52He's such a good son.
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Chapter 52 My dear son
The Noble Consort's suspicion that Shen Yulou was in the Empress's bedchamber arose from the Empress's unusual behavior.
Earlier, when she went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she personally witnessed the Empress stitching up Emperor Ren's wound.
This was definitely not something the Empress would know how to do.
Therefore, the Noble Consort concluded that Shen Yulou must be hidden within the Empress's bedchamber.
Although she was also very curious how Shen Yulou managed to persuade the Empress, the fact remained, and she had to seize this opportunity to get rid of Shen Yulou.
While she and the top scholar Zhang Xinjie didn't have any illicit affair, Emperor Ren was an extremely narrow-minded man, and if he found out she was secretly meeting a lover in the Inner Palace, she would truly be unable to clear her name.
That's why she didn't hesitate to have her father personally distract the Empress; with Emperor Ren and the Empress gone from the palace, no one could stop her from killing Shen Yulou!
Of course, there was also Li Hui.
However, at this moment, Li Hui was with Gongsun Changlin and others from the Wulin Kingdom.
Emperor Ren's assassination was inextricably linked to the Wulin Kingdom.
This matter was Li Hui's dereliction of duty, so he absolutely would not allow these people from the Wulin Kingdom to escape again.
Everything had to wait until Emperor Ren awoke before a decision could be made.
This was the perfect time, place, and situation; if Shen Yulou didn't die, it would be an affront to justice!
The Noble Consort, full of imposing aura, led her entourage directly to Kunning Palace.
This time, she could not only eliminate Shen Yulou but also severely damage the Empress.
If Shen Yulou was caught in the Empress's bedchamber, even if the Empress could argue she was unaware, it would still arouse Emperor Ren's suspicion.
At that point, even if Emperor Ren assigned blame, the Noble Consort could drag her down with her.
The Noble Consort, leading many eunuchs, arrived at the entrance of Kunning Palace with an imposing aura and said in a stern voice.
"The rebel Shen Yulou is hidden in Kunning Palace; go in and search! Kill Shen Yulou on sight if he's found!"
Bai Yu's face changed drastically, "Noble Consort! This is the Empress's bedchamber; are you really going to force your way into Her Majesty's bedchamber?"
The Noble Consort sneered, "The rebel is inside; if he's not caught, he might harm the Emperor again. If the Empress returns, I will personally apologize to her!"
Seeing this, Bai Yu knew that the Noble Consort had come prepared.
She quickly ordered the eunuchs and Palace Maids to block the entrance.
"Stop them! Whoever dares to force their way in, take action immediately!"
Afterward, Bai Yu quickly ran into the bedchamber.
Seeing Bai Yu's nervousness, the Noble Consort became even more certain of her thoughts.
"You few dog Servants, how dare you stop me?"
"Your Majesty, this is the Empress's bedchamber. Without the Empress's order, no one is allowed to enter!
If Your Majesty insists on entering, you will have to step over us!"
The Noble Consort narrowed her eyes, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare to touch you few dog Servants?"
...At this moment, Shen Yulou was still lying on the Empress's bed.
Bai Yu rushed in, explaining the situation outside.
"Lord Shen, quickly think of a way to sneak out, otherwise both you and Her Majesty will be finished!"
Shen Yulou was startled. The Noble Consort was truly ruthless, and she was also very clever.
"Miss Bai Yu, going out now would be courting death. I have another idea; please help me send a message out!"
...There were only about ten people in the Empress's bedchamber, while the Noble Consort had brought over thirty people.
Although they were all eunuchs and Palace Maids and had no weapons, even with bare hands, the Noble Consort's side had a complete victory.
The Noble Consort led her group, pressing closer step by step, "Are you going to move or not? If you don't move, this consort will not be polite!"
The two sides were in a stalemate for a moment, and the Noble Consort had already lost her patience.
This was an opportunity not to be missed; once it passed, it wouldn't come again.
"Attack!"
At the Noble Consort's command, the group of eunuchs started fighting.
