Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

Xiao Heng frowned even more deeply, looking at Ling Xianru: "What does Minister Ling mean by this?"

"Your Majesty, I assist you in governing the country. When there are matters that the court officials are unsure about, they will first report to me so that we can discuss and decide on a solution. Three days ago, I received a memorial from the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Someone anonymously reported that Shen Zhiming, a proofreader, accepted bribes of up to ten thousand taels of silver in the name of the Consort Xian. He asked whether I should report the truth or remind Your Majesty privately."

Shen Mingxiu's face turned pale instantly. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Ling Xianru: "You're talking nonsense! You're slandering me! How could Father accept bribes? Our Shen family has always been honest and upright!!"

"After this incident, I sent someone to remind Shen Zhiming to be careful, lest he cause even greater trouble. However, accepting bribes is against the laws of our dynasty. Now, the memorial accusing Shen Zhiming is on Your Majesty's desk."

Inside Xiao Heng's tent, on the gold-inlaid wooden table with dragon patterns, there were indeed two stacks of folded documents that had not yet been reviewed.

They were all sent from the palace this morning.

The more Xiao Heng listened, the worse her expression became.

"Presumably Shen Zhiming told Consort Xian about this matter, and Consort Xian took the opportunity to try to drag me into this mess and frame me."

When Ling Xianru said these things, her expression remained calm and unhurried.

Ling Weirong admired him; he could fabricate stories and even provide evidence to smear others.

He was even more certain that he had no objection to what she had said at the Wei residence that day: that she wanted to kill Shen Mingxiu.

This moment confirms that it is true.

"No! I'm innocent!" Shen Mingxiu knelt down with a thud, even grabbing Xiao Heng's robe, pleading desperately, "Your Majesty, Father must have been wronged! Our Shen family would never do anything to betray Your Majesty! Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"

"Is it really true?"

Wei Rong spoke.

Her palms stung slightly from the ointment, so she placed them upwards on her knees.

Shen Mingxiu suddenly looked at her, her eyes filled with resentment: "What do you mean?"

"Last month, on the anniversary of my mother's death, I returned to the manor and unexpectedly heard from the steward that Consort Xian's brother was spending lavishly on the top courtesans in various brothels in Yunjing City."

Wei Rong propped her elbows on her knees and leaned over to look at Consort Xian: "At the time, I didn't take it seriously. It was only natural for Consort Xian, who had risen through the ranks, to use her monthly allowance to support her family. But considering what the Prime Minister just said, the source of this money seems to be questionable?"

"No!" Shen Mingxiu shook her head desperately, pleading with Xiao Heng, "Empress, the Empress conspired with the Prime Minister to frame you maliciously! Your Majesty, this absolutely did not happen! Even if my brother is confused, I was not involved!"

"Whether it's a frame-up or not, whether it's a false accusation or not, the Dali Temple can find out by investigating where the money came from and where it went."

Shen Mingxiu's legs went weak, and she almost couldn't kneel down.

Since she was made a Noble Consort, although her father did not grant her an official position, her relatives, including her brother and Shen Minglan, all obtained positions in the palace.

Shen Minglan was demoted to a third-class guard because of Wei Rong's affair, while her brother... was in the central government.

He had many connections with the Ministry of Personnel!

If the investigation is thorough, the Shen family will be in grave danger!

"Your Majesty, please, for Xiuxiu's sake, spare my father and brother. They must have been framed by someone with malicious intent; they certainly didn't intentionally break the law. I beg Your Majesty!"

If Ling Xian is so certain, then the matter must be very likely. Xiao Heng looked down at Shen Mingxiu and saw the beauty weeping, looking utterly pitiful.

His heart softened, and he reached out to help Shen Mingxiu up: "Since it has nothing to do with you, then investigating this matter thoroughly will also serve as a warning to the Shen family. They should be more careful in their actions in the future and not disregard the law."

