From cute to empress

"Mengmeng, what happened? Why did you call me here so late? Is there any new development in the case?" Zhen Youcai strode up to me and looked at me worriedly.

I nodded and told him the whole story, including Concubine Yang's explanation and my discovery in the imperial garden.

"Someone is trying to frame me! They're blaming Concubine Yang and me too!" I clenched my fists tightly, my knuckles turning white from the force.

"Don't be anxious, just talk slowly. I believe that the truth will come out one day." Zhen Youcai patted my shoulder gently and comforted me softly.

His words and eyes were like a warm current that flowed into my heart, gradually calming my originally anxious mood.

"You're right. I can't lose my composure." I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "I suspect there's a dark hand in this harem that's controlling all of this, unknown to us."

"Yeah, I think so too. There are many doubts in this matter. We must start from the beginning and verify it carefully." Zhen Youcai nodded in agreement.

I pondered for a moment and then said slowly, "First, we need to examine Imperial Physician Li's diagnosis. He insisted that Concubine Zhao died of poisoning, yet he found no signs of poisoning. This in itself is very suspicious."

"You mean..." Zhen Youcai narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he had thought of something.

"Yes, I suspect that Doctor Li was most likely bribed and deliberately concealed the truth." I said affirmatively.

"And Nanny Zhou, she served Concubine Zhao for many years and knew everything about her daily life. It's impossible for her not to know the real cause of Concubine Zhao's death." I turned my gaze to the window, my tone cold, "Unless, she is also hiding something."

"Okay, I understand. I will send someone to thoroughly investigate Doctor Li and Nanny Zhou, and we will get to the bottom of this matter!" Zhen Youcai said, and was about to turn and leave.

"Wait," I stopped him, "I want to handle this matter myself."

Zhen Youcai looked at me with some concern, but finally nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

I changed into a plain palace dress and came to Doctor Li's residence accompanied by Zhen Youcai.

Doctor Li obviously didn't expect me to visit him so late at night, and his face was full of surprise.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health." Doctor Li knelt hurriedly and saluted.

I looked at him coldly and said word by word, "Doctor Li, I came here today to ask you a few questions. I hope you will answer them truthfully."

Doctor Li's body trembled slightly, his eyes flickered, and he didn't dare to look me in the eye... "Doctor Li, I'll ask you again, what is the real cause of Concubine Zhao's death?" I said in a sharp tone, my eyes like torches, staring straight into his flickering eyes.

Doctor Li was so frightened that he trembled all over and stammered, unable to speak. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes, but he didn't dare to reach out and wipe them away.

"Your Majesty, please spare my life! I...I am also under someone's orders and have no choice!" Doctor Li finally couldn't bear the tremendous pressure, fell to his knees on the ground with a thud, and burst into tears.

"Who ordered you to do this? You'd better tell the truth, otherwise, I will never let you off!" I shouted sternly.

Doctor Li trembled all over as he told the whole story in a disjointed manner. It turned out that Concubine Zhao had not died of poisoning, but had committed suicide by taking poison in order to frame me! And the person who had instructed her to do so was none other than Concubine Yang!

"Why did Concubine Yang do this?" I asked, suppressing the anger in my heart.

"Empress Yang said...said..." Imperial Physician Li hesitated, as if he had some reservations.

"Speak!" I slammed the table and stood up angrily.

"Empress Yang said that as long as Concubine Zhao is willing to do this, she will help Concubine Zhao's family escape from slavery and ensure that they will have enough food and clothing for the rest of their lives." Doctor Li was so scared that he crawled on the ground, not daring to look up.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the emotions surging in my heart.

Afterwards, I ordered someone to bring Nanny Zhou up. Faced with the ironclad evidence, Nanny Zhou's psychological defenses completely collapsed, and she admitted that she had helped Concubine Zhao conceal the truth.

"Your Majesty, I am forced into this situation! Concubine Yang is threatening the lives of my family members, and I have nowhere else to go!" Nanny Zhou pleaded bitterly with tears streaming down her face.

I looked at her coldly, without any pity in my heart.

