42You murdered the emperor's brother-in-law; do you know your crime?
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Chapter 42 You murdered the Emperor's brother-in-law, do you know your crime?
Shen Yulou's face was cold, it seemed Hu Chen's death had already reached the palace.
Qin Guiru frowned and asked.
"What's going on?"
Shen Yulou took out a letter from his embrace, handed it to Qin Guiru, and whispered in her ear.
"Give this letter to Consort Xian, thank you."
After speaking, Shen Yulou went to Consort Qing's sleeping quarters.
Looking at the letter in her hand, Qin Guiru's mood was complex.
What trouble had Shen Yulou gotten into?
Judging by the eunuch's demeanor and the expression on Shen Yulou's face, could it be that he had offended Consort Qing?
But at such a critical moment, why would Shen Yulou think of going to Consort Xian?
Shouldn't he go to the Noble Consort?
Shen Yulou had cured the Noble Consort, surely the Noble Consort would protect him?
Qin Guiru began to hesitate. If she didn't help, would she be able to become the director again?
But this thought was quickly suppressed. She was now somewhat accustomed to working with Shen Yulou.
If something really happened to Shen Yulou, she would feel a little sad.
Moreover, the fate of the entire Wet Nurse Department now rested on Princess Na Xing. Without Shen Yulou, she certainly wouldn't survive.
Thinking of this, Qin Guiru immediately took the letter and ran quickly towards Consort Xian's sleeping quarters.
Consort Xian's sleeping quarters were extremely desolate. In the courtyard, there was only one Palace Maid, who was dozing in a chair at the moment.
In this palace where a mother's status was determined by her son, Consort Xian's position plummeted after her Prince died.
Although the Emperor did not neglect her, all the Servants around knew what was going on.
In the past, everyone tried to curry favor with Consort Xian, but now they were too lazy to bother with her.
Qin Guiru walked into the sleeping quarters as if entering an uninhabited place.
At this moment, Consort Xian was silently weeping while looking at the moon outside the window. During this time, she had almost been washing her face with tears, not a day passing without crying.
Her good son had died just like that, which was truly unacceptable to her.
The two Palace Maids in the palace were there to watch her and prevent her from committing suicide.
After Qin Guiru entered, she respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Consort Xian."
Consort Xian glanced at her and said expressionlessly.
"Why are you here?"
Qin Guiru said, "Lord Shen asked me to deliver this letter to you."
"Put it there."
Consort Xian's eyes were hollow, devoid of life, almost indistinguishable from a walking corpse.
After Qin Guiru put down the letter, she left the sleeping quarters.
She didn't know if Consort Xian would even look at it. In her current state, how could she help Shen Yulou?
After leaving the door, Qin Guiru quickly walked towards the Noble Consort's sleeping quarters. If Consort Qing really intended to make things difficult for Shen Yulou, it would still require the Noble Consort's help...
After Qin Guiru left, Consort Xian silently wiped away her tears.
Walking to the table, Consort Xian frowned as she looked at the inexplicable letter.
Why would Shen Yulou write to her? Could it be that he had found out the cause of the Prince's death?
Thinking of this, Consort Xian immediately tore open the letter.
Inside was not written by Shen Yulou, but Wei Xingchen's personal confession.
It clearly stated that the person who poisoned the Prince was Consort Qing!
After reading it, Consort Xian was furious!
Her son was actually harmed by Consort Qing!
Consort Qing was too vicious, wasn't she?
Just for her lame son?
Even if The Twenty-Fifth Prince died, the succession to the throne would not fall to her lame son!
Unless she killed all the Princes!
Consort Xian was instantly enraged!
She quickly walked out of the sleeping quarters and kicked the dozing Palace Maid at the door.
"Get up!"
The Palace Maid was startled and scrambled to her feet, saying.
"Your Ladyship, what's wrong?"
"To Consort Qing's sleeping quarters!"
Consort Xian stormed out furiously. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night!
...Shen Yulou arrived at Consort Qing's sleeping quarters. After entering, he saw Consort Qing and Emperor Ren.
Shen Yulou and Emperor Ren exchanged glances, and he felt relieved.
He had originally feared that Consort Qing would resort to force, and if she impulsively acted first and reported later, it would be difficult to handle.
On the way here, he had considered whether to go find Li Hui, but now that Emperor Ren was also here, Shen Yulou was no longer afraid.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty and Consort Qing. May Your humble servant ask why I have been summoned?"
Consort Qing was extremely agitated, "Shen Yulou! You harmed my brother, do you admit your guilt!"
Consort Qing was usually gentle and refined, rarely so emotional. Today, she truly couldn't control herself, which was why she was so distraught.
And Shen Yulou's acting skills were also superb. Hearing Consort Qing's words, he first paused, then asked.
"Consort Qing, why do you say that? Could it be that The Emperor's Maternal Uncle has met with misfortune?"
Consort Qing was furious, "You're still playing dumb with me! You were the one who poisoned my brother! You still won't admit it?!"
Shen Yulou said neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
"Consort Qing, this matter was not done by Your humble servant. Your humble servant dares not accept the blame!"
"You're spouting nonsense!"
Seeing Consort Qing becoming increasingly agitated, Emperor Ren interrupted her.
"Consort Qing, don't get excited. I will ask."
Emperor Ren looked at Shen Yulou, "Minister Shen, did you go to Hu Family Brewery today and see The Emperor's Maternal Uncle?"
Shen Yulou replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Your humble servant did indeed see The Emperor's Maternal Uncle today. I obtained some alcohol at the Winery to use for the Princess's delivery."
Emperor Ren asked, "After you finished with the alcohol, where did you go next?"
"The Emperor's Maternal Uncle graciously entertained me and took me to Yu Cui Tower for roast duck."
"And then?"
"We drank a lot of wine at the dinner table. The Emperor's Maternal Uncle couldn't hold his liquor and went out to vomit, and then Your humble servant returned to the palace."
Emperor Ren frowned, "Meaning, the food you ate was arranged by Hu Chen, and you never handled it, is that correct?"
"That's right."
Emperor Ren said, "Consort Qing, since it was arranged by Hu Chen, how could Shen Yulou have poisoned it?"
Consort Qing said, "Your Majesty! Shen Yulou is a doctor. If he wanted to poison someone, he has many ways. He can even detoxify cranes crown poison, so poisoning would certainly be effortless for him!"
Emperor Ren said, "Consort Qing, this matter is a bit hasty. The cause of Hu Chen's death is still undetermined, how can we conclude it was Minister Shen's doing now?"
Consort Qing fell to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face.
"Your Majesty, then let's first arrest him and hand him over to the Ministry of Justice for severe interrogation. Meanwhile, find a coroner to examine my brother's body. This matter will surely yield a result!"
Shen Yulou narrowed his eyes. This woman was determined to kill him today, wasn't she?
Firstly, Consort Qing was enraged by her brother's death. Secondly, she wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate Shen Yulou, lest the matter of the Prince's murder be exposed, leading to complications.
So, she took advantage of this opportunity to simply kill Shen Yulou.
Emperor Ren frowned. If it were peacetime, with Consort Qing's strong demand, Emperor Ren would usually indulge her, even if just to appease her.
After all, he was merely a director; to make Consort Qing happy, it wouldn't hurt to deal with him.
But Shen Yulou was currently involved in important national affairs. How could he be moved because of such a baseless charge?
Even if Shen Yulou had truly killed The Emperor's Maternal Uncle, this matter would have to be suppressed for now