freenovelworld Chapter 287 Whom this knife will ultimately stab is uncertain, and may not be as she wishes.
Chapter 287 Whom this knife will ultimately stab is uncertain, and may not be as she wishes.
Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground, her eyes lowered, and only a faint voice could be heard, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Oh? You mean someone is trying to frame you?"
"Yes." Chu Ruohan raised her head, her eyes open and honest.
"The other day, Consort Jing summoned me and mentioned the old story of the Tian family. She also specifically pointed out the connection between Imperial Censor Tian and the Empress and the Crown Prince."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.
Dr. Qian's forehead was covered in even more cold sweat, and he quietly clenched his sleeves.
This young mistress actually dared to directly name Consort Jing!
A flicker of emotion crossed the emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Do you have any evidence?"
"I have no proof, but I can guarantee with my life that everything I have said is true."
Chu Ruohan calmly replied, "I am but a lowly woman with no power or influence. Why should I invite trouble by spreading such rumors that could lead to my death?"
The emperor remained silent, only tapping his fingers lightly on the table, producing a faint sound.
"Besides," Chu Ruohan continued, "I am pregnant and my husband is far away on the battlefield. If I hadn't been forced into this situation, why would I be standing in this precarious position?"
Dr. Qian finally mustered his courage, took a step forward, and knelt down.
"Your Majesty, I have endured this for many years and have not yet married, all because I do not want the hatred to be passed on to the next generation."
"If we hadn't been forced into a corner..."
The emperor raised his hand, interrupting Doctor Qian.
"I have issued an edict ordering the Court of Judicial Review to thoroughly investigate the Tian family case and will restore justice to your family."
He turned to Chu Ruohan, his gaze complex.
"As for the matter of Consort Jing that you mentioned, I will personally inquire about it."
Chu Ruohan respectfully kowtowed, "Thank you for your wise decision, Your Majesty."
"Step down." The emperor waved his hand casually, but a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.
The two bowed and took their leave. Just as they stepped out of the palace gate, a eunuch hurried in, entered the hall, and whispered something in the emperor's ear.
The emperor's face instantly darkened.
On their way out of the palace, Chu Ruohan and Doctor Qian remained silent the entire way.
Only after they were far from the palace did Doctor Qian speak, his voice filled with undisguised worry.
"Young Madam, your move today was quite risky."
Chu Ruohan smiled slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes.
"We'll meet force with force and water with earth. Consort Jing has put us in a precarious position, so let's drag her down with us."
"But directly naming Consort Jing... wouldn't that...?"
Chu Ruohan interrupted softly, "If it's just an implication, it's tantamount to admitting that we spread the rumors. Rather than being passively attacked, we should take the initiative and confront them directly."
Doctor Qian sighed, "I hope so. But the waters in this palace run too deep."
"Yes, it's too deep," Chu Ruohan murmured, gazing at the palace walls in the distance. "It all depends on who the Emperor trusts."
Back at Jing'an Residence.
Chu Ruohan didn't delay for a moment and immediately gave the order.
"Go and call Qin Fang here."
Yu Ling acknowledged and withdrew.
Dr. Qian looked at her, and his lips moved slightly.
"Young Madam, you..."
Chu Ruohan raised her hand, stopping him from speaking.
"Dr. Qian, I know what you want to say."
"Consort Jing wants to use someone else to do her dirty work. She wants to see us and the Empress fight to the death so that she can reap the benefits."
"Since she's handed us the knife, we have no reason not to take it."
However, who this knife will ultimately stab is not necessarily as she wishes.
Looking at the person in front of him, Dr. Qian was filled with mixed emotions.
This courage and boldness far surpassed what he showed when he first met Chu Ruohan.
In just six months, the young mistress has grown at an astonishing pace...
Before long, Qin Fang arrived in a hurry, his expression solemn.
"Young lady."
Chu Ruohan gestured for him to come closer, her voice lowered but each word clear.
"Qin Fang, go and do something right away."
"Use all the connections our Chu family has in the capital, especially the information channels among merchants."
Qin Fang listened intently.
A cold glint flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes.
"Get this message out there."
"Just say that Consort Jing has caught the Empress in a huge mess."
Qin Fang's pupils contracted slightly.
Chu Ruohan paused for a moment, then continued, "Back then, the Empress switched the Crown Prince with a cat."
"The current Crown Prince is not of royal blood."
These words struck Qin Fang like a thunderclap, and he instinctively held his breath, his heart pounding.
This...this is absolutely a catastrophe!
Chu Ruohan looked at his shocked expression, but her tone remained calm.
"Hasn't Prince Su always wanted to fight against the Crown Prince?"
"Consort Jing wants to use me as a weapon against the Empress, yet she wants to keep her own hands clean?"
Chu Ruohan's lips curled into a cold, sharp smile.
"I will not do as she wishes."
"Since this pool of water is already muddy, let's make it even muddier!"
She looked at Qin Fang with sharp eyes.
"We must ensure that this news spreads to every corner of the capital in the shortest possible time."
Qin Fang took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.
"My subordinate understands!"
"This matter is of great importance, young mistress. Rest assured, I will handle it flawlessly and without leaving a trace."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly.
"Go, the sooner the better."
Qin Fang accepted the order and quickly turned to leave.
Inside Jing'an Residence, tranquility was restored once again.
The next day.
As if overnight, the sky over the capital city changed color.
The news, even more explosive and sensational than the previous rumors of the Tian family's massacre, seemed to have sprouted wings and flew into the streets and alleys of the capital.
In the teahouse, before the storyteller's gavel had even fallen, the tea drinkers below had already erupted in a commotion.
"Have you heard? Something terrible has happened!"
"What's so mysterious?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! It's a palace secret!"
"Say it quickly!"
"They say... the current crown prince is not of imperial blood!"
"what?!"
Exclamations came and went.
Inside a private room of the restaurant, several well-dressed businessmen were also talking in hushed tones.
"This news...is it true? This is too shocking!"
"It's pretty much true! It's said to have come from Consort Jing's side, that they've caught the Empress in the act back then."
"A switcheroo? My God, that's a death sentence!"
"That's right! It's said that when the Empress couldn't conceive, she found a man outside the palace."
"Then...then wouldn't the Emperor be..."
"Who says otherwise! The capital is going to be quite a spectacle!"
On the streets and alleys, peddlers, laborers, and even women in their secluded homes were all whispering among themselves.
"No wonder the Tian family's matter caused such a big fuss before, so this is where the root of the problem lies!"
"Yes, it must have been the Empress who killed them to cover it up!"
"Tsk tsk, the imperial family is the most ruthless of all!"
"Now that's bad, the Crown Prince's position is probably in jeopardy."
"I think it's unlikely! His Highness Prince Su is probably going to..."
Various speculations and versions of the story were embellished and made vivid and interesting.
The name of Consort Jing, the Empress's past, the Crown Prince's background, and Prince Su's ambition...
Everything was mixed up.
The wind howled and the cranes cried, and people were filled with apprehension.