I insist

Chapter 365: Shameless Astrological Theories

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant. I only hope that Your Majesty will show leniency and think twice before acting."

The Emperor was furious. "Think twice before you act? I think you all want me to let Consort Li go."

The ministers paused, not expecting the emperor to be so direct this time.

"Your Majesty, Consort Li was recommended by the Empress Dowager. You should consider it even out of respect for the Empress Dowager."

The Emperor sneered, "I really don't know if this is the real empire or yours?"

The court officials formed factions, and the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager each held their own power base. The Emperor was naturally aware that they had put in a lot of effort when he ascended the throne.

But once he ascends the throne, the emperor is the emperor, how can he be allowed to be manipulated by them?

"Your Majesty, please calm down. We were only thinking of Your Majesty's country."

But today the Emperor is determined to do the opposite of what they want.

"What if I don't agree today?"

The next second, the ministers knelt on the ground in unison, as if they had planned it beforehand.

"If Your Majesty does not agree, we will kneel here forever."

The stalemate lasted for a full hour before the emperor finally gave in.

After all, even if they don't compromise now, they still won't be able to get past the Empress Dowager once they return to the palace.

"I have decided to demote Consort Li to the rank of concubine, and the pretty boy will be beheaded immediately."

"I thank you Lord for your kindness."

That's how the matter came to an end.

After the Seventh Prince finished the sacrificial ceremony, he went to find Song Miqiu, but on the way there he discovered something he hadn't noticed the night before.

The Seventh Prince found the clothes scattered on the ground very familiar. He picked them up and smelled them; they were indeed the clothes of the woman who had been locked in the box yesterday.

But why would a woman take her clothes off here?

The Seventh Prince also began to pay attention to the people around him, thinking that it was possible that Consort Li was not the only one who framed him last night.

He turned around and went into Song Miqiu's tent.

By this time, Song Miqiu had recovered, but she was still surprised to see the Seventh Prince arrive.

"Now that the storm has passed, Seventh Prince, it would be best to be cautious."

The Seventh Prince, however, disagreed, saying, "I'm worried about your health. The way you looked last night really worried me."

How could Song Miqiu tell the truth? She knew she could never let the Seventh Prince know her true identity.

In fact, after Song Miqiu returned to the tent last night, he opened the system and found a pill that could make people pretend to be sick.

Only after eating it did she become the way the Seventh Prince saw her.

The pill's effect lasted only an hour, and it recovered on its own shortly after the emperor left.

Right now, the best we can do is try to get away with it.

"Seventh Prince, don't worry. I am a royal physician. I can get some medicine myself and be cured."

While speaking, she deliberately turned her back to the Seventh Prince, afraid that her guilty conscience would be discovered.

The Seventh Prince was so worried that he stepped forward and placed his hand on Song Miqiu's forehead without waiting for Song Miqiu's consent.

Song Miqiu was so frightened that he retreated repeatedly.

The Seventh Prince felt a huge sense of disappointment when he saw that Song Miqiu was so resistant to him.

"Physician Song, there's no need to be afraid. I just wanted to check if you're feeling better."

Song Miqiu realized that she had overreacted and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Fortunately, the Seventh Prince found an excuse and left in time.

Song Miqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief after watching the Seventh Prince leave.

There's one more thing she needs to figure out right now.

Song Miqiu changed into civilian clothes and slipped into the place where Consort Li was being held while no one was paying attention.

Consort Li heard a noise at the door and thought it was the Emperor. She struggled to stand up and saw that it was Song Miqiu who had come.

I wanted to strangle her right then and there.

Are you here to laugh at me?

Song Miqiu didn't have time to talk to Consort Li about anything else. "Were the men in black that day sent by you?"

In this day and age, what did Consort Li have to hide? She readily agreed.

"So what if it's me? I was the one who used the drug, but unfortunately, no matter how much I planned, I still couldn't outsmart you."

Now the mystery was finally solved. Song Miqiu was worried that if she had wronged Consort Li, she would be framed by the Empress Dowager again.

Now that she had gotten the answer she wanted, Song Miqiu saw no need to stay and turned to leave.

Consort Li knew that Song Miqiu was soft-hearted, so she deliberately hurt her weakness.

"Was that pretty boy your idea or the Seventh Prince's?"

There was no need for Song Miqiu to answer, Consort Li continued.

"Whether it was your idea or not, it's all your fault. A living person has been lost just like that."

"I don't care. With the Empress Dowager backing me up, the Emperor won't do anything to me. At most, he'll just be confined to the palace for a few days."

After speaking, he looked at Song Miqiu with a playful expression, anticipating his reaction.

As expected, Song Miqiu had no idea that the man would be stabbed to death; she was completely unaware that the Emperor had issued such an order.

She should have thought of that sooner.

Consort Li watched as Song Miqiu quickly left, and this was exactly the result she wanted.

Song Miqiu rushed to the Seventh Prince's residence, eager to find out the truth.

As soon as he entered, the Seventh Prince was surprised that Song Miqiu would personally come to this place.

"Why is the imperial physician in such a hurry? What happened?"

The Seventh Prince thought that the two of them had been exposed and discovered by the Emperor.

Song Miqiu didn't have time to answer and asked the question to herself.

"How is that person?"

The seventh prince was completely bewildered by the question and had no idea who it referred to.

Unperturbed and dissatisfied, he carried the water to Song Miqiu.

"Have a sip of water first, look how anxious you are."

"Was the man who was sent to Consort Li's tent killed by the Emperor?"

Only then did the Seventh Prince realize who Song Miqiu was referring to. If he hadn't been afraid that Song Miqiu would worry about him, the Seventh Prince would never have handled the matter.

"Don't worry, I've arranged everything. That person has been sent elsewhere and is not dead."

Hearing this, Song Miqiu finally felt relieved.

"That's good. Let's not harm an innocent life because we want to punish Consort Li and Xiaobai."

As the sacrificial ceremony was about to end, Consort Li was locked in her room for two whole days without eating.

During the final sacrificial ceremony, the ministers submitted memorials one after another, saying that since the Empress was not present, the Emperor's woman was needed to make the ceremony effective, and they hoped that the Emperor would lift the confinement of Consort Li.

The emperor thought they were being utterly absurd.

"This is my family matter and it is none of your business to comment. I have already been lenient with Consort Li."

The ministers gritted their teeth and insisted that this was detrimental to the rule of the empire and would lead to great chaos in the future.

Having no other choice, the emperor simply summoned the Minister of Astronomy.

"I summoned you here to observe the celestial phenomena and see if this sacrificial ceremony to Heaven is related to women."

The Minister of Astronomy naturally dared not neglect his duties, and took out an old notebook to look at the sky and began to write and draw.

It took a long time before a reply was given under the watchful eyes of everyone.

"Your Majesty, this matter is indeed related to a woman. This celestial phenomenon indicates that the yang energy is too strong. If the world is to be peaceful and prosperous, yin and yang must be combined."

Now the emperor was at a loss.

"Then let's do as the Minister of Astronomy says and release Consort Li for the time being. After we return to the palace, Consort Li will be confined for three months."