TIGR Chapter 107

The Imperial Guard’s Revenge

Chapter 107 Mastermind

When Lu Heng heard that Empress Fang had taken Imperial Concubine Duan and captured Senior Concubine Wang, he anticipated that Empress Fang might seek personal revenge. However, the Imperial Guards’ mission was to protect the emperor. Only after the emperor woke up did Lu Heng relay this matter for the emperor to decide.

The emperor instructed Lu Heng to detain Imperial Concubine Duan from Kun Ning Palace. He did this, in fact, to save her life. The Imperial Guards were an external force loyal to the court and had no direct involvement with the inner palace. The Department of Rites and the Office of Palace Affairs, however, were infiltrated by various factions of palace concubines. Any small mischief from the eunuchs could cause Imperial Concubine Duan to suffer greatly.

Although the emperor had not yet figured out why people in the palace wanted to kill him, he had a strong feeling that Imperial Concubine Duan was not involved.

Imperial Concubine Duan’s father was an official in the court, she herself was highly favored, and had an eight-month-old daughter. If Imperial Concubine Duan really had ulterior motives, among all the opportunities she had with the emperor over the years, why would she choose to have maids strangle the emperor with a rope on the very night he was with her?

Regardless of the outcome, Imperial Concubine Duan would inevitably be implicated. She really had no reason to do this kind of thing.

When Lu Heng went to Kun Ning Palace for the retrieval, Empress Fang was initially reluctant to speak with him. After a long back-and-forth, Lu Heng took out his token and showed a firm attitude. Only then did Empress Fang relent, saying that the traitors were being detained in a remote place for interrogation.

Following Empress Fang’s instructions, the Imperial Guards hurried to the most secluded palace area behind the imperial garden, and finally found Imperial Concubine Duan in the dungeon. Lu Heng pushed the door open and frowned deeply.

He underestimated Empress Fang’s ruthlessness. Not only had Empress Fang resorted to selfish punishment, but she employed the most brutal form of torture, lingchi, a death by a thousand cuts.

Lingchi was a method of cutting flesh piece by piece with a knife. Often, after hundreds of cuts, the victim was still conscious, which was a life worse than death. This was the most brutal form of punishment, typically reserved for traitors and rebels who committed acts of treason. Imperial Concubine Duan was the first, and likely the only, palace concubine to be executed by lingchi.

The Imperial Prison was known as the purgatory on earth. When the Imperial Guards interrogated prisoners, they would use branding irons, whips, clamps and the like. Guo Tao considered himself accustomed to bloody scenes, but he almost vomited when he first entered the dungeon. The favored concubine who was lively and cheerful not long ago, now scattered into pieces all over the ground. A head connected to an incomplete body lay coldly on the ground, her eyes wide open, no longer as delicate and beautiful as before.

Many Imperial Guards showed signs of discomfort, with some of the younger ones already running to the corner to retch. Lu Heng kept a cold expression as he walked around Imperial Concubine Duan’s body, searching the dungeon for useful clues, but found nothing. The eunuchs who had carried out the execution huddled against the wall. They were somewhat flustered but still asserted confidently: “The emperor was harmed by treasonous plots in Yikun Palace, and Imperial Concubine Duan just happened to be absent. She must have known about it. For such rebellious people, lingchi is too light of a punishment for them.”

“Them.” Lu Heng slowly repeated the word and turned to the Imperial Guards, instructing: “Search all the surrounding palace. Senior Concubine Wang is also here.”

The eunuchs were instantly thrown into a panic. He hadn’t expected Lu Heng to be so sharp that one casual remark had been caught as a flaw. However, recalling that he was acting on the empress’s orders, the eunuch lifted his head defiantly, unafraid.

Moments later, the Imperial Guards came running back to report that they had found Senior Concubine Wang in a secluded corner at the foot of the palace wall. However, they arrived too late, as Senior Concubine Wang had already been hanged.

Lu Heng sighed silently.

After all, they were palace concubines, and it was unacceptable for their bodies to be left in the open. Lu Heng ordered his men to retrieve the bodies of Imperial Concubine Duan and Senior Concubine Wang. It was easy to handle Senior Concubine Wang, but Imperial Concubine Duan’s body was cut into pieces, so it was not easy to gather the corpse. As the Imperial Guards struggled to gather up broken arms and limbs, a man in a lieutenant-ranked uniform ran over and whispered in Lu Heng’s ear: “My lord, the empress has gone to Yikun Palace.”

