Dragon Soul Heroes - Chapter 12: The Princess Carries the Coffin

At dawn, with a magnificent procession and the protection of the Imperial Guard, the Emperor arrived first, followed by his entourage in phoenix robes. Then came two ornate carriages with phoenix canopies, and the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Concubines arrived one after another. The area within a ten-mile radius of the Dali Temple was controlled by the Imperial Guard, with densely packed sentry posts and checkpoints one after another, making it as impregnable as a fortress, where even mosquitoes could not fly.
In the main hall of the Dali Temple, Huangfu Wuji, dressed in a dragon robe, sat on a high seat. Although his face was somewhat pale, his eyes were bright. His gaze was unfocused, yet it gave people the feeling of being closely watched and locked on. He was powerful and majestic, displaying the demeanor of an emperor.
Empress Zhou, Consort Xiao, and Consort Wang were seated in order to the right of the throne. Since the two consorts were interdependent, Consort Wang also requested to come and listen to the hearing. Consort Su, on the other hand, stayed in the palace on the grounds of feeling unwell. On the left stood Prince Qi and Prince Song. As the saying goes, men are on the left and women on the right, so the two princes stood on the left. The women were all their elders, so they had chairs to sit on. In this way, it not only conformed to the court etiquette but also distinguished the hierarchy.
The outcome of this case directly affects the succession to the throne. Both the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Song looked solemn, and the tension among the concubines was no less than that of the two princes.
Huangfu Wuji slammed his gavel and said in a deep voice, “Consort Xiao, what you said yesterday about the case of Consort Bai is a miscarriage of justice. Tell me everything in detail, and do not conceal anything!”
Consort Xiao rose and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. What I have said is all true. Consort Bai did not really have an affair with the guards. Instead, someone framed her."
Empress Zhou's face had darkened, her beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent as she stared intently at Consort Xiao.
Huangfu Wuji said coldly, "Then tell me, who framed us behind our backs?"
Consort Xiao straightened her body, causing her magnificent robe to stretch and accentuate her full breasts. She said, word by word, "I am none other than Consort Zhou from back then, and today's Empress Zhou!"
Empress Zhou's almond-shaped eyes widened, her anger rising to her brows. She slammed her hand on the armrest of her chair and said sternly, "Consort Xiao, how dare you slander me! This is insubordination! What is your punishment?"
Seeing this, Consort Wang also knelt down and complained to Huangfu Wuji: "We are guilty of a serious crime of insubordination, but we are filled with righteousness and virtue and cannot bear to see Consort Bai die unjustly. Today, even if we are torn to pieces, we will seek justice and avenge Consort Bai!"
Empress Zhou, enraged, laughed and said, "What a glib-tongued woman! As the head of the three palaces and six courtyards, the mother of the nation, how dare you disrespect and slander me!"
Since the pretense of civility had already been laid bare, Consort Xiao Yuan stared intently at Empress Zhou without showing any weakness, and sneered, "As the head of the harem, the Empress should obey the imperial decree. However, when the Empress learned that Consort Bai was pregnant with the Emperor's child, she was afraid that her position would be in jeopardy, so she used underhanded means to murder Consort Bai. How can such a morally corrupt person be worthy of the title of the Mother of the Nation!"
Huangfu Wuji slammed his gavel in anger and shouted, "How dare the dignified empresses and concubines engage in such venomous acts, insulting and slandering each other! What kind of decorum is this? Do you think I am invisible?!"
Everyone immediately fell silent, refusing to utter a word.
Huangfu Wuji scanned the room and said, "Consort Xiao, you keep saying that the Empress framed and plotted against Consort Bai, but do you have any evidence?"
Consort Xiao said, "Your Majesty, I implore you to summon a person who was once a palace maid by the Empress's side. She knows everything about Consort Bai's case and can be considered a key witness!"
