Chapter 111:

Chen Yulan was not entirely naïve, but Defei was confident she had nothing to fear from her. After all, this orchid bouquet had the audacity to smear her with filth. Indeed, she had done the deed, but the matter involving Consort An was definitely not her doing.

A wave of bitterness surged inside her. She had always believed that Shulan, who had been with her since childhood, was the most reliable person around her. Yet today, she was actually trying to ruin her.

Defei was furious.

She spoke coldly, “If you have evidence, then present it. Let’s confront it.”

Chen Yulan slightly raised her head, glancing toward the Jing Emperor, as if seeking permission.

The Jing Emperor nodded.

Chen Yulan continued, “Back at home, I had heard of a kind of ink that fades within three to five days. At that time, I asked my father how to prevent the ink from fading. My father, who doted on me since childhood, diligently sought a solution outside. Thus, I came to know of it. Later, when Defei handed us the letter, I became suspicious. How could such a cautious person like her leave behind such obvious evidence? Regardless of its usefulness, I followed that method. However, neither I nor Lian Xiuyun fully trusted each other, so we agreed to exchange our letters. Now, my letter naturally reveals nothing, but I believe Lian Xiuyun’s letter still contains all the writing.”

After she finished, she looked at Defei with satisfaction.

If it weren’t for her foresight and careful precautions, today she might not have been able to bring down Defei.

Now, this evidence was their lifeline, hoping only that the emperor would spare them.

At this moment, Chen Yulan was filled with resentment. When Shulan approached them initially, she had also considered the possibility that Defei was using them.

But she, Chen Yulan, was no fool. Naturally, she had made thorough preparations, which was a major leverage against Defei.

Moreover, there were two people involved. Lian Xiuyun was so foolish that she could easily shoulder all the blame, ensuring complete safety.

But no one had expected that within less than a day, they would be exposed.

Shulan, unable to endure the torture of the Imperial Punishment Bureau, revealed everything, and they were not spared either.

Thinking of all their efforts coming to nothing and ending up in this situation, Chen Yulan shot a resentful glance at Defei. After a while, she turned her gaze toward Shen Layue.

She couldn’t stand seeing her happy. She didn’t care much about others, but she truly couldn’t bear to see Shen Layue prosper.

After all, Shen Layue was clearly inferior to her in every way. How could she attain such a high position? And that child—how could she have missed eating it? If only she had eaten it, how much better it would have been!

Shen Layue sensed Chen Yulan’s resentful gaze but couldn’t understand why she harbored such intense hatred toward her.

Defei, upon hearing Chen Yulan’s words, stood frozen for a moment, speechless.

Although Chen Yulan and Lian Xiuyun had previously fought and cursed each other, at this critical moment of life and death, they were now bound together.

“Consort Xiuyun can confirm the truth of my words.”

One might wonder how they had thought they could succeed.

Perhaps they had planned that even if they failed, they would merely be sent to the cold palace again. After all, the emperor had been relatively merciful to the palace women in the past. Even those found guilty of wrongdoing were usually only sent to the cold palace.

The previous case of Consort Song being ordered to commit suicide had occurred only because the emperor was not in the palace at that time.

Looking at the chaotic scene, the Jing Emperor turned to Defei, “Do you have anything else to say?”

Defei stared at the evidence presented before her and collapsed to the ground, “Your Majesty, I only led Chen and Lian to plot against the child of Consort Qi and Consort Chun. I truly did not do anything else. Your Majesty, although I wished for them to do it, I did not personally commit these acts.”

Defei understood the emperor’s character well. Since there was evidence, she could not deny it. If she sincerely admitted her fault, the emperor, despite his anger, would eventually spare her out of past affection and consideration for the Second Prince.

The Jing Emperor closed his eyes briefly.

He finally said nothing more.

After a moment, he spoke, “Defei plotted against the imperial heir and is to be sent to the cold palace. The Second Prince shall temporarily be placed under the Empress Dowager’s care. Chen Yulan and Lian Xiuyun, who remained unrepentant even in the cold palace, are to be beaten to death. All other involved parties shall also be executed.”

This decree shocked everyone present. No one had expected such severity.

For a moment, they were all stunned. When they came to their senses, they desperately begged for mercy.

The Jing Emperor rubbed his temples, appearing extremely weary.

“You all must know in your hearts how many mistakes you have made since entering the palace. In the past, I have always tolerated you out of a shred of affection. However, I do have my limits.”

He waved his hand, and Lai Xi immediately brought people forward. As they were about to be dragged away, Chen Yulan suddenly cried out, “Your Majesty, spare my life! I will reveal everything. I know Consort Chun’s secret…”

At these words, everyone turned their gaze toward Shen Layue.

Consort Qi, seeing Chen Yulan being dragged away, saw an opportunity and looked at the emperor with a feigned expression of helplessness, “Your Majesty, since Chen Yulan claims to know Consort Chun’s secret, I dare to request that you temporarily spare her life. Perhaps it is related to this case. As for my child, my child must not die in vain…”

Consort Qi naturally had ulterior motives. Seeing Chen Yulan’s confident demeanor and remembering that she was indeed Consort Chun’s cousin, she suspected there might be some truth to her claim. At this moment, having lost her child, making this request was only appropriate.

