Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Empress Dowager vs. Imperial Consort Dowager
"What nonsense? Accuse me?"
Yu Nianzhao pointed at herself, as if she heard a joke, feeling extremely amused, "I’m not a minister, yet they come to accuse me. They must have nothing better to do after a full meal."
"But you are the appointed Princess Consort Su."
Dongfang Chenyuan had a headache, "It’s all because I talked too much about their fortunes at King Yan’s temple that day. There are too many witnesses, it’s difficult to deny."
Liu Yi hung his head in despair, "It was really a hit! I didn’t expect Duke Luu to move so quickly. Are they going to convict us?"
Luu Shaoqi said anxiously, "No matter what, Miss Yu is a lifesaver for both of us. We can’t just sit by and do nothing."
Liu Yi sneered, "I’m somewhat familiar with Duke Luu’s methods. I’m afraid even if you and I talk ourselves hoarse, it will be useless."
"What is there to fear? It’s just fortune-telling. I only spoke of his fate; does he die and then blame me?" Yu Nianzhao was very composed.
"Words can be fearsome." Dongfang Chenyuan shook his head and sighed, "The princess consort doesn’t know that in today’s world, some people can drag others to hell with just one sentence."
"I don’t know about others, but as for me, even if dragged to hell, I can come back unscathed." Yu Nianzhao tapped her chin lightly with her finger, her smile self-satisfied and relaxed.
"But..."
"Princess consort, the emperor summons you to the palace."
Mu Hongxuan hurried back, glancing at Liu Yi and Luu Shaoqi, "The princess consort needn’t worry too much. Upon hearing the news, the prince has already left the imperial prison and rushed to the palace. No one dares to bully the princess consort."
Dongfang Chenyuan slapped his thigh, "Exactly, that’s right. If worst comes to worst, I’ll accompany the princess consort to the palace. Our Dongfang family has been fortune-telling for so many years. There’s never been a case where the prediction comes true and the fortune-teller is blamed."
The people at Prince Su Mansion are all protective, who dares to bully the princess consort, they will fight!
Yu Nianzhao waved her hand, "No need to worry about me. It’s just a trip to the palace. I’ll go and come back."
Chu Wenyao was indeed killed by her, but so what?
His soul was devoured entirely by her Jiu, who could prove it?
Inside the palace, the atmosphere in the Imperial Study was tense. The empress dowager and the emperor sat at the top, while Duke Luu and Prince Su were seated below.
Only Mr. Chu and his wife were weeping sincerely on the floor.
As soon as Yu Nianzhao entered, Ms Chu’s eyes glared with hatred, wishing she could pounce on Yu Nianzhao, devour her flesh and blood, "It’s you, you killed my son! Wenyao was so young, how could you be so cruel to curse him to death?"
Xie Jiuxiao’s eyes were sharp, he said coldly, "Watch your words and actions. Did you personally see my princess consort kill anyone?"
"Such curses have spread throughout Shangjing. Prince Su can’t favor her just because she’s your fiancée, can he? Isn’t our Wenyao’s life a life too?" Ms Chu, though intimidated by Xie Jiuxiao’s aura, regained her confidence with the support of the empress dowager and Duke Luu.
"Fortune-telling has turned into cursing?" Xie Jiuxiao raised his eyebrows, coldly smirking, "Then it can only be said that Chu Wenyao’s life was too fragile, he deserved to die."
Mr. Chu’s expression changed, he said indignantly, "Prince Su, we still suffer the pain of losing a son, yet you kick us when we’re down. What is your motive?"
"Enough!"
Emperor Anqing spoke sternly, and they finally shut up.
"Yu Nianzhao, tell us what happened. Was Chu Wenyao’s death really related to you?" Emperor Anqing rubbed his brow, his sharp eyes fixed on Yu Nianzhao.
"I merely told his fortune, I also read Lu Shaoqi and Liu Yi’s fortunes that day. The hexagram showed that Chu Wenyao couldn’t escape death." Yu Nianzhao replied calmly, her demeanor unchanged. Seeing her relaxed manner made them uncertain.
"You’re Pei Yuanzheng’s daughter, since when did you know magic?" The empress dowager stared at her, asked flatly.
"After coming out of Tomb Guard City." Yu Nianzhao didn’t lie, she did indeed awaken that day and gained this ability.
Duke Luu squinted, "There are so many evils within Tomb Guard City, it’s rare for anyone to survive each year. Even if they survive, most go crazy or become hysterical. But you came out with magical abilities, it’s unclear if it’s true magic or... evil magic."
Emperor Anqing tapped his finger on the table, deeply, "What is Duke Luu implying?"
Duke Luu clasped his hands, "Your Majesty, I am also considering Prince Su’s well-being. If those from Tomb Guard City were to get close to Prince Su by virtue of evil spirits, it would not benefit him, right? Does Your Majesty really believe that a delicate young lady could gain magic abilities after emerging from such a place brimming with evil? It’s absurd! Wenyao hasn’t even married a proper wife yet, just because of one fortune-telling, he’s dead. It’s horrifying!"
The empress dowager echoed, "I find Duke Luu’s words reasonable. Those entering the imperial family should be thoroughly investigated, otherwise, what if harm comes later?"
Xie Jiuxiao tugged the corners of his lips, sneering coldly, "I wasn’t aware the empress dowager and Duke Luu were so concerned about my spouse, others might think I’m part of the Chu Family."
The empress dowager pretended not to understand his sarcasm, replied politely, "We are a family, all considerate of the nation’s destiny."
"Moving the nation’s destiny into the discussion, huh?" Yu Nianzhao blinked her beautiful eyes, "So what do you and Duke Luu want?"
"Your speech is really impudent. Is this how royal etiquette taught you to address your elders? Seems like a nanny ought to teach you properly at the right time." The empress dowager squinted, evidently displeased with Yu Nianzhao’s attitude.
"As for my daughter-in-law, the empress dowager needs not bother in educating her."
The voice of the imperial concubine came from afar, her heavy body had shed quite a bit of fat after months of lesser eating and exercise, significantly more graceful now. Her beauty in no way inferior to before, inciting the empress dowager’s jealousy, yet she had nowhere to vent.
"Imperial Concubine, I am the empress dowager, the head of the harem, how can I not educate Princess Consort Su?" The empress dowager snorted coldly.
"Hmph, you’re the empress dowager, but I am not only the imperial concubine but also the emperor’s mother. If you had offspring under your care, educate them as you please. But Yu Nianzhao is my future daughter-in-law, not your concern to meddle."
The imperial concubine, having long been at odds with her, never attended banquets where the empress dowager was present, avoiding conflict to prevent arguments that could disrupt the entire event. Yet now was a moment when clashing was unavoidable.