Lu Heng rushed back to Yikun Palace, and Empress Fang was already inside. She held a handkerchief in both hands, maintaining her dignified demeanor as she said: “Such a major incident has occurred in the inner palace. It is due to my failure to manage the court properly. I deeply feel my guilt and do not dare to seek the emperor’s forgiveness, only wishing to quickly atone for my sins. I instructed my eunuchs to capture and interrogate the palace servants, and some servants reported that they heard Yang Jinying conspiring with the others. It turns out that Senior Concubine Wang, feeling neglected for a long time, harbored resentment and thus instigated Yang Jinying to commit such treacherous acts. Although Imperial Concubine Duan did not participate, she was aware of Yang Jinying’s plot and intentionally left for an extended period, which ultimately led to the emperor’s suffering.”

Lu Heng stood at the door, listening. Halfway through, he lowered his gaze and shook his head quietly. The testimonies of Empress Fang were full of holes. Senior Concubine Wang, who harbored resentment for not being favored, would be even less likely to kill the emperor. Even if Senior Concubine Wang was indeed the mastermind, her hatred of being unfavored wouldn’t have driven her to attack the emperor, especially in collusion with the most favored Imperial Concubine Duan.

It didn’t add up. After the empress finished speaking, the emperor remained silent for a long time without expressing his opinion. Lu Heng seized the moment to speak: “Your Majesty, the empress is wholeheartedly protecting the throne, and her efforts are commendable. However, human hearts are difficult to gauge. I am concerned that someone might have taken advantage of the empress’ eagerness to protect the throne and deceived her.”

Seeing Lu Heng undermine her stance, Empress Fang showed displeasure on her face and sternly said: “Master Lu, are you be doubting me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Lu Heng replied, “I’m just worried that the empress might have been deceived. Specifically, by that palace maid. If she overheard Yang Jinying’s conspiracy, why didn’t she report it?”

After saying this, Lu Heng didn’t give Empress Fang a chance to retort and directly turned to the emperor, saying: “Your Majesty, the atmosphere in the palace is tense, we cannot be careless. These palace attendants may be lying. I request a thorough investigation of this case.”

·

Wang Yanqing sat in the side hall. It was already completely dark outside, and usually at this hour, she would be asleep. Wang Yanqing picked up her teacup again, trying to perk herself up with some water. After taking just a few sips, there was a knock at the door, and someone outside said: “Madam, Master Lu requests your presence.”

He finally arrived. Wang Yanqing set down her teacup and discreetly checked her clothing before heading out. The path from the side hall to the main hall was lined with the Imperial Guards. The messenger escorted her to the door and stopped at the threshold, saying: “Your Majesty, Your Highness, Madam Lu has arrived.”

A moment later, the curtain was lifted, and Lu Heng came out personally, leading Wang Yanqing into the hall. Apart from a brief moment of eye contact when the curtain was lifted, they didn’t exchange any words. Wang Yanqing lowered her eyes and followed Lu Heng. When he stopped, she bowed, saying: “I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Your Highness.”

The emperor, feeling unwell, leaned against the bed and remained silent. The eunuch beside him spoke on his behalf: “No need for formalities.”

Wang Yanqing straightened up, her eyes quickly scanning the surroundings. Ahead, yellow drapes hung down to the ground, and many eunuchs clustered around the bed. Empress Fang had moved a round chair to sit beside the bed, her hands gracefully clasped on her knees. She wore long protective armor, looking elegant and dignified.

Kneeling before her was a palace maid, her head bowed, hands pressed to the ground, and her body trembling slightly.

The Imperial Guards had briefly informed Wang Yanqing on the way that a palace maid had confessed to overhearing Yang Jinying’s conspiracy, and that Empress Fang, acting on the maid’s identification, had ordered the deaths of Imperial Concubine Duan and Senior Concubine Wang. Now that Yang Jinying and the two concubines were dead, Lu Heng suspected that the palace maid was lying and thus insisted on a retrial.

The emperor agreed, and everyone was brought before the throne, resulting in the scene Wang Yanqing was witnessing now.