Empress Zhou's face was as ugly as could be, but Huangfu Wuji ignored it and simply uttered a single word—"Granted!" The imperial edict was issued, and Yu Hua knelt and entered the temple, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
Huangfu Wuji asked, "Who is kneeling below the hall?"
Yu Hua humbly replied, "Your Majesty, I was the Empress's personal maid fifteen years ago."
Consort Xiao also said, "Your Majesty, this woman is indeed a palace maid by the Empress's side. There are detailed records of her in the Shanggong Room. Your Majesty can find out by checking."
Huangfu Wuji snorted coldly: "Consort Xiao, are you judging the case or am I? Would you like to give me your seat?"
Consort Xiao was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she hurriedly knelt down to apologize.
Huangfu Wuji waved his hand and ordered Eunuch Wang to verify Yu Hua's identity.
Eunuch Wang instructed his eunuchs to fetch the personnel records from the Imperial Household Department. After reviewing and confirming that everything was correct, he presented them to the Emperor.
Huangfu Wuji glanced at it and said, "Fifteen years ago, a fire broke out in the palace, and Yu Hua was burned to death. So where did you come from?"
Yu Hua kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am indeed Yu Hua! When I entered the palace, the eunuch in charge of the palace office tattooed a mark on my shoulder."
According to the rules of Daheng Palace, all women who entered the palace to serve had to have tattoos on their bodies. The patterns and locations of the tattoos were symbols of the palace maids' status, which greatly reduced the possibility of assassins sneaking into the palace.
Huangfu Wuji then gave Eunuch Wang a wink, and the chief eunuch immediately ordered the palace attendant to summon the eunuch who had tattooed her. After confirming Yu Hua's tattoo, the eunuch reported truthfully: "Your Majesty, this tattoo was indeed done by your servant. According to the characteristics of the tattoo, she is indeed Yu Hua."
After verifying multiple pieces of identity information, Huangfu Wuji was finally able to confirm Yu Hua's identity. He slammed his gavel and said, "Palace maid Yu Hua, summon yourself to me honestly. Why have you come back to life?"
Yu Hua kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I was persecuted and forced to hide my identity for more than ten years."
Huangfu Wuji said, "Tell me everything you knew back then. If you dare to conceal or falsify anything, I will cut off your head."
Yu Hua repeatedly said that she dared not, but then she heard Consort Xiao Yuan and Consort Wang Xian say, "Yu Hua, don't be afraid. Now that the Emperor is in charge, he will surely uphold justice for you."
Yu Hua said, "Your Majesty, the truth is this: when the Empress learned that Consort Bai had impregnated the Emperor's child, she feared that Bai would threaten her position. So she bribed Xia Zhu of Minglang Palace to drug Consort Bai and a palace guard, causing them to commit immoral acts. Later, fearing that the matter would be exposed, the Empress killed them to silence them. Fortunately, I was saved by a wise man, and my lowly life was spared. I beg Your Majesty to seek justice for me!"
Empress Zhou's face turned ashen, and she roared, "You audacious wench! How dare you slander me! Guards, drag her out and behead her as a warning to others!"
The Empress Dowager's imposing aura, fueled by anger, became even more fierce and ruthless, causing Yu Hua to tremble all over in fear.
Consort Xiao sneered, "Your Majesty, you have quite the temper. Are you in such a hurry to kill Yu Hua because you're afraid your shameful deeds will be exposed and you're trying to silence her?"
Empress Zhou glared at her and said, "I have done nothing shameful! As the mother of the nation, how can I allow such a lowly servant to slander me? If I do not execute her today, where will the dignity of my Great Heng be!"
Consort Wang chimed in, "If the Empress were to actually do such a despicable thing as framing someone, that would truly tarnish the reputation of the Great Heng Dynasty and bring shame upon the court's dignity!"
"Enough!"
Huangfu Wuji slammed his gavel in anger and shouted, "All of you shut up! How can you, as imperial concubines, act like gossipy shrewish women and make such a racket? Anyone who dares to speak out of turn is to get out of the Dali Temple!"
