Her legs began to tremble.
Her heart was filled with guilt!
Indeed, she had a small, circular birthmark on her thigh!
That birthmark was only known to those closest to her, not even the palace maids who assisted her with bathing and changing clothes would know!
She looked at Zhan Tianhong in terror, saying frantically, "He must have spied on this concubine! Your Majesty, someone intends to use him to ruin this concubine!"
Her words were spoken with great urgency, yet they sounded so hollow.
The panicked speech immediately exposed a flaw.
But while others heard a flaw, Yun Shu looked at Geng Yufei and had to admit that this was the most truthful thing Geng Yufei had said all night; indeed, someone was using Chen You to ruin her.
However, it was unfortunate that everyone was now stunned by Chen You's words and Geng Yufei's explanation.
The Empress Dowager walked up to Geng Yufei and slapped her across the face, "As the Empress of a nation, you cannot even control the people in your own palace, allowing them to reveal your secrets to others! Giving others the opportunity to slander you! You have greatly disappointed this Empress Dowager!"
This loud slap once again pulled Geng Yufei out of the mire.
But Geng Yufei's psychological defenses were already on the verge of collapse.
She slumped down, utterly weak.
Seeing Geng Yufei in such a state of uselessness, the Empress Dowager was furious.
She was now isolated and helpless; none of the ladies and daughters could offer any assistance.
Therefore.
She looked at Zhan Ming again.
Zhan Ming saw the Empress Dowager's gaze, and his hand under his long sleeves tightened.
"Does Mother Empress know the location of her birthmark? That location is difficult for even those closest to her to see, unless it is a pillow companion!" Zhan Tianhong questioned coldly.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's brows furrowed even tighter.
Her anger surged, regretting not having killed Zhan Tianhong back then. Now that he had grown powerful, he dared to show her such disrespect under everyone's watchful eyes!
He was determined to condemn Geng Yufei to death!
He was determined to make her Geng family a target of gossip!
She had only just returned to the palace, and he dared to embarrass her so much. Was he not afraid of offending her? Of making her even less likely to favor him?
Zhan Tianhong's insistence made the ladies and young ladies present afraid to even breathe loudly; they were all trembling with fear.
The Emperor was about to confirm the charge of the Empress's illicit affair with that guard!
Even though the Empress Dowager was trying desperately to salvage the situation, it seemed to have little effect.
Zhan Ming's sinister gaze fixed on Chen You, then shifted to Zhan Tianhong, "Besides this, does Your Majesty have any other evidence to prove that the Empress knew this guard long ago?"
Zhan Tianhong's expression changed.
"I believe he is currently in a state of delirium. Someone must have threatened him from behind!" Zhan Ming said coldly, and then looked down at Chen You, "If you dare to slander Her Majesty the Empress again, you and your family will surely be punished."
Anyone else would have understood the threat in Zhan Ming's words.
However.
Chen You seemed to be in a trance, repeating, "Fei'er... Marry me... I love you more than the Emperor!"
Hearing these words, Geng Yufei felt a chill run through her. In the past, she would have been delighted by such words, but now...
She screamed at Chen You maniacally, "Shut up! Shut up! I am the Empress, how dare you slander me! Guards, kill him quickly! Mother Empress, quickly have someone kill him!"
This crazed roar completely lost the calm and composure expected of an Empress.
The Empress Dowager's hands trembled. Under everyone's watchful eyes, she could no longer slap Geng Yufei. She could only watch as Geng Yufei became increasingly foolish.
Fortunately, fortunately, the Regent was here...
At this moment, Yun Yueyin, who had been in shock, suddenly awoke. She stared at Yun Shu with eyes as sinister as a ghost, "It must be Yun Shu who framed the Empress! Everyone present believes Her Majesty the Empress was harmed, only Yun Shu is protecting that guard! Yun Shu, you are my sister, I don't want you to go down the wrong path. The Empress holds a noble status, how can you ruin her reputation? Her Majesty the Empress has already explained it clearly, we all believe her!"
"Your Majesty, please do not fall into someone's trap! If you believe a villain and suspect the Empress, it will hurt Her Majesty's heart!"
These words seemed to come from the bottom of her heart, incredibly moving.
Yun Shu looked at Yun Yueyin's hypocritical act, her eyebrows rising coldly. Was Yun Yueyin in a hurry to die?
No need to rush, since she had made a move today, none of them would escape.
"Yun Shu? Did you instigate the guard?" Zhan Ming's eyes flickered rapidly as he questioned her sternly.
The Empress Dowager and the two of them seemed to have a telepathic connection, both questioning in unison: "Yun Shu? What is your relationship with this guard? What is your intention in conspiring with someone to harm the Empress?"
"Do you want to marry the Emperor? Do you want to replace me as Empress?" Geng Yufei quickly followed the Empress Dowager and the others in questioning Yun Shu.
Everyone looked at Yun Shu.
Unexpectedly, the situation had suddenly reversed, pointing to Yun Shu! Even the Empress Dowager was pointing at Yun Shu. How would Yun Shu deal with this?
Gu Zhiruo was filled with anxiety, biting her lip, about to step forward to defend Yun Shu.
But as she was about to step forward, she was stopped by Yun Shu's gaze.
Gu Zhiruo's eyes turned red.
Now that the Regent, the Empress Dowager, and Yun Yueyin were all targeting Yun Shu, how could Yun Shu handle it alone?
She never expected that the Empress and the guard's illicit affair charge would be so easily shifted away.
Zhan Tianye saw that Zhan Xiaoli and Gu Xiaofeng were becoming anxious. If he hadn't stopped them, they would have rushed out to defend Yun Shu.
He narrowed his eyes coldly, seeing a palace servant hurrying through the crowd. His somber expression eased slightly.
Seeing Yun Shu implicated, Zhan Tianhong's reason was immediately consumed! They were simply too shameless!
Everyone believed that Yun Shu would definitely not know how to respond.
To their surprise, Yun Shu's expression was calm, showing no sign of panic. She said slowly, "I also wish I could have an affair with someone and replace the Empress, but reality does not permit it. The person with the birthmark on her leg is not me."
Gu Zhiruo had been very worried about Yun Shu. Even now, she was still worried, but upon hearing Yun Shu's words, she couldn't help but want to laugh for some reason.
Such matters, indeed, couldn't be shouldered by whoever wished to be blamed.
Reality did not permit it.
"Presumptuous!" The Empress Dowager, after a moment of stunned silence, reprimanded her.
Only now did she truly look at Yun Shu.
No wonder Geng Yufei was wary of her. She was quick-witted and bold! She was truly a different person from Yun Shu of a few years ago!
"Miss Yun Er speaks wisely. No one can replace the Empress in this matter. Guards, take the Empress to the imperial prison!" Zhan Tianhong, his heart filled with immense anger, raised his voice and gave the order.
"Impossible! Your Majesty's actions are too hasty! The matter has not yet been investigated, and there is no concrete evidence to prove the Empress's illicit affair. This Empress Dowager absolutely cannot stand by and watch Your Majesty act recklessly." The Empress Dowager vehemently objected.
Zhan Tianye, who had been silent for a long time, spoke. His words startled everyone.