Chapter 692 - 693: Old Affairs

Chapter 692: Chapter 693: Old Affairs

Inside Biquan Palace, the Empress Dowager had just finished her medicine and was about to lie down for a while.

The recent rebellion had left her deeply unsettled. Combined with her advanced age, various minor ailments had begun to crop up one after another.

The Chief Imperial Doctor had prescribed her medicine, urging her to relax and not worry excessively.

The Empress Dowager agreed verbally, but her heart was heavy with anxiety.

’The rebel army is at our very doorstep. How could I not be worried?’

A little eunuch rushed in.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, the Saint has been taken hostage!"

The Empress Dowager shot bolt upright, startled, and demanded urgently.

"What do you mean, ’taken hostage’? The Emperor was perfectly fine in the palace! How could he be taken hostage? Where are the Yulin Guards and the Night Owl Guard? Are they all useless?!"

The little eunuch had run all the way here and was panting for breath.

He swallowed hard and quickly recounted what had happened.

The Empress Dowager was furious, cursing Li Ji as a vile dog.

However, what was done was done. Cursing him would do no good now.

The Empress Dowager hastily left Biquan Palace, heading for Zhengyang Hall in her palanquin.

Anxious, she repeatedly urged the Strong Eunuchs carrying her to go faster, and faster still.

As they approached Zhengyang Hall, the Empress Dowager saw a large crowd gathered before the hall from a distance. From their uniforms, she could tell they were men from the Yulin Guards and the Night Owl Guard.

On the steps farther away stood several familiar figures.

The most conspicuous among them were, of course, the Regent King, Li Ji, and the Little Emperor, Li Qiong, whom he held hostage.

It wasn’t just the Empress Dowager; the Left and Right Ministers and the Six Ministers had also rushed over after hearing the news.

Seeing so many important figures arrive, the Yulin Guards and Night Owl Guard spontaneously fell back, clearing a path for her.

Leaning on her nanny’s arm, the Empress Dowager walked forward quickly.

"Li Ji, I command you to release the Emperor at once!"

Li Ji didn’t move a muscle, seemingly oblivious to the Empress Dowager’s words.

Seeing how he completely disregarded her, the Empress Dowager seethed with anger. But with the knife in his hand, she didn’t dare lash out and could only suppress her temper as she continued.

"As long as you release the Emperor, I can pardon your previous crimes."

Hearing this, Elder Zhong’an Hua Dingzong was instantly delighted.

He hurriedly said to Li Ji.

"Quick, release the Saint! That way, neither you nor the Saint will be harmed."

To Hua Dingzong, Li Ji was his son-in-law and Li Qiong was his grandson. It was like choosing between the palm and the back of his hand; he didn’t want anything to happen to either of them.

The best outcome would be for everyone to be safe and sound.

But Li Ji just chuckled, his tone mocking. "You believe her lies?"

Of course, Hua Dingzong knew the Empress Dowager’s words might not be true, but he still clung to a sliver of hope.

’What if she’s telling the truth?’

Hua Dingzong said sheepishly, "The Empress Dowager made a promise in front of so many people. Surely she won’t go back on her word."

The Empress Dowager immediately declared, "That’s right! Everyone here can bear witness for me!"

Everyone present stared intently at Li Ji, afraid he might slip up and harm the Little Emperor.

Li Ji glanced at the Empress Dowager’s solemn-looking vow, then at the anxious officials. A thought seemed to cross his mind, and he let out a soft laugh, his expression becoming inscrutable.

"It’s rare to have so many people gathered here today. Perfect. I have an old story I need to discuss with you all. Do you remember Empress Ji and Crown Prince Li Shu from the previous reign?"

The expressions of the Left and Right Ministers changed slightly at once.

Both had served in the court for many years and naturally knew about Empress Ji and Crown Prince Li Shu.

They silently exchanged a glance, then both turned to look at the Empress Dowager in unison.

By now, the Empress Dowager’s face had turned quite ugly.

She said coldly, "They have both been dead for many years. Why are you bringing them up?"

Among the Six Ministers, only the eldest, the Minister of Rites, had been present for the case of Crown Prince Li Shu. The other five had only heard rumors and didn’t know the details, so they all looked a little lost.

As for the Little Emperor, Li Qiong, he had never even heard the name Crown Prince Li Shu, so he was completely in the dark.

Li Ji said slowly, "Back then, Crown Prince Li Shu was framed for treason. He was sentenced to be beheaded, and his entire household was executed. Even his birth mother, Empress Ji, was forced to burn herself to death in Chaoyang Palace. The number of officials implicated in the court was countless."

The Empress Dowager avoided his sharp gaze and declared loudly.

"They brought it upon themselves!"

Li Ji said, "I heard you were once just a palace maid serving Empress Ji. You took advantage of the Emperor when he was drunk and climbed into the Emperor’s bed, which is how the Emperor promoted you to Imperial Concubine."

At the mention of her past, the Empress Dowager couldn’t hide her shame, her expression growing even uglier.

"Who told you that nonsense? Although I entered the palace as a palace maid, I am also a daughter of the Ji Family! In terms of birth, I am not that much inferior to Empress Ji!"

"There’s a world of difference!"

A familiar woman’s voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone immediately turned their heads toward the sound and saw a group of Imperial Family clansmen approaching, surrounding Princess Ningyang.

The person who had just spoken was none other than Princess Ningyang.

Those Imperial Family clansmen were terrified when they saw Li Ji holding the Little Emperor hostage with a knife.

Only Princess Ningyang didn’t even bat an eye, her composure was extraordinary.

She was the late Emperor’s paternal aunt. Having lived through three reigns, her status was venerable, and even the Empress Dowager had to show her due respect.

When she looked at the Empress Dowager, the latter couldn’t help but grip her sleeves, her face turning a little pale.

The Empress Dowager demanded, feigning sternness.

"Why are you here? Didn’t I order you to reflect on your mistakes at home? Who allowed you to enter the palace?"

Ever since the Regent King had started his rebellion, the Empress Dowager had placed Princess Ningyang under house arrest, accusing her of failing to discipline her own grandson, and had ordered the entire Princess Mansion sealed off.

Princess Ningyang didn’t have the Mind Reading Technique, but she could easily see through the Empress Dowager’s thoughts.

She said with calm composure.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, there’s no need to change the subject so hastily.

You just claimed you are also a daughter of the Ji Family and not much inferior to Empress Ji in birth. I’m surprised you have the audacity to say that.

Your mother was merely the daughter of a concubine from the Ji Family.

After your father died young, your mother took you back to the Ji Family to seek refuge.

The Ji Family took pity on your plight and kindly took you and your mother in.

When Empress Ji entered the palace, you were the one who shamelessly insisted on following her as a dowry maid.

You became a palace maid but were restless, always striking seductive poses in front of the Emperor.

Later, you even took advantage of the Emperor when he was drunk and voluntarily climbed into the dragon bed.

Afterward, when Empress Ji investigated the matter.

You knelt on the floor, weeping pitifully, putting on a wretched and helpless act. This aroused the Emperor’s pity, and you used it to secure the rank of Bao Lin."

Through Princess Ningyang’s account, that unknown Chapter of the past was slowly unveiled.

The way everyone looked at the Empress Dowager was a sight to behold.

The Empress Dowager felt as if she had been stripped naked in public, overcome with shame and indignation.

"Shut up!"