Chapter 26: Punishment

Looking at the woman lying on the bed, the Empress Dowager spoke with an expressionless face.

"The evidence that Concubine Wan harmed the imperial heir is conclusive. Even if she is dead, the wrongs she committed cannot be forgiven. Do you understand, Emperor?"

Helian Yunhui’s eyes were bloodshot. He did not care about any harm to an imperial heir; he only knew that after today, the woman who loved him most in this world would be gone forever.

"But the imperial heir is unharmed, while Wanwan has truly lost her life!"

"If the Empress had not denied her a physician, Wanwan would never have died!" the Emperor declared viciously, laying all the blame upon the Empress.

The Empress Dowager was visibly incensed at these words, but in her previous life, Su Zhinian had long since witnessed this Emperor’s penchant for distorting the truth and his shamelessness. Hearing him speak this way now, she felt no particular shock.

Instead, Consort Liang, unable to stand the fact that a dead woman was still causing the Emperor and Empress Dowager to quarrel, interjected.

"Your Majesty, it is a proven fact that Concubine Wan harmed the Empress. You cannot fail to punish her just because she is dead!"

Clearly, Consort Liang assumed the Emperor had completely discarded Bai Wanwan, and thus, even in death, she wanted to ensure the woman would not find peace. Her smug expression did not last long before the Emperor spoke coldly.

"Consort Liang, I never knew you were so vicious. Concubine Wan is already dead, yet you still will not let her be!"

"Guards! Consort Liang has insulted the remains of the Imperial Noble Consort. As of today, strip her of her title, cast her into the Cold Palace, and she is never to leave without a summons!"

The Emperor’s decree brought two waves of shock to those present. First, that the punishment for Consort Liang was so severe. Second, that the Emperor held such deep feelings for Bai Wanwan that he posthumously elevated her to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort!

One had to remember that Bai Wanwan was the primary culprit who had harmed the Empress! It seemed the Emperor’s love for her had far exceeded their imaginations.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong! Please, forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Consort Liang’s composure shattered completely. She had not expected that a dead woman, who had already fallen out of favor, could still cause her such a catastrophic downfall.

The Emperor showed no signs of softening. He roared, "Drag her away at once!"

Until the moment she was dragged out, Consort Liang could not believe the Emperor had been so ruthless toward her. They say there is no heart more cold than that of the imperial family. Yet, if the Emperor were truly heartless, he would not be leaning by Bai Wanwan’s bedside, choking back sobs with reddened eyes.

"Wanwan, I have named you Imperial Noble Consort. Won't you open your eyes and look at me?"

Ren Xixi was the most delighted of all, her mouth stretching wide in a grin. Once Bai Wanwan woke up, the Emperor, having regained what he thought was lost, would surely love her to the ends of the earth. Ren Xixi could not wait to see that moment unfold.

Everyone present witnessed the Emperor’s sincerity, and no one dared to speak ill of Bai Wanwan again. Even the Empress Dowager merely sighed and said slowly, "Emperor, the dead cannot return. You should choose an auspicious day to lay the Imperial Noble Consort to rest."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, you must look after your own health. If the Imperial Noble Consort were still alive, she would surely be heartbroken to see you in such grief," Consort Shu added cautiously.

"Consort Shu is right. Wanwan was the kindest of all; I shall not cry," the Emperor said, his eyes still red.

"Fu Linhai, summon Gu Jingyuan to the palace to handle the arrangements," the Empress Dowager ordered.

"Yes!" Fu Linhai glanced at the Emperor’s face; seeing nothing unusual, he sighed with relief and complied.

Seeing that matters were proceeding, Ren Xixi knew it was time to begin the next stage of her plan. They had already selected the date, and the day after tomorrow was the best time for the funeral procession. This meant that by the latest tomorrow night, she had to swap Bai Wanwan out of the coffin.

With her head lowered and her body hunched, she silently retreated from the palace. Gu Jingyuan would be coming; she wondered if Gu Shijin would come as well. Ren Xixi wanted to try her luck.

Su Zhinian noticed Ren Xixi’s movements. She bowed her head, a faint smile curling her lips. Since Ren Xixi intended to show herself before Gu Shijin, it would be the perfect opportunity to sever her chance of saving Bai Wanwan entirely.

News of Concubine Wan’s passing spread quickly. Upon receiving word at the General’s Mansion, Gu Jingyuan hurriedly donned his official robes and headed for the palace.

"Father, I will go with you."

Gu Shijin’s brow was furrowed tightly. He had entered the palace two days ago and seen that Concubine Wan was in perfect health. How could she have died in just two days? It was far too suspicious. Especially since this had happened shortly after Su Zhinian entered the palace. Furthermore, with Ren Xixi now by the Concubine’s side, if the Concubine had died without cause, was Ren Xixi not in danger?

Thinking of this, Gu Shijin gritted his teeth and cursed Su Zhinian viciously in his heart.

"That vicious woman, I knew she had ill intentions when she insisted on entering the palace!"

Gu Jingyuan’s brow furrowed so deeply it could have crushed a fly. "You mean Lady Su?"

"Impossible. How could Lady Su have such means?" Gu Jingyuan waved his hand dismissively. In his eyes, Su Zhinian was merely a woman of the inner chambers. If she truly possessed such ability, she would never have married into their General’s Mansion in the first place. She had only been looking for the potential of his son. It was good fortune enough that she had become the General’s wife. As for daring to harm an imperial consort, he did not believe she had the guts!

Gu Shijin kept his lips pressed thin and said nothing more. But he knew in his heart that this matter was inextricably linked to Su Zhinian. He had to get to the palace quickly to save Xixi!

In the Jingren Palace, the delicate and elegant scent of pear-wood incense drifted from an exquisite burner. The Empress Dowager sat on a low stool, her face darkening.

"I did not expect the Emperor to value the Imperial Noble Consort so highly. I fear that from now on, he will harbor resentment toward you."

The Empress Dowager had not anticipated this situation either; even after she discovered that the Imperial Noble Consort had harmed the imperial heir, the Emperor refused to hold her accountable. He was truly befuddled!

"Mother, does His Majesty truly resent me that much?" The Empress’s face turned ghastly pale. She could not comprehend how the Emperor could be so blind and foolish.

"Now that things have come to this, since you cannot change the Emperor’s perspective, this pregnancy of yours is of vital importance!" The Empress Dowager’s gaze fell upon the Empress’s slightly protruding belly, her eyes deep and inscrutable.

"Mother, you mean..." The Empress’s expression shifted, and she quickly understood the Empress Dowager’s implication.

Su Zhinian stood to the side, head silently bowed. She had once again experienced the ruthlessness of the Empress Dowager.

"Nian'er, that Ren Xixi is not a person who knows her place. How about I get rid of her for you?" The Empress Dowager looked at Su Zhinian, her tone indifferent, as if they were merely discussing what to have for dinner.

She was offering a favor, Su Zhinian realized, her heart tightening.