The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant-Chapter 783: Staging It Yourself?

Apart from the Song Mansion, others involved in the dragon boat race had mixed emotions. There was grief, dissatisfaction, unease, and stifled feelings, but most felt relieved to have survived.

In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Chu sat with a cold expression, first dismissing the eunuch sent by Empress Dowager Wang, before speaking with a few close advisors in the Imperial Study.

"Can’t find out? So, am I destined to take the blame for this?" Emperor Chu said, sitting lazily on the dragon throne, with a light scoff.

Song Zhiyuan and others shuddered, their faces showing some discomfort.

The report of casualties from the assassination attempt had come in. Setting aside minor injuries, in the women’s section, there were incidents of tramping and falling into the water; excluding the servants and guards, four official ladies perished due to shock and collateral damage.

However, the most casualties were from the Summer clan, with six adult men lost. This clan was already declining, and losing more members only compounded the tragedy.

If it was solely targeting the Summer clan, it might be understandable, but everyone present was sharp. This matter was unlikely to be so simple and surely had further implications.

Indeed, as Emperor Chu was talking with several advisors, the Dragon Guards delivered a message.

Rumors had already spread in the city that Emperor Chu arranged for assassins to massacre the Summer clan’s royal family during the dragon boat festival, eradicating them to prevent future problems.

The Dragon Guards spoke vaguely, but everyone present understood that the rumors in the city were likely more damaging, suggesting that Emperor Chu was brutal, feigning kindness to the defeated Summer clan while secretly showing his fangs to annihilate them.

Seizing the opportunity of the festival to orchestrate and execute such brutal measures.

Oh, is Emperor Chu not such a person? Then, who else in this world would find the Summer clan more threatening and a thorn in their side?

Naturally, it is the Chu royal family that extinguished the Summer clan.

Moreover, Emperor Chu frequently searched for remnants of the Summer clan, clearly displeased with them. Haven’t you heard that even the old Princess Consort was pleading with the Emperor not to eradicate them completely?

Emperor Chu: "Quick reaction. An incident occurs here, rumors start there, one link after another, trying to catch me off guard?"

Prime Minister Fan said, "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be separated from the remnants of the Summer clan and Crown Prince Yong. I believe we should summon Princess Consort Min to the palace for questioning."

This "summon" was merely a polite term, but it naturally referred to interrogation.

Prime Minister Song frowned, saying, "Your Majesty must not. Princess Consort Min is merely a woman, always kept in a deep inner chamber. How could she be in contact with rebels?"

Prime Minister Fan sarcastically said, "Prime Minister Song seems to be quite protective. Princess Consort Min is not an ordinary woman; she is the legacy of Crown Prince Yong, Princess Chongyang."

"Prime Minister Fan, watch your words. Princess Consort Min is the esteemed consort of our Great Qing’s prince, personally appointed by His Majesty. How dare you slander her fair reputation," Song Zhiyuan said coldly. "Moreover, in the absence of any evidence, abruptly summoning the Princess Consort to the palace, are you attempting to sow discord between His Majesty and Prince Min?"

That’s quite an accusation.

Shocked, Prime Minister Fan retorted angrily, "Prime Minister Song, I am loyal to His Majesty, and my words are solely for the sake of royal authority. How dare you accuse me of ulterior motives?"

"Oh, your loyalty means having the uncle arrest the sister-in-law for interrogation, disregarding the dignity of one’s own brother? After all, he is still a vassal king. Not to mention, this marriage was personally bestowed by the uncle. Are you making His Majesty slap his own face?" Song Zhiyuan muttered, "What a lousy idea."