Originally, everyone had been serious when they heard the claim that the emperor might not be the late emperor’s son.
But now, after hearing Yao Ji’s frantic defense and looking at the emperor, they began to notice that from certain angles, Jiang Wu did indeed bear a strong resemblance to the late emperor.
Grand Preceptor Wen relaxed and said, “I recall the late emperor once mentioned that the current emperor resembled him the most among all his sons.”
But the Great Empress Dowager wasn’t letting Yao Ji off so easily. “I’ve heard that people start to resemble each other after spending much time together. Yao Ji, do you have any other proof that the emperor is the late emperor’s son?”
Yao Ji never expected Jiang Wu to expose this matter. This child had truly become uncontrollable, completely slipping from her grasp. Clenching her fists, she called, “Record Keeper.”
“When I met the late emperor in Jiangnan, he pitied me for being an orphan and kept me by his side. For over a year, we maintained only a master-servant relationship. The day after we shared the bed, he promoted me to a concubine. After that, he frequently visited my chambers, and every time, the record keeper noted it down. All of this aligns with the emperor’s birth.”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “Maybe you even bribed the record keeper.”
“Everything I have was given by the late emperor!” Yao Ji screamed. “How could I have bribed the record keeper?! I ask you, Royal Mother, have you ever seen or heard of me being too close to any guards or other men? Besides, the former record keeper was so meticulous that he’d note even the emperor’s minor slip of the tongue. He wasn’t one to be bought. What power do I have to do so?”
The Great Empress Dowager then ordered someone to summon the record keeper. Noticing how drained Jiang Wu seemed, she added, “It’s late. Yin Shu, take His Majesty to have something to eat and rest a bit.”
If this matter wasn’t resolved, no one was going to get any peace tonight.
Jiang Wu was taken away to rest, and by the time he returned, the record keeper had arrived. They had also brought the records of the late emperor’s daily life, the Imperial Physician who diagnosed Yao Ji’s pregnancy, various medical files, and documents recording every time Yao Ji left the palace, including all money transactions.
All the records pointed to one thing: during the period after Yao Ji spent the night with the emperor and until she became pregnant, the only man she privately met was the late emperor. The only other male she saw was Jiang Wu after giving birth. On nearly every occasion she met men outside, the late emperor or others were present.
After an entire night of this, everyone was exhausted.
The records were tedious to sift through and didn’t reveal any suspicious details. Of course, some records were missing, but given that this spanned more than twenty years, asking Yao Ji to account for every action she’d taken to prove her innocence seemed a bit unreasonable.
Still, the gaps in her explanation actually reinforced the authenticity of the records.
Both Grand Preceptor Wen and Minister Chen felt that the matter had already been resolved and began to yawn.
But those in the know understood well that Yao Ji’s judgment, and the moment of clearing Jiang Wu’s name, was only just beginning.
The Great Empress Dowager slowly had tea served to everyone. Yao Ji, full of grievances, said, “At this point, Royal Mother should believe that Wu Er is merely unwell and speaking nonsense.”
Empress Dowager Wen covered her mouth, also feeling drowsy, and suggested, “Since the truth is now clear, Royal Mother, let her return.”
Yao Ji wiped her tears, her face full of frustration.
“No rush, let’s all have some tea to wake up.”
Instinctively, Yao Ji glanced at Jiang Wu, unsure of what he had said. She tensed up and asked, “Royal Mother, is there anything else you want?”
The Great Empress Dowager asked, “Since His Majesty has always been the late emperor’s son, why did you lie and say he wasn’t?”
“I never said that.”
Jiang Wu, upon hearing himself mentioned, perked up. “Yes, you did.”
Yao Ji glared fiercely. “I did not!”
Jiang Wu: “…”
Not fully rested, he couldn’t out-argue her.
A hand pressed on his shoulder, and Yin Wuzhi bluntly asked, “If that’s the case, why would His Majesty fabricate such a lie in front of everyone?”
“How should I know what’s going through his mind?” Yao Ji was fuming. “He hasn’t shown any respect for his mother since last year, and now he says things like this. I think he’s only getting worse.”
Everyone turned their gaze toward Jiang Wu, some with curiosity, others with concern.
Yin Wuzhi, unable to bear hearing Jiang Wu being spoken of this way, said, “Is Empress Dowager Yao unaware that His Majesty’s behavior changed only after you told him that secret?”
Yao Ji remembered that Yin Wuzhi knew their secret, and her face showed a hint of murderous intent. “Yin Wuzhi, stop spouting nonsense.”
