The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 250 - Palace Coup

Hearing Pei Yao speak, the Third Princess raised her head, her gaze sharp, and stepped closer, intent on confronting him.

The Third Princess, her gaze sharp and determined, stepped closer to Pei Yao. "As a princess, I should not involve myself in such matters, but these issues concern both the state and our family. I must speak. With my mother confined and my brother accused of plotting against the Crown Prince and under investigation by the Ministry of Justice, now our father has suddenly fallen ill. This seems too coincidental."

She turned to the royal family members and ministers present. "Plotting against the Crown Prince is a grave crime. But plotting against the Emperor—is it not an even greater crime?"

Her words caused a stir among those present.

Chen Fei frowned, "Princess, do not speak carelessly. The Emperor's fall was an accident. Let the physicians treat him, and he will recover. Then, you may speak with him."

As a noble consort, Chen Fei still held some influence, but the Third Princess, as the legitimate daughter, did not regard her with the same respect. She continued, "I am not speaking without evidence. The Emperor has been taking Elixir of Rejuvenation for a long time and has been healthy. But after King Ming was confined, two alchemists presented a new elixir, Royal Gold Pill, claiming it was superior. Coincidentally, I overheard the alchemists saying they would gain wealth and honor if they offered this pill to the Emperor. Crown Prince, what does this mean?"

Pei Yao remained composed. "I have never believed in Taoist practices, only respecting our ancestors. These alchemists were introduced by King Ming. Now you are linking them to me, which seems far-fetched."

"Is it slander? Ask the physician," the Third Princess said confidently, turning to the physician.

"What caused the Emperor's blockage of blood and vital energy?" she demanded.

The physician hesitated, glancing at Pei Yao, then knelt and said, "It was likely the Royal Gold Pill. I found harmful substances in the pill. Initially, it excites the body, appearing to strengthen it. But after three or four days, it causes blood stasis, leading to unconsciousness and even paralysis."

Hearing this, some concubines aligned with the Empress's faction spoke up. "If the pill is the cause, arrest those alchemists immediately!"

Some ministers supporting King Ming also seized the opportunity to echo this demand.

Pei Yao's expression turned cold as he glanced at the Third Princess, seeming to harbor lethal intent.

Though shaken by his gaze, the Third Princess remembered her mother and brother's instructions, clenched her fists, and stood firm.

"Bring those alchemists for questioning!" Pei Yao commanded.

Hong Zheng immediately instructed his men to move quickly.

With Emperor Chengjing in a coma, the tension between the Third Princess and Pei Yao escalated, now involving accusations of using elixirs to harm the Emperor. The atmosphere grew oppressive, and no one dared speak.

Soon, the two alchemists were brought in.

The Third Princess, impatient, questioned them sharply. "Confess! Who ordered you to tamper with the elixir given to the Emperor?"

"Your Highness, we are innocent. We would never poison the Emperor. This is a misunderstanding..."

"Stop pleading!" she interrupted. "If you don't tell the truth, not only will you die today, but everyone in your temple will be executed. Choose your words wisely!"

Some perceptive individuals began sensing something amiss, but couldn't pinpoint it and remained silent.

To everyone's shock, the alchemists, seemingly frightened, accused the Crown Prince of ordering them.

This caused the onlookers to recoil, wary of becoming entangled in the political struggle.

The Third Princess turned to the guards, shouting, "You heard them! The Crown Prince ordered these alchemists to harm the Emperor. Arrest him immediately!"

"Who dares!" Pei Yao's icy voice stopped them in their tracks.

The Third Princess pressed on, "With evidence and witnesses, what more is there to argue? You accused my brother of plotting against you to trap him. Now, with my mother confined, you reveal your true intentions to murder my father and seize the throne!"

"Nonsense!" Chancellor Lu retorted, "The Crown Prince is the rightful heir, ordained by the Emperor and our ancestors. He has no need to usurp the throne!"

Before the Third Princess could respond, Empress Li's voice rang out from the entrance.

"The Crown Prince has falsely accused King Ming and harmed the Emperor. The evidence is clear. Seize these traitors!"

Empress Li entered, radiating authority, her confinement seemingly forgotten. The Imperial Guards followed her orders, surrounding Pei Yao.

Seeing this, Pei Yao smiled, as if expecting it.

"What, does the Empress intend a palace coup to usurp the throne?"

"The Crown Prince has harmed the Emperor. As Empress, it is my duty to remove traitors!" Empress Li declared, standing proudly with the Third Princess.

Far from fearing the encircling Imperial Guards, Pei Yao's smile widened.

Scanning the room, he produced three sealed letters, raising them high. "Coincidentally, I am here to cleanse the court of traitors. King Ming, unable to kill me, now harbors treasonous intentions. He conspired with the Empress to poison the Emperor with elixirs and frame me, intending to usurp the throne. These three letters are the evidence!"

Empress Li's face paled at the sight of the letters. Knowing she had secured the original messages, she assumed Pei Yao was bluffing. Regardless, eliminating Pei Yao was imperative.

Smirking, she ordered, "Even at death's door, you lie to slander others. Seize him!"

As she raised her hand to signal the guards, a sharp sound pierced the air, followed by her pained scream. In an instant, a black-feathered arrow had impaled her hand.

Writhing in pain, Empress Li turned towards the entrance, her eyes widening in shock.

Following her gaze, everyone saw Hu Daixu leading the capital guards, escorting a battered King Ming in armor towards the hall.