Su Qiao handed over the second letter. "This is the one His Majesty went to such lengths to recover, the reason his men chased me from Jiangnan to Shengjing, killing so many along the way. This letter was written by His Majesty himself, bearing his personal seal. All of you have seen His Majesty’s handwriting. Its authenticity is undeniable!"
The moment the letter was unfurled, someone exclaimed, "This is His Majesty’s handwriting, identical to his annotations on memorials!"
Every minister present had submitted memorials and received the Emperor’s responses. They couldn't be mistaken. And it was impossible for all of them to be wrong.
Beyond the handwriting, the letter’s contents were even more shocking - confirming Su Qiao’s account, even exceeding it in brutality. Emperor Changde had used the word "must" twice: Wei Su must die. Wei Yunzhao must die.
For an emperor to employ such underhanded means to murder loyal generals who had served the nation with distinction was utterly disgraceful.
And impossible to justify.
Before arriving, many officials had only heard fragments of the story. But now, their gazes toward Emperor Changde had shifted.
Though furious, the Emperor had been closely watching his ministers. Their changed expressions didn't escape him.
"Insolent wretch! How dare you spread lies and deceive the court! You think two meaningless letters are enough to frame me? I’ve tolerated you long enough. Now, you’ve gone too far!" The letters never reached Emperor Changde’s hands, lest he tear them up on the spot, something he was fully capable of.
"Yu Yi! Seize this wench and execute her outside the hall at once!"
By naming Yu Yi directly, Emperor Changde expected immediate compliance.
"Your Majesty, there’s no need for haste. If we seek justice, how could we rely on just two letters as evidence? Wait, the witness should be arriving now." Jiang Lin, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"In fact, we owe thanks to Your Majesty for this witness’s appearance."
Right on cue, a voice announced from outside: "The deposed Empress has arrived—!"
Cao Lan’er had been stripped of her title, and Emperor Changde had granted her no other honorific. He referred to her as "Madam Cao," but most simply called her "the deposed Empress."
Clearly, this announcement was Yue Heng’s doing.
Jiang Lin turned to watch Cao Lan’er enter, shooting Yue Heng an approving glance.
The title "deposed Empress" jogged the officials’ memories, she had been condemned for orchestrating Wei Su’s murder.
Yet Su Qiao had just claimed the Emperor was behind it.
The ministers’ minds raced as they glanced between Emperor Changde and the deposed Empress. Realization dawned: this was a marital dispute turned public.
Cao Lan’er wore simple attire, but her regal bearing remained. She ignored Emperor Changde entirely, not even offering a salute. Instead, she addressed him directly:
"Your Majesty, did you ever imagine we would meet again in the Hall of Governance?"
Her gaze swept over the officials. "Ah, the same ministers who witnessed my demotion are here today. Did you not receive word that today would reveal the Emperor’s true nature?"
Cao Lan’er was utterly fearless, her words laced with venom.
"Cao! You have no place here! Return to the cold palace at once!"
Emperor Changde’s fury burned hotter at her arrogance. He regretted not killing her sooner.
"I’ve come... for revenge."
The last words were whispered, but Emperor Changde heard them. He stumbled back, tripping over his chair and landing hard on the throne.
Just then, someone spoke up: "Your Majesty, we know General Wei Su was murdered, but wasn’t it by your order? Why today-?"
Cao Lan’er smirked. "You never imagined the Emperor you serve could be such a hypocrite. Don’t worry, today I’ll lay everything bare. Let you see how blind you’ve been."
Instead of explaining immediately, she walked to Wei Yunzhao and extended her hand. "Well? Hand it over."
Wei Yunzhao gave her a puzzled look.
Cao Lan’er scoffed. "Don’t play dumb. Wei Yunzhao, you’ve long known I poisoned you, that I crippled your legs. I’ve tried to kill you repeatedly, did you gather no evidence?"
"I don’t believe that."
With those words, it became clear: Cao Lan’er intended to drag the Emperor down with her, leaving herself no escape.
Not that Jiang Lin and the others had planned to let her escape anyway.
Wei Yunzhao produced two letters and a jade pendant. Cao Lan’er handed the letters to the officials but kept the pendant, twirling it in her fingers.
"When the news came back, I was overjoyed."
Truly, Cao Lan’er and Emperor Changde were cut from the same cloth. Of Wei Su’s two lieutenants, one was the Emperor’s spy, and the other was Cao Lan’er’s. Both sought the same end: Wei Su and Wei Yunzhao’s deaths.
"My man arrived too late, Wei Su was already dead. So he turned his blade on Wei Yunzhao. But the boy was too skilled. Poison was the only way." She glanced at Wei Yunzhao, disdainful. "Yet you still survived. How tenacious."
"You wonder why I can testify? This is why. The Emperor and I both sent assassins after the Wei family. I know everything."
One letter contained Cao Lan’er’s orders to Wei Su’s lieutenant; the other, his report on the border situation - including who truly killed Wei Su.
These letters had been uncovered by Wei Yunzhao’s men. They were irrefutable.
Had they not been, Cao Lan’er would never have shown them. Today, she aimed to expose the Emperor, not exonerate herself.
But as a key player, her own crimes couldn't be hidden.
The officials murmured among themselves.
Emperor Changde slammed the table, cursing Cao Lan’er as a venomous schemer bent on revenge, vowing to execute her and slaughter her entire clan.
But with the Imperial Guard absent and the officials’ respect eroded, the situation had spiraled beyond his control.
His outbursts only made him seem desperate.
Cao Lan’er had one final revelation. "Esteemed officials must wonder, why would the great Emperor of Dayue, the wise ruler you all revere, seek the Wei family's annihilation?"
"Because... he believed a monk’s prophecy: ‘The Wei family's rise spells Yue family’s fall.’"
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