The Great Empress Dowager asked, “Yin Shu, do you know what this secret is?”
Yin Wuzhi stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Great Empress Dowager, I request permission for His Majesty to return to the courtyard and rest.”
Jiang Wu, of course, refused. “I want to listen.”
He also understood that the crucial moment was approaching. If the Great Empress Dowager were to punish Yao Ji, he would intervene, forcing the Great Empress Dowager to kill him too.
The Great Empress Dowager said, “Just say it.”
Yin Wuzhi straightened up, looked at Yao Ji, and said, “What the others may not know is that before I entered the palace, His Majesty had once taken a knife to his own neck.”
The elder ministers gasped, and Grand Preceptor Wen lamented, “How could this happen?!”
King Dingnan added, “Wasn’t it said that there were assassins in the palace?”
“That story was spread to avoid causing panic,” Yin Wuzhi briefly explained, then said, “Before that incident, Empress Dowager Yao had treated His Majesty harshly. Am I wrong?”
Yao Ji said, “I did it for his own good. Without my strict discipline, how would we have such an outstanding emperor?”
“But punishing him with beatings and needles seemed a bit too cruel for a child.”
Such things were palace secrets, and Minister Chen and Grand Preceptor Wen immediately grew more attentive.
Yao Ji scolded, “How dare you, a mere servant, criticize the way I raise my child!”
The Grand Preceptor gave her a disapproving look. “Please allow Yin Shu to finish.”
As a senior official, Yao Ji didn’t dare defy him and had to bite her tongue. She glanced at Jiang Wu again, knowing that only he could stop this.
Jiang Wu was intently listening to Yin Wuzhi, his expression serious.
Yin Wuzhi continued, “Because of Empress Dowager Yao’s harsh treatment, the day before His Majesty cut himself with a knife, someone saw Empress Dowager Yao visit him. Empress Dowager Wen speculated that perhaps it was something she said that upset His Majesty, so she asked me to stay in the palace to try and uncover the truth.”
“I see,” Minister Chen understood now why Yin Wuzhi had remained in the palace. “And did you discover anything?”
Yao Ji said, “I’m tired.”
“Ah Wen, hold her down.”
Empress Dowager Wen stood and blocked Yao Ji in front of the chair, saying, “Not until you’ve heard everything.”
Yao Ji dug her nails into her palm, pinching herself hard.
Yin Wuzhi suddenly looked at Jiang Wu and asked, “What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”
Jiang Wu calmly shook his head.
Yin Wuzhi furrowed his brow but, seeing that Jiang Wu was fine, continued, “At first, I didn’t discover anything. But recently, His Majesty told me that Empress Dowager Yao had revealed a secret to him. A secret that, if known by the senior ministers, would lead to the death of both her and her son.”
“Yin Wuzhi, stop spewing nonsense,” Empress Dowager Yao snapped.
Minister Chen asked, “What secret?”
Yin Wuzhi replied, “Please be patient. Before I reveal that, I have a question for Empress Dowager Yao. Have you seen this person?”
He took out a portrait and handed it to Yao Ji. Her expression turned cold upon seeing it. Empress Dowager Wen glanced at it and said, “This looks like Wu Er.”
“No, this is a masked man I encountered in Qi.”
The senior ministers looked at the portrait and were equally puzzled. “This person looks identical to His Majesty.”
Jiang Wu’s features were so delicate and rare that if he went out masked, anyone who had seen him would recognize him.
“This person is from the Zhao Kingdom,” Yin Wuzhi added, which surprised everyone. Empress Dowager Wen said, “A Zhao person?”
Yao Ji’s gaze began to waver.
Minister Chen remarked, “If this person looks so much like His Majesty, he might be a hidden danger.”
Grand Preceptor Wen countered, “A mere resemblance in the eyes doesn’t prove anything.”
Yin Wuzhi continued, “When I and the Xiangye first saw this person, we both thought he might be a threat. King Qi felt the same. Grand Preceptor, please look at this second portrait.”
He took out another image, this time of the full face. After looking at it, the room fell silent. The portrait was passed around until it reached Yao Ji, whose expression darkened further.
The Great Empress Dowager asked, “Who is this person?”
Yin Wuzhi didn’t hold back this time. “This is Zhao Cheng, the crown prince of the Zhao Kingdom.”
“A while ago, I encountered him in Qi. Afterward, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he posed a great threat. So, I sent people to Zhao to investigate, and this portrait was what they brought back.”