The three women immediately fell silent.
King Qi cupped his hands and said, "Father, I have a few words I would like to say to Yu Hua. Please grant me permission."
Huangfu Wuji nodded.
King Qi asked, "Yu Hua, you keep saying that my mother poisoned Consort Bai and the palace guards, so do you have any evidence?"
Yu Hua said, "Back then..."
Before he could finish speaking, King Qi interrupted him sharply: "Just answer yes or no!"
King Qi was a veteran of countless battles, possessing a bloodthirsty aura. Every move he made exuded a terrifying presence. Yu Hua trembled with fear and honestly replied, "No...no."
King Qi continued, "Did you personally witness Xia Zhu poisoning the poison? Remember, all I need is your answer: yes or no!"
Yu Hua shook her head and said, "No."
Prince Qi sneered, "Without evidence and without personally witnessing the poisoner, how can you claim that the Empress murdered Consort Bai!"
Yu Hua was speechless for a moment and stood there dumbfounded.
At this moment, the King of Song asked, "Father, I also have a few questions to ask."
Huangfu Wuji nodded and said, "Granted!"
宋王又道：“但儿臣这次不但要问虞花，还想斗胆请教皇后娘娘几个问题。”皇甫武吉也恩准了。
宋王笑道：“虞花是吧？你不必紧张，你且说说在那场火灾发生之前，皇后娘娘对你如何？”
虞花道：“娘娘当时还没做上皇后，但却对奴婢也是不错的，赏赐了不少点心首饰予我。”
宋王又问道：“那么你当年干活可辛苦？俸禄有多少？”
虞花摇头道：“奴婢当时是娘娘身边的宫娥，过得倒也逍遥自在，俸禄嘛……除了领宫中颁发的工酬外，娘娘还额外赏了了奴婢五两银子。”
宋王道：“也就说皇后娘娘对你还是不错的喽？”
虞花点了点头应是。
宋王朝皇后行了个礼，说道：“儿臣斗胆，敢问皇后娘娘，虞花所言是否真实？”
皇后道：“是真的！”
宋王又道：“那么娘娘原先是怎么看待虞花的？”
周皇后道：“本宫当时觉得她心灵手巧，便留在身边了，这丫头当初也算是能干之人，故而本宫对她甚为倚重。只是没料到她今日竟然污蔑本宫，枉费了我当年一番情义，真是人心隔肚皮，知面不知心。”