The Empress's side was inherently weaker and quickly fell into a disadvantage.
Just as the Noble Consort and her group were about to rush through the door, a sharp shout suddenly came.
"Stop!"
Everyone stopped their actions and looked in the direction of the voice.
Everyone's expressions changed slightly.
"Your Royal Highness?"
The person who arrived was Consort Qing's son, The 23rd Prince, Zhao Ying!
Seeing Zhao Ying approaching with his sword, everyone looked at each other.
Everyone knew the news of Consort Qing being sent to the Cold Palace; as the Prince's birth mother, she would certainly be affected.
But no matter what, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Consort Qing's crime didn't need to implicate the Prince.
Moreover, Zhao Ying was Emperor Ren's favorite Prince back then; if it weren't for his leg problems, he would surely have moved to the Eastern Palace and been established as the Crown Prince by now.
So Consort Qing's entry into the Cold Palace didn't have much impact on the Prince's life.
Zhao Ying stood at the entrance of Kunning Palace, looking coldly at everyone.
"Who dares to be presumptuous in Kunning Palace?"
Although the Prince was only twelve years old, no one dared to underestimate him.
Zhao Ying excelled in both literary and martial arts, all top-notch. Although young, his courage was extraordinary, far beyond what these Servants could compare to.
The Noble Consort said, "Your Royal Highness, there is a rebel hidden in Kunning Palace. This consort must go in and capture the villain!"
Zhao Ying said, "Noble Consort, since he is in Kunning Palace, why not let the Empress capture him?"
The Noble Consort said, "The Empress is busy presiding over the overall situation and doesn't have time to come, so this consort will do it on her behalf."
Zhao Ying sneered and said.
"That is to say, you intend to force your way into Kunning Palace without the Empress's permission? Do you know that even if you are the Noble Consort, this is a capital offense!"
The Noble Consort narrowed her eyes. She was a bit confused; what was Zhao Ying doing here at this time?
"Your Royal Highness, what does this matter have to do with you?"
He was Consort Qing's son. Even if Consort Qing was now in the Cold Palace, he should remain neutral.
Wouldn't it be better to watch her and the Empress fight?
Zhao Ying spoke righteously.
"The Empress is my legal mother, whom I respectfully call Mother. If Mother's bedchamber is to be forcibly entered, how can I, as a son, stand by and do nothing?"
The Noble Consort was somewhat speechless. It sounded good, but now he was treating the Empress as his legal mother?
Before, when Consort Qing was around, Zhao Ying didn't even greet the Empress when he saw her.
Now he was acting like a filial son.
"Your Royal Highness, the villain is inside today, and this consort must eliminate him, otherwise, I will not be able to rest or eat in peace. The Emperor has not yet recovered; if there is another assassin, can you bear the consequences?"
Zhao Ying suddenly drew his sword, with a clang.
The sharp gleam of the sword made people's cheeks sting.
Although Zhao Ying was young, his physique was already like that of an adult, and coupled with his martial arts training since childhood, his aura was extremely strong.
Holding the Qingfeng sword made people involuntarily feel awe.
Zhao Ying pointed his sword at everyone, "Whoever dares to force their way into Mother's bedchamber, kill without mercy!"
The Noble Consort's face instantly turned ugly.
Everyone involuntarily retreated several steps.
One was the Noble Consort, the other was the Prince.
They couldn't offend either side!
The crucial point was, if the Noble Consort wanted to kill someone, she relied on her eunuchs.
But if the Prince wanted to kill someone, he could cut you down with one sword.
That was the difference!
Zhao Ying stood at the entrance of Kunning Palace, and no one dared to step forward.
Even the Noble Consort didn't dare to gamble at this moment.
"Zhao Ying! Are you even going to kill this consort?"
The Noble Consort took a step forward, a hint of anger in her eyes.
Zhao Ying also took a step forward, the tip of his sword pointing directly at the Noble Consort's neck.
"You can try!"
Shen Yulou lay on the Empress's bed, heard the sounds outside, slapped his thigh and said.
"He truly is my good son.