Part 3
Zhao Duanduan refused. They argued. She cursed impulsively, mocking the Empress as well. Who knew the next moment she would be pushed hard, falling backward into the water.
Though feverish and uncomfortable, her mind was clear. She pulled at the Empress Dowager and said again, “Mother, it was she who pushed me.”
Hearing her cry, the Empress Dowager wavered again. Seeing Linchuan curling up in pain, her heart felt like it was being cut by knives. After instructing the servants, she stood up and went out again.
“Men, take the Second Miss down and interrogate her properly!” the Empress Dowager ordered the servants beside her.
Zhao Yiyi hugged Zhao Duanduan tighter, turning to look at the Empress Dowager. “Even interrogating a prisoner requires evidence. Today both fell into the pool. Mother has no evidence, yet you want to interrogate the daughter of a Marquis?”
The Empress Dowager said, “Whether there’s evidence or not, we’ll know after interrogation.”
“Interrogate?” Zhao Yiyi’s eyes were bloodshot, her demeanor no longer gentle and virtuous, her expression bordering on madness. “Is it interrogation? Or torture into confession?”
The Empress Dowager said gravely, “Is that how the Empress thinks of Aijia?”
Zhao Yiyi ignored her, staring straight into the Empress Dowager’s eyes, asking word by word, “Has Mother considered what the nobles will think if this gets out? Today Mother can interrogate a minister’s daughter based on this; tomorrow…”
Tomorrow, the Emperor could interrogate ministers without evidence.
If the ministers truly thought this, the aristocratic families—suppressed with difficulty over generations—might strike back, making a final struggle before death.
The Empress Dowager’s face darkened. She saw clearly that the Empress was threatening her.
She suddenly sneered, looking down. “Is the Empress going to oppose Aijia?”
“This daughter-in-law dares not.” Zhao Yiyi’s expression was calm. “The matter is significant. I hope Mother will be cautious and consider for His Majesty’s sake.”
“You! You!” The Empress Dowager lost her reason in anger, shouting, “What are you all staring at!”
Matron Song signaled the servants, holding the Empress Dowager gently and trembling, “Niangniang, think twice!” She glanced imperceptibly at the inner room, lowered her eyes to hide her thoughts, and advised, “Niangniang, the Second Miss is ultimately a Marquis’s daughter. How can we do this?”
The Empress Dowager trembled all over, gritting her teeth. “What Marquis’s daughter? Just an adopted daughter. If Aijia touches her today, what can be done?”
Saying so, she ordered the servants beside her to step forward.
But the servants hesitated, approaching slowly.
Indeed, the rumor had long spread to everyone.
Zhao Yiyi couldn’t stand hearing this now. She shouted at the approaching servants, “Impudent!” She had brought many servants to Wan Chun Palace today; they gathered around now, forming human walls to protect her in the center.
“All of you, back down!”
The sound of leather boots suddenly came from outside the hall. Everyone looked back to see the Emperor striding in with an angry face. Their expressions changed.
The Empress Dowager stepped forward two steps, saying hurriedly, “Emperor, go look at your sister quickly!”
Zhao Yiyi turned her head stiffly, still hugging Zhao Duanduan tightly, staring dead at Gu Zhen. The scarlet in her eyes almost spilled tears of blood.
Gu Zhen’s heart stung. Glancing at Zhao Duanduan, he asked gravely, “Who told Mother to touch her?”
The Empress Dowager said, “She pushed your sister into the Dragon Pool today. The Empress protected her and wouldn’t let Aijia touch her, talking about some Marquis’s daughter. Just an adopted orphan of the Zhao family, of unknown origin—how can she compare to your sister?”
“Unknown origin?” Gu Zhen laughed coldly, asking the Empress Dowager, “Mother says who is of unknown origin?”
The Empress Dowager pointed at the little girl in Zhao Yiyi’s arms on the low couch, her voice heavy. “Do you think Aijia knows nothing in the palace? Just an orphan adopted by the Zhao family, of unknown origin, and you want to hide it from Aijia?”
Gu Zhen’s expression was icy, his handsome face suddenly darkening terrifyingly. “Unknown origin? Does Mother really know who is of unknown origin? Today Zhen will tell Mother: Mother’s precious darling is the one who is truly of unknown origin!”
“Emperor, what nonsense are you spouting?”
The Empress Dowager looked up in shock and disappointment, unable to believe her son would slander his own sister to protect that little girl.
