0p0 Chapter 257 Gaze
Chapter 257 Gaze
Emperor Shenwu showed no emotion on his face. He simply ordered, "Bring in Concubine Li and Princess An."
Emperor Shenwu did not mention Prince An, but at this moment Prince An could not escape the consequences.
When Empress Dowager Li saw Prince An also enter the palace, she suddenly became restless. She looked at Emperor Shenwu, but only saw his expressionless face. Empress Dowager Li's heart sank instantly.
Of the three people kneeling in the hall, Concubine Li was trembling slightly, and Princess An Li Wanqing was trying her best to maintain her remaining composure, but Prince An was very discouraged. He knelt on the ground without saying a word, looking a little disheartened.
Emperor Shenwu narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at the three people kneeling in the hall, and did not speak for a while.
Lan Qingwu glanced at Li Xiang, who immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Highness Prince An, Princess An, and Concubine Li, the reason His Majesty is in a coma is because Concubine Li's trusted confidants in the palace tampered with His Majesty's incense and memorials. These were the poisons that Princess An provided to Concubine Li outside the palace."
Empress Dowager Li was so shocked that her eyes widened, and Emperor Shenwu said nothing.
Concubine Li, on the verge of collapse, broke out in a cold sweat: "No, that's not the case! Your Majesty, I have done nothing of the kind. I am innocent! Your Majesty, please examine this matter carefully!"
Concubine Li bowed her head to the ground. Lan Qingwu's pretty face turned cold, "You say you're wronged, but that's not entirely true! Your personal maid has already explained exactly how you ordered your trusted aides to prepare the perfume for His Majesty and how you tampered with His Majesty's memorial."
Concubine Li's back stiffened as she watched: "I... can confront them face to face! I..."
Emperor Shenwu said calmly, "Enough! I asked you to confess your guilt only because I have reached a conclusion. I am not here to listen to you shirking responsibility."
Princess An's back stiffened involuntarily. The emperor's voice drifted over: "Prince An, what do you say?"
Prince An raised his head with a dejected look on his face. "Your Majesty, it was my fault for not exercising proper discipline. I will bear all the consequences of any punishment!"
Emperor Shenwu smiled softly, "You're going to take all the responsibility? You've poisoned the entire world, and your entire clan should be exterminated! Can you bear this?"
After Prince An finished speaking, Empress Dowager Li had been glaring at him with disapproval. She found it even harder to accept this: "Er, you must not rashly admit it just for the sake of the Li family. This is no small matter to be joked about."
Prince An bowed slightly and continued, "Your Majesty, I knew nothing about this matter. However, as Li's husband, I failed to supervise what my wife did. I also failed to fulfill my responsibilities. Please punish me for my failure to supervise and observe properly!"
The cold look in Emperor Shenwu's eyes softened. "Since Prince An has said so, the matter is settled! You..."
Princess An Li Wanqing suddenly raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, will you not listen to my defense?"
Emperor Shenwu said directly, "What do I have to say to you? I brought you to Qianzheng Palace only because I wanted to hear what Prince An had to say!"
When Li Wanqing heard this, her face turned as pale as snow.
Lan Qingwu frowned slightly as she watched. She saw a hint of unwillingness and resentment in Li Wanqing's eyes.
The next moment, Li Wanqing's gaze gently swept over Lan Qingwu. Lan Qingwu did not dodge, but looked back at Li Wanqing straight. Under Lan Qingwu's clear and cool gaze, Li Wanqing finally lowered her head.