From cute to empress

Chapter 18 Justice Judgment

Outside the Golden Throne Hall, the first rays of dawn filtered through the carved beams and painted buildings, illuminating the square in front with a splendid aura. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. Brother Zhen had been gone a long time, and I didn't know what his current situation was. But I had no choice but to bravely step forward and inform the guards, "I, Niu Mengmeng, have an important matter to present to the Emperor!"

The guard looked me up and down, his face timid. "The Emperor is in the morning court. No one is allowed to disturb him."

"This matter is of great importance. Please inform the eunuch that it concerns Concubine Hua..." I lowered my voice and stuffed the golden melon seeds prepared in advance into the guard's hand.

The guard weighed the item in his hand and immediately smiled. "Please wait a moment, young lady. I'll go and inform you right away."

Time ticked by, and my heart grew increasingly anxious. Finally, after a long wait, the guard returned and said to me respectfully, "Young lady, the emperor summons you to an audience."

I took a deep breath, stepped over the high threshold, and walked into the magnificent Golden Throne Hall.

Inside the hall, civil and military officials lined the halls on either side. The emperor sat aloft on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze sweeping across the hall below. My appearance undoubtedly disrupted the already solemn atmosphere, and many officials cast curious glances my way.

"I, the commoner Niu Mengmeng, kowtow to the emperor. Long live the emperor!" I knelt on the ground and saluted respectfully.

"How dare you! Why don't you kneel before the Emperor?" A sharp voice shouted from the side. I looked up and saw Concubine Hua, dressed in a gorgeous palace dress, glaring at me angrily.

I took a deep breath and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, I have been wronged and have come to appeal to the Emperor. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

"Oh? What grievances have you suffered?" The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, with a hint of amusement in his tone.

I pulled the letter from my pocket and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, this is a letter I accidentally found. It clearly records the story of Concubine Hua..."

Before I could finish my words, I was interrupted by Concubine Hua's sharp voice: "What nonsense! This letter is clearly a forgery, intended to slander me!"

I raised my head and looked directly into Concubine Hua's panicked eyes. A sneer appeared on the corner of my mouth. "Your Majesty, why are you so anxious? The Emperor will make his own judgment on the authenticity of the letter."

I read the contents of the letter word for word, and the atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly tense as I spoke. The letter detailed how Concubine Hua bribed palace maids, framed loyal officials, and attempted to murder the imperial heir... Every single one of these was appalling.

After reading the letter, I raised my head and looked around at everyone present. I saw shock and disbelief written all over their faces.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! This is all Niu Mengmeng's false accusation. Please investigate!" Seeing that the situation was not good, Concubine Hua knelt on the ground and cried.

I looked at her coldly and sneered in my heart. Hua Fei, your performance has begun...

Hua Fei's cries echoed throughout the Golden Throne Hall, but they couldn't mask the panic that flashed across her eyes. I sneered inwardly, thinking, with such acting skills, it would be a shame if she didn't go on to perform in an opera.

"Your Majesty, I have served you for many years with my wholehearted loyalty, which is evident to all the sun and moon! This Niu Mengmeng is just an ordinary person. She got a fake letter from somewhere, yet she dared to slander me. She deserves death!" Concubine Hua cried with tears in her eyes, looking pitiful. If I hadn't seen her vicious heart with my own eyes, I would have been deceived by her appearance.

"Oh? You said this letter is fake?" The emperor's tone was calm, but I felt an invisible pressure.

"That's right! I have never done anything mentioned in the letter. It is obvious that someone is deliberately framing me!" Hua Fei swore solemnly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

My sneer deepened as I watched her clumsy performance. I stepped forward, pointed at a detail on the letter, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, you say this letter is fake. Then could you explain why the plum blossom imprint on it is exactly the same as the stationery you use in your palace?"

Hua Fei's face froze, obviously not expecting me to notice this detail. She hesitated for a long time and could not answer.

"This……"

"Could it be that Her Majesty wants to say that someone deliberately imitated your letter paper to frame you?" I pressed on step by step, not giving her a chance to breathe.

"You...you are slandering me!" Hua Fei was speechless after being forced into question by me. She could only get angry and point at me and shout at me.

I wasn't afraid at all. I looked directly into her hateful eyes and said loudly, "If your majesty says this letter is fake, then why not produce some evidence? Otherwise, I'm afraid your words won't convince anyone."

The palace was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone's eyes were focused on Concubine Hua, waiting for her explanation.

At this moment, the queen, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I think what Miss Niu said is not without reason."

As soon as the Queen spoke, all the civil and military officials in the court looked at her in surprise. Over the years, the Queen has lived in seclusion, not caring about worldly affairs. Why would she suddenly intercede for me today?

The queen slowly stood up, walked over to my side, and said softly, "Miss Niu, don't worry. I believe you are a good child. I have taken note of everything you said today."