” Aijia doesn’t care who you protect, but you shouldn’t…” The Empress Dowager trembled, looking at the Emperor in disbelief, her voice choking.
Gu Zhen’s eyes reflected cold mist. He stepped closer to the Empress Dowager, his gaze sharp. “Mother doesn’t understand? Fine, then Zhen will tell Mother again. Linchuan is the one of unknown origin! She isn’t Mother’s daughter or Zhen’s sister at all! She was switched! I don’t know where she was found to impersonate her!”
“For so many years, Linchuan’s birthmarks disappeared. Did Mother never suspect? Birthmarks can fade, but how can moles disappear?” He pressed closer, continuing, “This matter isn’t concluded yet. Zhen didn’t want to say it today, but if Mother insists on touching Zhao Er…”
The Empress Dowager said, “Linchuan’s birthmarks and moles disappeared as she grew. Besides, she is Aijia’s daughter. Who would dare do such a thing!”
He suddenly turned and shouted, “Roll up the Second Miss Zhao’s left sleeve.”
The surrounding servants had long been dismissed. Zhao Yiyi was still hugging Zhao Duanduan, and before she could react, a female official rolled up Zhao Duanduan’s sleeve, revealing a segment of pale arm.
On it, there was distinctly a crescent-shaped birthmark and a small red mole.
The familiar marks abruptly unlocked sealed memories.
The Empress Dowager froze, her lips trembling, her face turning white instantly.
Even Matron Song beside her was stunned into silence.
“At this point, does Mother still not understand?” Gu Zhen looked at the Empress Dowager, his brows knitting tightly. “She looks forty to fifty percent like Grandmother. Can Mother not see?”
Zhao Yiyi froze for a long time before looking down stiffly at Zhao Duanduan’s arm. Recalling the Emperor’s words, her face turned pale too, freezing in place.
Looking like a deceased person… so she looked like his grandmother.
She suddenly pushed Zhao Duanduan away gently and stood up from the couch.
Standing up too quickly made her dizzy, her body swaying precariously.
“Sister!” Zhao Duanduan called out, lunging to hug her, her voice trembling with fear.
But Zhao Yiyi brushed her away.
She stumbled back a few steps.
Ignoring etiquette, Zhao Duanduan threw off the blanket and got off the couch, moving toward her again.
Gu Zhen frowned and went to support her, whispering, “Yiyi?”
He was still pushed away forcefully by Zhao Yiyi, without mercy.
Suddenly, she turned and walked out, her steps faster and faster, disappearing out the door in the blink of an eye.
Gu Zhen ordered, “Bring everyone here; let Mother listen carefully.” With that, he turned and chased after her.
The inner hall doors of Jiao Fang Palace were tightly shut.
Zhao Duanduan lay outside knocking, crying, “Sister, don’t abandon me…”
“You go down first.” Gu Zhen looked down at Zhao Duanduan. “The Empress doesn’t want to see you right now; don’t disturb her.”
Zhao Duanduan looked up at the Emperor. Instinctive fear forced her back half a step. She stared blankly, daring not make a sound.
Gu Zhen rubbed his brow, knowing Yiyi was suffering. He said simply, “Go down first. Come back when the Empress feels better.” Glancing at the closed doors, he ordered her to be well cared for, then left.
Zhao Yiyi lay silently on the bed, staring blankly at the canopy, turning over again and again, unable to sleep.
She hadn’t eaten lunch. Lying straight on the bed, she didn’t know how long passed before she fell asleep to the crying outside.
At dusk, when Yunzhu went in to check, she lifted the鲛绡 (shark silk/mermaid silk) curtain to find the Empress with eyes closed and flushed cheeks.
Touching her, she was burning hot.
She was shocked and called out, “Your Highness? Your Highness?”
Zhao Yiyi opened her eyes groggily to look at her, pushed her impatiently a few times, and tried to sleep again.
Yunzhu ran out in terror, urgently saying, “Quick, go invite the Imperial Physician! Do we have any fever medicine left in our palace? Brew it for Her Highness first. When the physician comes, we’ll see if it can be used!”
After a flurry of chaos, the physician finally arrived. Checking the prescription reserved in Jiao Fang Palace and the medicine brewing in the kitchen, he said it was fine, adding, “Her Highness likely fell ill from shock. Fortunately, it’s not serious. This subject will write another prescription; take it after this dose.”
Not long after, the Emperor arrived, face covered in dust and frost. He took the medicine bowl from Yunzhu and entered the inner chamber.
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