If she could also eliminate Shen Layue in the process, that would be even better!

Upon hearing Chen Yulan loudly claim she had secrets, Shen Layue steadied herself and, after a moment’s thought, spoke up, “I request Your Majesty to spare my cousin. I would like to know what secret of mine is so scandalous.”

Shen Layue was confident she had nothing that could be used against her. She assumed Chen Yulan would lie, but lies could be exposed. However, if she did not allow Chen Yulan to speak, others would always look at her suspiciously, and the emperor would harbor doubts.

This would only make things harder to clarify.

Seeing Shen Layue’s response, Consort Qi felt some confusion but still hoped for a decisive blow.

After all, even Defei had previously put up a strong front but eventually admitted defeat in the face of evidence.

Chen Yulan indeed had some cunning.

The emperor’s eyes darkened, his expression inscrutable.

“Since that is the case, I shall temporarily spare you. I will hear what you have to say.”

In truth, the emperor himself had lingering doubts.

Chen Yulan was indeed no simple woman.

Upon hearing that she would be spared, Chen Yulan steadied her nerves. In reality, she knew nothing about Shen Layue. However, her previous outburst had convinced others to believe her to some extent. She could feign sincerity, claiming that a dying person speaks truthfully.

Kneeling, Chen Yulan wept like a willow in the rain, “Your Majesty, I beg to speak with you in private.”

She had her own intentions.

At this moment, Shen Layue saw through her scheme and knelt regardless of her condition.

“Your Majesty, I disagree. There is nothing that cannot be said in public. Today, in front of everyone, all matters must be clarified. Otherwise, with Your Majesty’s affection toward me, rumors of favoritism may arise in the future. For both my reputation and Your Majesty’s sake, I insist on a public explanation.”

Since Shen Layue was now pregnant, the emperor commanded, “Madame Zhou, help Consort Chun up. Regardless of the truth in Chen Yulan’s words, Consort Chun is with child and must not be treated poorly.”

Madame Zhou responded affirmatively and helped Shen Layue up.

Upon hearing Shen Layue’s insistence on a public hearing, the other palace consorts, though puzzled, were delighted.

Regardless, if this could make the emperor dislike her, it would be a great joy.

The emperor looked at Shen Layue’s clear gaze and determined expression, feeling a bit more trust in her.

“Very well. Since Consort Qi and Consort Chun insist on a public interrogation, I shall not insist otherwise. Chen Yulan, tell me, what secret does Consort Chun have that cannot be revealed?”

Chen Yulan’s eyes flickered briefly, but she quickly spoke, “I have no evidence for what I am about to say, but a dying person speaks truthfully. I am acting in Your Majesty’s best interest.”

This statement deepened everyone’s curiosity. In the emperor’s interest—what could it be? They couldn’t help but imagine something sordid.

Though unverifiable, the emperor slightly furrowed his brow, looking at Chen Yulan.

As expected, their guesses were not wrong.

What Chen Yulan was about to reveal was precisely such a matter: “Although my cousin was young at the time, she had already fallen in love with my cousin from the Yue family before entering the palace. My cousin has remained unmarried to this day for Shen Layue.”

At these words, everyone was stunned.

Even Shen Layue was shocked. “Cousin”?

Speaking of this cousin, he was the eldest son of the Yue family. In the past, her uncle rarely visited their home, but her cousin occasionally came to see her and brought gifts. Looking at Chen Yulan, could she use this matter as leverage?

Had she not considered that he was also her relative?

Seeing everyone’s shock, Chen Yulan added, “Of course, I have no evidence, but Your Majesty can investigate thoroughly.”

Even in death, she wanted someone to share her fate. Why should her cousin, who was always inferior to her, receive the emperor’s favor? Even if she died, she would drag her down. She didn’t need any evidence.

As long as she planted a thorn in the emperor’s heart, over time it would fester and worsen.

At that time, who knew what would become of Shen Layue?

Would she not end up the same as her?

Chen Yulan maliciously thought. At this moment, how could she care whether he was also her cousin? If her uncle had never helped her, dragging his family into this was acceptable.

As expected, the emperor’s face darkened upon hearing this.

Although the Yue family’s uncle had not been particularly kind to her in the past, the emperor noticed that she always spoke in his defense, which sparked a bit of suspicion.

Shen Layue, meeting everyone’s suspicious gazes, realized that Chen Yulan was indeed shrewd. Even without evidence, such an accusation could be fatal.

Just as everyone thought she would angrily refute, Shen Layue instead smiled slightly, “Your Majesty, since my cousin says so, I request that you send someone to the Yue family. I am willing to confront my cousin directly.”

The emperor looked at Shen Layue’s smile, puzzled by her confidence.

But only for a moment, the emperor glanced at everyone and noticed even the usually composed Consort Qi had a hint of anxiety and eagerness in her eyes, clearly hoping Shen Layue would also be punished.

“Since that is the case, Lai Xi, go to the Yue family and bring the eldest son of the Yue family into the palace.”

Although he subconsciously believed in Shen Layue, the emperor thought it better to clarify matters thoroughly.