Imperial Husband Chapter 3

The Prince of Dingbei's Mansion, Changqing Hall.

The Prince of Dingbei, Li Shiyun, sat in the host's seat, watching expressionlessly as Zhou Xiaoru knelt on the ground, weeping and pleading her case.

"Your Highness, this is a wrongful accusation! The Princess Consort treated your concubine extremely well, and your concubine was once her personal maid. How could your concubine possibly harm the Princess Consort? Someone must be framing your concubine. Your Highness, you must decide in your concubine's favor."

"Heh." Liang Wenliu, another concubine who held the same rank as Zhou Xiaoru, let out a cold laugh. "As the saying goes, you know a person's face, but not their heart. Who knows if you merely showed respect to the Princess Consort on the surface while behind her back…"

Zhou Xiaoru furiously interrupted Liang Wenliu before she could finish. "Concubine Liang, don't speak nonsense."

"Concubine Zhou, are you… feeling guilty?" Seizing the advantage, Liang Wenliu pressed on aggressively, her tone accusatory.

Zhou Xiaoru, you have it coming today. Usually, you always rely on having borne the eldest son and your former status as the Princess Consort's personal maid to suppress me. Let's see how long you can remain arrogant now.

Another concubine, also surnamed Zhou, chimed in gleefully, "That's right, Concubine Zhou, you should just confess. If something is discovered later, not only will you be guilty, but even your son will be implicated because of you."

"Your Highness, please believe your concubine. Your concubine truly did not do it." Knowing now was not the time to argue with Liang Wenliu and the others, Zhou Xiaoru quickly turned her tear-filled eyes to Li Shiyun, putting on the appearance of someone who had been falsely accused, looking utterly pitiful. But in her heart, she secretly swore: Don't be too pleased with yourselves. Once I clear my name, I, Zhou Xiaoru, will surely return everything I have suffered today tenfold to you and whoever is scheming against me behind the scenes.

Zhou Xiaoru had long contemplated harming the Princess Consort, Gu Rulan, but had held off because she still needed to borrow Gu Rulan's influence. She never expected to now inexplicably become the scapegoat. How could Zhou Xiaoru possibly swallow this injustice?

Li Shiyun remained unmoved, waiting for the mansion guards to complete their search for evidence.

The secondary consort, Wei Shiwan, who stood beside Li Shiyun, said with concern, "Your Highness, your concubine knows you are troubled by elder sister's matter, but you haven't rested since returning from the palace. Your concubine is worried…"

[A Secondary Consort (侧妃 - Cèfēi) is a high-ranking, formally titled noble consort, often second only to the primary wife, while a Concubine (妾 - Qiè) is a general term for a lower-ranking, untitled mistress or secondary wife with significantly less status and privilege.]

"It is of no consequence." Hearing the unconcealed worry in Wei Shiwan's words, Li Shiyun felt warm in his heart. "It's you, despite your own illness, who has been busy running about for the Princess Consort's affairs. You have worked hard. Attendants, prepare a seat for Secondary Consort Wei."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, the servants immediately prepared a chair for Wei Shiwan.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Shiwan did not decline and graciously accepted Li Shiyun's kindness.

"Third Young Master has arrived."

"Shouldn't Jin'er still be unconscious?" Hearing the servant's announcement, Li Shiyun was momentarily stunned.

Before Li Shiyun could ponder further, Li Jin had already arrived before him and bowed in greeting. "I pay my respects to Father."

Simultaneously, Li Jin discreetly surveyed his surroundings. He noticed that aside from his grandmother and his half-siblings, everyone who should be present had gathered.

"Jin'er, you have just recovered from a serious illness, why have you come here?" Li Shiyun disliked that Li Jin had entered without announcement, his expression turning quite unpleasant. However, mindful that Li Jin had the backing of the current Empress and was still unwell, he dared not go too far and instead vented his anger on Ping'an. "You wretched slave! You knew Jin'er was unwell, yet you still brought him here. You surely have ill intentions. Guards, seize this slave! Break his limbs and throw him out of the mansion!"

Li Jin met Li Shiyun's gaze and, using a child's naive voice, stated calmly, "Father, I forced Ping'an to bring me. The fault does not lie with him."

"Jin'er…" Li Shiyun was taken aback that Li Jin would plead for a servant.

Li Jin bowed respectfully. "I reply to Father, your son also wishes to know who exactly harmed my mother."

Suddenly, a young boy of about ten years old, taking advantage of the guards' inattention, rushed in. He ran to Zhou Xiaoru's side and knelt down heavily. "Father, Concubine Zhou is innocent! She was with your son the entire day yesterday. How could she possibly have gone to harm Mother?"