To be a Virtuous Wife

Chapter 102

Note:
Feng Zi Jin is mentioned in the chapter as both Feng Zi Jin and Ping cairen. Cairen is her rank, “ping” is her title. Usually, titles are a sign of favor from the Emperor, and with a title, you are ranked a little bit higher than someone who would be the same rank as you. Han Qing He does not have a title, so if she was also a cairen, Feng Ji Zin would be a little tiny bit higher.

Of course, “ping” is calm, peace, and average so it’s more of a warning from He Heng in this case.

Chapter One Hundred and Two
East and West

In the place that was the hougong, there were many secrets. It was possible that there wouldn't be a trace of what you had done. The crucial aspect was how high you climbed and how steady you stood.

The two Empress Dowagers ordered the Department of Household Affairs to use torture. The people who served Luo Yin Xiu and Feng Zi Jin all went through the process. It didn't take their lives but it made people unable to even plead for death. Unable to endure the last cycle of torture, a palace maid called Zhu Yu spilled it all, even revealing what her zhuzi had done in the wang fu.

"Aijia did wonder how a feipin, who didn't even have a secure position, could kill someone and remain undetected. So there was someone who helped," Muhou Empress Dowager read through the confession and handed it to Empress Dowager Wei sitting beside her. She sighed, exclaiming, "This Feng shi is too bold."

Empress Dowager Wei scanned the confessions, so angry that her face became red. She wasn't one who showed what she felt, but what the confessions revealed was shocking and infuriating. Especially when the criminal was someone she had personally picked for her son out of the female candidates.

"Come, lead Luo guipin and Ping cairen here," She suppressed her anger and sighed at Muhou Empress Dowager. "We should have known earlier. Aijia shouldn't have arranged for such a cruel woman to serve at the Emperor's side." No wonder Heng'er and erxi had been residing everyday but still didn't have any children in the past. It must have been the poison which harmed the body and it took about half a year to recover from.

"Meimei, you should not blame yourself. You can only see a person's appearance but not their hearts," Muhou Empress Dowager comforted, "It was lucky that it wasn't more serious. It was the heavens that protected them. But since this matter has been solved, should we tell Emperor and Empress?" Such a major matter, the Empress poisoned when she had been in the wang fu, it wasn't right not to inform them.

"This kind of major incident, we can't conceal it from the Emperor and Empress," Empress Dowager Wei had recovered her composure, "Also, send someone to lead Shu gui taifei and Rui Wang over."

"It should be like this," Muhou Empress Dowager nodded. This matter was related to Shu gui taifei.

As they talked, Feng and Luo came in. Just two days in Sheng Shen Zhai but both of them looked much more fragile. Luo guipin still managed to keep her posture but Ping cairen was a sorry figure. Both eyes were dry and unfocused as though she hadn't slept for two whole days.

"Come, give Luo guipin a seat." Muhou Empress Dowager's lips curled. Even though she was smiling, others could still feel her imposing dignity.

"Thanks, Empress Dowager of both palaces," Luo Yin Xiu released a breath inside. To let her sit now, it meant that the matter had been investigated. She was clear that she had nothing to the matter but was afraid that others would wrongly accuse her. After seeing the present situation, she had nothing to worry about.

Qu Qing Ju heard that the two Empress Dowagers had called for her and He Heng to Fu Shou Palace, and looked in shock at He Heng who had been playing a match of weiqi with her: "Muhou has investigated the matter this quickly?"