Chapter 1348: Chapter 1348: The Irresistible Majesty of the Emperor
Emperor Chu looked coldly at Princess Consort Ji, who was pleading with a sorrowful expression, his face somber.
"Imperial Concubine, the harem must not interfere in political affairs. Do you not understand this principle? The case of Xia, the culprit, involves major state affairs; you canāt decide whether he lives or dies."
Princess Consort Ji became anxious: "He deceived with falsehood, mixed up the Imperial Family bloodline, isnāt that a capital offense?"
Her words were hurriedly spoken, and she ended up panting, her complexion turning pale.
"The guilt of Xia will be decided by me and the three judicial authorities. Imperial Concubine, just focus on your health, thereās no need to concern yourself with this matter."
Princess Consort Ji cried out with heart-wrenching intensity: "Emperor, Zeāer is your own brother, how can you, how could you... You are the elder brother."
Princess Consort Min furrowed her brow, supporting Princess Consort Ji: "Mother Consort, the Emperor will reach a conclusion."
"Get out!" Princess Consort Ji glared at her as though she was ready to devour her.
All remnants of the Xia family deserve to die.
Emperor Chu warned sternly: "Princess Consort Ji, mind your conduct before the Emperor."
Inside, Princess Consort Ji wanted to curse; her son had been swapped for over twenty years, and now he was nearing his end. How could she maintain decorum?
Yet, the person in front of her was the Emperor, the ruler. She dared not contradict him.
"Chu Ze was swapped, but Imperial Concubine forgot one thing. He was always in league with Xia Houzhe, intending to usurp. Even the Longevity Festival gifts presented by the Prince Manor were his idea. If not for the divine protection over me and the Empress Dowager, the tremendous blessings, wouldnāt their plot have succeeded?"
When Emperor Chu spoke of the festival gifts, he still felt fearful and thus angry.
"The attempt to harm the Emperor is a crime deserving death. If not for considering the Imperial Familyās dignity, I would have announced it to the world long ago; would I let you meet your son? And another point, seeking to harm the Emperor is a crime that exterminates nine generations; if I truly charged him, you, the Prince Manor, and even the Ji Family behind you as Imperial Concubine must face execution to quell the Emperorās wrath. I wonder if Imperial Concubine can bear this cost."
Princess Consort Ji turned pale upon hearing this, her body trembling violently.
She recalled how since the beginning of the year, fresh blood had continually been poured over the Meridian Gate, with some wealthy families having been purged without notice.
"Imperial Concubine, I am the Emperor, and when an Emperorās wrath flares, corpses can litter a thousand miles. My patience is limited, and you cannot provoke it. Donāt use the bereaved of the late Emperor to speak; the crime of harming the Emperor cannot stand anywhere. If you repeatedly tell me how to act, challenge my limits, regardless of your status as Imperial Concubine, I can immediately imprison Chu Ze in the Heavenly Prison, never to be released. I wonder if his frail form can endure the cold of the Heavenly Prison."
Terrifying, utterly terrifying.
Hearing this, Princess Consort Ji was so shocked that her back felt chilled, sweat trickled from her forehead, her body swaying, seeming ready to collapse at any moment.
The Emperorās power, not something a mere woman like her could withstand.
"I, I recognize my wrongdoing."
Princess Consort Ji immediately admitted her fault.
Itās not about being discerning. Just now, with Emperor Chuās mention of the Heavenly Prison, it was enough to scare her.
She wouldnāt dare gamble with Chu Zeās body; as weak as he was, knocked down by the wind, how could she dare?
"Leave now." Emperor Chu waved his sleeve, then looked at Princess Consort Min: "Princess, take good care of the Imperial Concubine."
"Yes."
Princess Consort Ji meekly allowed herself to be carried away. But this continuous string of blows, now intimidated by Emperor Chu, filled her heart with grief. Just after exiting the Yangxin Hall, she felt a darkness before her eyes and then fainted again.
Princess Consort Min sighed.