Chapter 160

Consort Liang bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes shutting due to the sudden physical assault by Jiang Xinyue.

Shu Xiang was mortified and promptly wiped Consort Liang's face with a cloth, tightly gripping the hand of her mistress. She was in dread that Consort Liang, in a fit of fury, might assault the unborn child of Concubine Zhen.

"Concubine Zhen, you..."

How nauseating is this?

"Ah!"

Before Consort Liang could finish her speech, a harsh blow struck her waist. She had little clue of what had transpired when she found herself thrown off a distance. Her face and hands were grazed by the rough ground, causing a burning pain.

Compared to the wounds on her face and hands, her waist felt as if it was broken. She lay on the ground, dazed for a long time.

Jiang Xinyue assumed the Emperor must have witnessed the injury on the hand of Xi Que and was avenging her.

The Xuanwu Emperor certainly possesses endearing qualities, she thought, as the situation took everyone by surprise.

Several old maidservants attending Jiang Xinyue were so terrified that they prostrated on the ground, trembling noticeably.

The imperial guards brought by Empress Zhu were also taken aback by the Emperor's furiously driven kick. It was only when Empress Zhu summoned them to pay respects that they kneeled amidst the chaotic scene.

Jiang Xinyue still pinned Xi Que down in a fallen pose. The Emperor gently helped her to stand, his eyes lovingly surveying her from head to toe, "Wang Dequan, summon Imperial Physician Yan."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

It appeared outwardly that there seemed to be nothing amiss, but he still wanted to ensure Concubine Zhen's well-being by having the Imperial Physician examine her.

The moment Wang Dequan left, the Emperor thundered, "Out, all of you!"

"What about Your Majesty? Aren't you interested in knowing why Your Empress plans to search Hexi Palace?"

Emperor Zhu hardened her face. "Someone reported that Concubine Zhen is practicing witchcraft within the palace. She's sent a curse for both Your Majesty and me to meet an untimely end. The effigy, bearing both our dates of birth, is hidden in the Hexi Palace."

The Emperor had full faith that Jiang Xinyue would never indulge in such conducts, scoffing at the groveling Consort Liang, "Whistle-blower? Hah! Isn't it Consort Liang who has always detested Concubine Zhen? She's notorious for stirring up chaos in the harem. Can her words be trusted?"

Even if Empress Zhu indeed found a cursed doll in the Hexi Palace, the Emperor was convinced it was just a guise by Consort Liang to frame Concubine Zhen.

It must still be in the Hexi Palace.

She spoke with such detail; it didn't seem like she was lying.

A determined look appeared in Empress Zhu's eyes. "Search for me. Even if you have to dig three feet down, you must find that object for me."

If they couldn't find it, everyone present today would be in a terrible situation.

"Your Majesty, we've found it, we've found it..."

A guard came running from outside, a brown wooden box held within his hands. He knelt before Empress Zhu who stood in front of him.

Consort Liang jumped up and seized the wooden box, "It's this one, it definitely is. I will take it to the Emperor and let him see, let him see what kind of viper the Concubine Zhen he treasures so dearly is."

Empress Zhu grabbed her arm, issued no words, but Consort Liang lost under the pressure of her gaze and handed the box to her, "Your Majesty, I am just too angry. The Emperor must severely punish Concubine Zhen."

Practicing voodoo would implicate one's royal lineage. Consort Liang didn't wish to exterminate Concubine Zhen's lineage, she only wanted Concubine Zhen to die.

Empress Zhu seized the wooden box, turning to the palace maid, Yang'er, "Follow me, you know what to say before the Emperor, don’t you?"

Yang'er immediately nodded, "This servant understands, it's all something I stumbled upon unintentionally, it has nothing to do with Empress Zhu or Consort Liang."

"Hm!"

Empress Zhu nodded contentedly, "Come in with me!"

The inner chamber of Jiang Xinyue's palace was not very large, so Empress Zhu only brought a few personal attendants. Consort Liang left Shu Xiang outside and entered alone.

The sight that met them was a room full of warm refinement, a variety of rare ornaments that dazzled the eye.

Empress Zhu was both amazed and alarmed.

Before entering, she had thought that the Emperor would certainly not tolerate a Concubine Zhen who had obtained such wicked arts.

But once inside, upon seeing this room full of wealth, her heart again fluttered with anxiety.

The Emperor...would he execute Concubine Zhen?