0p0 Chapter 896 He confessed after all!
Chapter 896 He confessed after all!
Nothing's wrong? How could nothing be wrong?
Zhuang gave a bitter smile, realizing that he had indeed brought this upon himself.
"Ya'er, Mother is alright."
His voice was hoarse, giving the impression of withered branches and rotten leaves.
Duanmu Ya subconsciously rubbed her arm; Zhuang's voice was really unpleasant.
"Mother, where have you been these past few days? Have they changed their methods of torturing you again? Didn't you already admit that you were the one who ruined Duanmu Qing's reputation? Why are they still torturing you?"
Zhuang blinked. They knew they had powerful backers, and as long as she didn't confess, they would never let her go.
But, that person?
Zhuang was unsure whether that person's methods had reached into the inner palace, after all, her noble status was far beyond her own.
"I do not know either."
The next day, no one came to interrogate Zhuang Shi and Duanmu Ya.
Duanmu Ya felt a little relieved. Whenever she thought about the pain they had inflicted on her that day, she felt that it would have been better to die.
But she became increasingly afraid when she heard that it didn't even qualify as punishment.
Living in constant fear of punishment, Duanmu Ya became incredibly thin in just a few days.
Two days later, someone came again to ask Zhuang Shi if she was willing to confess. Zhuang Shi hesitated for a moment and then shook her head.
The people who came to interrogate her this time were not from the Censorate.
The person who arrived was none other than Steward De, who served Duanmu Chuze.
"Since Lady Zhuang is unwilling to speak, then we will trouble you gentlemen to let Duanmu Ya experience the suffering Lady Zhuang endured a few days ago. The Emperor said that Duanmu Ya is, after all, a member of the royal family, so she will be spared physical pain for the time being. Treat her the same way you treated Lady Zhuang three days ago."
"Yes, father-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang's eyes flashed with venom. "No! You can't do this! She is the Prince Su's biological daughter, a princess. You bastards, you will all die a horrible death!"
Steward De, however, smiled nonchalantly, "Whether we will suffer a terrible death, I don't know, but you will certainly suffer a terrible death. Moreover, I believe I will definitely see the way you die."
Zhuang's body trembled, and she saw that the old women were desperately pulling at Duanmu Ya's clothes. In no time, a section of her arm was exposed.
At this moment, Zhuang Shi truly could not bear it any longer.
She couldn't imagine what a terrible scene it would be if her daughter were also thrown into a men's prison.
"Please stop! I'll tell you everything."
Zhuang knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Steward De raised his eyelids slightly. "If you had done this earlier, we would have gotten married sooner."
An hour later, Chief Steward De returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance with a solemn expression and a confession.
Throughout the journey, Steward De wished he could fly.
He clutched his sleeve tightly with one hand, wondering how the Emperor would handle the situation this time.
Finally arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Chief Eunuch De hurriedly presented his confession, then stepped aside, head bowed, daring not to look at the Emperor's angry face.
Duanmu Chuze slammed his hand on the table. "Good! I was truly blind back then! Guards, keep a close watch on that mother and daughter from the Censorate. Absolutely no accidents can be tolerated."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, Zhuang's testimony is about 80% credible. What do you think of the Zhuang family?"
The Zhuang family holds the title of Marquis of Anyang, which has been passed down for three generations.
At this moment, the person in charge is Zhuang's own brother, Zhuang He.
"By imperial decree, Marquis Xiang of Anyang has been accused of repeatedly committing heinous crimes in support of his sister, which is intolerable. His title shall be stripped and he shall be sent to the Court of Judicial Review for further investigation."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chief Steward De took two steps, thinking to himself, "The Emperor hasn't said whether he's only interrogating Zhuang He or imprisoning his entire family."
"This matter is to be handled by Mu Qing. All members of the Marquis of Anyang, regardless of whether they are masters or servants, shall be imprisoned."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Dali Temple is now quite lively.
Zhuang Shi was unaware that because of her, the entire Zhuang family would suffer misfortune.
"Zi Yi, secretly send people to keep a close eye on the Ming Prince's Mansion and the Luo Mansion for me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Duanmu Chuze set the confession aside for the time being, pondering to himself that it was best not to trouble Mu Xinnuan with this matter for now.
Back at Chengqian Palace, Mu Xin Nuan was holding her youngest son while admiring the flowers, with a birdcage beside them.
Duanmu Zongyao's eyes kept glancing at the cage, and he would occasionally let out a soft "ee-ee-ee".
"Why did Mother allow him to rest here today?"
As Duanmu Chuze spoke, he went over and hugged his youngest son.
Mu Xin Nuan stood up and smiled, “How could Mother Empress bear to part with her? However, I am the child’s biological mother after all, how could she not let me take her? I have agreed with Mother Empress that from now on, the child will stay with me every afternoon, sleep with the wet nurse in Fushou Palace at night, and stay with Mother Empress and Father Emperor in the morning.”
"Hmm, wasn't Father Emperor focused all his attention on Zonghua? Why has he set his sights on Zongyao now?"
"Father is getting old and has nothing to do in the palace, so naturally he wants to spend more time taking care of his grandson."
"Ah Nuan, I heard that the Crown Princess of Su is about to give birth?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it. It should be in the next few days."
Mu Xin Nuan thought of how clumsy Lu Shi looked when she came to talk to her before. Later, if she hadn't sent some dried fruit slices over, Lu Shi would probably have become incredibly fat.
It seems that no one's life is always smooth sailing.
Thinking about it, Mu Xin Nuan then told him all her worries.
"If you're worried, send two experienced nannies over to serve her. Wouldn't it be more reassuring for Madam Lu to have two more people around her?"
Mu Xin Nuan paused for a moment, then thought about it and realized that it made sense.
"Okay, I'll have Aunt Fang select a few more experienced ones to go and take a look."
"Has Princess Ming visited the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager these past few days?"
"She did come by the day before yesterday, but hasn't been to the palace these past two days. What's wrong? Do you need to see her?"
Duanmu Chuze glared at her. "What could I possibly want from her? I was just asking casually. Since she can still come to the palace to pay her respects, it means she's in good health, which puts my mind at ease."
“Sun Ruomei came with us that day. I noticed that the young couple seemed to have a good relationship. They looked very much in love.”
"Is Ah Nuan envious?"
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, "You're talking nonsense again! They're a generation younger than us, so stop spouting off."
Duanmu Chuze smiled and said, "Let's find some time later and visit your maternal grandfather's house."