Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 194

She also received an unexpected surprise: the emperor gave her the care of the little prince born to Consort Jing!

Although he wasn't her own son, having a prince under her care was better than having none at all.

Although Consort Jing was not executed, she was only demoted to the West Third Palace, which was similar to the Cold Palace. Once she was inside, she had a way to make Consort Jing die there within a few days!

The Emperor then changed his tone, coldly addressing Empress Chu: "Empress, in the more than ten years since you took charge of the inner palace, there have been constant incidents, both large and small. Concubines have frequently met with accidents, and the princes have suffered many misfortunes. This shows that you have failed in your governance. If similar incidents continue to occur, I will also consider you incapable of leading the six palaces and unfit to assume the great responsibility of Empress. Do you understand what I mean?"

Because of what Consort Jing had just said, the Emperor still harbored suspicions about Empress Chu.

So he punished Consort Jing, but also warned Empress Chu.

Empress Chu immediately stiffened.

A chill ran through her body, and she immediately prostrated herself on the ground, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, I understand! Your Majesty promises to manage the harem even more diligently!"

She needs to tone it down from now on!

It's all because of that vile Consort Jing! She blurted out everything in front of the Emperor, making him suspicious of her!

Let's see how she kills Consort Jing!

Consort Jing knelt on the ground, her face pale, and suddenly felt a deep sense of powerlessness and despair.

What the emperor wanted was merely a seemingly reasonable outcome, a way to gloss over the matter and resolve it peacefully, not the truth or fairness.

With such a conciliatory emperor and such a ruthless and vicious empress, countless grievances in this palace have been buried forever, and countless tragically deceased souls and vengeful ghosts will never find peace!

Just then, Consort Jing suddenly felt a strange gaze upon her.

She looked up and saw Shen Lingjun desperately trying to wink at her.

Confused and bewildered, she followed Shen Lingjun's gaze and saw that the box that Empress Chu had tossed on the small table no longer contained the original doll with silver needles stuck in it!

Now, there is an ordinary rag doll, the kind commonly seen in folk culture. It is very exquisitely made, but it doesn't really resemble the empress. It's just that it's wearing an apricot-yellow dress embroidered with gold thread.

Consort Jing's eyes widened suddenly, utterly shocked!

What... what's going on?!

She looked at Shen Lingjun again in disbelief.

Could it be that Shen Lingjun switched the doll?

How is that even possible? Where did she get this doll from, and where did she hide that witchcraft puppet?

But Consort Jing didn't have time to think carefully. The opportunity was right in front of her, so she immediately pretended to have just seen the doll clearly and exclaimed:

"Your Majesty! I am innocent! The Empress accuses me of practicing witchcraft, and there is ample evidence and witnesses to prove it. But please take a closer look at this doll. It is clearly just an ordinary doll! How could it be a witchcraft doll used for curses?"

Empress Chu had just glanced at the doll in the box before tossing it onto a small table beside her. The Emperor entered, and upon hearing Empress Chu's words about Consort Jing's plot against her, he hadn't actually looked at the doll properly.

At this moment, both the Emperor and Empress Chu looked toward the box upon hearing the sound.

Empress Chu's expression changed drastically!