He then looked at Yao Ji and said, “Does Empress Dowager Yao want to know what else I discovered?”
Feigning composure, Yao Ji sneered, “How would I know?”
Yin Wuzhi explained, “From my brother Ziyan, I accidentally learned a rumor from Zhao: that King Wen of Zhao, Zhao Ying, had once married a daughter of the He family. Later, his wife was taken by Zhao Jing, the then-Emperor of Zhao, and she died after suffering humiliation in the Zhao palace. My brother emphasized that the He family daughter was said to be extraordinarily beautiful, unmatched in the world.”
Grand Preceptor Wen nodded, “I’ve heard of this too. It’s said that King Wen endured the humiliation and eventually avenged her by killing his brother and seizing the throne.”
“Exactly,” Yin Wuzhi confirmed. “We also discussed Crown Prince Jiang Yuan’s unjust death, when he was accused of rebellion and shot in the ancestral temple. Around the same time, Zhao Cheng was captured, and King Ning, while gravely injured, went to ask him for an antidote, only for Zhao Cheng to use him as a hostage to escape. Not long before that, Empress Dowager Yao visited King Ning, didn’t she?”
Yao Ji remained silent.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t answer. I’ve already inquired at King Ning’s residence. If we need further confirmation, we may have to wait,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Let me continue.”
“Later, when I took His Majesty out for a walk, we came across a mouse that had frozen to death in the ice. It’s not uncommon for a swimming mouse to freeze, but what struck me as odd was that I heard afterward that Empress Dowager Yao is afraid of mice and keeps a cat.”
King Dingnan, who had been listening intently, interjected, “What’s so strange about that? People afraid of mice keep cats to ward them off.”
“But Empress Dowager Yao keeps her cat in a cage,” Yin Wuzhi pointed out.
Empress Dowager Yao defended herself, “I also let Xue Yaer roam freely.”
Minister Chen asked, “And what conclusion did you draw from this?”
“I remembered that Zhao people are known for their sorcery, including using vermin like mice to send messages,” Yin Wuzhi said, addressing King Dingnan. “Father, you remember when we fought in the southern territories, the Zhao people used mice to deliver messages.”
King Dingnan acknowledged, “That’s true.”
At this point, both Grand Preceptor Wen and Minister Chen understood the implication—Yao Ji’s identity might not be as simple as it seemed.
Grand Preceptor Wen asked, “Are you saying Empress Dowager Yao keeping a cat is just a cover?”
Yao Ji retorted, “I cage the cat because Xue Yaer tends to wander off.”
“And what about poisoning the Great Empress Dowager?” Yin Wuzhi pressed.
Yao Ji admitted, “The Great Empress Dowager has already punished me for that. I only did it because she was keeping me away from Wu Er. The poison wasn’t lethal.”
“If it was only that, it wouldn’t be deadly. But I learned that last year, for the Great Empress Dowager’s birthday, His Majesty gifted her a rare bamboo plant. This bamboo is said to bloom in spring and is quite unique.”
Empress Dowager Wen’s expression turned grim. “What do you mean?”
“That bamboo is known as ‘glory bamboo’ in our kingdom, but in Zhao, it’s called ‘bamboo leaf fragrance.’ When combined with any hallucinogenic substance, it becomes a deadly poison known as ‘gut-piercing scent.'”
The Great Empress Dowager gasped. Yao Ji slammed her hand on the table as she attempted to rise but was restrained by Empress Dowager Wen. She shouted, “Nonsense! I never intended to kill the Great Empress Dowager!”
Yin Wuzhi added, “Now, Grand Precepor, do you still think those eyes pose no threat?”
Grand Preceptor Wen, thoroughly alarmed, responded, “If that person is indeed Zhao Crown Prince Zhao Cheng, and he snuck into the capital, wearing a mask to commit murder, then combined with what you just said about Empress Dowager Yao’s poisoning—”
“It’s more than that,” Yin Wuzhi interrupted. “Empress Dowager Yao also told His Majesty that he is not the son of the late emperor but the son of Zhao Ying.”
Minister Chen’s cup clattered loudly as he set it down. His face darkened as he said, “If the worst-case scenario unfolds, with the Great Empress Dowager poisoned, Zhao Cheng infiltrating the capital, committing murders while masked, all of this exploding at once—His Majesty would have no way to defend himself.”
Not just that. Before all this, everyone believed that Jiang Wu had only become emperor by sheer luck. Once everything is exposed, the blame for all the tragedies—the deaths, the injuries, and the suffering of his brothers—would inevitably fall upon him.
