coobybook Chapter 152 Forcibly Entering the Imperial Bedchamber
Chapter 152 Forcibly Entering the Imperial Bedchamber
Yu Chi Ling's body trembled, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
With his hands behind his back, Yu Chisheng gazed at the tomb not far away and said in a low voice, "Back then, the Empress and Consort Lan gave birth on the same day. I happened to be outside the city inspecting the disaster situation and was unable to return to the palace."
"Over the years, I never suspected anything until I sent Wu Yue to investigate the whereabouts of the palace servants of Fengqi Palace. Only then did I discover that there was something fishy going on. None of the palace servants who had served in Fengqi Palace survived, and they all died in the same year and month."
"Reflecting on all the ways Consort Lan has treated you over the years, I can't help but suspect that you are the Empress's son!"
As he uttered his last words, Yu Chi Ling's body stiffened, his hands clenched into fists and trembled slightly.
Ye Shishu grasped one of his fists, silently soothing his emotions.
She could understand how he felt at that moment.
They suspected a relationship with Consort Lan, but the word "birth mother" was too heavy. The slightest mistake could lead to public condemnation. So all they could do for now was to test her, keep testing her, and let Consort Lan reveal her true colors.
Now that the emperor himself has expressed his doubts about the matter, how could they not be excited?
Seeing his son's emotions, Yu Chi Sheng asked again, "Ling'er, I've only ever heard of blood tests to prove kinship between living people. Now that the Empress is a skeleton, do you have a way to prove kinship with her?"
Yu Chi Ling loosened his fists and approached the tomb step by step.
He had considered having a blood test to verify his kinship with Consort Lan.
But that can only prove his relationship with Consort Lan.
If it is found that he is not Consort Lan's biological son, then what will his identity be?
He dared not even dream of a relationship with the Empress, for fear that his high hopes would turn into endless embarrassment, and then what would he do?
"Ling'er!" Yu Chi Sheng followed behind him and said in a deep voice, "If you have a solution, I will immediately have the coffin opened!"
Standing before the towering tombstone, Yu Chi Ling raised his hand to stroke the inscription, and replied in a low, hoarse voice, "Father, have you considered how you would explain to Her Majesty if I were not Her Majesty's son, and Your Majesty had rashly exhumed Her Majesty's tomb?"
Yu Chisheng was stumped by his question.
He really hadn't thought about that...
If this son is not the Empress's child, then where should we look for the Empress's children?
Yu Chi Ling bowed his head before the tombstone and whispered to him, "Father, there's no need to open the coffin. Your son has a way to find the answer!"
"What method?" Yu Chisheng asked urgently.
"Having the Empress's closest relatives take my blood test will give us the same answer."
"This……"
Yu Chisheng frowned, looking troubled.
Although the Empress's father, the Duke of Wei, was still alive, he was quite old and had returned to his ancestral home to retire many years ago.
Most importantly, the Duke of Wei dotes on his grandson, the Crown Prince, and rashly summoning him back to the capital to verify his kinship with Prince Cheng would surely cause a huge uproar.
At that time, it will be a question whether the Duke of Wei will be able to return to the capital smoothly.
Yu Chi Ling turned around, his eyes slightly moist, but a smile on his lips. "Father, don't worry. I have other ways. If you trust me, then leave this matter to me."
"What do you want to do?" Yu Chisheng asked.
Yu Chi Ling approached him and whispered in his ear.
Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Sheng narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Alright! Let's do it that way! After we return to the palace, I will announce the hunting trip!"
……
When the emperor claimed to be ill, the concubines in the harem all wanted to show their concern for him.
Consort Lan was no exception.
However, when she led the concubines to Yuchi Sheng's Qianning Palace, Qi Sui stopped her at the door, saying, "His Majesty has taken his medicine and is resting. Please do not disturb His Majesty and return home."
"His Majesty was perfectly fine yesterday, why did he suddenly fall ill? Is it because you did not take good care of him that His Majesty's health has deteriorated?" Consort Lan questioned him, pointing at him.
"Your Highness, please calm down." Qi Sui bowed and explained, "Academician Lu said that His Majesty has been overworked lately, and that he caught a cold yesterday because he didn't put on enough clothes in time."
"That's because you didn't take good care of her!" After saying that, Consort Lan shouted at the guards beside her, "Guards, take Qi Sui away and give him twenty strokes of the cane!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Sui's expression changed instantly.
At his age, let alone twenty strokes, even a few strokes would probably kill him!
Seeing that the guards did not move, Consort Lan became even more furious and pointed at them, saying, "What are you all standing there for? Do you want to be beaten with him?"
The guards all lowered their heads.
Qi Sui retorted indignantly, "Your Highness, I have failed to take good care of His Majesty, and I am guilty. But His Majesty needs me to attend to him now that he is ill. Even if I am to be punished, I must wait until His Majesty has recovered!"
Consort Lan sneered, "Does this mean that without you, there's no one to serve the Emperor in Qianning Palace? Go and be punished. I will take care of the Emperor!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Sui's expression turned even more unpleasant.
He knew this imperial concubine was difficult to get along with, but he never expected her to be so domineering while the emperor was unwell!
"Your Highness, I am His Majesty's servant. All decisions regarding my fate must be made by His Majesty. Is Your Highness trying to interfere in the affairs of Qianning Palace today?"
"Insolence!" Consort Lan shouted. "As the Grand Eunuch in charge of the affairs of Qianning Palace, you have caused His Majesty to fall ill. Do you think I cannot punish you?"
"The affairs of Qianning Palace are none of the Consort's business!" Qi Sui no longer bowed and scraped, and replied in a straight voice.
"you……"
"All guards, listen to my command! Consort Lan is attempting to disturb the Emperor's rest. Immediately expel her and all the other concubines from Qianning Palace!" Qi Sui gave her no chance to speak and immediately ordered the guards.
Seeing this, Consort Lan stared at him in disbelief. "Qi Sui, how dare you! We came to visit the Emperor, and not only did you stop us, but you also arrogantly drove us away? Do you have some kind of conspiracy? Or did you do something to the Emperor?"
Qi Sui felt like vomiting blood.
Normally, he would have immediately reported to the Emperor and asked him to make the decision.
But today, he can't leave.
After all, there was no one in the palace. If he let these women in, how would he explain it?
"Your Highness, as the acting head of the six palaces, you should be reasonable. To so rudely and unreasonably accuse this servant is utterly beneath your dignity!"
"Get out of my way! I must see the Emperor today!" When Consort Lan saw that ordering the guards was not working, she ordered her own palace servants, "Someone, pull Eunuch Qi away!"
"Who's causing trouble!"