Chapter 23: Targeted-Quando a concubina diz que eu não mereço? A filha legítima renascida, abalando a corte e conquistando o posto de fênix(Chuva intensa)

The moment these words were spoken, they struck like a thunderclap on a clear day. Amidst the general astonishment, every gaze turned toward Shen Fengmo.

At this, a military officer under Shen Fengmo’s command spoke up: "Audacious slave! To dare spout such nonsense before His Majesty! Everything you have done was exposed by General Shen himself. If he were truly the one directing you, why would he expose his own failures and go to such unnecessary lengths? This is utterly absurd."

"I did not say the person was General Shen, but another member of the Shen family. As for whether the General was aware, you would have to ask him yourself."

"Which member of the Shen family?"

"The fourth daughter of the Shen household, Shen Ning-shuang!" Mother Zhang’s words were clear and resonant.

As she uttered this name, Leng Zhaowen’s hands clenched into fists within his sleeves.

The Emperor frowned, his face full of suspicion, while Shen Fengmo’s expression remained entirely unmoved, as if the person Mother Zhang mentioned had nothing to do with him.

To those present, the servant was simply raving. The claim that she was acting on behalf of Shen Ning-shuang was even less credible than the claim that she was acting for Shen Fengmo. After all, it was at least plausible that Shen Fengmo might use her to eliminate rivals and then discard her, but how could Shen Ning-shuang, a young lady confined to her chambers, orchestrate such schemes?

Everyone looked on in disbelief, save for Leng Yichen, who quietly lowered his eyes.

The aforementioned officer spoke again: "This is preposterous! Does anyone here believe what this servant is saying?"

The crowd exchanged glances, no one answering. Finally, Shen Fengmo spoke slowly: "Mother Zhang, cultivating so many death-sworn warriors is no overnight task. My daughter has not even lived as long as you have served beside the Empress. By what means, and how, could she have directed you?"

"General Shen, I had my own reasons for what I did. Some of these forces were indeed cultivated by my own painstaking efforts. However, three years ago, when the Fourth Miss entered the palace, she happened to stumble upon my secret. Using it as leverage, she coerced me into her service. I had no choice but to obey."

"You built your own power base?" Shen Fengmo’s gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, as if he meant to pierce through her. "What is your true identity, that you had the ability to cultivate such vast forces within the palace?"

Mother Zhang gave a bitter smile. "I will not hide it from you all. I am a survivor of the former dynasty."

At this, the crowd gasped.

Although they had long known there was a hidden motive behind the men in black, they never expected it to involve the grievances of the former dynasty. If Mother Zhang were truly a survivor of the former dynasty, her attack on the Imperial Mausoleum and her attempt to sever the dragon vein would indeed be explained.

Duke Li asked with deep skepticism, "You have been a remnant of the former dynasty serving beside the Empress for all these years without being discovered, yet the Fourth Miss happened to find out during a single visit to the palace?"

"Your Majesty, and all you ministers, you may find it hard to believe, but every word I say is true. This Fourth Miss is by no means an ordinary lady of the inner chambers. Her capabilities and methods are far beyond your imagination."

"Enough!" Shen Fengmo interrupted angrily. "You speak empty words with no evidence. No matter how flowery your speech, it is useless. Whether you are deliberately framing her or speaking the truth, you must produce concrete evidence."

"Exactly. It is one thing for a remnant of the former dynasty to try and sever the dragon vein, but what benefit would this bring to the Fourth Miss?"

Mother Zhang remained perfectly composed. "Had the Fourth Miss not been pushing from behind the scenes, I would never have dared to act with such risk. When the Water Cloud Pavilion was attacked, she intended to kill the sons of the noble families and cut off their future paths. Now, in attacking the Imperial Mausoleum, her goal is to overthrow the current Emperor’s reign."

"Total nonsense! Why would a lady of the inner chambers commit such a heaven-defying act?" The officer was furious.

"I have my own objectives, and naturally, the Fourth Miss has her own calculations. She does these things because she possesses another identity. In other words, she is not the biological daughter of General Shen."

As soon as she finished, Shen Fengmo roared: "Absurd!"

"General Shen, if you do not believe me, you may ask your wife."

Shen Fengmo ignored her and turned to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, this criminal is spouting madness. If you wish to make her speak the truth, I fear we must use more forceful measures."

Before the Emperor could respond, Mother Zhang spoke first: "Your Majesty, I speak no lies. If you harbor doubts, you may summon the Fourth Miss at once for a confrontation. The truth will be clear to see."

The Emperor hesitated. The Crown Prince seized the moment: "Father, since this criminal has already confessed to her crimes, her words carry some weight. Furthermore, if the Fourth Miss is truly an ordinary lady, what would this criminal gain by framing her?"

The Emperor considered this and found it suspicious. Why would anyone frame an unrelated person for no reason?

The Emperor said in a deep voice: "I will grant you one final chance, considering your years of service to the Empress. Speak the truth: do you have concrete evidence that Shen Ning-shuang is not the biological daughter of Shen Fengmo? If you are merely guessing and spreading slander, you will not be spared!"

Mother Zhang bowed low and replied calmly: "Your Majesty, I dare not speak falsely. When the Fourth Miss was born, several of the wet nurses and maids serving the Madam were my informants. They heard the midwife whisper that there was something unusual about the infant's birth. Furthermore, the Miss’s conduct over the years has been entirely unlike that of a general’s household; she is instead well-versed in complex political maneuvering. What ordinary girl would have such skills? It is only regrettable that those nurses and maids disappeared one by one thereafter—surely someone silenced them. If Your Majesty sends someone to investigate thoroughly, you will surely find traces."

Shen Fengmo’s eyes widened in fury, but he suppressed his rage and clasped his hands toward the Emperor: "Your Majesty, my wife is a woman of pure character and would never engage in such deception. This woman is clearly fabricating lies to escape punishment and confuse the court. I beg Your Majesty to discern the truth!"

As the Emperor pondered, Leng Yichen, who had remained silent, finally spoke: "Imperial Brother, this matter is so convoluted it gives me a headache. May I be excused?"

The ministers present chuckled inwardly. Though the words seemed plain, they were filled with hidden meaning. The Prince had expressed two points with a single sentence: First, that he had no involvement and did not wish to wade into these muddy waters. Second, that Mother Zhang’s testimony was so ridiculous it was a waste of time to listen.

Unexpectedly, Mother Zhang looked at him and said softly: "Your Highness, after the incident at the Water Cloud Pavilion, you were the first to take charge of the investigation. You led the ambush, yet you were the only survivor. The case is full of doubts. Is there nothing you are hiding from His Majesty?"

Leng Yichen replied expressionlessly: "That matter was settled long ago. By bringing it up now, are you questioning my Imperial Brother’s decision at the time?"

Mother Zhang was momentarily checked. She thought to herself that this master was truly worthy of his reputation; in just a few words, he had deflected the weight of the accusation. After all, rulers most detest being questioned, and with a single sentence, Leng Yichen had silenced her.