“That’s why, the moment I saw those eyes, I felt a chill down my spine.”
Grand Preceptor Wen’s face darkened. “So, Empress Dowager Yao is the wife of King Zhao Wen and the legitimate daughter of the He family. She deceived His Majesty into thinking he wasn’t the late emperor’s son, but rather the son of King Zhao, in order to make him betray his country?”
“Exactly.”
Yao Ji let out a laugh. “Yin Wuzhi, are you implying that I intentionally set out to harm Wu Er? I am his birth mother. Even if I am strict with him, do you think I would push my own son into the fire?”
“You were the one who made him get up early to study at the age of three, forced him to train in martial arts by the age of five, and even pricked his skin with needles to leave blood marks. With someone like you, nothing would surprise me.”
Yao Ji glanced at Jiang Wu. “Wu Er, you must believe me. I never intended to put you in harm’s way.”
Yin Wuzhi stepped in between her and Jiang Wu, his gaze cold. “Admit it, Empress Dowager Yao. You’re a Zhao spy, the legitimate daughter of the He family, and the wife of King Wen. You only gave birth to His Majesty to use him as a pawn. He’s nothing more than a tool for you, and you never cared about what he truly felt.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“I may not know everything, but I’m certain His Majesty doesn’t want to see your false face any longer.” Yin Wuzhi’s tone was filled with disgust. “How could someone like you even be considered a mother?”
Yao Ji’s eyes reddened, her lips trembling. “Did Wu Er tell you all of this?”
“You probably don’t know, but when His Majesty fell off that cliff the other day, it was deliberate.”
Seeing Yao Ji’s shock, he continued, “It was because of you. Time and time again, you’ve pushed him to the brink. His Majesty has already confessed everything, and yet, you still won’t admit the truth. You are selfish, Empress Dowager Yao. Have you ever truly acted like a mother to him? Have you ever considered what he needed?”
“Of course I have!” Yao Ji exclaimed. “I wanted to take him home. Do you think I would’ve plotted all this if not for that?”
“Home?” Yin Wuzhi replied. “His Majesty’s home is here. Your home is in Zhao. Every scheme of yours was for your own benefit, to return and reunite with your Zhao family.”
Everything was now fully exposed. Yao Ji seemed disoriented, unable to meet Jiang Wu’s gaze or understand his current emotions. “How did you figure all of this out?” she finally asked.
“You were never really a good spy,” Yin Wuzhi said. “Too many flaws. You probably don’t remember, but the day His Majesty fainted, you accidentally shouted out for Imperial Physician Ku. Recently, I discovered that Zhao’s national advisor had a disciple with the surname Ku. Since the sound of ‘Ku’ and ‘Gu’ are similar, I didn’t think much of it at first. But later, I realized that Imperial Physician Gu entered the palace around the time of the late emperor’s passing—was he your arrangement?”
“Also, your baseless hatred toward me—how could you not control yourself when I mentioned that I lured He Wei into a trap? You even stomped on my hand. These small things didn’t seem significant at first, but once I connected the dots, it all became clear. For His Majesty’s sake, I advise you to confess everything. It’s time to take some responsibility as a mother.”
Yao Ji’s breathing grew ragged, while the expressions of the senior ministers varied.
Finally, it was Empress Dowager Wen who broke the silence. “Was Yuan Er’s death your doing?”
“At first, I didn’t plan to kill him,” Yao Ji said, finally giving in. “Yes, I am Zhao Ying’s wife—the legitimate daughter of the He family who was supposed to be dead. My name is He Qiu. Zhao Ying and I were childhood sweethearts, promised to each other since birth. But Zhao Jing poisoned him and forcefully took me to the Zhao palace.”
“I went through great hardships to escape, but before I could reunite with Zhao Ying, I was captured and sold to a merchant in the Xia Kingdom. There, with no one to turn to, I met the late emperor and found shelter, albeit reluctantly,” Yao Ji said, laughing bitterly. “I always wanted to go home, but I had no way. My status in Zhao was too dangerous to reveal. So, I kept my identity hidden. I tried to settle here, but I couldn’t bear it—the celebrations every time you won a war, while I, a Zhao citizen, lived in constant pain. My father died at the hands of your general. How was I supposed to stay here?”
“That’s why I forced Wu Er to grow up quickly, hoping to use him to return home.”
