Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 89

In the first year of the Yanxi era, on the third day of the eighth month, Princess Changning, harboring a secret within her womb, departed from the capital and headed to Mount Li with her guards.

 

As autumn leaves fell and spring winds stirred, time flew by like a white horse crossing a crevice, and before long, she reached her tenth month of pregnancy.

 

On the night she gave birth, she cried hoarse from the pain. Yet, it was absurdly surreal when she laid eyes on the incessantly crying child—she didn’t regret it even a bit.

 

She laid each brick and tile in the renovated garden, creating a haven for the two children the world would never forgive, forging a piece of heaven.

 

Though lacking grandeur with no carved beams or jade curtains, under the eaves hung wind chimes, and the pond teemed with fish. She watched those four little feet, stumbling on the stone steps covered in moss and snow, gradually growing…

 

For three full years, she lived a life of regret and fulfillment in the Liyuan Palace on Mount Li.

 

But now, that piece of heaven lies in ruins, burned and broken.

 

In the bustling crowd, someone uttered, “Are those two children Princess Changning’s?”

“Just now, they called her ‘Mum’.”

“They look about three years old; four years ago… could it be Su…”

“You dare say that? Are you out of your mind!”

“If not, why hide the children here…”

 

Whispers and murmurs surrounded her from all sides.

 

Qin Ling gazed at the impending dawn breaking through the clouds. She crouched to embrace Xiao Lianyu’s shoulders, whispering, “The empress dowager’s people will arrive soon. I’ll find His Majesty now. When they come, don’t say anything, Changning. I promise everything will be fine.”

 

Xiao Lianyu didn’t have time to ask, just looked at her with reddened eyes and said, “Thank you.”

 

As Qin Ling left, Eunuch Zhang stepped forward, “Princess Changning, the empress dowager requests your presence.”

 

Xiao Lianyu stood up, holding one child by the hand, softly saying, “Youlin, Lingyi, come with Mum.”

 

An hour earlier—

The Ministry of Justice was in chaos as they spent the night interrogating officials from the Guanglu Temple.

 

Xue Xiangyang raised his hand for a sip of tea, asking the bailiff, “Any progress?”

 

The bailiff replied, “No substantial evidence yet.”

 

“Then start by pulling their fingernails,” Xue Xiangyang said coldly, “Today, get all the account books and detailed names from the capital. Leave no stone unturned.”

 

The bailiff bowed, “Yes!”

 

Xue Xiangyang then pinched the bridge of his nose while the meticulous coroner from the Ministry of Justice continued with the autopsy.

 

Xue Xiangyang walked over, gazing at the corpse’s face, and asked Su Huai’an, “This person isn’t an official. How did Lord Huai discover him?”

 

Su Huai’an replied coldly, “I found his behavior suspicious, so I followed him. I didn’t expect to witness him killing the soldiers in front of the grand commander’s tent.”

 

Xue Xiangyang nodded, patting his shoulder, “I never imagined Lord Huai possessed such skills. It’s a pity he couldn’t be captured alive.”

 

The coroner raised his head, saying, “Even if we had caught him, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

 

Xue Xiangyang inquired, “Why is that?”

 

“The poison I found in the back molar of this person’s mouth is lethal within moments. Even if we had captured him alive, we couldn’t have interrogated him,” the coroner explained. “This might be an assassin from the Qi State.”

 

Su Huai’an pondered for a while and said, “I must ask Sir Xu to meticulously measure this person’s height, shoulder width, and footprints again.”

 

The coroner nodded, “Understood.”

 

Just then, someone rushed in, stumbling and breathless, “Report—”

 

Xue Xiangyang, annoyed, said, “What’s happened now?”

 

The bailiff reported, “Your Excellency, there’s another fire outside…”

 

Xue Xiangyang interrupted him, “Didn’t I tell you before? Tell them to request troops from the Governor of Yuzhou. The Ministry of Justice doesn’t have extra manpower.”

 

The bailiff said, “It’s not a shortage of people…”

 

“Then what’s the matter?” Xue Xiangyang pressed.

 

The bailiff hesitated, glancing at Su Huai’an. Xue Xiangyang urged, “Speak up! Don’t hold back a word. What’s the issue!”

 

The bailiff nodded, “Your Excellency, the fire in the northern mountain… it… it burned… it revealed two children.”

 

Xue Xiangyang took two steps forward, frowning, “What children? Your words are incoherent!”

 

Su Huai’an continued examining the body, murmuring with the coroner.

