, this idea is too sensitive and would offend people, so no one dares to utter it at the moment.
Consort Mei finally came to her senses, stood up and knelt down as well: "Your Majesty, what the Noble Consort said is absolutely right!"
"She raised the eldest princess with a kind heart; she wouldn't even step on an ant. Who in the harem doesn't know this?"
"What benefit could the Imperial Concubine possibly gain from harming the Third Prince?"
"This is clearly... this is clearly someone who is jealous of the Imperial Concubine's high rank and the Emperor's trust, and deliberately set up a vicious scheme to frame her!"
"Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly and do not wrong an innocent person, lest you cause pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies!"
As Consort Mei spoke, she also kowtowed, appearing loyal and devoted to Consort Zhuang.
Her words seemed to send a signal.
Although the old people in the palace all knew that Consort Zhuang's kindness was just a pretense.
But those low-ranking concubines, whose fathers or brothers served under the Zhuang family or who usually depended on Changchun Palace, seemed to have found their backbone and chimed in, saying, "What Consort Mei says is absolutely right."
"Her Imperial Concubine is known for her kindness and gentleness towards her subordinates. How could she do this?"
"Yes, the matter of the Third Prince is certainly of no benefit to Her Highness the Imperial Concubine."
"Your Majesty, please investigate this thoroughly and do not let the villains succeed!"
"Physician Qin and Xiao Yizi might be acting under someone's orders to deliberately frame the Imperial Concubine!"
"..."
Consort Zhuang had cultivated her influence in the Prince's residence and the inner palace for many years, and her influence was deep and widespread. Even in the face of such an unfavorable situation, she still had a group of supporters.
These people may not believe that Consort Zhuang is innocent, but they have vested interests and feel that if one of them is gone, the other will be in danger, so they have to stand up and speak out.
Nangong Xuanyu took in everything, his face still showing anger, but his eyes now held a scrutinizing look.
He listened to Consort Zhuang's explanation.
Motive is indeed a key point of contention in this case.
Since the Imperial Concubine had no children, on the surface, she indeed had no reason to harm the Third Prince.
However, emperors were well aware of the complexities of infighting within the harem, and some of their calculations were not merely superficial.
However... Consort Zhuang has served him for many years, from his time as a prince to the present day, and has a long and distinguished career.
Her father was the Grand Tutor of the reigning emperor, with students and associates throughout the court and the countryside. The emperor's feelings for him were even deeper than those for the late emperor…
Consort Zhuang's uncle, Zhuang Shouzheng, was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhuang Shouzhuo was also a powerful figure in the Ministry of War.
The house has great power; a single move can have far-reaching consequences.
If it weren't for the overwhelming evidence that silenced all dissent, the rash punishment of Consort Zhuang could have caused significant political turmoil.
The emperor remained silent for quite some time.
The whispers in the hall gradually subsided, and everyone awaited Nangong Xuanyu's decision.
Finally, the emperor spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Consort, you keep proclaiming your innocence, saying you have no motive to harm the Third Prince."
"However, the evidence is both witness and physical. It is also true that Doctor Qin and Xiao Yizi identified you."
"Since you claim to be innocent, can you produce enough evidence to convince the court officials that you are not involved in this matter?"
"Or perhaps you should point out who framed you?"
Consort Zhuang raised her tearful eyes and said sadly, "Your Majesty... I am just a woman in the deep palace, imprisoned, with all the trustworthy people around me under guard. How can I search for evidence and find out the truth like an old prison official?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am only appealing for justice out of loyalty and a shred of faith in the principles of Heaven and conscience..."
"If Your Majesty truly wishes for me to prove my innocence, I have only one request..."
Nangong Xuanyu said expressionlessly, "Speak."
Consort Zhuang straightened her back: "Your Majesty, I wish to confront Physician Qin and Xiao Yizi face to face!"
"I want to ask them myself who instructed them and why they are slandering me like this."
"They keep saying they were acting on my orders. Can they tell me when, where, and how I gave those orders?"
Was there a third person present? Was any evidence left behind?
"If this is just empty talk and baseless accusations, I would rather die than accept this slander!"
This request is reasonable and justifiable, showing that Consort Zhuang is selfless and fearless.
Many of the palace concubines who were originally neutral nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Yes, it is indeed a bit hasty to convict a noble concubine based solely on the testimony of a physician and a servant.
If they could confront each other on the spot, perhaps they could uncover more clues.
Shen Zhinian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Consort Zhuang's reaction suggests that she had a backup plan!