flstandardbreds Chapter 167 Looking for allies
Chapter 167 Looking for allies
"What? Do you have an idea?"
Su Li asked quickly.
Pei Heng rubbed her forehead and said, "To be honest, I have never given up investigating the case of the eldest prince over the years. I even suspect that everything I encountered at the border three years ago was due to that case."
For the past six months, although he was publicly recuperating, he was actually quite active. Seeing that he was dying, the other party didn't keep a close eye on him. However, he did find some clues.
"The one who came to me to report the incident and ask for help was Pei Yan's personal attendant, Chang Gui. This Chang Gui grew up with Pei Yan and is his confidant."
"It was because I saw it was him that I believed the news that Pei Yanshen had gone behind the enemy lines. And General Liao, who served under the Central Army, was the only one who knew exactly how many troops I had taken with me on my attack. Not long ago, I asked Liancheng to investigate their whereabouts, but they both died three years ago."
"Murder to silence the witness?" Su Li exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Pei Heng nodded.
"Pei Yan thought he had handled everything well, but he didn't know that Chang Gui had a lover back then. When Lian Cheng found her, she had already fallen into prostitution."
"I redeemed her, and she told me that Changgui had told her that when he returned from the border, the Third Young Master would be the legitimate heir to the Marquisate, and he would be the most popular person around the heir, and he would let her live a life of luxury. But she never expected that he would never come back."
Thinking that Pei Yan had already planned to harm him before going on the expedition, Pei Heng's heart grew colder.
Su Li could clearly feel the tension in his whole body, but no matter how many words she said, they were powerless. She could only turn around and hug him tightly.
I only heard Pei Heng muttering above my head:
"Well, it's all over now."
Even so, Su Li could still clearly sense Pei Heng's deep sadness. After all, he was his biological brother, who had grown up with him, and yet, for the sake of the empty throne of the Crown Prince, he was so deliberately plotting against him.
"So, when you were interrogating Pei Yan that day, you actually already knew that he was the murderer who killed you." Su Li asked.
"Ah."
How can I not feel hatred in my heart?
When Pei Heng swung his sword that day, he really wanted to kill Pei Yan, to avenge the deaths of 3,000 innocent soldiers and the three years of darkness he had endured.
But he held back at the last moment.
"He did all that for the throne of Crown Prince, but that was just one of his reasons. I suspect he was ordered by Prince Jing to kill me to cover up the truth about the First Prince's case. I can't let them off so easily. I must keep him alive first and expose all the people behind him."
"Only when all the people are eliminated can it be considered true revenge."
"It's been so long since the incident happened, it's really not easy to re-investigate it. I haven't had any clues for so many days. But once this incident happened, there was undoubtedly a turning point. As long as we keep investigating, we will definitely find it."
Su Li patted Pei Heng's arm and comforted him:
"I believe you, you can do it."
The three members of the family reached an unprecedented consensus on this matter.
Su Li believed that if the whole family worked together, they could achieve great things.
"I'm going to the palace to see Concubine Jiang and tell her the truth. Now, we need to win more allies."
But before Su Li could request an audience, the next day Concubine Jiang's decree to summon her was delivered to the general's mansion.
As soon as Su Li entered Concubine Jiang's bedroom, Concubine Jiang pushed her down on the couch and started taking her pulse.
Concubine Jiang was an expert doctor. After taking her pulse, she breathed a sigh of relief and said,
"You suffered some serious internal injuries, but thankfully the doctor who treated you was very skilled, and you're almost fully recovered now. Knowing you're feeling better, I'm relieved."
Seeing Concubine Jiang caring so much about herself, Su Li was flattered and said hurriedly:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine now. Your Majesty is a skilled doctor, but I still have some hidden ailments. I wonder if I could trouble you."
The two of them just looked at each other, and Concubine Jiang said:
"In that case, then follow me to the inner room."
……
The two of them talked in secret for a long time in the bedroom. Finally, Concubine Jiang personally escorted Su Li out, holding her hand and saying:
"I already know about your hidden illness. Once I have a prescription, I will send it to your house."
Su Li quickly thanked him.
After sending Su Li away, Concubine Jiang returned to the palace and began to tinker with the herbs. After a while, she called over the palace maid and said,
"Is the soup for the emperor ready?"
"My lady, I'm fine now."
"Get ready and come with me to see the emperor." Concubine Jiang dusted off the herbal foam on her body and stood up with the help of the palace maid.
"Yes."
It has been more than two months since Emperor Jingde fell ill during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Emperor Jingde was bedridden, his condition neither improving nor worsening. Though sixty years old, he looked like a man in his seventies or eighties. His hair had turned completely white, his eyes were covered in a layer of gray, and he looked old and frail, nearing death.
When Concubine Jiang arrived, Concubine Gui and Concubine Li were both there.
Concubine Li knelt in front of Emperor Jingde's bed and cried, her hair was messy and her makeup was untidy.
"Your Majesty, I have learned that the Marquis of Jinyuan has dismissed all the maids around Wei'er, not even leaving Lingrong with her. Your Majesty, Wei'er is still pregnant and needs someone trustworthy, considerate and capable to take care of her. What they are doing is really too much."
"Your Majesty, you have to make the decision for Wei'er!"
"Ho ho."
Emperor Jingde, lying on the bed, made a few hoarse sounds from his throat, and his cloudy eyes unconsciously turned twice in the air.
"emperor?"
Concubine Li knelt for a while and grabbed Emperor Jingde's hand, wanting to hear what he said clearly, but the imperial concubine sitting on the edge of the bed pulled Concubine Li's hand away and threw her aside.
"Concubine Li, Wei'er has been spoiled since childhood. After marrying into the Marquis's Mansion, she became even more disrespectful to her parents-in-law. She acted like a princess and even demanded everyone in the mansion kneel and offer her tea the day after her wedding. This disrespect for elders and lawlessness was instigated by those around her."
"Especially that Lingrong. Which of the troubles Wei'er has caused wasn't her idea? In my opinion, such a wicked servant should be sent away. Wei'er has the maids from the Marquis' Mansion to serve her, and she has four maids assigned by me to personally look after her. She will definitely not make any mistakes."
"Can you afford to disturb the Emperor's recuperation by barging in like a madman?"
After saying that, he waved his hand and two eunuchs came forward.
"Didn't I tell you that Concubine Li is seriously ill and it's freezing cold, so you won't let her out to get some fresh air. What do you think of her? Why don't you quickly send Concubine Li back to the palace and take good care of her?"
"Yes!"
The two eunuchs seemed to be supporting her but were actually dragging her out of the bedroom.
When they got outside, Concubine Li turned around and saw Concubine Jiang. Her eyes were filled with fear and anxiety.
"I'm not sick! I really am not sick! Jiang Fei, please believe me."
Concubine Jiang lowered her eyes and stood quietly aside.
Seeing that she was also so silent, Concubine Li couldn't help but burst out laughing:
"Running dogs! You are all running dogs!"
"Mr. Wen, do you think you have secured the throne? Bah! I curse you! I curse you..."
Before she could finish her words "you will die a miserable death", Concubine Jiang raised her hand and stroked her ear, and a silver needle silently pierced her acupuncture point.
Concubine Li uttered a moan and fainted with her head tilted.
"Concubine Li has fainted from weakness. Please help her back quickly."
The two eunuchs didn't notice what Concubine Jiang did. They just said "yes" and helped Concubine Li away.