宋王蹙眉道：“娘娘可还曾记得虞花是怎么失踪的？儿臣的意思是虞花当初遭到火灾的地方在哪？”
周皇后道：“是她的住所。”
宋王道：“虞花身为娘娘贴身宫娥其住所可是距离寝宫较近？”
周皇后说是。
宋王若有所思地哦了一声，笑道：“当初正值春雨季节，天气潮湿本来就不容易走水，更何况是靠近娘娘寝宫的居所，其防火措施应该是做得极好，为何会来这么一场莫名其妙的火灾呢？难道是有人故意纵火？”
周皇后暗骂一声竖子狡猾，心忖道：“小畜生既然绕了个弯子又将矛头指向本宫，他知道指证本宫下毒的证据不足，才故意以火灾来刁难本宫，想让皇上注意杀人灭口的方面！”
齐王见母后情况不利，急忙道：“王弟，如今是讨论白妃一案有没有错判，并非说什么火灾，你千万不要本末倒置了！”
虽然不能一举钉死周皇后和齐王，但也成功地将话题移到虞花遭火灾的疑点上，宋王算是占了个小上风，故而也不急于一时输赢，微微轻笑缄口不言，以沉默应对齐王的话题。
齐王和周皇后也瞧出了对手的做法，心中难免有几分危机感，但周皇后打定主意无论对方怎么指证自己，都来个矢口否认或者沉默冷笑，反正单凭一个低贱宫娥是无法证明事实真相的。
就在大理寺哨岗之外，鹭明鸾和龙辉隐藏暗处。
只听鹭明鸾笑道：“这两兄弟倒也有趣，齐王行事铁血果决，抓住白妃有没有中毒的疑点来质问对方；而宋王却是迂回曲折，借着语言上的陷阱一步步地将周皇后引出破绽。”
原来鹭明鸾在虞花身上种下了元神烙印，在二十里之内，完全可以透过虞花的眼睛和耳朵来观察一切，也就是说此时鹭明鸾就相当于亲临其境，龙辉曾从洛清妍母女那处了解到玄媚夺神术这一神效，故而请来鹭明鸾相助。
“不过这宫娥从头到尾都没提昊天教的事情，也没说毒药是从何得来。”
龙辉蹙眉沉吟道，“她一定是被逼服用了什么毒药，所以才故意揭去有关昊天教的事。”
鹭明鸾笑道：“不用猜了，她确实是被强迫吞服了毒药，若不乖乖听话，那边会化成万千蚂蚁吃干净身子而死。”
顿了顿，鹭明鸾又叹道：“无论虞花的话是真是假，又任由那宋王巧舌生花，只要齐王抓住中毒是否存在这个疑点，萧元妃的指证就难以成立，到头来还要反受其害。”
话还没说完，她脸色倏地一沉，原来她又透过虞花的眼目得知变故忽生……
龙辉见她神色有变，心知该来的人终于来了，于是提高注意力，双眼紧盯着大理寺，只要一有变故立即闯进去救出爱人。
“小羽儿，你且放手去去做吧，就算天塌下来我也给你撑着！”
龙辉心中默念道只见一个御林军将领急匆匆地跑了进来，禀报道：“启奏皇上，大理寺外有人拖来了两口棺材……”
皇甫武吉脸色一沉，王公公看出主子心意，立即训斥道：“混账，一个惊扰圣驾的狂妄之徒，你们就不懂处理了吗？还要跑回来禀报，养你做什么吃的！”
将领惶恐地道：“圣上明鉴，那人正是麒麟军统领白宇……而且他手上握着一枚刻着兰翎凤羽的玉佩，小人不知该如何处理，所以来请示皇上。”
霓裳飞仙佩？堂内众人顿时又惊又奇，这种玉佩分明就是皇室之物，每一个皇子或者公主出示皇甫武吉皆会赐下一枚玉佩以作保佑平安之用，而兰翎凤羽其实便是公主之物，此物怎会出现在一个边塞守将身上？皇甫武吉心中疑惑顿起，便说道：“让他进来！”
将领得令，立即下去执行圣旨。
过了片刻，大堂外的庭园中出现一道人影，一名武袍青年左手举着一口白玉棺椁，右手则紧握麻绳，麻绳系着一物，也是一口白玉棺材，两口棺材加起来足有四五百斤重，但依旧健步如飞。
王公公走出大堂，迎上去说道：“白将军，你这是要做什么，为何要冲撞圣驾？”
白翎羽冷冷地扫了他一眼，右手暂时松开拉棺绳，伸入怀里掏出一枚晶莹的玉佩，王公公一看脸色再度大变，那枚玉佩正是霓裳飞仙佩，除此之外，上边还雕刻着一个羽字。
