Chapter 710: Another Lie To Cover A Lie
When after half a shichen, everyone gathered in the Imperial Court again, no one found anything abnormal.
The old physician now stood behind Xi Ying silently with his head lowered. He had shrunk his body as if he didn't want anyone to notice him. However, after whatever he had revealed, it was impossible for anyone not to notice him.
In Xi Ying's absence, many had tried to talk to him but fortunately, Minister Xin's protective shelter had kept him safe from all those curious and questioning gazes.
Xi Ying's lips twitched when the Imperial Eunuch announced the arrival of the Emperor because the old physician was the first person to kneel down on the ground.
There was no doubt that the old man was afraid.
However, Xi Ying could do nothing to shake away his fear. It was the old man's choice to trust him or not. However, he would abide by his words even if he had to go against the Emperor himself in front of everyone.
Everyone kneeled down on the ground to greet the Emperor.
Xi Ying stood calmly with his hand on his chest and his head a little bowed to show his respect which was never there.
After Zhao Wang Lei had seated down and had asked everyone to get up, Xi Ying's indifferent eyes went to Zhao Zhuang Chen whose gaze he could feel on himself constantly.
Zhao Zhuang Chen looked at him back for only a moment before he moved his gaze away.
It almost seemed as if the elder prince was on the verge of requesting Xi Ying to stop all this. After all, he didn't want to lose such a good and strong backing.
However, everything was done.
Xi Ying didn't wish to step back. He had warned Qin Wenya. Since she didn't choose to follow his warning and went against him, she would have to face the consequences of her action as well.
Xi Ying focused his attention on Zhao Wang Lei when he saw that he was about to say something.
"Zhen had never thought that Zhen's beloved Consort, Noble Consort Shu would ever be mentioned again …here in the Imperial Court."
There was a bitter smile on Zhao Wang Lei's lips as he said these words. Only a few people understood this smile.
The Empress being mentioned was not rare, but consorts were rarely mentioned in the Imperial Court.
However, when Zhao Wang Lei brought Noble Consort Shu to the Imperial harem and granted her the title of Noble Consort straightaway, many ministers at that time opposed him.
Because Noble Consort Shu was from a tribe.
She was not from a noble family and hence it was against the norm that she was granted such a big title without doing anything rare.
However, the Emperor had not listened to anyone and had ended the matter with his words that no one could interfere in the Emperor's harem except the Emperor himself.
The present people in the Imperial Court were slightly confused when they heard the Emperor say further.
"However, it seems that truth can never really stay hidden forever. It shall come out regardless of how long it had passed since its occurrence."
The bitter smile on Zhao Wang Lei's lips disappeared while the ministers looked at each other wondering if the Emperor really meant what they were understanding he meant.
And then Zhao Wang Lei finally said it.
"Zhen had never buried Noble Consort Shu's body that night. We had lied to our subjects."
An ear-piercing silence enveloped the Imperial Court.
An Emperor lying to his subjects …and him accepting it after it had been revealed by someone else…it was not some small matter.
However, who could question the Emperor! Though it was their duty to examine the Emperor's decision, who would initiate this.
Everyone couldn't help but look at Xi Ying.
However, slowly a few of them immediately gave up on this idea when they saw how calm and indifferent the young prime minister looked to the matter.
Almost all of them sighed in relief when Minister Xin finally stood up from his seat and asked the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, may the subjects know what forced Your Majesty to hide such the truth?"
Minister Xin spoke very politely though he seemed to be demanding an answer. But he could do so.
He had the power and status to do so.
It was his ancestors who had built such an enormous empire and then gave it to Zhao Clan to manage when no son was born in the clan. Minister Xin's grandfather had to continue the lineage. He had married Xin Clan's daughter and had followed all the teachings from his ancestors with dedication.
So Minister Xin had the rights and status because of his Clan's status in Xin.
Zhao clan was partially answerable to Xin Clan for its decisions.
The Emperor's face was emotionless as he stared at Minister Xin. It was after a few moments, that he finally spoke
"Minister Xin, a woman's envy can destroy some great things."
These few words seemed to declare that what the old physician had said was true. And sure enough, Zhao Wang Lei said
"It was the Empress who had killed Noble Consort Shu."
"That's a lie!"
Zhao Zhuang Chen's rageful shout immediately sounded in the Imperial Court.
Without even turning his head to look at him, Zhao Wang Lei ordered coldly.
"Take the first prince out of the Imperial Court."
Zhao Zhuang Chen's eyes were wide with shock because of whatever was going on. He wanted to oppose but the Imperial Guards dragged him out regardless of how much he struggled.
After this small chaos, Zhao Wang Lei looked at Minister Xin who was still standing surely wanting to know more, and Zhao Wang Lei did say more.
"Zhen had come to know of this that same night. However, Zhen couldn't reveal it. Revealing it would have forced Zhen to dethrone the Empress and that would have been initiating the war with Qin Empire….something that Xin couldn't have been able to afford at that time."
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