vrcanaries Chapter 1639 Bringing Two Women to a Confrontation (Bonus Chapter for 259 Million Reward Points)
Chapter 1639 Bringing Two Women to a Confrontation (Bonus Chapter for 259 Million Reward Points)
“Mr. Chu, we just feel sorry for you. What you so firmly believe in and protect may have been a carefully planned scam from the very beginning.”
"To Master Xingchen, you and Consort Feng are merely tools to achieve his ulterior motives."
Chu Shuxian defended Master Xingchen so strongly because she firmly believed in the feelings between them.
It must be said that Li Changde's words gradually shattered her spirit.
Xingchen...Xingchen has other women?
Is Consort Feng carrying Xingchen's child as well?
But Chu Shuxian still refused to believe it.
That relationship wasn't fake.
Xingchen would never deceive her.
On the contrary, it was Li Changde.
He's the most cunning old fox around His Majesty; this must be a trap!
Li Changde wanted to disturb her mind, shatter her trust in Xingchen, and force her to reveal the truth in her collapse and despair.
She absolutely cannot fall for it!
The more Li Changde said this, the more it proved that they couldn't find any evidence about Xingchen and could only resort to such despicable means to deceive her.
Having figured this out, Chu Shuxian looked at Li Changde and asked weakly, "Eunuch Li...aren't you tired after saying so much?"
Li Changde frowned.
Chu Shuxian smiled mockingly: "Never mind."
"Whoever you think it is, that's who it is. If you say it's Master Xingchen, then it's Master Xingchen."
"No matter what I say, you won't believe me. Go to Fatu Temple and arrest him... arrest him and interrogate him, then everything will be clear, right? Why bother here... wasting your breath on a dying man like me..."
The vein on Li Changde's forehead throbbed.
Again!
What he hated most was Chu's stubborn and unyielding attitude!
She truly believed in Master Xingchen and thought he would never deceive her feelings.
Or did I suspect the wrong person?
This woman is tougher than anyone could imagine.
As for capturing Master Xingchen for interrogation? That's easier said than done!
Without solid evidence, even the slightest touch on the holy monk could have unpredictable consequences!
Asking any further questions would be futile and would only make the Chu family more wary.
It seems we must start with someone else.
Li Changde turned and left coldly.
Little did they know that Chu Shuxian's inner world was far from as calm as she appeared.
Xingchen... does he really only have her as his woman?
No! She couldn't doubt Xingchen!
Li Changde is trying to sow discord among them; she can't fall for it!
Li Changde did not dispel his doubts about Master Xingchen.
What difficulty would it be for someone who can fabricate evidence and frame fellow disciples so flawlessly to deceive a sheltered young woman?
We can't get anything out of Lady Chu for now, but we still have Consort Feng!
If the adulterer is indeed Master Xingchen, then Consort Feng may have been deceived by him, just like Chu Shuxian.
What would happen if these two women were put together and made to confront each other?
However, His Majesty did not want the scandal to be exposed, so he allowed Lady Chu to "die of illness" in the cold palace.
Under the guise of having the imperial physician "stabilize the pregnancy," they slowly treated Consort Feng with chronic medication.
The world is unaware of the truth: Consort Feng is now the only concubine in the harem carrying the emperor's child, making her extremely precious. Every move she makes in Ruixue Pavilion is being watched by countless eyes.
What reason could we use to suddenly remove Consort Feng from Ruixue Pavilion? If word gets out, the consequences will be unimaginable!
Li Changde could not make the decision on this matter; he had to consult the emperor.
He returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and dismissed his attendants.
He then bowed and stepped forward, reporting to Nangong Xuanyu in detail what he had found out over the past few days.
At first, Nangong Xuanyu simply listened attentively.
Soon, a storm raged in the depths of the emperor's eyes!
"……What did you say?!"
"Master Xingchen?!"
This Buddhist name carries immense weight in the Great Zhou Dynasty!
Master Xingchen is not only a holy monk of Fatu Temple, but also a spiritual sustenance for many people!
It is the embodiment of noble virtue and enlightened Buddha-nature!
Even the late emperor praised him highly, calling Master Xingchen a prodigy of Buddhism.
His sermons are often packed with people, and his calligraphy is treasured by countless individuals.
Master Xingchen's image of compassion for all living beings has long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts!
The idea that such a holy monk had affairs with more than one concubine and confused the royal bloodline would be utterly absurd to everyone!
This is blasphemy against gods and Buddhas!
Nangong Xuanyu was an emperor. Although he believed in gods and Buddhas, he was always wary of any influence that might surpass the imperial power.
If the adulterer of the Chu and Feng families is indeed Xingchen...
What this person is planning is absolutely chilling!
Master Xingchen was not only using his own reputation, but also the Buddhist sect's superior position in the Great Zhou Dynasty as a cover!
After a long silence, Nangong Xuanyu asked thoughtfully, "...How confident are you about this?"
Li Changde's heart skipped a beat. He dared not exaggerate or conceal anything: "Your Majesty, this servant currently has no concrete evidence."
"But the unusual reaction that Chu showed when he heard the name of Master Xingchen was undeniable."
"Furthermore, Huichen was framed, and the person who fabricated the evidence was highly skilled; only someone familiar with the situation at Fatu Temple could have done it."
"There's also the suspicious nature of the physical examinations conducted on Consort Chu and Consort Feng when they entered the palace, which is connected to Empress Dowager Gongsu's people..."
"Considering all the clues, I believe that we cannot rule out Master Xingchen's involvement."
At this point, Li Changde paused and then revealed his thoughts: "Therefore, this servant dares to ask Consort Feng to be interrogated."
"If Consort Feng's situation is similar to that of Lady Chu, perhaps we can find a breakthrough by talking to her."
“This servant observes that Madam Chu’s guard has begun to lower, but she doesn’t fully believe what this servant says yet. If she were to see Madam Feng with her own eyes, she would also be imprisoned and interrogated…”
"The two of them will then understand that what I said is true."
"This is the fastest method."
"However... Consort Feng is still 'pregnant and safe,' and her every move is being watched. If we want to conduct a secret interrogation, we need to find a reasonable excuse."
Nangong Xuanyu remained silent.
He had no feelings for Consort Feng, only disgust and murderous intent!
That bastard child, whose bloodline was mixed up with his, should never have existed in this world.
His sole concern in choosing to secretly administer medication to eliminate the illegitimate child was the reputation of the royal family. He did not want this scandal to become public knowledge, shaking the foundation of the nation and damaging the imperial authority.
Now, Li Changde tells him that the adulterer of Feng and Chu might be a holy monk whom no one would have imagined.
If this scandal is exposed, the turmoil it will cause in the Great Zhou Dynasty will far exceed the punishment of ordinary concubines!
But that's precisely why the emperor was even more determined to get to the bottom of things!
He would never allow anyone to tarnish the royal bloodline or challenge the dignity of the imperial power!
A murderous glint flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes: "How is the Feng family doing lately?"
Li Changde replied, "Your Majesty, she is still recuperating in Ruixue Pavilion. The imperial physicians are taking her pulse regularly and say that her pregnancy is becoming increasingly unstable."