Even the most obtuse Mei Siyu could sense his gaze, deliberately turning her head to the other side, not wanting any interaction with him. His humiliation was still vivid in her mind, and the ruthless harm he had caused was something she could not forgive! Perhaps he was unintentional and momentarily lost control, but he had already caused her deep wounds that would be difficult to heal. At least for now, she could not forgive him!
His intense gaze and her deliberate avoidance were clearly seen by Mu Lengchen sitting nearby. His third brother’s deep feelings for Yu’er had apparently exceeded his imagination, and he might even love Mei Siyu more than himself. However, he would never allow anyone to approach Yu’er – he could give up everything, even the imperial throne without hesitation! Yu’er was the one he could never lose!
While everyone was lost in their thoughts, Shu Fei, wearing a peach-pink pleated gauze skirt, gracefully walked into the inner hall, with her palace maid Jin Zhi waiting outside the door.
“Shu’er pays respects to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, wishing you good fortune,” Shu Fei said softly. Inadvertently glancing at Yu’er and Wan’er, her mood sank. They were all here – could they be conspiring against her? Hmph, she was not someone to be bullied easily!
“Wan’er, Yu’er greets elder sister,” they both bowed simultaneously.
“This subject greets Shu Fei,” Mu Leng Yun also bowed.
After mutual greetings, Shu Fei sat down between them. “Shu’er, is this your handwriting?” the Empress Dowager gently asked, holding the scroll.
“This… this is not Shu’er’s handwriting. Please clarify, Empress Dowager,” Shu Fei responded smoothly, showing no sign of panic.
“Wan’er, tell everyone the origin of this scroll,” Mu Lengchen commanded sternly, looking at Shu Fei. He had never known his familiar Shu Fei could remain so composed in chaos!
“I found this near the assassin. But I dare not guess if it is Shu Fei’s handwriting,” Wan’er replied softly, her head bowed.
“Xiao Gongong, compare Shu Fei’s usual calligraphy and bring Jin Zhi,” Mu Lengchen ordered the eunuch outside.
Shu Fei was somewhat at a loss, her eyes darting to the Empress Dowager seeking final help. She had been blinded by anger, wanting to punish Mei Siyu, but unexpectedly not only failed but also let the scroll fall into the Emperor’s hands. How could she proceed? If the Emperor misunderstood this as a plot against him, not only would her life be in danger, but her parents would also be implicated. Mu Lengchen had always been cold-blooded and would surely expand the charges to her entire household – something she absolutely did not want!
Even if it cost her life, she would not admit the scroll was hers. Jin Zhi was her confidante and would never betray her. Moreover, the black-clothed man was dead, so there was no direct evidence. If she denied everything, what could they do to her? Shu Fei thought to herself.
These, these, this servant deserves to die, should not have listened to Shu Fei’s orders, intending to harm the Emperor, this servant deserves to die, this servant’s death is not regrettable, and I beg the Emperor to have mercy and spare Shu Fei.” Jin Zhi knelt on the ground, crying bitterly.
“Jin Zhi, when did I ask you to assassinate the Emperor? You must have been bribed to deliberately frame me!” Shu Fei Xing Mu glared angrily at the personal maidservant kneeling beside her, who she had originally thought would never betray her, but who had now pushed her into an abyss.
“My lady, you cannot make another mistake. Do not blame Jin Zhi for speaking the truth. At this point, I cannot let you continue to be reckless!” Jin Zhi cried.
“Slap slap, you are truly a heartless and ungrateful wretch. I have always doted on you, yet you repay kindness with betrayal!” Shu Fei stared at Jin Zhi, speaking without emotion.
“Shu Fei, at this point, you are still being unreasonable. I am deeply disappointed in you!” Ming Leng Chen clenched his fists, forcefully hitting the armrest of the chair.
“Haha, if one wants to accuse someone, reasons can always be found. This concubine is willing to accept any punishment, but I have one request,” Shu Fei wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye with her sleeve, staring at Ming Leng Chen.
“Speak,” he said impatiently.
“Do not harm my parents. This matter has nothing to do with them. I will bear all consequences alone,” Shu Fei said sternly.
“Guards, drag Shu Fei out and execute her,” Ming Leng Chen said coldly, his sleeve sweeping without a trace of reluctance or mercy.
Just as the guards were about to take Shu Fei away, “Wait” – it was the Empress Dowager who spoke, looking reluctantly at Shu Fei, whose clothes were now disheveled from struggling. Her once most beloved daughter-in-law had now fallen to such a miserable state. What a sin!
“Shu’er, is this truly what you did? The Empress Dowager wants to hear the truth from you.”
“Aunt, you have loved me too much. We will be filial in the next life!” After saying this, Shu Fei was dragged away by the guards. There was no desperate pleading, only a quiet departure. The once arrogant Shu Fei had thus easily sacrificed her youth for a futile matter.
Shu Fei was wrong, but not deserving of death – this was Mei Si Yu’s thought. In her view, Shu Fei’s “kill without mercy” was indeed directed at herself, but why did everyone believe her intention was to harm the Emperor, even Jin Zhi, who was by Shu Fei’s side, had step by step pushed her into the abyss! Although she did not particularly like Shu Fei, seeing her die like this made her feel a strange sensation, with a bit of reluctance and a bit of sorrow. Was this the so-called palace life?
She inadvertently glanced at Wan’er, this seemingly delicate woman who had shown extraordinary courage earlier – courage that she herself could not match. Looking at Wan’er now, she was still shy and gentle, as if her previous bold actions had never happened, giving Mei Si Yu an inexplicable feeling.
But no matter what, Wan’er’s concern for her was genuine, and the fact that she had saved her was true. It seemed that in this deep palace, only Wan’er could be her confidante!
Since the truth was now clear, everyone had gone their separate ways. This was not a glorious matter, so it was announced externally that Shu Fei had died from a sudden illness. Only a few of them knew the real reason!
Ming Leng Yu hurriedly ran in her direction but could not see that figure that had haunted his dreams. Looking somewhat lost, he left in loneliness.
The matter of Shu Fei had come to an end, and all the disputes were buried with her departure. From now on, no one would dare to bully Mei Si Yu, because through this incident, it was clear that the Emperor deeply loved her. Even Shu Fei, who had been by his side for two years, could not compare to her. The conclusion was obvious, but that is another story.
In the Wind Clearing Courtyard!
The seriously injured Wen Yue Yan, with his eagle eyes tightly closed and dry lips pressed together, was now unconscious. Liu Su Yun, who had been guarding him, was anxiously waiting for the doctor’s diagnosis.
“Doctor, is my senior brother alright?” Liu Su Yun asked with concern, her heart tightening as she looked at the still unconscious person on the bed.
“He’s not in critical condition, just suffering from excessive blood loss and recurring wound infections. He probably won’t wake up for a while, and someone needs to watch him at night.”
After seeing off the doctor, she quickly returned to the bedside, carefully nursing her senior brother, not leaving his side for a moment. She had been taking care of him day and night, and he still had not awakened, which made Liu Su Yun even more anxious.
