Chapter 134: Benevolence

Outside the hall, the sky was overcast, and a wind that had risen at some unknown time had already blown into the chamber.

Prince Wei was still putting up a desperate struggle, attempting to lighten his own sins.

His eyes were wide open, bloodshot, his lips trembling as he crawled forward on his knees a few steps, anxiously and sorrowfully pleading, “Your Majesty—I was deceived by treacherous people, I never harbored any rebellious intentions… It was all, all this wretched maid who told me… She said, it was all her words—!”

“Since I was born, I have been the son of my mother, of Consort Hui. This wretched maid suddenly told me that I am the son of Wen Shi—how could I possibly be the bloodline of a woman like Wen Shi—she deceived me, she used me!! I was, I was blinded by her and momentarily confused… Your Majesty, please forgive me, spare me!”

Prince Wei wailed and roared in the hall, proclaiming his innocence, but just listening to the meaning of his words made one feel deeply uncomfortable.

At that moment, Zhu Qing, who had been motionless on the ground, suddenly struggled violently. She raised her head, glaring fiercely at Prince Wei. Her mouth was tightly bound, unable to speak, so she emitted some hoarse cries.

Chu Mingheng gave a slight nod, signaling his subordinates to remove the gag from Zhu Qing’s mouth.

Prince Wei was still repeating those words, but no matter how many times he said them, it was always the same few phrases. Others might not tire of hearing them, but Chu Mingheng had grown weary.

Chen Kangan understood his meaning and softly spoke from the side, “Your Highness Prince Wei, His Majesty has heard your words. Now, His Majesty wishes to hear what others have to say.”

Others…

Prince Wei’s throat tightened as he realized something, slowly turning his head to look at Zhu Qing, who had been ungagged.

Gritting his teeth, a look of difficulty and reluctance flashed across his face. “…Your Majesty, she is just a wretched maid serving Wen Shi. How can her words be trusted?!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a sword once again gently pressed against his neck, familiar and cold.

“Y-Your Majesty?” Prince Wei’s voice trembled.

Only then did Chu Mingheng speak. “Whether it is trusted or not, is it for you to decide?”

His voice was low and calm, yet every word carried a faint but undeniable authority.

Prince Wei finally fell silent, nervously glancing at Zhu Qing.

Zhu Qing had already said too much, even the imperial edict had been found.

But he still assumed that Zhu Qing would not deny the words he had just spoken. She would surely take all the blame upon herself, after all, Zhu Qing was so loyal to Wen Shi, and he was Wen Shi’s son.

Wen Shi had gone to such great lengths to ensure his survival and well-being, and Zhu Qing had even killed two empress dowagers for this cause. She could not possibly stand by and watch him die.

Having been gagged for too long, Zhu Qing could not speak immediately after being freed. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes wide with fury, a sight that still made one’s heart tremble.

After a moment, Zhu Qing finally opened her mouth and uttered a few words.

Her voice was initially very soft, so soft that no one nearby could hear it. Then, it suddenly rose to a roar, shouting at those in power: “Her Ladyship is not a wretched woman—she is not! She is the most benevolent and pure-hearted person in this world—what do any of you know?! What do any of you know! What right do you have to speak ill of her—what gives you the right—!”

Everyone stared blankly at this scene, listening to the furious shouts as if hearing some horrifying joke.

Benevolent and pure-hearted?

Utterly laughable.

How could a woman as venomous as Wen Shi still have a servant so willing to pledge loyalty to her? Did Wen Shi feed this servant some bewitching potion?

“That vile woman Wen Shi harmed so many imperial concubines and heirs in the Late Emperor’s harem, and she even left behind a scourge like you, allowing you to burn down Kunning Palace. And now you claim she was kind and pure?” Princess Rui was so furious she gasped for breath, pointing at Zhu Qing’s nose as she scolded, “If you’re mad, that’s one thing, but nothing good ever comes from following that woman. We thought that with her dead and gone, it was over, but who knew such a scourge would linger for a thousand years—we truly cannot afford the slightest carelessness!”

No one knew whether that last remark was directed at Zhu Qing or Prince Wei.

After Princess Rui finished speaking, someone nearby quickly poured her a cup of tea to help soothe her temper.

Princess Rui lowered her head, wiping away tears, and said resentfully, “If it had just been an accidental fire, that would be one thing. But now we know it was this wretched servant who set the fire herself. Empress Dowager Jingwen was always kind and benevolent by nature—everyone in the palace knew that. Who would have thought her very virtue would bring disaster upon her…”

Whispers spread among the crowd. Everyone knew well what a compassionate person Empress Dowager Jingwen had been. During her years as Empress, everyone in the palace praised her for her capable management and her role as a benevolent empress.

Thus, Empress Dowager Jingwen’s death was truly a pity.

“You served in the palaces of both Empresses Dowager. When you poisoned and set the fire, you didn’t hesitate at all. What did Wen Shi do to make you so devoted?”

Hearing this, a flicker of nostalgia passed over Zhu Qing’s face. Her gaze grew distant as she slowly said, “Her Ladyship was the best person in this world. I’ve never met anyone better than her. She… she never treated me as a servant. She treated me as a person—an ordinary person!”

“The Lin family? I served the Lin family’s young lady from childhood as her personal maid. But after she entered the palace, she cast me aside, saying what? That I was too conspicuous, drawing too much attention.”

“It didn’t matter. I was a servant; I obeyed.”

“Later, I went to serve the Empress. She took a liking to my incense-making skills, but when Lady Qiao asked about me, she simply gave me to Lady Qiao.”

“After that, I broke a ritual vessel bestowed by the Emperor. According to palace rules, I was to be executed, and Lady Qiao abandoned me too.”

“Thirty lashes according to palace rules nearly beat me to death. But fortunately, I met Her Ladyship.”

At this point, Zhu Qing seemed to lose herself in madness, her face filled with joy and nostalgia. “Her Ladyship treated me the best. She never saw me as a servant. She even told me I didn’t have to bow and scrape. She had the Imperial Physician treat me and allowed me to rest and recover. She saved my life.”

“Her Ladyship was the best person in the world! Everyone else was utterly hypocritical, forcing her onto that path of no return—”

“It doesn’t matter. I will avenge Her Ladyship. I will watch over her son carefully. Even if I die, I will ensure her son grows up to exact vengeance for her!”

Zhu Qing spoke with hatred, her voice hoarse, her eyes fixed directly on Chu Mingheng above.

Chu Mingheng showed not a trace of emotion.

He had long since heard such mad ramblings… long ago, he had already heard these words…

But Lan Wu had not.

He lowered his gaze toward Lan Wu’s direction, his eyes deep and unfathomable. The other hand resting on his leg slowly rubbed his fingertips, a hint of impatience in the gesture.

A sudden cry of complaint reached his ears—the familiar, nauseating words once again flooding into his hearing.

He frowned slightly, shifting his gaze away from Lan Wu to see Prince Wei putting on another act.

Prince Wei’s reaction was one of profound grief and regret, yet he did not forget to speak disparagingly of Wen Shi, whom Zhu Qing revered as a goddess. She was his own birth mother, yet in his words, she sounded like a wicked woman deserving of damnation.

Chu Mingheng watched the scene expressionlessly, quietly awaiting Zhu Qing’s response.

And indeed, she did not disappoint him.

She stared blankly at Prince Wei, as though unable to hear what he was saying, until she saw him growing louder and more impassioned. Only then did she suddenly lunge forward, knocking Prince Wei to the ground.