大堂之中，皇甫武吉眼力过人，也是看得清楚，脸色由晴转阴，由沉稳变为惊愕、不解、哀伤、惊喜……王公公打了个哆嗦，话也不敢说，垂头低首地退至一边。
白翎羽抬棺拖椁走入大堂，行至皇甫武吉御案前十步之处才停下来，将棺椁放在地上。
皇甫武吉压住心中澎湃的情绪，说道：“白宇，你此乃何意？见到朕也不下跪！”
白翎羽淡淡地道：“一个为了权势而牺牲妻子女儿的人不配让我双膝着地！”公然的顶撞使得众人脸色大变，皇甫武吉更是面容铁青，怒火难掩。
白翎羽冷笑道：“是不是想砍掉我的脑袋？”
皇甫武吉冷冷地盯着她，吐出一词：“拿下，打入天牢！”
侍卫立即围了上去，白翎羽柳眉一扬，冷笑道：“打入天牢候审前，是不是要验明正身？”
说着，她反手取下发簪，如墨浓发披肩洒下，随即又用手擦去脸庞四周的伪装。
这些伪装用得极为巧妙，只是让白翎羽女性的面容变得棱角分明，更充满男性阳刚之气，如今一经擦去，便还原出了柔媚的线条。
秀发披肩，易容卸除，白翎羽露出本来面目，端的是杏眸柳眉，琼鼻朱唇，肤色虽无一般皇室女子那般雪白粉嫩，但却胜在健康自然，小麦色的肌肤使她比一般的公主多了几分英姿傲气。
威震铁壁关的麒麟军统帅竟是女儿身，齐王和宋王不由得大吃一惊，但老一辈的皇室成员却是满脸惊愕，眼前这女子除了肌色外，那简直就跟白淑妃是一个模子刻出来的。
周皇后忍不住颤声问道：“你究竟是何人？”
白翎羽凝视着她，双目几乎快要喷出火焰来，冷笑道：“我是谁，皇后娘娘看不出来吗？”
说话间，随手便将霓裳飞仙佩丢到皇甫武吉桌子上。
皇甫武吉握着玉佩仔细看了片刻，眼圈微红，颤声道：“你……你是翎羽，你真的是翎羽，朕的女儿！”
到了最后语气极为激动，甚至还险些站起来去抱白翎羽，与他平日沉重冷静截然相反。
白翎羽芳心不由得一酸，暗忖道：“你既然心里还有我这个女儿，当年又为何如此绝情？”
那边萧元妃察颜阅色，看出皇甫武吉对这公主是既内疚又宠爱，立即装出一副泫然欲泣的模样说道：“皇上，翎羽公主在外孤苦无依地漂泊十五年，一定受了不少苦，皇上，您可得好好补偿她。”
皇甫武吉鼻子不由一酸，长叹道：“翎羽，回来就好，你想要什么，父皇都给你办到！”
白翎羽忍着热泪满眶，说道：“我什么也不要，我只要公道！”
说罢反手一掌拍开两具棺椁的盖子，宫流光和白淑妃的尸首赫然躺在其中。
得定颜珠之助，两具遗体依旧栩栩如生，特别是白淑妃依旧保持着临死前那受尽折磨的悲苦模样。
周皇后身子不由得一僵，掌心蓄满了冷汗，双腿不自觉地颤抖起来。
再见昔日爱妃容颜，皇甫武吉心口一阵刺痛，胸闷目眩，险些吐血昏迷。
白翎羽冷冷地望着皇甫武吉，说道：“母妃和宫侍卫的遗体内斗残留着毒素，你若不信可以找仵作来严明真伪。”
若是别人敢这么无礼的称呼自己，皇甫武吉早就叫他脑袋搬家了，可是这人偏偏是亏欠最多的女儿，皇甫武吉除了内疚之外便是心痛。
“传仵作！”
皇甫武吉仿佛苍老了几十岁，语气无奈之中又多了几分无力。
仵作上堂后，白翎羽又掏出那柄匕首，说道：“这便是宫家家主当初从刑部盗出来的匕首，也就是当日刺杀我母妃的凶器，若是不信可以调来刑部的罪证记录来查看核实！”
这回连你字都省了，皇甫武吉只觉得整个心脏万千刀刃刮刺，揪心剧痛，连话都说不出来，只是朝王公公使了眼色。
王公公立即下去找来刑部侍郎，着他核实匕首的真伪，刑部侍郎翻阅卷宗后，确认无误。
白翎羽又道：“当初，我母妃和宫侍卫长中了混毒，平日里毒性并不发作，只有当一人被这口匕首刺伤后，毒性才会开始蔓延发作。”
说罢默念几声得罪，然后就从遗体上割下头发，又想皇甫武吉要来肉馒头、清水和饿了许久的公狗母狗各一。
白翎羽屏住呼吸，又用内力在身子周围造了个气场，隔绝春毒的飘散，之后便将头发和匕首浸泡在清水，然后又将肉馒头放进去浸泡。
待馒头被水浸湿后，她便将馒头丢给狗吃。
