When major events happened outside the palace, they were never kept secret for long. The Empress’s actions of ordering people to burn books and beat common people had already stirred public discontent, and it wasn’t long before someone reported it to Emperor Changde. This time, it was their old acquaintance, Minister Zhang.
As a censor, Minister Zhang had a duty to oversee such matters. The Empress’s behavior didn’t just affect her, it also tarnished the entire royal family. Being a man of integrity, Minister Zhang couldn’t help but report the Empress’s misconduct.
Emperor Changde was already aware of the book and the old affair between the Empress and Wei Su. Investigations had confirmed that while the book exaggerated some details, the core of the story was true. Emperor Changde reluctantly had to admit that the Empress had indeed tried to cuckold him.
He thought to himself, there was a reason I always wanted to eliminate Wei Su. Not only did he covet my throne, but even my woman was infatuated with him. He truly deserved to die.
The only silver lining was that Wei Su had been principled enough to reject the Empress’s advances, sparing Emperor Changde the ultimate humiliation.
After listening to Minister Zhang’s report, Emperor Changde remained calm and didn’t immediately decide how to handle the Empress. Instead, he asked Minister Zhang for his opinion. "Minister Zhang, what do you think should be done about this matter?"
Minister Zhang had come prepared. "Your Majesty, I believe we should thoroughly investigate the past events. If the contents of the book are false, we must arrest the author and all those spreading rumors for severe punishment."
"And if it’s true?" Emperor Changde pressed.
"This…" Minister Zhang hesitated. "Your Majesty, if it’s true, the Empress’s actions have severely damaged the royal family’s dignity. She may no longer be fit to be Empress."
Emperor Changde nodded slightly, as if agreeing. "Then why don’t you investigate this matter, Minister Zhang?"
Minister Zhang was stunned. He had only come to report the issue, not to investigate the love-hate relationship between the Empress and General Wei Su. This wasn’t a task for a censor.
Seeing his hesitation, Emperor Changde asked, "What’s the matter? Are you unwilling?"
He was indeed unwilling, but he didn’t dare say so. Minister Zhang reluctantly accepted the task.
"If there’s nothing else, you may leave, Minister Zhang."
After Minister Zhang left, Emperor Changde sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought. No one dared to disturb him. After a while, he called for Gan Yongfu.
"Your Majesty," Gan Yongfu approached quietly.
"Do you think the Empress really killed Wei Su?"
"This… I don't know," Gan Yongfu didn’t dare answer.
Emperor Changde tapped his fingers rhythmically on his leg. "What if I said she did?"
Gan Yongfu replied, "If Your Majesty says so, then it must be true. Your Majesty is always right."
Emperor Changde opened his eyes and looked at Gan Yongfu, smiling faintly. "After all these years by my side, you haven’t learned much, but your flattering skills has improved."
Gan Yongfu chuckled awkwardly. "I only speak the truth, Your Majesty. As the ruler of the world, whatever you say is right."
Emperor Changde ignored the flattery and muttered to himself, "There needs to be a resolution."
Gan Yongfu didn’t fully understand but had a vague feeling that the Empress was in trouble.
After dismissing Gan Yongfu, Emperor Changde entered the secret chamber alone. Inside, as usual, there was only the beautiful Ruyue, a bed, and walls lined with torture instruments.
But today, Emperor Changde wasn’t there for pleasure. He wanted to talk to his beloved.
A few days ago, frustrated by the Su Qiao incident, Emperor Changde had accidentally let slip some details during his time with Ruyue. After hearing him out, Ruyue offered her thoughts.
She said that actions always left traces and that it was impossible to silence the entire world by killing everyone. Instead, it would be better to address the matter openly, but the wise and mighty Emperor would never be involved in the murder of a loyal minister.
Ruyue’s words struck a chord with Emperor Changde. He had been keeping tabs on Yin Ji’s investigation and knew that Yin Ji had already extracted much information from Su Qiao. Yin Ji was stubborn, and it wouldn’t be long before he brought the matter to court. Soon, everyone would know that Wei Su and Su Yuan hadn’t died in battle but had been murdered, and that the mastermind was none other than the Emperor himself.
Emperor Changde couldn’t allow that to happen.
Ruyue’s suggestion resonated with him. Since the truth was bound to come out, it was better to find a scapegoat.
As for who that scapegoat would be, Emperor Changde hadn’t decided at first. But with the Empress’s recent actions, he had an idea.
Emperor Changde held Ruyue close. "My beauty, how would you like to be Empress?"
Ruyue wrapped her arms around his neck, their faces close. "Your Majesty must be teasing me. How could someone like me ever be Empress? Besides, don’t you already have an Empress?"
Her breath was sweet, and her fragrance filled Emperor Changde’s senses, intoxicating him. "The world is mine. Whoever I want to be Empress will be Empress. Who would dare oppose me?"
As for the current Empress, a woman whose heart belonged to another man, such a tainted and unworthy woman, how could she continue to be Empress?
Emperor Changde didn’t voice these thoughts, but Ruyue could tell from his expression that he was considering deposing the Empress.
She smiled coyly. "Of course, no one would dare oppose you. Then I’ll wait for Your Majesty’s good news."
Emperor Changde, stirred by her words, pinned her down, his desire reignited as he gazed at her with burning intensity.
Ruyue naturally understood his meaning. She stood up, walked to the wall, and took down two small wooden sticks. "Your Majesty, today I will serve you with something new and exciting."
Emperor Changde had no objections and enjoyed himself thoroughly before leaving the secret chamber.
As soon as he stepped out of the chamber, Emperor Changde ordered Gan Yongfu, "Dispose of all the imperial guards who harmed the common people on the streets. Also, make sure the people know it was my order. No one is allowed to harm my subjects arbitrarily."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand."
Just as Gan Yongfu was about to leave, Emperor Changde called him back. "What about the Wei family? Why hasn’t anything been accomplished yet?"
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