Palace Fighting: Naive Concubines' Ascent to Power-Chapter 560: Malicious Intentions

The gaze from above was oppressively heavy, as if tangible; Zhao Zhong’s back was soaked with cold sweat, knowing that this was the critical moment. The arrow was on the bowstring and had to be shot; he could not show weakness, or he would never recover.

He still stood tall, claiming that Consort De was behind this and suggested questioning her father, tossing the hot potato to someone else.

Xu Hu came to his senses, his shock and anger intertwined, knowing his daughter would never stoop to such deeds, he knew her better than anyone.

He erupted in rage, loudly denouncing Zhao Zhong’s absurd claims in court, spewing nonsense, while several from the Ministry of War stepped forward to vehemently argue against him.

Zhao Zhong stood tall and firm, even as he was attacked by many; he didn’t falter but countered each attack, never losing ground. He laid out facts clearly and indisputably.

The two sides rapidly engaged in a confrontation in the hall. Military Generals, usually inarticulate, found their shortcomings magnified and were pushed back by Zhao Zhong’s arguments step by step.

As Zhao Zhong spoke, the majority of officials uninvolved in the matter became convinced of their suspicions, with an elder official shouting, "Heaven does not bless our dynasty, to have such a venomous, treasonous consort," already believing Zhao Zhong’s words.

Some officials could not hold back. They knelt on the floor and cried out, asking the Emperor for confirmation.

The court officials came to, all turning their anxious eyes toward the throne, eagerly awaiting the Emperor’s words.

The Emperor’s expression was extremely grim, a flash of pain crossed his eyes, he closed them momentarily, and when he opened them, only the majesty of the Emperor remained.

In a deep voice, he said, "Indeed, someone has plotted against the Imperial Heir."

Everyone was shocked, then turned their heads toward Xu Hu and Zhao Zhong.

The Emperor coldly asked Zhao Zhong, "Minister Zhao, do you know the crime of deceiving your sovereign?"

He knelt to the ground, "Your Majesty, I am aware of the crime of deceiving the sovereign, which brings the destruction of one’s entire clan. However, deeply grateful for the Emperor’s grace, even at the cost of my life, I must expose the cruel deeds of Consort De to eradicate the malicious consort."

The Emperor’s face darkened as he looked toward Xu Hu, indicating it was his turn to defend himself.

At that moment, several others stepped forward, all in agreement with Zhao Zhong, accusing Consort Xu De of cruelty, bloodthirstiness, and arrogance.

They recounted how Consort Xu De had brutally whipped Palace Concubines years ago and recently violated protocols by mercilessly killing servants in the Harem without cause. They listed these and other accusations, declaring such an evil woman unworthy of the name "De" and demanded her title be revoked immediately, her rank stripped, and she be thrown into prison to await trial.

Accusatory voices in the court continued one after another.

The Military Generals of the Ministry of War turned red-eyed with urgency, unable to contradict as these were facts.

Xu Hu’s eyes nearly burst, his face a mixture of red and white, failing to defend himself and gasping from rage, he shouted, "Seditious officials, deceiving the masses!"

In court, he smashed a jade tablet toward Zhao Zhong and others, and even attempted to physically assault them, but was held back by some more rational people from the Ministry of War.

Zhao Zhong and his companions stepped back to avoid them, their momentum growing as they added new charges against Xu Hu for misbehaving in court and showing contempt to His Majesty.

The court immediately fell into chaos, both sides glaring fiercely at each other, stance starkly opposed.

The Emperor’s expression reached its utmost severity, and he shouted loudly, bringing everyone to a halt.

Once everyone had quieted down, the Emperor swept his majestic gaze across the court.

As his gaze reached Minister Xue, who had stood aside from the matter, he asked, "Minister Xue, what do you think about this?"

Xue Ping, his face filled with fear, respectfully stepped forward, "This matter concerns the Imperial Heir, I dare not make reckless comments."

