The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 140

As soon as Minister Liu mentioned that the star was associated with fire, everyone turned to look at Song Jin. Just earlier, the Imperial Study had caught fire. During the day, it was unlikely that candles would be lit in the Imperial Study. According to the young eunuch’s description, no one was in the study at the time. The Fourth Prince’s fate clashed with the Emperor’s. Could the Fourth Prince’s presence have caused the fire? But why did the heavenly fire burn inside the Imperial Study instead of trees or buildings?

Everyone cast curious and suspicious glances at Song Jin. In that moment, Song Jin realized that this incident was aimed at her. From the young eunuch’s summons to the words of Minister Liu from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, it was all directed at her. Given this, she had to think about how to save herself.

Although her mind wasn’t as sharp as these people’s, she had to make an effort in critical moments. She couldn’t just wait for death. Song Jin took a deep breath. The Crown Prince noticed her action. The last time at the Duke’s, she had sniffed like this, and the same happened at the Magistrate’s residence. Was this just a habit, or could she actually smell something?

The Crown Prince observed Song Jin as she stepped out from behind the table and walked over to Minister Liu. She sniffed again and then turned to the Emperor. “Father Emperor, it seems this matter is related to me. Because I went to the Imperial Study, it caught fire, and my fate clashes with yours. However, I have a request.”

The Emperor had lost all patience with this son. “A request? How dare you ask for a request!”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned. She had insisted on having the interrogation here to prevent the Emperor from making things difficult for the child. She knew the Emperor’s nature; he was always overly sensitive when it came to the throne.

Ignoring the Emperor’s anger, Song Jin maintained a calm expression. “Father Emperor, I do have some reason. Firstly, I didn’t enter the palace on my own. Secondly, I didn’t go to the Imperial Study on my own. If it weren’t for someone leading me into the palace and someone falsely passing an imperial edict, would I have gone to the Imperial Study?”

She sniffed again. “Minister Liu, as far as I know, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau does not permit the use of incense due to its unique and sacred nature, correct?”

Minister Liu looked puzzled. “What does Your Highness mean by this?”

Song Jin replied, “Just confirming something.”

The Emperor angrily interjected, “You knew your fate clashed with mine, yet you ignored my decree and entered the palace, causing trouble. How dare you argue!”

At that moment, the eunuch steward returned, looking grim. “Your Majesty, almost all the documents in the Imperial Study have been destroyed.”

This statement caused another collective gasp in the hall. All the documents!

The eunuch steward continued, “I questioned everyone. At the time, no one was in the Imperial Study.”

He paused and then added, “I also brought the eunuch who falsely delivered the imperial edict. He is just outside.”

The Emperor nodded, and the eunuch steward ordered, “Bring him in!”

The trembling young eunuch was brought in. The Emperor’s face was dark with a murderous aura. To him, falsely passing an imperial edict was despicable, but Shen Yue was even more despicable. Just by his presence, he had caused the Imperial Study to burn.

The young eunuch immediately knelt and begged. “Your Majesty, I truly didn’t know it was a false edict. It was Xiao Fu who told me to deliver the message.”

Xiao Fu was the eunuch at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

The eunuch steward added, “I couldn’t find Xiao Fu.”

The Emperor coldly commanded, “Find him!”

The eunuch steward left to carry out the order. The Emperor then turned to Song Jin. She could see that the person who framed her was exploiting her fate. No matter the truth, as long as it could be proven that her presence caused the fire in the Imperial Study, she wouldn’t survive. How could the Emperor tolerate such a disaster?

Damn! How malicious!

Facing such a severe issue for the first time, Song Jin felt a bit panicked. She took several deep breaths, forcing herself to remain calm. If she didn’t stay calm, she would die.

She addressed the Emperor, “Father Emperor, I believe Minister Liu is lying.”

The problem lay with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. She just needed to focus on the main issue. As for Minister Liu… what nonsense about a calamity star! He must have been bribed. Even if she hadn’t read as many storybooks as the Crown Prince, she had watched “Empresses in the Palace”! Moreover, Minister Liu did seem suspicious.

As soon as Song Jin finished speaking, Minister Liu hastily bowed. “Your Majesty, I have always been diligent and loyal.”

The Emperor gestured for him to be silent and glared at Song Jin. “Don’t bite like a mad dog! Guards, take him away!”

Song Jin… Damn it! Do you hate me that much?

At that moment, Song Jin’s eyes narrowed, and a murderous intent rose. She had already decided that if the Emperor really ordered her to be taken away, she would use her powers to control a guard’s sword and kill this wretched Emperor in one stroke!

However, before the eunuchs could take Song Jin away, the Empress Dowager spoke up. “Let him finish speaking. He mentioned something about incense, which I’d like to hear.”

Consort Li, sitting below, was filled with rage. That old hag!

The Emperor was reluctant, but since the Empress Dowager had spoken, he relented. “If you can’t explain yourself, I will punish you severely!”

Song Jin said, “Minister Liu claims that last night they observed an anomaly in the heavens. But if that’s the case, he should have been at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau the whole time until now.”

Minister Liu lifted his chin. “Naturally. For the sake of His Majesty and the nation, I wouldn’t dare slack off.”

“Since Minister Liu never left, can you tell me if anyone visited the Imperial Astronomical Bureau during this period?”

“Of course not. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau is a sacred place and cannot be entered casually.”

Song Jin smiled. “Then, Minister Liu, can you explain why you smell of Goldleaf Flower incense?”

Minister Liu’s eyes flashed with panic, but he quickly suppressed it. “Nonsense! I have no such scent!”

Song Jin smiled. “Goldleaf Flower incense is for imperial use, specifically for consorts and Princesses. While it can also be given to servants, its sweet scent is usually reserved for women. I doubt anyone would use it as a reward.”

Some consorts nodded instinctively. Goldleaf Flower incense was indeed for imperial use and was especially favored in the palace for its sweet scent. Only highly favored consorts could obtain it.

Song Jin scanned the consorts and then addressed the Emperor. “If Father Emperor doesn’t believe me, you can send someone to smell him.”

She pointed to Minister Liu’s chest. “The scent is still there.”