 

The bailiff explained, “It’s Princess Changning. She had hidden two children in the northern mountain, a boy and a girl, about three years old. They… they seem to be…”

 

“Children, three years old…” Xue Xiangyang’s expression changed. “Speak quickly!”

 

The bailiff said, “They belong to Su Huai’an.”

 

As the words fell, silence enveloped the surroundings. Su Huai’an felt as if lightning had struck his spine, stiffening as he turned back.

 

Xue Xiangyang asked, “Is this true?”

 

“Many people witnessed it. It’s said that the boy greatly resembles the Zhen’s heir and is indeed Princess Changning’s child.”

 

Su Huai’an’s throat moved slightly. As if suddenly enlightened, Xue Xiangyang murmured, “No wonder, no wonder Princess Changning hasn’t left the mountains for so many years. It turns out, four years ago, she wasn’t ill; she was pregnant.”

 

Su Huai’an’s breath quickened, and his body swayed.

 

Xue Xiangyang supported him, eyes holding a mix of sympathy and understanding. He briefly thought before softly advising, “Brother, you’re a scholar with a bright future. What kind of woman wouldn’t you find in the future? Perhaps, take this opportunity to step back from this marriage. Can you be a father to those two children burdened with the crime of treason by the Su family?”

 

Ignoring Xue Xiangyang’s words, Su Huai’an walked over and grabbed the bailiff’s collar, demanding, “Where is she?”

 

Intimidated by the impending wrath, the bailiff staggered backward, “She’s in the Chonghua Hall. Officials from the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites have also gone there.”

 

With such an incident unfolding, neither the Cabinet nor the Ministry of Rites could feign ignorance. With the emperor gravely ill, they sought the empress dowager.

 

Inside the Chonghua Hall, the empress dowager questioned in escalating tones, “I ask you, whose children are these? You claimed you were recuperating at Mount Li! Can one recuperate and birth two children? Are you trying to defy the heavens?”

 

Cups and saucers shattered one after another. The empress dowager’s voice grew stern, “How much trouble do you intend to cause!”

 

Without a word, Xiao Lianyu kept her gaze lowered.

 

The vice-minister of the Ministry of Rites said, “Reporting to Your Ladyship, the actions of Princess Changning this time are against the law and order. Her deeds are unforgivable. I dare to ask, how can Princess Changning justify her actions to the people?”

 

At that moment, a eunuch loudly announced, “The emperor has arrived—”

 

The empress dowager furrowed her brow, looking toward the entrance.

 

Zhaoyi Qin was seen assisting Xiao Yu as he slowly entered. The emperor appeared pale, his steps slow, clearly indicating he had been injured.

 

Instantly, everyone in the hall kneeled. “We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”

 

Xiao Yu entered and sat down. “Rise.”

 

The empress dowager squinted at Qin Ling, then asked the emperor, “Is Your Majesty’s health well?”

 

“Thank you for your concern, Mother. I’m not in grave danger,” Xiao Yu coughed a few times, and Qin Ling gently patted his back.

 

Xiao Yu looked at the Minister of Rites and said, “Continue speaking. I’m listening.”

 

These senior officials in the hall were astute individuals who had honed their understanding of people. They all knew there was a reason for the emperor to ignore his health and come here.

 

Against the royal family, making mistakes wasn’t the issue; the fear lay in having no one willing to cover for you.

 

The Minister of Rites exchanged glances with the other elders and spoke firmer, “Your Majesty, rest assured, we have temporarily contained this matter. Thankfully, today’s incident occurred in the remote palace. If it had happened in the capital, it would have spread throughout the world in an instant…”

 

As they discussed, there was another announcement from outside, “Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice, Xue Xiangyang, and the Vice-minister, Huai Jing, seek an audience.”

 

Xiao Yu twirled the finger ring on his hand. “Let them in.”

 

As soon as Su Huai’an entered the hall, his gaze fell upon Xiao Lianyu and the two children beside her. Waves of emotion surged within him, causing his entire being to tremble, nearly losing his balance.

 

Several cabinet ministers cast sympathetic glances his way. Evidently, the imperial son-in-law was on the verge of losing composure.

 

Understandably so. Their marriage was impending, yet Princess Changning had children with someone else. Holding back in such a situation felt more pathetic than a cowardly tortoise!

 

Seeing the imperial son-in-law in such a state, Elder Wen felt it was the opportune moment to speak up. He spoke frankly, “It is said that without courtesy, there is no harmony; without propriety, there is no success; without decorum, there is no peace in the country. Your Majesty, pardon my frankness. The grievances of the sixty thousand soldiers have not faded from the people’s hearts. These two remnants of the Su clan are among those to be executed without mercy.”