那对公狗母狗吃了馒头后，立即交媾起来，萧元妃和王贤妃不由得粉面绯红，而周皇后却是面若死灰。
此情此景已经不必再说多余的话，白翎羽望着皇甫武吉，似乎正静待着他宣判。
齐王立即跪倒在地，说道：“父皇，此事还有待商酌，母后一定不会做这种恶毒之事。”
白翎羽怒道：“如今人证物证齐全，你居然还有脸狡辩！”
齐王见大势已去，不禁心灰意冷，朝皇甫武吉磕头求饶道：“父皇，一日夫妻百日恩，还请您宽恕母后！”
皇甫武吉冷声道：“下毒诬陷，一尸两命，此等恶行，如何配得上这一国之母的称号！”
齐王又跪在白翎羽面前，边磕头边泣声道：“翎羽皇妹，我求求你，放过我母后吧，你若要怨恨就恨我一个，要杀要剐都可以，只求你放过我母后！”
白翎羽不由一愣，看见这昔日春风得意的皇子如今竟向自己一个女流磕头，为的只是能够饶下母亲一命……此情此景使得她心中百感交集，虽说对周皇后怨恨不减，但却也生出一种同病相怜的感觉，若当日她再大几岁，也会用自己的命来换母亲的生存。
既然大敌失势，萧元妃和王贤妃岂容对手有翻身之机，立即趁机落井下石，纷纷要求严惩周皇后。
萧元妃说道“皇上，周氏这般卑鄙无耻的行径，冷血无情的心肠，岂能再担任三宫六院之首！”
王贤妃也说道：“皇上，不严惩周氏，白妃死不瞑目啊！还请皇上还白妃和羽公主一个公道！”
倏然，一阵尖锐的冷笑响起，只见周皇后站了起来，哈哈大笑：“好个冷血无情，好个还公道，这里的人除了那小丫头外，谁又是真心要替白妃伸冤的？”
说着望着萧元妃道：“萧妃你可是真心要提白妃伸冤？”
不等萧妃回答，又望着王贤妃道：“你呢？”
周皇后昂然大笑道：“你们都不是！你们不过是想借白淑妃一案来打击本宫，来打击铮儿的太子之位，说白了，你们其实更加冷血无情，为了达成目的连个死人都不放过！”
萧元妃哼道：“本宫不与毒妇做口舌之争。”
周皇后冷笑道：“是吗？若白淑妃这件事不是本宫做的，而是其他妃子所为，你可会替她伸冤？”
萧元妃粉面一僵。
“够了，都到了这个份上，你还不知悔改吗！”
皇甫武吉怒目圆瞪，高声厉喝道。
若是以往，面对皇甫武吉这般训斥，周皇后早就乖乖闭嘴了，但此刻她毫无所惧，冷嘲热讽道：“怎么，皇上也要骂臣妾几声吗，是说冷血无情还是心肠歹毒？不过说起这两样，皇上似乎比臣妾更为在行！”
王公公脸色一沉，叫道：“皇后娘娘，您就少说两句吧，别再激怒皇上了！”周皇后呸道：“本宫的事那轮到你这阉人来管！”
皇甫武吉冷笑道：“小王，让她继续说下去，朕倒要听听她怎么说出个所以然来！”
周皇后咯咯笑道：“那臣妾就先谢主隆恩了！”
“白淑妃那妮子，就连跟外人说句话脸都会红，而且耳根子又软，就算处在这皇宫之中，也像是一个养在深闺的大小姐，像她这种女人怎么有胆子跟一个侍卫私通呢？以皇上您对白妃的了解，怎么就看不出当年案情中另有玄机呢？还是皇上压根就不想继续追查此事？”
此话一出，整个大理寺陷入一片沉寂无语。
周皇后语气抑扬顿挫地道：“没错，当初本宫确实给白淑妃下了淫毒，逼她与宫流光私通，但是皇上，以您的才智若真有心追查恐怕早就替白妃洗脱冤屈了，但您为何偏偏不这样做？臣妾记得在白妃死后，宫里有半天时间是防备松懈的，原本巡逻的侍卫也少了一半，这分明就是让臣妾杀人灭口嘛！”
白翎羽脸色蓦然一青，两眼怒火汹涌。
周皇后笑道：“小公主，先不要冲动，听本宫把话说完吧。当时内阁以程渊之为首，白、宫、崔、裴四大家族为辅，共同把持内阁，将皇权大大限制，而你那位父皇就一直想削弱内阁权力，正所谓枪打出头鸟，这五大势力便成了你父皇打击的对象。其中程渊之乃三朝元老，又是儒门大鸿，德高望重，学生千万，就连皇上也不敢轻易动他；而崔、裴两家自开朝便是世家门阀之首，根基深厚不说，而且还有养有家族精兵，同样不好对付，至于白家和宫家只是新冒头的门阀，势力比起前面三个大有不如，所以皇上便将矛头指向了他们这两个倒霉鬼！”
