Тhe jailеr sееmеd tо have heаrd а fantastiсal talе аnd lаughеd hеаrtily, "Framеd? How could Consоrt Сhen bе framеd fоr аdultеry? It's sаid thаt Тhе Еmpеror caught hеr in thе aсt himself. Tsk tsk, she trulу is breathtаkingly beаutiful." Аs hе sроkе, hе stroked his сhin, lеering аt Соnsort Сhen with а lаscivious gаzе. Cоnsort Chen wаs startled, "What dо уоu intend tо do?"
The jаilеr сhucklеd, "Аt this роint, I'm аfrаid the Соnsort wоn't be lеaving this prisоn anуtimе sоon. In mу hаlf а lifеtime, I've nevеr had the chancе to sleeр with The Еmpеrоr's womаn..." He jingled the keys at his waist, seemingly preparing to enter. Consort Chen turned pale with fright, retreating step by step. She had heard stories of women in the imperial prison being violated by jailers and guards, but she never imagined such a fate would befall her one day. In that moment, her hatred for Han Yan and Fu Yunxi deepened to the bone—she wished she could skin them alive and tear their tendons apart.
Meanwhile, when Han Yan received the imperial decree, she was genuinely taken aback.
The Emperor had summoned Han Yan to the palace. Fu Yunxi was not at the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion at the time, and the imperial decree could not be defied. However, being summoned to the palace right after Consort Chen was imprisoned in the imperial dungeon made it clear to anyone that this was an interrogation. The Emperor wouldn't suspect her without reason; it was undoubtedly someone else guiding his thoughts in her direction. And who else could that be but the Empress Dowager?
Ji Lan looked at Han Yan with concern, "Miss, are we really going?" Though she didn't understand why The Emperor had summoned Han Yan, seeing her furrowed brow, Ji Lan couldn't help but worry. Han Yan had narrowly escaped danger in the palace just the day before yesterday—the palace was truly no safe place.
"Of course we must go. How could we defy the imperial decree?" Han Yan smiled faintly, "Prepare the carriage and select a few skilled guards from the mansion." Given the precarious circumstances, Han Yan didn't want any complications. Fortunately, the servants in the mansion treated her with great respect, so mobilizing a few guards wasn't difficult. After a moment's thought, she stopped Ji Lan, who was about to leave, "Also, if the Prince returns, inform him that I've gone to the palace."
If anything were to go wrong, perhaps Fu Yunxi could arrive in time to prevent disaster. Shu Hong was still recovering from her injuries and couldn't accompany her. Han Yan sighed softly, thinking of the palace, and frowned slightly.
It truly was a place that devoured people.
High walls of vermilion, golden tiles, and beaded curtains.
This was the first time Han Yan had been summoned by The Emperor alone. When she saw the Empress Dowager seated high above, a flicker of understanding crossed her mind.
The Emperor said, "Rise. Lift your head and let me see you."
Han Yan stood up and raised her face as instructed.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, examining this young woman who was, in a way, his sister-in-law. He truly couldn't understand how Fu Yunxi, who had always been cold, aloof, and indifferent to everyone, could take a liking to such an ordinary girl. She did possess some wit and talent, but if that were the case, Fu Yunxi should have accepted the capital's talented ladies years ago. Moreover, Han Yan's family background was exceedingly ordinary. Only when Han Yan lifted her face did The Emperor get a clear look at the girl's appearance.The young girl before him had pale skin and appeared somewhat frail, yet her dark, bright eyes seemed to infuse her with boundless vitality, like a vibrant wild grass. This girl seemed to have grown a bit compared to her childlike appearance on the previous two occasions—or perhaps, this was her true self all along. Her features were delicate and sweet, but for some reason, beneath that seemingly gentle gaze lay a hint of defiance. Like an untamable wild horse pretending to be friendly with others.
He narrowed his eyes, suddenly finding it hard to see through this thirteen-year-old girl.
It was strange. Previously, when he heard that Zhuang Shiyang abused his legitimate daughter and that the concubines in the mansion bullied this young girl, The Emperor had even wondered if Fu Yunxi had taken pity on her and decided to marry her as his consort. But now, this girl appeared composed and calm, sharp and clever, showing no trace of the humiliation or grievance one would expect after being mistreated. On the contrary, she wore a faint smile, as if she had never experienced anything unpleasant, her eyes curved happily, radiating pure bliss.
Those who can disguise themselves are the ones who hide the deepest.
He gave Han Yan a meaningful glance. "Miss Zhuang, I summoned you this time because I heard that on the night of Consort Chen's birthday, you disappeared without reason in the imperial garden." Seeing Han Yan remain expressionless, The Emperor did not beat around the bush and asked directly, "Why did you leave midway?"
Han Yan bowed. "Your Majesty, that night, I was watching the fireworks with the consort and the ladies. Midway, I needed to use the restroom and left. Unexpectedly, on the way, I encountered an assassin."
"An assassin?" The Emperor had never heard of this. "What assassin?"
Han Yan shook her head fearfully. "It was already dark, and I didn’t see the assassin clearly. But my maid was injured while trying to save me. I was terrified and, fortunately, escaped and happened to run into the prince. Later, I fainted and woke up in Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion."
Empress Dowager, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Since Miss Zhuang claims to have encountered an assassin, why didn’t you report this to The Emperor? The Emperor’s safety is of utmost importance. If anything had happened, how could you bear the responsibility? You, girl, must have done this intentionally!"
Han Yan was startled and immediately knelt. "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. Before I fainted, I truthfully reported the presence of an assassin in the palace. The prince also sent people to search for the assassin and help me find my two maids, but Empress Dowager stopped them, saying it was Consort Chen’s birthday and should not be disturbed." Han Yan’s small face showed both panic and grievance. "I suppose the prince, fearing he might disturb Consort Chen, suppressed the matter and did not spread it."
The Emperor gave Empress Dowager a thoughtful look. "So that’s what happened."
Empress Dowager calmly took a sip of tea. "In that case, it seems I was at fault."
Han Yan immediately replied, "I dare not say so. Empress Dowager is a reincarnation of a bodhisattva—how could you be involved in such matters? It was all the assassin’s fault. How could there be such a bold person in the world, daring to sneak into the imperial palace and attempt to harm members of the royal family? They will surely descend to the eighteenth layer of hell after death, never to be reincarnated."The Emperor remained silent, while the Empress Dowager’s little fingertip trembled slightly, her face wearing its usual smile. "Do you know that Consort Chen has been thrown into the imperial prison?"
Han Yan was stunned, her small mouth opening slightly in surprise. "This humble girl does not know..."
The Empress Dowager looked at her calmly and smiled. "Consort Chen was caught in adultery, which is why she was imprisoned."
A flicker of surprise and confusion appeared on Han Yan’s face, yet perhaps out of fear of the imperial family’s authority, she did not voice her question. The Emperor observed her expression closely. Her reaction was entirely normal, exactly what a young girl would show upon hearing such news for the first time. However, it was too perfect, without the slightest flaw, which instead aroused a hint of suspicion in the Emperor. It was only because Han Yan should not have shown such a puzzled expression—calm and understanding would have been more fitting for her face.
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