Wei Rong knew that it was almost impossible for Xiao Heng to severely punish Shen Mingxiu at present.

Even if the money did flow through Shen Mingxiu's hands, he would still find a way to extricate the person from the situation.

Once you realize that, what else is there to say?

She gave a mocking smile: "His Majesty treats Consort Xian very well. I wonder what His Majesty thinks of Consort Xian's accusations just now?"

Favoring one side over the other will be seen as favoritism and unfairness.

Xiao Heng thought for a moment: "How could Minister Ling know there was an assassin? Consort Xian was just talking nonsense. Consort Xian, apologize to the Empress and Minister Ling. I will take charge of this matter and let it go."

Whether it has truly been covered up or not remains to be seen until he investigates.

At this point, it's crucial not to alert the enemy.

Although Shen Mingxiu was full of resentment and unwillingness, she dared not disobey Xiao Heng's orders.

Gritting his teeth and bowing his head, he hastily apologized to Wei Rong and Ling Xianru.

The apology was barely audible, filled with resentment and hatred, but Wei Rong pretended not to see it.

Xiao Heng was a deep thinker, and the doubts in her eyes never disappeared after this incident.

He comforted the crying Shen Mingxiu and instructed the palace servants to take good care of the newly promoted Consort Jia, Feng Wantang, showing meticulous attention to every detail.

This hunt was marred by assassinations; some sacrificed themselves for glory, while others framed others and failed. On the very first day, many exciting events unfolded.

Wei Rong was too lazy to stay any longer. She curtsied lightly and said in a clear, cold voice, "Your Majesty, since Consort Jia is unharmed, I will take my leave now."

Xiao Heng casually replied, "Go ahead."

His attention was entirely focused on the memorials awaiting examination on the table and the assassination case file from earlier, while he secretly gave Zhu Yi a wink.

Qiaoyu pushed the wheelbarrow slowly out of the noisy main tent.

The evening breeze whistled, carrying the autumn chill of the mountains and forests, dispersing the heavy smells of medicine, blood, and perfume from inside the tent.

Under the blazing sun in the forest, all the palace servants retreated to a distance, having heard of His Majesty's bestowal of the title of Consort Jia within the tent, and dared not approach to disturb the imperial carriage.

He feared that Wei Rong would take her anger out on him.

The entire trail was so quiet that only the soft sound of wheels rolling over the grass could be heard.

Qiaoyu could sense that her mistress was in a bad mood, but it wasn't because of Consort Jia.

Feng Wantang was personally arranged to enter the palace by Wei Rong, with the purpose of this day. His Majesty is both affectionate and suspicious, and only believes what he wants to believe.

Having another Consort Jia to share the Emperor's favor with Shen Mingxiu is a good thing for them.

However, Qiaoyu still couldn't figure out why the Empress had been so absent-minded and emotionally volatile these past few days.

It felt as if a thick brick was pressing on Wei Rong's heart, and the scars on her palms represented a certain critical point.

The ointment was applied to my palm, which had been scratched raw by fingernails. The cool medicinal sensation mixed with a slight stinging pain, densely wrapped around my limbs and bones.

Wei Rong gazed quietly at the shady trees ahead, their shadows dappled by the sunlight, the wind swaying the shadows.

She had just witnessed Xiao Heng's almost unwavering suspicion of Ling Xianru, and his subsequent decision to let things go was merely a temporary concession after weighing the pros and cons.

I don't know what it was about my father back then that made him suspicious and wary, to the point that he ultimately committed murder.

That was her father, the general who helped Xiao Heng ascend to the throne and devoted half his life to the Great Jing Dynasty.

It's ridiculous.

Sincerity is the cheapest thing, while actors often receive the most favor.

Wei Rong lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a light shadow that concealed all the mockery and hatred in her eyes, her aura was so cold that it was almost aloof.

Until a tall, slender figure loomed over her, and her vision darkened.