虽然早就猜到了一些内幕，但听周皇后说出此话，白翎羽还是感到震撼万分。
周皇后哼道：“当时你母妃的事只不过是一个借口罢了，就算本宫没有下手，皇上迟早都会将白宫两家给拔除，到时失去娘家为后盾的白妃在宫里会好过吗？别看萧元妃和王贤妃现在这么热心帮你母妃翻案，若是当初白家提早失势，说不定她们对付你娘亲的手段比本宫还要狠呢！”
听到这里，白翎羽也觉得身子冷飕飕的。
“讲完了吗？”
皇甫武吉忽然插口道。
周皇后笑道：“讲完了，臣妾多谢皇上恩赐。”
话音放落，只见她眉宇间忽然涌起一团黑气，随即口角溢血，身子一软，瘫在地上。
齐王悲鸣一声母后，哭着扑了上去抱住她。
周皇后惨笑道：“铮儿，母后再来大理寺之前已经在牙齿里藏了毒药，当时就想着若是事情败露，那便服毒自尽，也省得遭受那几个贱人的羞辱……”
皇甫武吉长叹一口气道：“皇后，你这又是何苦呢，朕从未想过要处死你……”
周皇后凄然道：“多谢皇上不杀之恩，可惜臣妾始终是要被打入冷宫，与其受尽折磨倒不如就此了断！还有，臣妾不怨皇上，因为皇上跟臣妾一样，都是狠都是可怜人……”
齐王泪水盈眶，颤声道：“母后不要说话了，儿臣马上给你找御医，你不会有事的。”
周皇后眼光逐渐涣散，用尽最后力气说道：“不用了，母后已经不行了。铮儿，你听母后的话，以后不要再争这个太子了，让你父皇把你发配出去，哪怕是到僻远贫瘠之地，也不要留在玉京了！”
说完，两眼一闭便咽气了，留下齐王那撕心裂肺的哭声。
男儿有泪不轻弹，更何况是这戎马一生的王爷，那哭声就像是尖刀一般划在每一个人心口上。
皇甫武吉仿佛苍老了十几岁，呆呆地望着堂内的众人，目光从周皇后的尸体划过，又望向那两具白玉棺椁，最后定格在了白翎羽脸上。
Huangfu Wuji closed his eyes and said, "By imperial decree, Consort Bai committed an immoral act fifteen years ago due to the machinations of Consort Zhou. Today, the truth has been revealed, and Consort Bai is exonerated. She is posthumously honored as Empress Zhenlie Zhuangxiao and buried in the Imperial Mausoleum with state funeral rites. The Bai and Bai families are stripped of their charges and retain their original titles and ranks. Their descendants will be found and allowed to inherit their family businesses! Empress Zhou has acted improperly, framing Consort Bai and falsely accusing her of licentious behavior in the palace. Her crimes are unforgivable. She is stripped of her title as Empress, and her entire clan is expelled from the capital!"
