The Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming's expressions changed.
Geng Yufei almost fainted from a lack of breath.
Then, Zhan Tianye's voice, cold enough to freeze people to death, said, "The Empress Dowager and the Regent want evidence? Unfortunately, this King has just obtained some."
"Evidence?" The Empress Dowager was shocked.
Besides a guard, there could be evidence? She abruptly looked at Geng Yufei.
Geng Yufei's eyes flickered, filled with panic and disarray. Her flustered appearance immediately revealed her usual lack of caution, and there must be evidence that could be found.
The Empress Dowager's temples throbbed painfully; she almost fainted. How could her Geng family have such an idiot?
Too foolish!
To actually leave behind evidence!
As one letter after another was thrown before them, Zhan Tianye continued, "All of them are in the Empress's handwriting. The Empress and Chen You had known each other long ago and planned to elope before entering the palace. These are all evidence."
Zhan Tianhong looked at the letters on the ground and sneered at the Empress Dowager, "Mother, with the evidence now conclusive, can we not send the Empress to the celestial prison?"
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, her eyelids and lashes trembling. When she opened them, she glanced at Zhan Ming without expression.
Zhan Ming's facial muscles were taut, clearly suppressing his anger at the moment.
Yun Shu hadn't paid much attention earlier. The Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming had always exchanged glances, and she hadn't thought much of it then. But now, she sensed something unusual.
She felt a subtle strangeness about it all.
But this was not the time to dwell on it. She was somewhat surprised by Zhan Tianye's speed.
To find so much evidence so quickly.
In the face of ironclad evidence, the accusations the Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming had made against her earlier seemed ridiculously laughable.
"As expected, the Empress has long been in an illicit affair," Yun Shu said, feigning surprise.
"No! This evidence is all fabricated, it's not real! You can't frame me! King Ye, I have no enmity with you, why are you framing me! I didn't write these letters!" Geng Yufei was still struggling desperately.
She was unwilling!
Looking around, whether it was Zhan Tianhong, the Empress Dowager, or the ladies present, everyone's gaze towards her was filled with intense suspicion.
No one believed her words. Her reason instantly vanished, and she cried out, "Chen You! Why are you harming me? Why are you harming me!"
She couldn't understand. Chen You, who had been so affectionate just moments ago, whom she had called "brother" with all her heart, why would he betray her?!
Chen You's eyes were bloodshot as he met Geng Yufei's gaze, "Don't cry, Fei'er, we can be together forever!"
"Ah! Shut up! Shut up! I'd rather be with anyone than you! You harmed me! You harmed me!" Geng Yufei screamed hoarsely.
She wanted to turn the tables, but she also knew that everything was ruined!
She had lost everything so unpreparedly!
Just a moment ago, she felt she could easily destroy Yun Shu, and with the Empress Dowager's help, gain the Emperor's favor. Now, it was all ruined! She was finished!
The Empress Dowager's face was as cold as frost, devoid of any expression. She said to Zhan Tianye, "King Ye prepared the evidence so early; it is indeed my failing in not disciplining the Empress properly."
"Mother... Aunt..." Geng Yufei pinned all her hopes on the Empress Dowager.
She didn't want to go to the celestial prison; she still wanted to be Empress.
The Empress Dowager pursed her lips tightly, regarding Geng Yufei as a completely useless pawn.
At this point, she had to be abandoned.
The Empress Dowager averted her gaze to Zhan Tianhong, "Since the Empress has committed such a grave error, let us await the Emperor's judgment."
"Mother!" Geng Yufei cried out tragically.
Zhan Tianhong glanced at the Empress Dowager expressionlessly, then said gravely, "Send the Empress into the celestial prison! As for how she will be dealt with, I will decide when I attend court tomorrow. As for Chen You, send him to the celestial prison as well!"
"Your Majesty! This concubine knows her mistakes, please do not send this concubine to the celestial prison!" As she was dragged away by the palace attendants, Geng Yufei disregarded her status.
Since becoming Empress, she had never considered not being Empress! Her talk of eloping with Chen You and leaving the palace and capital was all a lie! How could she bear to leave the palace?
Seeing Geng Yufei's utterly disgraceful state, Zhan Tianhong's lips tightened, "I never want to see your face again from this day forward!"
After Geng Yufei and Chen You were taken away, the imperial garden fell into a somewhat terrifying silence.
This silence was unnerving.
Zhan Tianhong subtly glanced at Yun Shu, then turned to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, I am feeling unwell and will take my leave first."
The Empress Dowager's expression was extremely grim. In the past, she might have feigned being a good mother, but now she could not force a smile and could only say with a stiff face, "Too many things have happened today. Your Majesty, do not trouble yourself over it; everything will be alright."
She had to find a way to distance the Geng family, absolutely not letting this fool Geng Yufei drag them down.
Truly useless, only capable of causing trouble!
And that Chen You, why would he suddenly risk his life to expose Geng Yufei? These were all things she needed to investigate!
After nodding, Zhan Tianhong left without looking back.
Due to the sudden turn of events, those who were still in shock hadn't had time to react.
Now that they had, their hearts began to churn.
With no Empress in the harem, the Emperor would surely establish a new one.
Then, wouldn't that mean...
Zhan Ming, seeing that the situation was out of his control, was filled with uncontrollable rage. He looked at Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye with sinister eyes.
Their concerted efforts today had caught him and the Empress Dowager off guard.
Were the two of them truly harboring feelings for each other?
This was not a good thing!
Even though they had a child, the two of them absolutely could not be together!
Yun Shu returned to her seat.
The Empress Dowager also sat down again.
Given such a major event, the Empress Dowager's continued composure made Yun Shu admire her.
Suddenly, she felt someone looking at her and looked over.
Seeing Jiang Luoxi, who was sitting beside the Empress, she subtly raised an eyebrow. This woman seemed to deliberately lower her presence, making people overlook her. Perhaps, in secret, she had already observed truths that others had missed.
Yun Shu's gaze deepened slightly.
"Everyone may disperse for today," the Empress Dowager pressed her temples, appearing exhausted. Jiang Luoxi beside her gently massaged her head.
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager dismiss everyone, Yun Yueyin was instantly infuriated.
The most important reason for her coming to the palace today had not yet been accomplished.
She hadn't expected Geng Yufei to create such a scene.
It had interrupted what she was about to say.
She had a premonition that if she didn't get rid of Yun Shu now, her future days would not be easy!
"Empress Dowager, this humble subject actually has one more matter to discuss today, a matter that concerns the reputation of the entire Yun family. I must speak of it," Yun Yueyin quickly said to the Empress Dowager.
If Yun Yueyin had glanced at Yun Shu at this moment, she would not have been so rash.