The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 145

Song Jin suddenly remembered Shen Yue’s words: “The daughter of Duke, Consort Li, is currently in high favor. If you enter the palace, be cautious. When the Duke’s Estate fell due to the gold mine incident, Consort Li must have hated the one who investigated it—me.”

Consort Li protested her innocence, but the Emperor’s face turned livid. “If you are wronged, take it up with the Ministry of Justice!”

As he spoke, two eunuchs stepped forward. Though the Duke’s Estate had fallen, Consort Li still had the Great Great General behind her. The Chief Eunuch, being cautious, signaled the young eunuch to handle her carefully—interrogation was fine, but they mustn’t kill her.

The young eunuch understood and led Consort Li away. She struggled madly, shouting, “Why doesn’t Your Majesty believe me? The Duke’s Estate has always been loyal to you. The gold mine incident was a setup, but you imprisoned my entire family without investigation.”

Her grief and anger made her lose control of her words. Her outburst only fueled the Emperor’s rage. The Chief Eunuch signaled the young eunuchs to quickly drag Consort Li away.

As they passed by Noble Consort De, Consort Li halted, glaring at Song Jin with hatred. “You will die a terrible death.”

Song Jin didn’t even glance at her. Perhaps Song Jin’s indifference provoked Consort Li. She suddenly went berserk, pulling out a gold hairpin and lunging at Song Jin. “It’s all your fault! If not for you, the Duke’s Estate wouldn’t have fallen. I want you dead!”

At that moment, Consort Li had lost her mind, charging at Song Jin like a maddened bull. For a split second, the Emperor wished Consort Li would kill Song Jin. That way, his troublesome fourth son would be gone, and there would be no one whose destiny clashed with his.

Yet, he couldn’t actually let Song Jin die without a convincing cause; otherwise, the people might suspect him. The Chief Eunuch, having served the Emperor for many years, understood his thoughts. Seeing the two young eunuchs restraining Consort Li, he coughed lightly.

The young eunuchs turned to him, and in a blink, the frenzied Consort Li lunged at Song Jin. If it had been the former Shen Yue, Song Jin wouldn’t know how he would have reacted. But now…

Just before Consort Li reached her, Song Jin grabbed her by the throat, holding her at arm’s length. Consort Li flailed the hairpin desperately, aiming for Song Jin’s throat but striking only the hand gripping her throat.

With a swift kick, Song Jin sent Consort Li flying back, crashing into the two young eunuchs. “Can’t even restrain Consort Li? Are you doing this on purpose, letting a criminal assault a prince? Do you realize your crime? Consort Li is the prime suspect for the fire in the Imperial Study. Have you been bribed by her too?” Song Jin scolded, her face dark with anger.

The Crown Prince smirked, glancing at the Emperor. It was clear the Emperor had allowed this, but being publicly rebuked must have been humiliating. The Emperor’s face twitched, and the Chief Eunuch quickly ordered, “Take Consort Li for interrogation immediately!”

The young eunuchs, frightened, dragged Consort Li away as she screamed, “You will die a terrible death!”

Song Jin ignored her and turned to the kneeling Minister Liu. “Minister Liu, explain how the fire in the Imperial Study started.”

As she spoke, the Heavenly Hound barked in support. Seeing the bloody and mangled Xiao Fu, Minister Liu shivered. “It was Consort Li. She ordered me to report that the fire was an act of heaven. As for the fire itself, I truly don’t know. I was only tasked with reporting the celestial signs.”

Song Jin sneered. “So, your claim of the Astrologer’s observation was false?”

Minister Liu didn’t want to admit it was fake. The Astrologer’s office thrived on its mystical reputation, blending truth and lies. The Heavenly Hound barked again, making Minister Liu shudder. “Consort Li deceived me. I did falsify the report.”

Song Jin pressed, “How did she deceive you?”

Minister Liu gritted his teeth. “She promised me two houses in the capital.”

Song Jin laughed. “Oh, really? I don’t believe it! Even the former Capital Magistrate wouldn’t dare accept such a bribe. If you don’t tell the truth, Father Emperor’s anger might send you to the Ministry of Justice, where you could reveal even more.”

Everyone knew what “even more” referred to—the matter of conflicting destinies. The Emperor, staring at Shen Yue, felt an increasing urge to crush him. If the matter of conflicting destinies was proven false, what would that make him? A joke! A sovereign deceived by the Astrologer for years, with the truth unveiled by the Fourth Prince.

He would rather believe in the conflicting destinies than let such a tale spread. With a resolved mind, the Emperor’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. “Minister Liu, your crime of deceiving the sovereign is unforgivable. You will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for punishment!”

With a decisive sentence, he cut off all of Minister Liu’s escape routes. Minister Liu, in panic, looked up at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I am guilty, but I had my reasons. Please, Your Majesty, remember the events of that year…”

The Emperor wouldn’t allow him to say more. The Chief Eunuch, understanding, swiftly gagged Minister Liu with a rag as the guards took him away.

Everyone turned to look at Noble Consort De. Neither Consort Li nor Minister Liu had mentioned her, so was she truly uninvolved? But regardless, she couldn’t be completely absolved because of the golden box. The consorts watched Noble Consort De with keen interest. She remained kneeling, appearing calm and serene.

The Emperor, fixing his gaze on Noble Consort De, knew he would investigate the golden box but not now. “Take her to the Empress Dowager’s quarters. I will interrogate her personally.”

He then turned to the Empress Dowager. “Mother, I must trouble you.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand without speaking. Noble Consort De was led away, and the Emperor addressed Song Jin. “Since you are not involved in the fire, return to your seat.”

His tone was cold and displeased. Song Jin pointed to Xiao Fu on the ground. “Father Emperor, what about him? Heavenly Hound brought him here. Shouldn’t you interrogate him?”

The Emperor’s brow twitched.