In just a few words, Bai Shufei, who had been wronged for more than ten years, was finally exonerated, and the two gates of the White House were given a new lease on life.
Huangfu Wuji continued, "The child that Consort Bai was carrying back then was named Crown Prince Dehai, and Princess Huangfu Lingyu was named Princess Zhongyong Huguo and concurrently served as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard, holding the Tiger Tally and the Commander's Order!"
The Tiger Tally and the General's Order are equivalent to the highest authority to mobilize troops. Such a generous reward is tantamount to handing over the entire defense of the capital to Bai Lingyu. It is unclear whether Huangfu Wuji values Bai Lingyu's military talent or simply wants to make up for the mistakes of the past fifteen years.
Consort Xiao Yuan said with a smile: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! You have gained a general and princess who are no less capable than any man. This is truly a blessing for our Great Heng."
Consort Wang echoed, "Yes, it is a great joy that the Princess Protector of the Nation has returned to her ancestral home today."
Besides Empress Zhou, their biggest concern was the battle-hardened Prince Qi. Now that they saw such a capable and valiant leader, who was also Empress Zhou's enemy, they felt more at ease and extended goodwill, hoping to win over a powerful ally.
Consort Xiao thought to herself, "The Emperor will definitely dote on this girl because of Consort Bai's matter. In addition, she is highly skilled in martial arts. It will be beneficial to build a good relationship with her in the future."
Bai Lingyu is a woman, and no matter how skilled she is in battle, she will not threaten the throne. Compared to Prince Qi, Bai Lingyu is more to Consort Xiao's liking.
Bai Lingyu said calmly, "I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness! I am just a lowly commoner from the Bai clan, unworthy of the title of Princess Protector of the Nation, and not qualified to hold the Tiger Tally and the General's Order!"
She claims to be from the Bai clan, clearly unwilling to acknowledge her identity or return to her ancestral roots.
Huangfu Wuji felt as if he had been struck hard in the chest with a hammer, and his face suddenly turned deathly pale.
The two consorts and the King of Song were also shocked. It was one thing to refuse the reward, but to dare to say such a rebellious thing was simply courting death.
Eunuch Wang hurriedly transmitted his voice, "Your Highness, you can't say such things! You must apologize to the Emperor!" Bai Lingyu sneered, raised her head and stared at the high and mighty Emperor, saying, "My surname is Bai. Your Majesty, are you going to execute this commoner?"
Huangfu Wuji's face flushed red and then paled, his fingers, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh, as if he were struggling to suppress his emotions that were about to spiral out of control.
The father and daughter stared at each other for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea. Huangfu Wuji sighed, leaned back in his chair, rested his left elbow on the armrest, supported his forehead with his palm, and turned his head to one side, like a tired old man taking a nap.
"You can leave now!"
Huangfu Wuji waved to Bai Lingyu and said that he was an assassin who turned his head to the side, hiding his expression and his eyes. No one knew what he was thinking.
Bai Lingyu didn't say anything more and turned to leave.
After Bai Lingyu left, Huangfu Wuji ordered people to dispose of the three corpses in the hall and commanded everyone to leave. After a series of orders were carried out, only the emperor, who was propping his cheek on his hand, and his personal eunuch remained in the hall.
Eunuch Wang stood quietly for about three hours. Seeing that it was getting dark, he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Let's return to the palace."
Huangfu Wuji slowly raised his head, and his eyes were red-rimmed, with tears welling up in his eyes. He looked tired and dejected, like an old man recovering from a serious illness.
He sighed deeply and said, "Yes, it's time to return to the palace!"

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