"Someone, take Doctor Li and Nanny Zhou to the Sky Prison and wait for their punishment!" I ordered in a cold voice.

"As you wish!" The guards took the order and escorted the two men away.

I returned to my bedroom, but my heart remained restless for a long time. "Concubine Yang, why did you do this? Do you really think you can dethrone me, my queen, with your own strength?"

I sneered, a cold glint in my eyes. Yang Fei, you underestimate me, and the world...

"Come here, pass the order down. I have something important to announce at tomorrow morning's court!" I said in a deep voice, with an unquestionable majesty in my voice.

The night was chilly, the candlelight in the bedroom flickering, illuminating the memorials piled on the table and the long-cold cup of tea on the desk. Yet, I couldn't sleep. The confessions of Imperial Physician Li and Nanny Zhou kept replaying in my mind. Concubine Yang, why are you so cruel?

"Mengmeng, it's late, it's time to rest." Zhen Youcai gently held my hand, his eyes full of worry.

"I'm fine, it's just..." I hesitated, the uneasiness growing stronger. Concubine Yang's actions were far from simple. There seemed to be a larger conspiracy behind her, and the poisoning of Concubine Zhao was perhaps just the beginning.

"I know what you're worried about," Zhen Youcai hugged me in his arms, "Be careful in the court tomorrow."

I nodded and buried my head in his chest, trying to draw a little warmth and strength.

The next morning, I, dressed in my dragon robe, stepped calmly into the throne room. Civil and military officials were already standing on either side, and the atmosphere was unusually solemn. I glanced around, my gaze finally settling on Concubine Yang. She was dressed in plain clothes, her face pale, yet she couldn't conceal the smugness and defiance in her eyes.

"If you have something to report, please stand up. If not, please dismiss the court." The eunuch's shrill voice echoed in the hall.

I was about to speak when Concubine Yang suddenly stood up, slowly walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I acknowledge my guilt!" Her voice trembled, but every word was clear.

I was shocked and asked calmly, "What crime has my beloved concubine committed?"

"The death of Concubine Zhao was caused by me alone. I was jealous of her favor, so..." Concubine Yang burst into tears and took all the blame on herself.

I watched her performance coldly, sneering in my heart. Yang Fei, do you think you can clear yourself and preserve the power behind you like this?

I was about to expose her lies when she suddenly raised her head, looked directly at me, and said in a voice only the two of us could hear, "Your Majesty, are you really going to fight to the death?"

My pupils shrank slightly, and my heart was in turmoil... What did she know?

Concubine Yang's words resonated like thunder in my ears. A fight to the death? Was she threatening me? Did she truly possess some secret that could bring ruin upon me? I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil within me, observing her expression calmly.

There was no trace of panic on her face, but rather a strange confidence, as if she was certain I wouldn't act rashly. This made me even more certain that she must have someone backing her, someone of considerable importance, someone who might even threaten my throne.

I can't let her succeed, and I can't let the forces behind her get away with it! But now isn't the time to tear each other apart. I need to wait for the right moment to wipe them out!

I spoke slowly, my tone calm and without a trace of emotion: "My beloved concubine, you are too kind. I believe you are innocent. However, this matter is of great importance. I must find out the truth and give an explanation to the harem and the world."

I paused, my eyes sweeping over Concubine Yang kneeling below, and Housekeeper Sun standing behind her. A cold smile played on my lips. "Come here, take Concubine Yang and Housekeeper Sun away and keep them under guard. No one is allowed to visit them without my permission!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the guards on both sides stepped forward and escorted Concubine Yang and Housekeeper Sun away. Before leaving, Concubine Yang gave me a deep look, a complex expression that was difficult to decipher: resentment, unwillingness, and a subtle hint of pride.

I watched them leave, my heart growing heavier. Concubine Yang and Chamberlain Sun were just two pawns; the real mastermind was still lurking in the shadows. I had to find evidence of their crimes as soon as possible to completely crush their conspiracy!

I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, who was standing at the head of the civil and military officials. He looked at me with a determined gaze, as if to tell me that he would always be by my side, fighting alongside me. I smiled at him, and my heart was suddenly filled with strength.

"Retreat—"