RPAGF Chapter 79 Her defilement of the palace is a crime deserving of death!
Chapter 79 Her defilement of the palace is a crime deserving of death!
Chu Ruohan stood in the dimly lit corner, slowly immersing her hands in the water, the crimson blood spreading out in the water.
Her movements were mechanical and slow, as if she were still immersed in the thrilling turn of events that had just occurred.
After washing her hands, she raised her head and looked directly at the mysterious palace maid beside her. Her voice was wary as she asked, "Why are you helping me?"
The palace maid's lips curled up slightly, but she did not directly answer Chu Ruohan's question. "If Madam needs it, my master can help you get rid of Wei Qiming."
Chu Ruohan's eyes turned cold, and she refused without hesitation: "No need."
The grudges between her and Wei Qiming across two lifetimes must be resolved by herself.
Wei Qiming is probably in grave danger.
Chu Ruohan had just stabbed him, but Wei Qiming fought back desperately. At that critical moment, she seized the opportunity and ran away without regard for anything, and was then brought here by this palace maid.
Chu Ruohan composed herself, looked at the palace maid again, and asked, "Who is your master?"
The palace maid maintained her mysterious demeanor and said softly, "The lady will know in the future."
After saying that, the palace maid led Chu Ruohan toward the direction of the palace banquet.
Throughout the journey, Chu Ruohan was filled with doubt and unease, constantly guessing the identity and purpose of the mistress behind the palace maid.
A short while later, the palace maid led her to the vicinity of the palace banquet and then quietly disappeared into the night.
Chu Ruohan stood there, gazing in the direction the palace maid had gone, pondering to herself:
Her master couldn't possibly be helping her just for the sake of it; he must have some ulterior motive.
Perhaps it's for the powerful Shadow Guard under Gu Junze's command?
But why doesn't her master just show himself?
Why approach her in the first place? Is it so that you can use her as a lobbyist in the future?
Just as Chu Ruohan was lost in thought, she hadn't walked far when she saw that familiar figure in the distance.
In an instant, her heart was completely at ease.
When Gu Junze saw Chu Ruohan standing there unharmed, his tense heart finally relaxed.
He pushed the wheelchair forward and held Chu Ruohan's hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.
Chu Ruohan told him everything that had happened.
Upon hearing this, Gu Junze frowned deeply, his expression becoming even more grave.
Who is that person?
He knew all too well that this seemingly peaceful palace was actually rife with undercurrents, and that every move could be involved in countless conflicts of interest and power struggles.
Gu Junze gently took her hand. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, but the worry in her eyes did not disappear...
Just as the two were preparing to return to Huaqing Palace, a shrill voice came from behind: "Lady of the Marquis of Anyang, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."
Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of wariness in each other's eyes.
Gu Junze frowned slightly, tightened his grip on Chu Ruohan's hand, and said softly, "Wei Qiming's fate is currently unknown, and the Empress may not let this go easily. I will go with you."
Before long, they arrived at the Queen's palace.
Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze steadily into the hall.
The Emperor, Empress Dowager, Empress, Duke of Wei, and a host of others were present, while the palace maids and eunuchs on both sides stood with their heads bowed, creating a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.
Chu Ruohan curtsied.
The Empress Dowager took her hand, her face showing concern, and said softly, "Good child, I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried about you. How could such a terrible thing happen on this Mid-Autumn Festival!"
Just as Chu Ruohan was about to express her gratitude, the Empress suddenly launched an attack.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and she stared intently at Chu Ruohan, raising her voice as she said, "Madam of the Marquis of Anyang, tell me, is it related to my brother's inexplicable injury and uncertain fate in this palace?"
Chu Ruohan suddenly knelt down, her knees hitting the cold, hard ground with a dull thud.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I beg you to do justice for me! Today at the palace banquet, Wei Qiming took advantage of my wife being alone and forcibly abducted her, intending to commit an immoral act."
"I had no choice but to hurt him in order to protect myself."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed surprise, and for a moment the hall fell into a brief silence.
The Duke of Wei's hand trembled slightly in his sleeve. This unfilial and rebellious son!
I warned him three times not to provoke the Marquis of Anyang's family, so why didn't he listen?
The Empress Dowager looked doubtful, turned her head slightly, and looked directly at the Empress with a scrutinizing and questioning look in her eyes, as if waiting for her to give a reasonable response.
A fleeting hint of panic crossed the Empress's face; her eyes flickered slightly, and her lips pursed gently.
But he quickly regained his composure, as if the panic he had just experienced was merely a figment of everyone's imagination.
"Don't spout nonsense! My brother has always been well-behaved and obedient; how could he have done such a heinous thing? It's clearly because you were jealous and plotted to harm him!"
"They even dare to try to distort the truth, confuse the public, and deceive the Emperor and Empress Dowager!"
The Emperor glanced at the Empress, his eyes filled with a hint of mockery and insight, and coldly said, "Following the rules?"
"Hmph, if Wei Qiming were a law-abiding citizen, there would be no more纨绔子弟 (spoiled brats) in the capital. Does he really think I know nothing about his daily behavior?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress felt a pang of anxiety, but she maintained her composure and said, "Your Majesty, I am well aware that my brother may have acted impetuously in the past. But I believe he would never do something so treasonous. There must be some misunderstanding involved, and I hope Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly."
Chu Ruohan knelt on the ground, tears welling in her eyes, and said urgently, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, everything I have said is true. At that time, I struggled desperately and in the chaos, I injured Wei Qiming. Then I took advantage of the chaos to escape from the scene."
"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, I humbly request that you thoroughly investigate this matter and give me justice."
The Duke of Wei's face turned pale and then red. Although he was angry at Wei Qiming's absurd behavior, he was still his son and wanted to protect him.
The Duke of Wei trembled and knelt on the ground with a thud. "This old minister has only had this one son in his twilight years. It is all because I have been too lenient with him. But this rebellious son should not have the guts to commit such a debauched act in the palace."
As he spoke, the Duke of Wei wept, “This old minister has dedicated his life to the country. If this only son is cut off, there will be no one to carry on the family line.”
Seeing this, Gu Junze knew that the Duke of Wei wanted to soften the Emperor's heart and let the matter drop.
He gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly with both hands and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, my wife is by no means the kind of person who would cause trouble without cause. This matter concerns my wife's innocence and reputation. I implore Your Majesty and Empress Dowager to investigate this matter thoroughly and give Marquis Anyang justice."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly. Gu Junze was referring to the Marquis of Anyang's sense of justice, not to himself.