"Yеs." А middlе-аged womаn stерреd forward from bеsidе her and grаbbed Hаn Yаn with grеаt fоrсe, cаusing the kneeling Han Yan tо stumblе. Hаn Yan shооk hеr hеad frаntiсаllу, сrying оut in terror, "No, I wоn't gо, ah!" With а wave of thе nanny's hаnd, severаl tаll раlасе maids immediаtеly аррroаchеd, hаlf-dragging and hаlf-рulling Hаn Yan behind the sсreen.
Thе Еmрerоr watched аs Наn Yan wаs drаggеd аwау by thе sеrvants, his еxрression sоmewhаt соmpliсаtеd. Нe thought that if Fu Yunхi were to find out that hе and the Emрress Dowаger hаd trеatеd his little Prince Consort this way, who knew what major trouble might arise. Yet, he also faintly sensed that Consort Chen's matter was indeed suspicious. The Empress Dowager had never deceived him before, and since even she suspected Han Yan, this Xuan Qing Prince Consort might truly be somewhat questionable.
Cries and shouts came from behind the screen, and the Emperor couldn't help but frown. "Those people are being too rough." After all, she was a delicate young girl, not yet of age this year, and likely had never encountered such a situation before. If she were truly wronged, this would be a disgrace in her life.
"Your Majesty is too soft-hearted..." the Empress Dowager said calmly. "Besides, I see that this Xuan Qing Prince Consort is quite bold. A little physical suffering won't faze her."
The Emperor detected a hidden meaning in the Empress Dowager's words and suddenly felt that this mother of his, who had always been devout and compassionate, seemed unfamiliar. Today, her methods in dealing with this young girl showed no mercy at all.
Meanwhile, behind the screen, Han Yan was held down by several tall and strong palace maids, unable to move. The leading nanny removed her outer garment, and Han Yan struggled as she cried, "Let me go, don't touch me!"
That Nanny Li, who had served the Empress Dowager for many years, was an old servant who bullied her masters. Seeing Han Yan uncooperative, she smiled insincerely and said, "Your Highness has such delicate skin. It would be best not to struggle. This old servant is getting on in years and may be dim-sighted. If I accidentally hurt Your Highness..."
Han Yan spat at her fiercely. "You wicked servant, how dare you threaten me! Let me go at once! If the Prince finds out, he will surely have your heads!"
Upon hearing this, Nanny Li chuckled softly and whispered, "If the Prince were to find out that his Prince Consort is unchaste, he might not want you anymore. Since the matter of your adultery is already a fact, why would the handsome and dashing Prince bother with a lowly woman like you?"
Her voice was low and quiet, naturally not reaching the Emperor outside. However, seeing the expression on the old woman's face when she mentioned Fu Yunxi, Han Yan couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart. Could it be that this old woman also harbored feelings for Fu Yunxi, which was why she was tormenting her like this? Still, the act had to go on. Han Yan cried out angrily, "I did not!"
Nanny Li had already removed her last layer of clothing and laughed. "Why must Your Highness hide..." As she pulled off the final undergarment, she suddenly froze.
On the snow-white, delicate arm, there was a distinct spot of crimson, like a newly bloomed red plum blossom, enchanting and elegant, proclaiming the purity of a maiden.
In the ensuing silence, Han Yan burst into loud sobs.At that moment, a person suddenly burst in from behind the screen, startling the surrounding palace maids into a cry of alarm. The man arrived in a flurry, carrying the chill of the outside air. He lifted Han Yan into his arms, wrapping her tightly in his cloak as she wore only a bellyband. His expression was icy, enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. His handsome features were inexplicably tinged with a faint aura of murderous intent. Fu Yunxi lowered his head, and in the moment he faced Han Yan, his gaze softened into infinite tenderness. "It's alright now."
Han Yan clutched his lapel, staring blankly at the god-like figure who seemed to have descended from the heavens. Nestled in his warm embrace, she felt a sense of security she had never experienced before.
Fu Yunxi strode out with her in his arms. The Emperor in the Hall of Golden Chimes was somewhat at a loss. Just moments ago, Fu Yunxi had barged in without a word, heading straight behind the screen. Now, holding his little consort, if he were to demand an explanation, how would they handle it?
The Empress Dowager merely watched Han Yan in Fu Yunxi's arms. Han Yan was completely bundled in his cloak, only her head visible, her eyes brimming with tears as if she had suffered immense grievance and fright. Nanny Li and several palace maids stepped forward.
"Nanny Li, what is the result?" The Empress Dowager's eyes darkened as she spoke.
Nanny Li was also bewildered. Hadn't it been said earlier that the cinnabar mole on the Xuan Qing Prince Consort's body must have disappeared? Yet now, it had inexplicably reappeared. Having offended the Xuan Qing Prince Consort so boldly earlier, if the prince were to hold her accountable, her head might not remain on her shoulders. With this thought, she remained silent.
"Nanny Li, I ask you, what is the result?" The Emperor, seeing Fu Yunxi's expression grow increasingly grim, couldn't help but press urgently. He, too, was deeply concerned about the outcome. Nanny Li finally spoke with difficulty, "The consort... remains a virgin."
As these words fell, the cup in the Empress Dowager's hand tilted, crashing to the ground. The splashing water stained the hem of her skirt, but she paid it no mind, her gaze fixed intently on Han Yan.
Han Yan burst into loud sobs, "I said I didn't do such a thing! Since Your Majesty and the Emperor don't believe me, I might as well die. Now I've brought shame upon the Zhuang family and disgraced the prince... Waaah..."
Her words were entirely childish, yet they sent a chill down the Emperor's spine. If Fu Yunxi chose not to pursue the matter, it would be one thing, but if he did, Han Yan's outburst would only add fuel to the fire. It seemed unlikely that Fu Yunxi would let this go easily.
Sure enough, Fu Yunxi cast a cold glance at the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, his voice icy. "I wonder what the consort has done to provoke such suspicion from Your Majesty and Her Majesty?"
The Empress Dowager knew there was nothing she could do to Han Yan now and said, "Yunxi, I did this for your own good. If your consort were impure, you would also lose..."
Han Yan struggled in Fu Yunxi's arms. "Why listen to the words of prisoners? I cannot bear such slander. Now I have lost all dignity. Prince, please divorce me." Her impromptu performance grew increasingly dramatic, and seeing the Emperor's livid expression, she felt a sense of amusement. As for the Empress Dowager, her expression was even more vivid. What had seemed like a foolproof plan had suddenly gone awry, and she must have been left with an indescribable taste in her mouth.Fu Yunxi softly comforted her for a few words, his gentle demeanor leaving The Emperor dumbfounded. Unfortunately, when he looked up to face him, that gentleness vanished without a trace, leaving only a stern and imposing aura.
"Mother Empress sees everything clearly. Your son also believes Consort Chen is highly suspicious. Why not let your son handle this case? I believe that after applying severe torture, Consort Chen will surely have a different story to tell. For instance, what exactly happened on the day of the consort's birthday."
"Yunxi, you have never done such things before. Leave it to the Ministry of Justice," Empress Dowager said kindly, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists at her sides.
"Mother Empress need not worry," Fu Yunxi said calmly. "Your son spent many years in the military camp. There are one hundred and eight methods to make enemy captives tell the truth."
Han Yan had no doubt that if Fu Yunxi truly resorted to torture, his methods would likely make one wish for death rather than endure life. Consort Chen, having always been pampered and delicate, certainly could not withstand such cruel punishment. If she were to confess, Empress Dowager would likely find it difficult to escape implication. Fu Yunxi's relentless pressure caused Empress Dowager's expression to shift slightly.
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