She averted her gaze, quietly looking at the ground. Empress Fang noticed Wang Yanqing and furrowed her brow slightly, asking: “Master Lu, an assassination attempt has just occurred in the palace, yet you bring a stranger here. What is the meaning of this?”

“My wife is skilled at detecting lies. To prevent this palace maid from playing tricks, I dared bring her into the palace for the interrogation. I took the liberty to do so, please punish me, Your Majesty.”

The emperor shook his head, signaling for Lu Heng to continue. In the past, the emperor would have been impatient to hear the proceedings, directly wanting to see results. But today, since it concerned his own life, he was willing to get to the bottom of it.

What mattered now was uncovering the truth, not Lu Heng’s audacity in bringing someone into the palace. Having saved the emperor’s life twice, if Lu Heng intended to harm him, he would have acted long ago, there would have been no need to wait until now.

Empress Fang didn’t expect the emperor to trust Lu Heng so completely, which left her momentarily furious. Although she was the first to arrive at the scene, it was clear that the emperor credited most of the merit to Lu Heng.

After all, when Empress Fang arrived, the emperor had already been rendered unconscious and hadn’t seen her actions in freeing him. When the emperor opened his eyes again, he saw Lu Heng standing guard by the dragon couch, with the Imperial Guards managing the defenses, poison testing, and communication, all of which gave a more tangible sense of reality.

Empress Fang gritted her teeth in unwillingness, but facing Lu Heng, Chief Commander of the Imperial Guards, and the emperor’s most trusted aid, even she, the empress, dared not confront him directly. Thus, she swallowed her indignation and allowed this baffling woman to lead the interrogation.

Wang Yanqing raised an eyebrow inwardly, gaining a more direct understanding of Lu Heng’s power. He had become so audacious that even the empress dared not offend him. Once this palace rebellion was dealt with, Lu Heng would likely be promoted again.

With the emperor’s tacit approval, Empress Fang lowered her defenses. Lu Heng squeezed Wang Yanqing’s hand, signaling her to begin. Wang Yanqing steadied her mind, bowed with grace, and spoke gently: “Your Majesty, Your Highness, I must see facial expressions while questioning. If I offend, I ask for your forgiveness.”

After speaking, she stepped aside to where she could clearly see the palace maid, Empress Fang, and the eunuchs’ expressions. Empress Fang and Assistant Zhang, among others, instantly muted their expressions. Wang Yanqing ignored them and looked at the maid on the ground asking: “What’s your name?”

The maid lifted her eyes and glanced around, perhaps not expecting Wang Yanqing to deviate from the usual questioning: “Xu Xiyue.”

“Place of birth.”

“Anren, Hengzhou Prefecture.”

“Date of birth.”

Empress Fang couldn’t take it anymore and frowned, saying: “Quickly ask about Imperial Concubine Duan and Senior Concubine Wang. Why are you asking these things?”

Xu Xiyue lay on the ground with her head bowed. Even though she didn’t look in Empress Fang’s direction, when the empress spoke, Xu Xiyue bit her lip and her fingers tightened instinctively. Wang Yanqing observed everything closely. Xu Xiyue was clearly nervous, mixed with a hint of fear.

Empress Fang’s words had put pressure on her.

Wang Yanqing ignored the empress and continued looking at Xu Xiyue, asking: “Date of birth.”

Empress Fang’s expression darkened, revealing her displeasure at being challenged. Lu Heng promptly intervened, saying: “Your Highness, these questions may seem simple, but they are already part of a line of inquiry. Please do not interrupt.”

Empress Fang was taken aback, her face showing surprise and suspicion. Xu Xiyue silently swallowed, her fingers tightening even more. Wang Yanqing remained undeterred by the external pressure, her voice still calm and gentle as she asked for the third time: “Date of birth.”

Xu Xiyue lowered her eyes, her pupils trembling quickly. She cautiously replied: “The sixteenth year of Zhengde.”

The sixteenth year of Zhengde, meaning she was only fifteen this year. Wang Yanqing continued to ask emotionlessly: “Father’s name.”

“Xu Tai.”

Wang Yanqing then asked about her mother, brothers, and even the village head. Xu Xiyue’s responses grew slower, and for even a simple name of the village head, she needed to pause for a long time to think. Wang Yanqing noticed Xu Xiyue’s pale cheeks and the faint sweat forming on her forehead. Feeling it was enough, she asked: “What is your relationship with Yang Jinying?”