The Emperor paused for a moment, then spoke, "Beloved Minister Xue, speak freely without worry, I pardon you of any blame."

"Yes..." Xue Ping, still visibly uncomfortable, nevertheless spoke, "Consort De, in her youth, I met her several times and got to know her somewhat. At that time, the niece of Rong Ying, displaying remarkable spirit, once stopped my carriage wielding a weapon, over some trifling matter. Considering her youthful ignorance, I did not pursue it further. Instead, I found myself somewhat fond of her forthright and passionate nature."

As he spoke, he seemed to fall into a reminiscence, returning to his senses, he quickly corrected himself, "Your servant has spoken too broadly, please forgive my impropriety, Your Majesty."

He bowed to the Emperor and continued with justice, "Your servant believes that even though Consort De is tough and does not tolerate any dissent, she must have grown over the years. To harm the Imperial Heir is a crime that implicates the entire family, Consort De certainly couldn’t be so foolish. It is only right to investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty, please see clearly."

"Xue Ping, you!" Xu Hu was furious, knowing the other’s malicious intent but unable to refute it.

His own daughter had, indeed, intercepted Xue Ping’s carriage for the sake of Shen Mansion and Shen Ming in those days.

He hadn’t expected that after so many years, the past would be brought up by Xue Ping just to further prove his daughter’s unruly nature.

His eyes reddened, he had no choice but to turn his head and kneel straight, calling out loudly to the Emperor, "Your Majesty is wise, my daughter Rong Ying has always been clear about right and wrong and is bold in love and hate, she would never stoop to such low deeds. Please discern this, Your Majesty."

The Emperor’s expression was indecisive, he stared at Xu Hu, saying nothing.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, as if having made up his mind, the Emperor began, "Summon someone, bring..."

But he saw the Minister of Rites standing motionless, his eyes half-closed, and his body swayed slightly.

The Emperor paused, stopping mid-sentence with a gloomy expression, and then inquired, "Minister Fan, what are your thoughts?"

The Minister of Rites jolted as if he had just woken up, his glance sweeping over everyone. Perceiving that intense gaze, he looked towards the higher seat.

He leaned his head sideways, his hand on his ear, and shouted loudly, "What did you say, Your Majesty?" as if he hadn’t heard clearly.

The factions all cursed inwardly at this critical juncture, this old man dared to feign deafness, how preposterous.

The Emperor, visibly impatient, disregarded him, wanting to decree his earlier decision.

At this moment, the Minister of Rites again caused a disturbance; his legs trembled slightly as he began to fall to the side, startlingly towards Zhao Zhong who had knelt before him.

Zhao Zhong had to support him, neither able to kneel nor rise, and merely maintained his position holding him with both hands.

"Having stood for too long, I’m a bit dizzy. Thanks to Master Zhao, otherwise this old body of mine would have shattered," said the Minister of Rites as he leaned on Zhao Zhong to rise.

Upon standing, he praised, "The people from the Inspection Court are indeed different, quick of eye and hand, and astute in discerning the details of the Harem, as if witnessing them personally, something even I haven’t heard of, truly admirable indeed, truly admirable."

Zhao Zhong’s expression changed dramatically, just when it seemed resolved, the Minister of Rites had disrupted it. Was it intentional or accidental?

Xue Ping’s heart chilled, finally realizing where the discrepancy was, and he couldn’t help but lower his head to hide his expression.

For such a momentous issue, he had deliberately waited a day, allowing the situation to ferment, giving everyone time to react before making a move, yet it seemed only his people knew about it in the court?

How could that be?

He had thought that quite a few had caught wind of it, as he had made specific arrangements.

From the looks of it, could something have gone wrong?

Xue Ping was puzzled, but the matter at hand was most crucial, and thankfully, he was prepared, fortunately so.

Holding back his reaction, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and slowly said, "I have had the news sealed, from where did Minister Zhao get his information?"

A statement that awakened many in the court, causing the other court officials to realize their earlier confusion, having had no time to think it through initially.

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