lcionline Chapter 296 The show has just begun
Chapter 296 The show has just begun
Chu Ruohan listened quietly without saying a word.
"The imperial physicians all said that the choice had to be made between saving the mother and saving the child. The Empress chose to save her own life."
Biyu's voice trembled, "But the Empress knows that if she cannot give birth to a prince, her situation will be even more difficult."
"The Duke of Wei had already made all the arrangements when the Empress was pregnant."
“A newborn boy was secretly sent to a residence outside the palace, and I went to retrieve him to pretend that he was born to the Empress.”
Chu Ruohan and Doctor Qian exchanged a glance and asked, "Was Tian Yuanzheng also involved in this matter back then?"
Biyu gave a bitter smile: "No, he just had no other choice at the time."
"What do you mean?" Chu Ruohan pressed.
"Taiyuan Zheng was the last person to know about this."
Biyu sighed, "When he arrived at the delivery room and saw that the baby was not born to the Empress, it was too late."
"The Duke of Wei threatened him with the lives of everyone in the Tian family, so he had no choice but to cooperate."
Chu Ruohan sighed, her gaze becoming serious, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.
"But later, the Duke of Wei still exterminated the entire Tian family."
A flicker of disbelief crossed Bi Yu's eyes at first, then returned to calm, replaced by a knowing sadness.
She raised her head. "I've made everything clear."
"I have only one request: to protect my daughter's safety and well-being."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, "Don't worry."
"Once this matter is settled, I will give you enough money to settle down."
"We're sending you and your daughter away from the capital to a place where no one knows you, so you can start a new life."
Biyu's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly: "After all these years, I can finally live without fear."
“However,” Chu Ruohan put down her teacup, her expression grave.
“Until the matter is completely settled, you and your daughter will need to stay at the place I have arranged for you and you must not go out rashly.”
Dr. Qian nodded: "It's for your safety."
"Understood." Biyu breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of relief finally appearing in her eyes.
After leaving the room.
Chu Ruohan and Doctor Qian walked side by side in the courtyard. The moonlight, like water, shone on the two of them, casting long shadows.
“The Crown Prince’s true parentage is now beyond dispute,” Chu Ruohan said softly. “Next, the storm is about to break.”
Dr. Qian sighed: "The Wei family won't sit idly by and wait to die; they will definitely try every means to cover up the truth."
"Cover it up?" Chu Ruohan sneered. "It's too late."
The matter of the young princess of the Yong Prince's mansion was like a gust of evil wind that was quickly suppressed.
However, the rumors about the crown prince's true parentage intensified and spread like wildfire throughout the capital.
In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, people were whispering among themselves.
Prince Su stood with his hands behind his back, listening to his subordinates' reports.
"Just as I expected."
The subordinate whispered, "Your Highness, the rumors among the people are out of control. Even some officials have begun to submit memorials requesting the Emperor to perform a blood test to verify paternity."
Prince Su turned around, a resolute glint in his eyes: "It's time. Make the arrangements!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Meanwhile, in an inn in the south of the city.
Wei Qiming was pacing back and forth in the room, his face gloomy and his eyes bloodshot.
"Young master, please have some water." A servant-like person handed over a bowl of tea.
Wei Qiming snatched it away and roughly gulped down a few mouthfuls.
"Why is there still no news? The rumors are spreading like this throughout the capital, why haven't the Emperor and Empress made a statement yet?"
The servant lowered his head, his tone slightly seductive: "Young master, I'm afraid the Duke of Wei and the Empress are afraid to face the truth."
"Bullshit!" Wei Qiming slammed the teacup on the ground. "What truth? It's all rumors! The Crown Prince is the Emperor's biological son!"
The attendant quietly took a step back, his tone becoming even more inflammatory: "But, it's rumored among the people that the Empress had a difficult childbirth and didn't actually give birth; the child was brought from outside..."
"Shut up!" Wei Qiming roared in fury. "The Empress's innocence cannot be slandered in the slightest!"
The attendant continued calmly, "If the young master truly cares about the Wei family and Her Majesty the Empress, he should shut these people up."
"Gag me?" Wei Qiming narrowed his eyes.
“These past few days, a storyteller named Wang San has been performing at the East Market every day, telling stories about the Empress and the Crown Prince, which has attracted a large crowd.”
The servant's tone turned cold, "If we can make an example of one to deter others, perhaps we can deter those who spread rumors."
Wei Qiming was silent for a moment, then a fierce glint flashed in his eyes: "Lead the way. I want to see who dares to be so bold!"
In an open space in the East Market, a large number of people gathered to listen to storytelling.
A thin storyteller was pounding the gavel, speaking fluently and eloquently.
"...Back then, the empress suffered a difficult childbirth, her life hanging by a thread. Just when everyone was in a state of great anxiety, a young palace maid suddenly returned carrying a baby boy, saying that it was the empress's child..."
The onlookers listened intently, occasionally letting out exclamations of amazement.
Is this true?
"Shh, keep your voice down, this is a royal matter!"
Just then, Wei Qiming, accompanied by several followers, squeezed into the crowd, his eyes wide with anger.
"You audacious scoundrel! How dare you spread rumors and mislead the public here!" Wei Qiming shouted sternly.
The storyteller was startled and quickly put away his gavel, waving his hands repeatedly: "Sir, I was just telling stories to pass the time, I had no intention of offending you!"
Upon seeing this, the onlookers quickly retreated, fearing they might get into trouble.
Wei Qiming strode forward and grabbed the storyteller by the collar: "Do you know what crime it is to slander the royal family?"
The storyteller, terrified, cried out, "My lord, spare my life! I only heard it secondhand!"
"Hearsay?" Wei Qiming sneered. "Who gave you the audacity to spout such nonsense here?"
A servant leaned forward and whispered, "Sir, this kind of person should be made an example of to deter others from continuing to talk nonsense!"
Another attendant added fuel to the fire: "Yes, sir, if we don't punish them severely, I'm afraid there will be even more rumors circulating in the capital tomorrow!"
Wei Qiming's heart was filled with rage, and the humiliation and resentment that had tormented him day and night finally found an outlet.
"My Wei family will not tolerate anyone's slander!" A hint of madness flashed in Wei Qiming's eyes as he suddenly drew a dagger from his waist.
"Look everyone, this is what happens to those who spread rumors!"
After saying this, he stabbed the storyteller in the chest with a knife.
"what--!"
A piercing scream shattered the morning's tranquility.
The storyteller clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground, his clothes quickly stained with blood.
The onlookers were terrified and scattered in all directions.
"Killed!"
"Run!"
"Someone has committed a crime!"
The cacophony of voices and hurried footsteps scattered in all directions, and the East Market was thrown into chaos.
Wei Qiming panicked when he saw the blood on his hands.
He originally only wanted to teach the storyteller a lesson...