Finally hearing Yang Jinying’s name, Xu Xiyue actually let out a quiet sigh of relief. She said: “We are roommates.”

“Since you are roommates, why didn’t you notice her intentions to assassinate the emperor earlier?”

“Your Majesty and Your Highness, please see the truth.” Xu Xiyue hurriedly replied, “There are eight of us living in the same room, and I’m not very close with her.”

“How did you hear them conspiring?”

Xu Xiyue lowered her eyelashes, her voice steady and smooth, without the slightest hesitation: “On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, I returned from outside and saw the doors and windows of our room tightly shut, with faint voices coming from inside. I approached and heard Yang Jinying telling others that Senior Concubine Wang and Imperial Concubine Duan were urging them to act quickly. At the time, I didn’t understand what they were talking about, so I pushed the door open and saw Yang Jinying, Zhang Jinlian, and about sixteen others inside, all looking very tense. When they saw me return, they warned me not to speak carelessly, and then they dispersed.”

Wang Yanqing nodded slightly and asked: “When did you hear this?”

Xu Xiyue recalled effortlessly, her eyes not blinking as she said: “On the evening of the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month.”

“What exactly did Yang Jinying say?”

“Yang Jinying’s exact words was that the emperor had not visited Senior Concubine Wang’s palace for a long time, and she felt resentful. Imperial Concubine Duan had agreed to help Senior Concubine Wang and promised to take all the palace servants away that day. Senior Concubine Wang felt everything was ready, so she urged Yang Jinying to act quickly.”

Wang Yanqing fixed a steady gaze on Xu Xiyue and asked: “What did the others say?”

“The others said it would be fine and that they definitely wouldn’t let Senior Concubine Wang and Imperial Concubine Duan down.”

Hearing this, Empress Fang turned to the emperor and said: “Your Majesty, this woman answered fluently, without any stumbles or pauses, and there are no contradictions in her testimony. In my opinion, this palace rebellion was masterminded by the Senior Concubine Wang, while Imperial Concubine Duan was aware of it and secretly assisting.

The palace servants quietly glanced at Lu Heng. The evidence was compelling, and the testimony was detailed, suggesting that Empress Fang was right. Master Lu, known for his ability to crack any case, had misjudged this one.

Lu Heng stood by silently, looking very calm, showing no intention of defending himself. Empress Fang was feeling quite pleased and was about to seize the opportunity to claim custody of the eldest princess when Wang Yanqing suddenly spoke up: “I have a different opinion from the empress. I believe this maid is lying.”

Her statement was shocking, causing everyone in the hall to gasp in surprise. Assistant Zhang quickly glanced at the empress’s expression and said sternly: “Madam Lu, you can’t say such things lightly.”

Empress Fang’s face turned pale, but Wang Yanqing remained calm and polite, asking: “May I ask how I can address you?”

Assistant Zhang was taken aback by Wang Yanqing’s words. Seeing that the emperor showed no signs of impatience, he answered, considering Lu Heng’s standing: “My surname is Zhang.”

“Have you had dinner today, Eunuch Zhang?”

Zhang Zuo was even more bewildered and hesitated: “Yes, I have.”

“At what hour?”

“At Shen (3-5 pm).”

“What did you eat?”

Assistant Zhang’s eyes kept darting between Wang Yanqing and Lu Heng, unsure of what they intended to do. Wang Yanqing smiled at Assistant Zhang and said: “You see, you wouldn’t say, ‘I had dinner at the hour of Shen on the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month.’ When I asked Xu Xiyue, she kept repeating my questions. If responses were based on true memory, focusing on recall, one would automatically disregard information both parties already knew. Only those who lie and lack detailed memories will instinctively repeat key phrases based on what they heard to buy themselves more time to react.

Having said that, Wang Yanqing turned to face the emperor and elegantly performed a deep bow, saying: “Your Majesty, my questioning is complete. Xu Xiyue is lying. She did not hear Yang Jinying’s conversation at all. The so-called details of the conspiracy were merely memorized.”

Lu Heng’s lips curled into a faint smile, which he quickly suppressed, maintaining a serious demeanor as he cupped his hands to the emperor and said: “Your Majesty, since this woman did not hear Yang Jinying’s words, then Senior Concubine Wang and Imperial Concubine Duan may not be the masterminds behind the palace rebellion.”

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