"Mother, Dandan found out from its inheritance that the soul is unbound the moment it leaves the body. When Mother finishes this mission and leaves, Dandan will just take Mother away!" the divine beast Dandan said excitedly.
"Well done, Dandan. But taking you away directly is too risky. See if you can temporarily sever my connection with the system. Let's test it out before we make any plans," Xiao Wenqiang worried that if the shielding time was too short, the system might detect the soul's escape and trigger its self-destruct mode, which would be disastrous.
"Okay, Mother, Dandan will listen to you." Dandan was still a child, and its voice was adorably cute.
Night fell, and the starry sky was resplendent.
After finishing what he considered a tender and intimate dinner in Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang)'s Kunning Palace, Situ Chuanqiong, with the palace servants clearing away the dishes, took her hand and began to chat.
"Lan'er, I know that your contribution was the greatest in resolving the war with Pengxi Kingdom so quickly." Situ Chuanqiong stroked his Empress's hand, which was no longer as soft and smooth as that of a pampered young lady, with some reluctance. "Look, even your hands have become much rougher."
Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) suppressed the feeling of disgust and forced herself not to withdraw her hand. Goosebumps erupted uncontrollably on her skin. "It is my greatest fortune to be able to share Your Majesty's worries. Lan'er does not feel tired at all." It was so difficult to maintain her demure demeanor.
"Lan'er, I realize now that you are still the one who cares about me the most!" Situ Chuanqiong was greatly pleased by these words. Thinking of Leng Yuanxiang, who had cuckolded him, he found his current Empress even more wonderful.
"Since childhood, I have admired Your Majesty. We have been through life and death together. If I don't treat you well, who else would I treat well?" Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) unleashed her acting skills, looking at the man affectionately as she spoke.
Situ Chuanqiong was deeply moved. He leaned closer and whispered, "Lan'er, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Why don't I stay in Kunning Palace tonight?"
Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) tilted her head slightly, feigning a difficult expression. "This concubine also misses Your Majesty dearly, but today... it's not convenient..."
Situ Chuanqiong looked puzzled. "The Imperial Household Department didn't mention that you have your period during this time?"
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had inquired with the Imperial Household Department beforehand. Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang), nearly exposed, quickly found a new excuse. "The Imperial Household Department is not mistaken. It's just that this concubine has been exposed to the elements outside for a while, so my cycle has become irregular."
"It is I who have not considered this. Then Lan'er should rest well tonight! I will come to accompany you again in a few days." Upon hearing this, Situ Chuanqiong decided to retreat.
"Very well, then this concubine will see Your Majesty off." Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) immediately stood up, her eyes shining intently at him.
For some reason, Situ Chuanqiong felt that his Empress seemed very happy that he was leaving. However, he quickly convinced himself, "Impossible. All the women in the harem wish for me to stay in their chambers. The Empress must not want to make things too difficult for herself, which is why she isn't showing it."
After this self-consolation, Situ Chuanqiong also left Kunning Palace.
Five days later.
Situ Zixian secretly brought the scapegoat he had chosen to the palace to meet the Emperor.
"Imperial Brother, this is Zhang Ming, the adopted son of Zhang Zhu, the Vice Minister of Works. I've explained everything to him," Situ Zixian said, patting Zhang Ming's back.
Zhang Ming didn't dare to raise his head and replied tremblingly, "This humble one will bear all the responsibility. I beg Your Majesty to spare my family."
Situ Chuanqiong knew that Zhang Zhu, the Vice Minister of Works, had people involved in submitting forged documents. It seemed that this Zhang Ming was being put forward as a scapegoat. "Very well! If the Empress wants to interrogate you herself later, you must remember what to say and what not to say."
"This humble one understands." Zhang Ming kowtowed repeatedly, a sense of resentment brewing within him. The decision to frame Chu Qian's family had been a joint resolution of the entire clan, yet now he alone had to bear the burden for the imperial harem. However, his wife and children were now under control. Sacrificing himself was the only way to protect the entire Zhang clan.
Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang), not in the same room, had already known from her tracking device that these two brothers of the Situ family were plotting again. She lay in bed with composure, planning her next move.
As expected, the next day, Situ Chuanqiong came to Kunning Palace in high spirits after the morning court.
"Lan'er, we've found the culprit who slandered the Chu family. He's currently imprisoned in the dungeon!"
"It's someone from the Zhang family, isn't it?" Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) asked.
"Yes! It was this Zhang Ming who submitted the forged evidence to Zhang Zhu, the Vice Minister of Works, and then Zhang Zhu presented the false evidence." Situ Chuanqiong looked into the Empress's eyes and said tentatively, "The Vice Minister of Works, without discerning the authenticity of the evidence, arbitrarily accused the Great General of Zhenguo. I have dismissed him from his post and ordered him to atone for his crime!"
"That's wonderful! Then Your Majesty can restore my father and the reputation of my Chu clan." Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) feigned great joy. "Your Majesty, may this concubine go and question this Zhang Ming? Ask him why he did this?"
"Of course! I'll arrange it immediately." Situ Chuanqiong felt relieved that she didn't seem to be targeting him for not thoroughly investigating the matter before deeming Chu Qian a traitor. However, he also felt a sense of unease.
Situ Zixian was also in the dungeon. By the time they arrived, Zhang Ming was already dead.
"This Zhang Ming confessed everything. It was all his idea, and Zhang Zhu and the others were unaware. However, this man couldn't withstand torture, and he died without much interrogation." Situ Zixian dared not look into Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang)'s eyes. "Fortunately, all the evidence is here, and the Chu family's reputation can be cleared."
It was the same old trick, and Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) knew it well. However, her current objective had been achieved, and there was nothing more to be gained by asking.
Yet, looking at the man in front of her, who was disfigured from torture, her heart felt a pang of sorrow.
Although this Zhang Ming deserved to die, she wondered if Chu Yulan's brothers had also suffered similarly brutal torture in this dungeon in the past.
Even though they never admitted to the crime of rebellion until their deaths, if the Emperor had wanted them to confess, even if the evidence was gone, they would still be convicted.
As she thought about it, Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang)'s eyes began to redden.
Situ Chuanqiong mistook her reaction for being unaccustomed to the gruesome sight. He gave his brother a look, then put his arm around the Empress and led her out. "Lan'er, don't worry. With the confession, I will immediately proclaim to the world and restore the reputation of your Chu clan!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This way, my father and mother can rest in peace in the netherworld."
The two figures, leaning on each other, walked away, leaving Situ Zixian alone in the dungeon. He watched their retreating backs, clenching his fists silently...