 

Afterwards, Elder Wen glanced at Su Huai’an as if saying, “What are you waiting for? Act!”

 

Xiao Lianyu sneered coldly, “Changning acknowledges her foolishness four years ago, causing a stir in the capital. But how can Elder Wen determine that my children belong to that remnant of the Su clan?”

 

Elder Wen replied, “These two children appear to be about three years old, and their resemblance… I am not blind!”

 

“Oh, if Elder Wen is not blind, then am I a fool?” Xiao Lianyu shielded the two children behind her, starting to berate, “Isn’t Su Huai’an nothing but a traitor to the country? Why should I? Why should I risk everything to bear his child?!” She continued, “He’s just an ordinary man with two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Do you really think he cast a spell on me?”

 

The ordinary man beside her remained motionless, watching her, his eyes suddenly welling up.

 

Xue Xiangyang tried to hold him back, whispering, “Lord Huai, restrain yourself.” Endure it.

 

Elder Wen didn’t expect Princess Changning to argue so cunningly. He pressed on, “Then, how do you explain these two children, Princess?”

 

Xiao Lianyu knelt, looking at Xiao Yu, “Changning deceived Your Majesty, knowing her guilt is unforgivable. However, Your Majesty, please allow Changning to explain. These two children were conceived by Changning four years ago due to an accidental poisoning incident. Helpless, she turned to the palace guard, Fu Xun…”

 

Before she could finish her fabrication, Su Huai’an couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward, kneeling beside her, “This official has something to report.”

 

Xiao Lianyu glared fiercely at him, speaking through gritted teeth in a volume audible only to them, “Is this part of your plan?”

 

Xiao Yu observed Su Huai’an, a hint of an inscrutable smile at the corner of his mouth, “Speak.”

 

Su Huai’an said, “Today, I wish to present new testimony regarding the Su family’s treason during the first year of Yanxi.”

 

This sentence was like the third spark igniting the Liyuan Palace fire.

 

Qin Ling clenched her fist abruptly, her nails almost digging into her palm, and Xiao Yu gently held her hand.

 

It wasn’t the most opportune moment, yet it was precisely the opportune moment.

 

Xue Xiangyang thought Su Huai’an had gone mad. He nudged him and whispered, “What nonsense are you spouting?! Come back!”

 

“I infiltrated the Qi State for two years. I learned that the Imperial Tutor of Qi, Dantai Yi, had utilized our Great Zhou for a long-planned scheme. Using esoteric methods from the underworld, he took on the appearance of the Duke of Zhen, Su Jingbei, and remained hidden within Great Zhou for thirteen years.”

 

“The Duke of Zhen sacrificed himself for the nation during the crossing of the river in the 28th year of Yongchang.”

 

“The Su family is loyal and patriotic, never colluding with enemies or betraying the country.”

 

“Do you even know what you’re saying, Lord Huai?!” Elder Wen interjected. “Evidence of the Su family’s treason is clear. Disguise? Do you really think those of us old folks are blind? Thirteen years in disguise, and no one noticed? Your words would fool a three-year-old in the market, but none here would believe it!”

 

The Minister of Rites sarcastically commented, “Lord Huai’s words are worth their weight in gold.”

 

Su Huai’an looked at them and questioned, “If Su Huai’an were in disguise here, would you ministers recognize him?”

 

Elder Wen replied sharply, “Lord Huai, stop playing games with us.”

 

Su Huai’an asked again, “I’m only asking if the gentlemen could recognize him.”

 

After a moment’s thought, Elder Wen responded, “Even if the remnants of the Su clan were here, even if I couldn’t recognize them, the officials of the Grand Court and even Minister Xue could. Isn’t that right, Minister Xue?”

 

Xue Xiangyang furrowed his brow and reluctantly nodded. Su Huai’an could have been disguised, and he’d still recognize him.

 

Su Huai’an nodded, took alum powder from his sleeve, applied it to his forehead, and then, a person’s skin dropped off.

 

The breathing in the hall ceased.

 

Xue Xiangyang staggered back three steps.

 

Elder Wen stared at his face, his entire hand trembling. “You, you, you… you are, you… how dare you come back, and those, those two children…”

 

“They’re mine,” Su Huai’an spoke in his true voice, resolute and composed.

 

Xiao Lianyu, gazing at the seemingly ordinary man before her, couldn’t even kneel; she collapsed, her hairpin swaying uncontrollably.