127The truth comes out
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Chapter 127 The Truth Revealed
Consort Shu's face suddenly changed, and she said in a low voice, "Shen Yulou, don't scare her! There are many imperial physicians in the palace; I don't believe there's any illness that only you can cure! Just tell the truth, you don't need to worry about the child's condition!"
The Empress said, "While other things are hard to say, when it comes to treating children, the Imperial Medical Academy currently can't compare to Minister Shen."
"When Qionger was poisoned by cranes crown poison, the Imperial Medical Academy was helpless. If not for Minister Shen, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
As the Empress said this, the Fake Princess's gaze towards Shen Yulou immediately changed.
"Lord Shen, I beg you to save my son! I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything!"
The Fake Princess pointed at Li Huai and said, "When I first entered the palace, he was the one who told me to impersonate a princess and enter the Imperial Palace. At that time, I was desperate to find a cure for my child, so I agreed to him. He promised to treat my son."
Shen Yulou asked, "When did you enter the palace?"
"At noon the day before yesterday."
"So, the princess already escaped the day before yesterday, right?"
The Fake Princess nodded.
Emperor Ren frowned, "The day before yesterday? Wasn't that the day I received the Empress Dowager?"
Shen Yulou said, "That's right. On that day, Your Majesty went to Mount Wutai to welcome the Empress Dowager. Your subject and the Princess Consort were preparing for the wedding and did not return to the palace all day.
The escape of Princess Na Xing has nothing to do with your subject!
When the princess escaped can be known by questioning Li Huai!"
Emperor Ren kicked Li Huai on the shoulder, "You scoundrel, aren't you going to confess honestly? Do you want Us to send you to the imperial prison for severe torture?"
Li Huai trembled with fear. How could someone his age endure the severe torture of the imperial prison?
Li Huai knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, and said, "Your Majesty, this old subject was truly helpless! On that day, a fire broke out in the palace, and Princess Na Xing burned a pot of boiling water..."
This time, Li Huai dared not hide anything and recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
After he finished speaking, Emperor Ren was already struggling to suppress his anger.
"Then what about today's matter with the Fake Princess?"
Li Huai steeled himself and pointed at Consort Shu, saying, "It was Consort Shu! She told this subject to deal with Shen Yulou, to frame him, so that he could be removed!"
Consort Shu's face changed drastically.
"Scoundrel! When did this consort ever offend you, that you would falsely accuse this consort?"
Li Huai said, "Your Majesty! Every word this old subject says is true. If you don't believe me, you can look at my scars!"
With that, Li Huai directly pulled down his trousers.
The burn wound was horrifying to behold, looking extremely ghastly.
This spectacular sight, let alone women, even the men present couldn't bear to look directly at it.
Emperor Ren shouted, "Put them back on quickly!"
That was truly an eyesore!
Consort Shu knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, this consort has been wronged. This consort has no connection with Shen Yulou, so why would I risk framing him? This matter has nothing to do with me!"
Emperor Ren snorted coldly, "Alright, We won't bother with you for now."
"Feng Yusi, why did you frame Shen Yulou?"
Minister Feng's face was ashen. He glanced at Consort Shu, then quickly lowered his head and said with a forced calm, "Your Majesty, this subject admits his guilt. Please punish this subject!"
Shen Yulou said, "Minister Feng, you and I have never had any dealings. Why would you harm me? Why don't you reveal the person behind this, to avoid physical suffering?"
Minister Feng said, "I disliked you, so I wanted to harm you. Now that the matter has been exposed, I have nothing to say. Please, Your Majesty, mete out your punishment!"
Now that the matter had been exposed, Minister Feng could not escape punishment, no matter what.
At this point, he could only protect Consort Shu and take responsibility for everything himself.
Emperor Ren was not a fool either.
Seeing Consort Qing and Consort Shu so at odds today, he had a rough idea of what was going on.
It was about the children again!
Every time such a situation arose, Emperor Ren felt a headache.
Consort Shu and Minister Feng targeted Shen Yulou because Shen Yulou was treating Zhao Ying's leg. Their machinations were all for the position of Crown Prince.
