Chapter 145: Bedside Dispute (Part 109)

led with joy.The Imperial hunt had ended, the grounds were cleared, and no one was allowed near except for the hunters and the families of noblemen. Many officials brought their children, hoping to ha...The death of the concubine by the water left Feng Lingxi puzzled. If this matter was indeed orchestrated by Dugu Cheng, then how could the concubine have committed suicide for another person

This adulterous affair was exposed, and both parties committed suicide. Dugu City was most likely cuckolded; this Shui family is in deep trouble now.

Let Shui Jia come and fetch them. Don't let me see this adulterous couple again.

Dugu City's handsome face was frighteningly cold as he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Feng Lingxi looked at Zhao Ran, the princess of Zhaoran County, beside her, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, I hope I haven't made a fool of myself."

Even Princess Zhao's face lost its color. Her mother had sent her here to see Feng Lingxi's joke, but now she was the one being slapped in the face. Shui Yinrou's performance clearly shamed both the Shui family and her mother. With this happening at the Fourth Prince's Residence, her mother's side would likely be furious again.

"Sister, this palace will return to the palace first to tell Mother Empress. With such an incident happening, please console yourself well… Fourth Prince, this palace will leave first."

Zhao Ran County Princess left with her people. Feng Lingxi looked at the two corpses on the ground and ordered someone to dispose of them before she also went out.

"Yexi, send word down that Shuici Fei and the guardsman committed adultery and were caught in the act. They both committed suicide, and their bodies will be sent to the front gates of the palace. The Shui family is forbidden from entering the palace grounds."

"My lord, wouldn't this be a bit inappropriate She is the empress's niece after all. If this gets out, you won't leave any face for the empress."

Dugu Cheng let out a cold snort, "This king is giving her the face of an empress, who gave this king face After such a thing happened, this empress has given this king face"

Seeing the lord's indignant accusation, Ye Xi hurriedly took his orders and retreated.

The news that the mercury eunuch had been caught having an affair with a palace maid reached the imperial palace. The empress, upon hearing this, was furious and placed all the blame on the Fourth Prince’s Residence. When Princess Zhaoran returned to the palace and truthfully reported what happened, the empress was so enraged that she almost fainted.

"Zhao Ran, are you sure you heard correctly Did Yin Rou really say that"

The county princess of Zhao responded, "My concubine never expected it to turn out like this. I thought it was Feng Lingxi who did it, but I didn't expect that Shuici Fei would protect the guard and even beg the Fourth Prince for his pardon. She bit her tongue and committed suicide."

The Empress angrily slammed her fist on the table, "It's truly embarrassing for this Palace! Silver Soft has always been well-behaved and obedient since she was young, how could she do such a foolish thing"

"Mother, even I find this rather strange. Yesterday, the Fourth Prince said he would provide water to the side concubine's wedding night. Even if he truly wanted to catch someone, it would have been discovered last night. This Fourth Prince probably didn't enter the side concubine's room last night, which is why she became angry and called for the guards."

The princess's guess made the empress's face even darker. She said coldly, "This Duguo Cheng is constantly opposing this palace. He dares to treat my people so dismissively. Even if Yinsuo was at fault, this palace will hold Duguo Cheng responsible and make him give the Shui family an explanation. Otherwise, he really thinks this palace is easy to bully."

Princess Zhao'an looked at the anger on the Empress Dowager's face and agreed, "What Mother said is right. The Fourth Prince's actions are indeed excessive. Which prince doesn't have three wives and four concubines, with maidservants on both sides Even if he favors the Fourth Princess, it shouldn't be like this."

Mentioning this, the Empress's face turned even colder, "This palace wants to see how Feng Lingxi will explain this matter to this palace this time."

"Mother, today I went to the Fourth Prince's Manor. I saw that the Fourth Princess looked healthy and radiant, not like someone who was ill at all."