She turned around, her eyes falling on Concubine Hua. Although her tone was calm, it carried an unquestionable majesty: "Concubine Hua, I know you have always been arrogant, but matters in the harem have their own rules, and you have crossed the line."

Every word the Queen said was like a heavy hammer, hitting Concubine Hua's heart hard. Her face was pale, her lips trembled, but she didn't dare to refute a word.

I noticed the coldness in the Empress's eyes; it was clearly a warning, a warning. Concubine Hua had dominated the harem for years, relying on the Emperor's favor to act arrogantly and domineeringly. Now that she had hit the Empress's wall, she was afraid it would not end well.

As expected, the court officials who had been silent until then, as if receiving a signal, all stood up. Censor Chen was the first to speak out, righteously saying, "Your Majesty, Concubine Hua is a concubine in the harem, yet she is so vicious and vicious, framing loyal and honest people. This is truly unbecoming. Your Majesty, please be discerning!"

"I second the motion! Concubine Hua's actions are truly outrageous. If she is not severely punished, it will be difficult to appease the public anger!"

"I also second the proposal!"

For a time, voices condemning Concubine Hua were heard one after another in the court. Even the ministers who had remained neutral before turned against her and joined the ranks of condemnation.

I watched this scene with mixed emotions. I'm not a scheming person, and I don't want to get involved in this harem feud. But what Concubine Hua has done is simply too much! Not only does she want to kill me, she also wants to implicate Brother Zhen. With such a vicious heart, if I continue to swallow my anger, wouldn't I be at her mercy?

The Emperor remained silent, observing all this with a cold gaze, as if none of this had anything to do with him. But I could sense the rage in his eyes slowly building up.

"Your Majesty..." Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Concubine Hua finally panicked. She wanted to beg for mercy, but the emperor didn't give her the chance at all.

"Come here! Bring Concubine Hua back to the palace and put her under house arrest for reflection. No one is allowed to visit her without my order!" The emperor's tone was cold, without a trace of emotion.

Hua Fei's face turned pale, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to resist. She knew that this time, she was really finished.

I watched Concubine Hua being led away by the guards, but I felt no joy at all, only endless exhaustion. Although I won this battle, I also paid a heavy price.

Just as I was about to leave the throne room, I felt a cold gaze fall upon me. I turned around and saw Concubine Hua glaring at me fiercely, as if she wanted to cut me into pieces.

My heart trembled. I knew this was just the calm before the storm. Concubine Hua would not give up and would definitely come back. And I had to be prepared to face even greater challenges...

Concubine Hua was dragged out by the guards. Her resentful eyes bore into me like nails, sending a chill down my spine. I shuddered. Nanny Yang, seeing this, hurried forward to support me, softly comforting me, "Don't be afraid, Your Majesty. Evildoers will be punished by Heaven. You're doing a righteous act by ridding the people of this evil today!"

I forced a smile, but I couldn't feel at ease. Concubine Hua had been in the harem for many years and had a deep foundation. Although she had lost power now, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't make a comeback.

The emperor seemed to see my worry. He dismissed everyone, leaving only Brother Zhen and I in the palace. He rubbed his brows wearily, his tone carrying a subtle tenderness: "Niu Mengmeng, you did a great job today."

This was the first time the emperor called me by my name. I looked up flattered, but saw that his eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"I know you are kind-hearted and don't like fighting," the emperor paused and continued, "but the harem is not a pure land. If you don't fight, you will be bullied by others."

His words, though plain, struck my heart like a morning bell. Yes, I can't keep running away. In this harem of cruelty, how can I protect myself and Brother Zhen if I don't become stronger?

"I understand." I took a deep breath, my eyes gradually becoming firm, "I will definitely not let the emperor down."

The emperor nodded slightly, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. He turned to look at Brother Zhen and said in a dignified tone, "Zhen Youcai, you have performed meritorious service in protecting me. I will reward you handsomely."

Brother Zhen knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said, "Protecting the Emperor and upholding justice is my duty. I dare not take credit for it."

The Emperor laughed heartily and said, "What a responsibility! I am deeply pleased!" He paused for a moment, then continued, "I have decided to promote you to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards, in charge of all defense matters inside and outside the palace. Are you willing?"

I was shocked when I heard this. The position of Commander of the Imperial Guards is the closest position to the Emperor, and carries immense power. Could the Emperor trust Brother Zhen so much?

Brother Zhen remained calm and replied in a neither servile nor arrogant manner, "I thank you for your grace, my Lord. I will do my utmost to protect the Emperor and the Great Zhou!"

"Good!" The emperor was delighted. "I believe you!"

I looked at the two men standing side by side before me, one towering, the other radiant and heroic, and suddenly an indescribable feeling welled up in my heart. Perhaps, today's events were just the beginning, and my destiny would be changed by this...