Emperor Ren, of course, wanted all his Imperial Sons to be very healthy, and then he would choose the most suitable one to be the Crown Prince.
But Consort Shu and the others didn't think that way; they would use every means to get their own Imperial Son into power.
Consort Qing said, "Your Majesty, everyone knows the relationship between Minister Feng and Consort Shu. If not for Consort Shu's instigation, how would Minister Feng do such a thing?
Consort Shu is simply afraid that Shen Yulou will cure my Imperial Son's leg. I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for my Imperial Son!"
Consort Shu said, "Consort Qing, how could this consort be so malicious as to begrudge others' good fortune? Imperial Prince Zhao Ying is a pillar of the nation. If his leg is cured, this consort would be overjoyed, so how could I obstruct it?
Today's incident is a misunderstanding, Your Majesty, please see clearly!"
Emperor Ren hesitated for a moment, then said, "Feng Yusi, as Minister of Revenue, you engaged in factionalism and framed a loyal official. Considering your many years in office, We will not impose a heavy punishment. You are stripped of your official position, immediately retire to your hometown, and shall never be employed again!"
Feng Yusi's face was ashen, and he prostrated himself, trembling, "Thank Your Majesty for your grace... This subject, this subject obeys the decree."
He knew this was Emperor Ren showing leniency; otherwise, the crime of framing a court official would be far more severe than merely retiring to his hometown.
It seemed Emperor Ren still considered his affection for Consort Shu.
Of course, the most important thing was for Zhao Jing's sake.
A mother's status depends on her son's, which was especially evident in the Imperial Palace.
And Consort Shu's relatives, naturally, also benefited.
Emperor Ren then looked at Consort Shu, a hint of warning in his eyes: "Consort Shu, We do not wish to speak much about matters of the Imperial Harem. But We hope you remember that Imperial Heirs are the foundation of the nation; do not disappoint Us again."
Consort Shu's body stiffened, and she bowed her head respectfully, saying, "This consort will bear Your Majesty's teachings in mind and will certainly conduct herself properly."
Although she felt unwilling, she understood that it was not appropriate to argue further at this moment.
The Emperor was admonishing her.
Emperor Ren knew some things clearly, but simply didn't want to state them too explicitly.
"Shen Yulou."
Emperor Ren turned to Shen Yulou, "The matter of the Fake Princess will be handled entirely by you."
"Order the Ministry of War to immediately dispatch men to pursue Princess Na Xing and ensure her return."
"Li Huai's dereliction of duty, losing Princess Na Xing, and framing a virtuous official, shall be executed immediately!"
"Alright, the rest of you may withdraw. Minister Shen, stay."
Li Huai's face was ashen, and he fainted on the spot.
Princess Na Xing had already escaped for two days, so finding her was unlikely.
But Emperor Ren still had to try; Princess Na Xing's escape this time was truly a huge loss!
With Emperor Ren's command, everyone filed out, leaving only Emperor Ren and Shen Yulou in the hall.
Li Huai was dragged out by several eunuchs like a dead dog.
Emperor Ren walked up to Shen Yulou, patted his shoulder, and his tone softened considerably: "Today's matter has wronged you. We know you are devoted to Us, yet you have been repeatedly framed by villains. It is Our failing that We could not protect you fully."
Shen Yulou bowed and said, "Your Majesty exaggerates. It is this subject's duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. A few minor setbacks are not worth mentioning."
Emperor Ren sighed, paced back to his dragon throne and sat down, his brows furrowed with weariness.
"Within the Imperial Harem, the Imperial Sons and consorts engage in open and secret struggles. We see it with Our own eyes and feel the pain in Our heart. Today's matter is but the tip of the iceberg. We wish for all Imperial Sons to grow up healthy, and later choose the worthy to establish as heir, but things do not go as planned.
Shen Yulou, you have always been thoughtful and thorough. Do you have any good strategies to allow these Imperial Sons to avoid the internal strife of the Imperial Harem and focus on their studies?"
Shen Yulou's eyes darted, knowing his opportunity had arrived