Chapter 75
Yin Ji once again revealed something that shocked the entire court. Except for a very few who might have had prior suspicions or knowledge of the matter, most officials wore expressions of disbelief. They could never have imagined that a dignified second-rank general hadn't died on the battlefield but had been murdered.
Additionally, a third-rank deputy general and a small troop of soldiers had also fallen victim to this conspiracy.
It was truly hard to believe.
The military officials immediately stepped forward, demanding that Emperor Changde deliver justice for Wei Su and the others. A great general should not have died in such a muddled manner, and the border soldiers who had perished were equally innocent.
Civil officials, who were accustomed to using their wits and eloquence, first pondered who could have had the audacity to murder a second-rank general. Connecting this with recent events, they began to form some suspicions.
The Crown Prince’s faction naturally remained silent. After all, the Empress’s stable position greatly aided the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne. Their fates were intertwined, if the Empress fell, the Crown Prince would also be in danger. Moreover, since the Emperor had shown intentions of supporting the eldest prince to counterbalance the Crown Prince, the Empress’s position became even more critical.
Neutral parties, or those who had some past connection with Wei Su, all spoke up, urging Emperor Changde to thoroughly investigate the matter. A proper explanation was necessary.
Emperor Changde, who had long been prepared, naturally intended to provide an explanation. After the court session, he summoned the Empress.
The Empress arrived at the Xuanzheng Hall in full regalia. Emperor Changde’s gaze lingered on her for only a moment before quickly shifting away. He felt no admiration, nor any trace of affection.
Aside from Emperor Changde, the Crown Prince and several senior court officials were present in the hall, along with Yin Ji, who was leading the investigation.
After the Empress finished her formal greetings, Emperor Changde granted her a seat and instructed Yin Ji to recount the details of the murders of Generals Wei Su and Su Yuan. Once Yin Ji finished, Emperor Changde turned to the Empress and asked, "Empress, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
The Empress maintained a dignified smile. "Your Majesty, I find their deaths deeply regrettable. I’ve heard that the remains of these two generals are still at the border. Perhaps Your Majesty could issue an edict to have their coffins brought back to Shengjing and give them a grand burial, as a gesture of Your Majesty’s care for loyal and capable generals."
"Additionally, I’ve heard that the Su family has only one surviving daughter. It’s not easy for a woman to survive alone. Your Majesty, why not arrange a marriage for her? I think Heng’er would be a suitable match. Although the Su family’s daughter is of lower status, this would further demonstrate Your Majesty’s deep affection for General Su Yuan."
The Empress expressed her condolences, not only securing a potential bride for her son but also arranging the posthumous affairs for Wei Su and Su Yuan. However, she made no mention of any connection between herself and the deaths of the two generals.
Emperor Changde stared at the Empress for a long moment. "Empress, do you know how Wei Su died?"
The Empress stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty, as a member of the inner palace, how could I know how a general who was fighting far away at the border died?"
"Is that so? I happen to know a few things. Let me share them with you," Emperor Changde said, raising his hand. Gan Yongfu promptly placed a memorial in the Emperor’s hand.
Emperor Changde opened the memorial and began reading. "This memorial states that the Empress was deeply in love with Wei Su, but Wei Su, being uninterested, ignored her and went to the border to fight. The Empress, unable to attain her desire, turned love into hatred and, in a fit of rage, bribed Wei Su’s deputy to eliminate him. Empress, is this incorrect?"
"Oh, there’s more. After Wei Su’s death, you ordered the murder of Deputy General Su Yuan. Before killing him, you learned that Su Yuan had sent a letter to his family. So, you decided to silence them as well, wiping out the entire Su family and even Su Yuan’s in-laws, the Lu family."
"Unfortunately, one member of the Su family survived and possessed evidence of your bribery to have Su Yuan killed. Thus, you sent assassins to chase Su Yuan’s daughter, Su Qiao, all the way from Jiangnan to Shengjing. Su Qiao endured countless hardships, seeking justice for her father and the hundreds of lives lost in the Su and Lu families. Fearing that Su Qiao would expose your secrets, you hired assassins to kill her, even at the cost of innocent lives."
Emperor Changde looked at the Empress and asked, "Empress, is what is written in this memorial true? Did you, for your own selfish desires, harm loyal subjects and order the deaths of hundreds from the Su and Lu families?"
The Empress’s expression remained unchanged. "Your Majesty, if I were to say that not a single word in this memorial is true, would Your Majesty believe me?"
"Is that so? Not a single word is true?" Emperor Changde’s tone carried a hint of menace.
The Empress remained calm. "Yes, Your Majesty. I believe not a single word is true."
Emperor Changde threw a book at the Empress’s feet. "Then take a look at this. Do you still dare to claim that not a single word is true? Empress, you have some nerve!"
The book, naturally, was The Tale of Love and Revenge of the Empress. It landed right in front of the Empress, and the composure she had maintained began to crack. She knew who had written the book and was all too aware of the truth behind its contents. The Empress lowered her head and remained silent.
Emperor Changde angrily demanded, "Empress, must I summon Minister Cao and your married sister to confront you face-to-face before you admit your guilt?"
The Empress knelt. "Your Majesty, when one wishes to impose a crime, excuses are never lacking. I have never been engaged to Wei Su, nor have I ever had an affair with him. The idea that I turned love into hatred and harmed loyal subjects is impossible. Does Your Majesty no longer trust me?"
Emperor Changde roared, "You must earn my trust! As the Empress, you sought to seduce a subject and bring chaos to the inner palace. As the Empress, you failed to uphold proper conduct. Such shamelessness, how can I trust you!"
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