The Female Psychology PHD Got Time Travelled To The Royal Harem

Chapter 73

"Oh?"

The Xuanwu Emperor stopped writing and looked up at Consort Zhang. "Wronged? You don't know? Do you think I'm blind?"

Wang Dequan lowered his head, not daring to look at the Emperor's enraged face. He wanted to remind Consort Zhang that it would be better to confess quickly.

In this palace, there were no secrets the Emperor couldn't uncover if he wanted to know.

These past two days, the Emperor had turned the entire palace upside down investigating Concubine Zhen's fall into the water.

To find the guard with the chest injury, he had organized a grand martial arts competition, even using the position of imperial guard as bait. So what was strange about discovering that Consort Zhang had passed by the lake at that time?

Consort Zhang made a desperate attempt: "Your servant did pass by the lake that day, but I didn't hear any commotion, nor did I hear Concubine Zhen calling for help! Perhaps... perhaps someone dragged her underwater, and I walked by too quickly, so I missed it. Your Majesty, I really didn't..."

"Enough!"

The Xuanwu Emperor didn't want to hear any more of her excuses. He directly ordered Wang Dequan: "Consort Zhang is willful, jealous, and vicious. From this day forward, demote her to Consort Zhang and confine her to the side hall of Zhong Cui Palace."

He wasn't even going to give her the main quarters of Zhong Cui Palace, instead making her move to the side hall.

The Emperor knew how to kill with kindness.

For the women of the palace, rank and face were more important than life itself. He had instantly grasped Consort Zhang's lifeline, gripping her by the throat, causing her face to turn ashen in an instant.

Wang Dequan gave a signal, and immediately eunuchs came to support the limp Consort Zhang... no... Consort Zhang as they took her away.

In a daze, Consort Zhang was thrown onto the cold floor of the side hall. She suddenly grabbed Wang Dequan's robe like a madwoman: "Why? Why is the Emperor being so cruel to me? Concubine Zhen also caused Noble Consort Li to fall into the water before, but not only did nothing happen to her, she even got promoted. I just passed by without saving Concubine Zhen, why is the Emperor treating me like this?"

Wang Dequan mercilessly pulled back his robe, his face a mask of pleasantness, his smile unwavering: "My lady is confused. Concubine Zhen is now the Emperor's most beloved. If you cause trouble for Concubine Zhen, the Emperor will only make you more miserable. Don't blame the Emperor for being heartless, blame only the mastermind who made you go against Concubine Zhen."

Consort Zhang was slightly shocked, her pupils contracting for a moment in surprise.

She took a few steps back, appearing extremely afraid of the "mastermind" Wang Dequan had mentioned.

This secretive, tight-lipped behavior was all observed by Wang Dequan. When he returned to the imperial study, he reported truthfully: "The one who frightens Consort Zhang so much is probably..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the Xuanwu Emperor understood what his old companion meant to say.

"The Empress Dowager!"

The one who wanted Concubine Zhen's life was indeed the Empress Dowager!

The Xuanwu Emperor could almost be certain that his cruel mother once again wanted to take away something he loved.

"Crash!"

A pair of fine official kiln famille-rose porcelains shattered in the Ci'ning Palace. The Dowager Empress Wu's hand gripping the chair back showed bulging blue veins.