PFC Chapter 485
Chapter 485
Surrounded by a retinue, the Empress Dowager gracefully entered the hall. She wore a magnificent phoenix robe and a dazzling phoenix crown, each step radiating the majesty of an empress. The Emperor's expression instantly became somewhat unnatural; his lips twitched slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and stepped forward to meet her.
The Empress Dowager's gaze was sharp. She glanced at Dongfang Wan'er, then looked sharply at the Emperor, and said in a stern tone, "Emperor, what is going on? Why are you taking Miss Dongfang away?" Her voice was not loud, but it resounded in the hall like a great bell, making people dare not take it lightly.
The emperor hurriedly stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this Dongfang Wan'er has ruined my important plans and must be punished." His eyes revealed a hint of guilt, and he dared not meet the Empress Dowager's gaze for too long.
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, her voice full of doubt: "I want to hear what major thing she has ruined for you?"
The emperor was momentarily speechless, stammering and unable to give a coherent explanation. His mind raced, searching for an excuse, but he found it difficult to justify. Dongfang Wan'er seized the opportunity, saying, "Your Majesty, I was merely telling the truth, and I never expected to anger Your Majesty. I am but a commoner; I only know that saving a life is a good deed, and I had absolutely no intention of disobeying Your Majesty." Her words were earnest, and her eyes shone with sincerity.
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration. We cannot hastily convict someone. What Miss Dongfang said makes sense. Before the truth is clear, we must not take lives lightly."
Although the emperor was unwilling, he dared not disobey the Empress Dowager's decree and could only say, "Then let's put Dongfang Wan'er in prison for now and try her later. I have no choice but to do this in order to maintain the dignity of the court." He tried to save face in front of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager frowned and said decisively, "No, innocent people must not be detained before the matter is investigated. If Miss Dongfang is wronged and suffers in prison, wouldn't that be unbearable for me, and would make the world laugh at our royal family for being unjust?"
Dongfang Wan'er looked at the Empress Dowager with gratitude, her eyes brimming with tears, and said softly, "Thank you for your wise judgment, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful." The Emperor, on the other hand, had a livid face and clenched his fists tightly, yet he was helpless.
The Empress Dowager looked at Dongfang Wan'er and said, "Miss, please come with me to the inner palace and tell me the whole story. I want to understand this matter personally and give you justice."
Dongfang Wan'er followed the Empress Dowager out of the main hall. The Emperor watched their backs, a sinister glint in his eyes. He secretly vowed that he would never let Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion ruin his plans.
Upon arriving at the inner palace, the Empress Dowager dismissed her attendants and said to Dongfang Wan'er, "My lady, rest assured, as long as what you say is true, I will ensure your safety. Although the palace is treacherous and unpredictable, I will not allow loyal officials to be wronged."
Dongfang Wan'er knelt to express her gratitude, and then recounted the entire incident to the Empress Dowager. From the Regent's sudden coma to her discovery that it was caused by a slow-acting poison, and then to the various signs that the Emperor intended to frame the Duke of Zhenguo's family, she left nothing out. After listening, the Empress Dowager fell into deep thought. She knew that this matter involved a wide range of issues, concerning the stability of the court and the balance of power among various factions.
Meanwhile, undercurrents were swirling within the palace. Some concubines, upon hearing of this, harbored their own thoughts. Consort Hui, in her palace, gently stroked the strings of her zither, a cold smile playing on her lips. She thought this was a perfect opportunity to suppress the Empress Dowager's power; if she could alienate the Emperor from the Empress Dowager, her own position in the palace would surely rise. Consort Li, on the other hand, was plotting how to win over Dongfang Wan'er to her own side. She believed that Dongfang Wan'er's ability to navigate these crises indicated she was a capable person, and if she could bring her under her wing, she would undoubtedly be a great help in the future.
Meanwhile, in the imperial court, the emperor and some ministers were plotting in a secret chamber. Prime Minister Li whispered, "Your Majesty, as long as Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion are not eliminated, they will remain a major threat. I suggest we quickly fabricate charges against them and wipe them out in one fell swoop to prevent future troubles." The other ministers echoed his sentiments. The emperor, seated on his dragon throne, his eyes cold, said, "My mind is made up. This matter must be handled flawlessly, without letting the Empress Dowager discover it." A far greater conspiracy was quietly unfolding, dark clouds looming over the palace and the court, as if a storm was about to break.
After leaving the Empress Dowager's ornate and imposing palace, Dongfang Wan'er knew in her astute heart that danger, like a shadow in the night, was creeping closer step by step. A resolute glint flashed in her bright eyes; she decided to first find irrefutable evidence to clear the Zhenguo Duke's mansion of its innocence and save her family from undeserved disaster. She moved with the lightness of a gentle breeze, quietly slipping into the imperial physician's room, filled with the fragrance of medicine and an air of mystery. Inside, rows of medicine cabinets stood neatly arranged, like silent guards protecting the medical books and records within. Dongfang Wan'er's slender fingers rapidly flipped through the medical records, her eyes focused and anxious, not overlooking any corner that might hold a clue.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was not standing idly by. In her magnificent and solemn palace, she secretly summoned several loyal and long-serving ministers. Seated on her phoenix couch, she leaned slightly forward, her eyes conveying a profound meaning, softly gesturing for them to closely observe the Emperor and the Prime Minister's every move and word, not to miss a single clue. Like a composed general, she secretly plotted to prepare for the impending storm.
As Dongfang Wan'er frantically searched the imperial physician's room, danger suddenly struck. The eunuch guarding the room happened to be patrolling, his footsteps drawing closer in the silent corridor. Dongfang Wan'er's heart leaped into her throat. Her eyes darted around rapidly, and thankfully, she was exceptionally alert, swiftly disappearing behind a medicine cabinet like a nimble cat. She pressed herself tightly against the cabinet's inner wall, barely daring to breathe, only the sound of her own rapid heartbeat audible. Only after the guard's suspicious gaze swept over her and he left did she slowly breathe a sigh of relief and continue her search. Finally, in a hidden corner, she found the crucial piece—a tampered prescription record. Although the handwriting on the prescription showed signs of alteration, the suspicious writing was still clearly visible, serving as vital evidence to prove the Duke of Zhenguo's innocence.
Dongfang Wan'er carefully tucked the precious evidence into her bosom and hurried towards the Empress Dowager's palace. Her steps were quick, her robes fluttering in the wind. Meanwhile, the Emperor and his entourage were already impatiently preparing to attack the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. A large number of soldiers surrounded the residence like a tidal wave, the atmosphere tense and on the verge of conflict. Just at this critical moment, Dongfang Wan'er arrived before the Empress Dowager like timely rain and quickly presented the evidence. The Empress Dowager took the evidence, examined it carefully, her expression slightly changing. She then immediately led Dongfang Wan'er to the main hall.