The Empress let out a cold snort, "Zhao Ran, you keep a close eye on Feng Ling Xi. This Empress wants to see just how many times Duguo Cheng can get away with disposing of those I've given him."

"I obey your command."

A gleam of triumph flashed in Princess Zhao's eyes. Suddenly, she thought of something and reported, "Mother Empress, the relationship between His Highness' concubine Feng and Lady Windling has always been strained. Mother Empress, why not let Concubine Feng compete with her If she wins, we naturally benefit. If she loses, it has nothing to do with us."

The Empress's eyes fell on Princess Zhaoran. The smile on Princess Zhaoran's face disappeared, and she said with trembling lips, "Mother Empress, I was just suggesting. If Mother Empress finds it inappropriate, just pretend I never said anything."

"It seems you are quite displeased with this concubine, Yan'er."

The county princess of Zhao, clenched her handkerchief and whispered, "This servant concubine simply dislikes how she uses such a flirtatious method to marry into the family."

"Feng Linglong is indeed a good chess piece. If she can become this palace's person, this palace will spare her life. If not, this palace cannot keep her." After all, she's from the Feng family. Keeping her means being against her.

Princess Zhao's voice was filled with bitterness. Last night, if it hadn't been for the Crown Prince mentioning Feng Linglong, she wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure. That Feng Linglong, with whatever cunning tricks she used, managed to stir the Crown Prince’s pity. If she were allowed out, Princess Consort Zhao feared that her position might be usurped by this woman.

"After her mother's seventh day of mourning has passed, bring her to see me."

"This servant obeys." Zhao Ran County Princess retreated to the side, and a message came from outside, "Your Majesty Empress, Fourth Prince requests an audience."

When Princess Zhao-Ran heard that Dugu City had arrived, she hurriedly said, "Mother, your servant will step aside."

The empress responded, and the empress announced that Du Gucheng was to enter the palace.

Along with Du Gucheng came Minister of Rites Shui, also known as Shui Side Concubine's father and the Emperor's brother.

"I have seen the Empress."

Shui Da Ren and Dugu Cheng entered the hall. Shui Da Ren bowed, his eyes red with emotion.

Dugu Cheng had a cold face, as if the whole world owed him money. His stern expression and piercing gaze made people hesitate to look directly at him.

"Did Lord Shui and the Fourth Prince come to court together because of Yin Rou"

獨孤城 glanced at Shui Da Ren, and coldly spoke, "Your Majesty, this king has come today to report his duty."

When Shui Ren heard Du Gu Cheng's words, he immediately knelt down, tears streaming down his face.

"Your Majesty, please take pity on your servant! Young Yin Rou has always been gentle and virtuous since childhood, obedient and lovely. How could she have engaged in such impropriety There must be some misunderstanding here. I implore Your Majesty to see through it."

Upon hearing Shui's words, Dugu Cheng's handsome face grew even darker. "Does Shui mean to imply that this king deliberately orchestrated this Had it not been for the Crown Princess being present today and overhearing this, this king intended to keep it a secret. Now, it seems all blame has fallen on this king."

When Lord Shui heard Dugu City's words, his face changed drastically. He looked up and saw the Empress giving him a look. His old face turned pale, and he forcibly suppressed the words that were about to come out.

"Fourth Royal Prince, I've also heard about Yinrou's matter. This child is usually well-behaved, and I never expected her to do such a thing, causing shame for you and the entire Fourth Royal Palace. For this, Your Highness, allow me to apologize."

Du Gu Cheng remained impassive, his voice cold as he replied, “Minister Shui, arriving at my residence to cause a disturbance, claiming that I killed Shui Yin Rou. I understand, Shui Yin Rou is the Emperor’s niece. Given what happened, your suspicions are understandable. However, everyone present today can attest to this, not to mention the Crown Princess.”d believed she wouldn't disappoint the ten elders."Ali is right, since we've decided to teach her properly, we need to be patient."The youngest of the five elders spoke up. In his eyes, this was all a...