“Later, as you all know, Zhao Cheng came to Guanjing as a spy. He is my biological child, but back then, I didn’t even get the chance to hold him. He brought me news of my mother: she lost her husband, lost her child, and now, upon hearing that I am still alive, she longs to see me. Just then, in that same year…” She looked at Yin Wuzhi and choked up, “you killed my brother He Wei.”
“I couldn’t bear it, so when Zhao Cheng was captured, I helped him. Yuan Er’s death is my doing; I had no other choice. But you’ve killed my family too.”
The Great Empress Dowager asked bitterly, “Was it you who cursed King Ning?”
“It wasn’t me with King Ning. He was simply targeted by Zhao Ying, and at that time, I hadn’t even reestablished contact with Zhao.”
“And what about King Qi?” the Great Empress Dowager questioned. “He once crippled his own legs to prove he wasn’t framing his elder brother—was that your scheme too?”
“How could I have expected King Qi to be so resolute, to the point of crippling himself?” Yao Ji said distantly. “But his disability turned out to be a blessing; he didn’t have to die. He was just exiled from Guanjing, never to return…”
Empress Dowager Wen slapped her across the face.
The Great Empress Dowager’s eyebrows twitched.
That slap seemed to snap her back to reality. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and looked toward Jiang Wu.
They were all well-mannered people, and even Empress Dowager Wen, despite her rage, only said, “They were all children you watched grow up.”
“Wu Er is still my own child.” Only when mentioning Jiang Wu did she show a trace of guilt in her eyes. “I just wanted to take him home, to our own home.”
“He is the son of the late emperor. His home is here. If you take him back to Zhao, do you think Zhao Ying will let him go?”
“Do you think the late emperor didn’t discover anything back then?” Yao Ji continued to look in the direction of Jiang Wu. “But he still spared me. Wu Er, come home with me. I naturally have a way to protect him.”
Yin Wuzhi asked, “What did you do?”
At that moment, there was a faint sound, and Jiang Wu stood up.
His face burned with pain.
In fact, since that time Yao Ji was scratched by the cat, Jiang Wu had realized something. The people of Zhao were skilled in using poison, and Yao Ji must have cast some sort of curse on both of them. Whenever she got hurt, Jiang Wu could feel the pain as well.
A few days ago, when she injured her forehead, Jiang Wu had a headache for days.
Earlier, when the Great Empress Dowager slapped her, Jiang Wu confirmed that his suspicion was correct.
Why had he dreamed of his father telling him not to harm his mother? The answer was obvious.
His father must have discovered that if Yao Ji were hurt, Jiang Wu would also feel pain.
Yao Ji’s claim that she had the ability to protect Jiang Wu made sense. If they went to Zhao, she could likely bind King Zhao Wen’s life to Jiang Wu, ensuring everything would be safe.
But the others clearly didn’t know this yet.
Jiang Wu understood that the effect was one-sided: if Yao Ji hurt, he would feel pain, but if he hurt, Yao Ji wouldn’t.
So, if Yao Ji were to die, he could die as well.
Yin Wuzhi suddenly stopped him. “Your Majesty.”
“I have something to say to my mother.”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “You’ve been through enough tonight. You must be tired. Let Yin Shu take you back to rest.”
Yin Wuzhi placed him back in the wheelchair.
Jiang Wu asked, “Grandmother, won’t you kill my mother?”
Yao Ji froze, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.
The Great Empress Dowager replied, “This matter is of great importance. I must consult with others carefully. You should rest well.”
Yin Wuzhi pushed the wheelchair, taking Jiang Wu back to the small courtyard.
Once Jiang Wu was placed back on the hammock, the first thing he said to Yin Wuzhi was, “My mother must die.”
Yin Wuzhi replied, “I know.”
“Help me. Go kill her.”
Yin Wuzhi was momentarily dazed, feeling as though the words were familiar. He asked, “What?”
“Kill her,” Jiang Wu repeated. “Yin Wuzhi, you’ll do anything for me, right?”
“I… can’t hear you,” Yin Wuzhi frowned. “What did you say?”
He truly couldn’t hear, as though a force had blocked his hearing. He couldn’t even remember what Jiang Wu had just said.
Jiang Wu remained silent.
“Your Majesty, say it again.”
“I said you’re a pig.”
This time, Yin Wuzhi heard clearly. He couldn’t help but laugh and kissed Jiang Wu’s lips. “It was narrow-minded of me.”
“If I had realized sooner that you could be reborn after death, I would have told the world everything.”
If he had known the outcome, Jiang Wu wouldn’t have said a single word.
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