si-mexico Chapter 134 Living as a Widow
Chapter 134 Living as a Widow
Just then, a yellow figure strode in from the doorway. He walked with an imposing and majestic air, and everyone knelt down to pay their respects, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise." The Emperor waved his arm and strode into the pavilion, personally helping the Empress to her feet.
He turned his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Su Fuying standing in front of him and Su Wan'er kneeling on the ground, and asked softly, "What happened?"
The Empress's lips curled slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and then she gave her personal maid a wink.
The old woman understood immediately and quickly stepped forward to recount what had just happened, embellishing the story.
What was originally just a suspicion has, through the old woman's description, led to Su Fuying being convicted.
"Princess Yongle? Is that true?" The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over them.
Su Fuying remained calm and composed, replying unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, Miss Su says she has evidence. As for the truth, Your Majesty will know as soon as you see it."
"Eunuch Gao." After the emperor spoke, Eunuch Gao immediately came to Su Wan'er's side.
Su Wan'er carefully took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Eunuch Gao.
After Eunuch Gao examined it, he handed it to the Emperor. The Emperor took it, quickly glanced through it, and a smile appeared on his face. He praised, "What a fine poem!"
Upon hearing this, Su Wan'er revealed a smug smile. She glanced at Su Fuying provocatively, as if showing her a challenge.
"Your Majesty, may I have a look at this?" The Empress smiled and turned to look at the Emperor. The Emperor naturally did not refuse and handed the paper in his hand to the Empress.
However, when the Queen took the paper and carefully read its contents, her expression suddenly changed.
His previously gentle expression instantly turned serious, his brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Immediately, the Empress slammed the object in her hand heavily onto the table, making a dull thud.
"How dare you, Su Fuying, do such a despicable thing in public!" The Empress's voice was full of anger and reproach, her eyes flashing with fury, as if she was very disappointed with Su Fuying's behavior.
Su Fuying looked bewildered, her face filled with confusion. She asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty, what do you mean? I don't understand."
"How dare you try to argue! The poem written by Su Wan'er is exactly the same as the one you just wrote. Do you still dare to say that you didn't plagiarize?" The Empress's tone became increasingly stern, her gaze fixed on Su Fuying, her dissatisfaction and disappointment becoming more and more obvious.
Faced with the Empress's stern questioning, Su Fuying couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, then countered, "What evidence does Miss Su have to prove that what's written on this paper is indeed her work?"
Su Wan'er, however, revealed a smug smile, firmly believing that she had enough evidence to expose Su Fuying's plagiarism.
She said confidently, "If this wasn't written by me, then why is it on me? How could I have copied it down so quickly in front of everyone? Do I possess some kind of precognitive ability?"
Her words revealed an unwavering conviction that was impossible to refute, as if everything was under her control.
Su Wan'er was secretly delighted. Originally, she was afraid that there were too many poems in the book and she wouldn't be able to memorize them all.
That's why I carry these things with me at all times, so that I can take them out and memorize them again whenever I want.
Unexpectedly, there was such a good opportunity to frame Su Fuying. By sheer luck, it was as if even the heavens were on her side. Today, Su Fuying is doomed!
However, Su Fuying was not intimidated by Su Wan'er's questioning and the doubts of the crowd.
The woman chuckled and said indifferently, "What if I told you that this was written by me, the princess?"
Upon hearing this, Su Wan'er was stunned, wondering if she had misheard.
She never expected that Su Fuying could say such a thing so calmly.
The Empress, who was standing nearby, seized the opportunity and immediately spoke up: "Princess Yongle, even now you are still talking nonsense. You won't shed tears until you see the coffin." Her voice was full of authority and anger, which made people feel awe.
"Your Majesty, Miss Su has no evidence to prove that she did this. Why are you so hasty in convicting Princess Yongle?"
A gentle voice rang out from the crowd, and the Queen squinted to look over.
She asked who dared to contradict her in public, and it turned out to be this widow who was living a life of forced widowhood.
“Madam Pei, this is me instructing the younger generation to behave properly, so please don’t get involved.”
"Your Majesty, that's not right. Am I not even allowed to say a few words for my daughter?"
Madam Pei did not back down because of the Empress's reprimand. Instead, she stepped forward, raised her eyes and looked directly at the person sitting in the pavilion. The aura she exuded was no less than hers.
"Your daughter?"
The queen raised her voice in disbelief, thinking she had misheard.
"I remember that Lady Pei only has four sons, so where did she get a daughter?"
"It didn't exist before, but now it does, doesn't it?"
Madam Pei's tone was extremely calm, yet one could faintly detect an innate air of authority.
"Nonsense!" The Empress slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly, glaring at Madam Pei. "How could you possibly acknowledge Su Fuying as your daughter?"
"If fate allows, things will naturally fall into place. What, even the Empress wants to meddle in family matters?"
Madam Pei spoke gently, her gaze falling on Su Fuying, who returned a warm smile.
"How dare you, Madam Pei! Who gave you the audacity to speak to me like this?" The Empress immediately stood up from her seat, looking at Madam Pei with a gloomy face. She hadn't expected that someone who was usually so inconspicuous would dare to speak to her like this in public.
It's complete chaos! First Su Fuying, then Madam Pei—they're really disregarding her.
"Guards!" the Empress commanded, and soon guards stepped forward to await orders.
"Step back!" The emperor commanded, and the guards looked at each other, unsure of whose orders to follow.
The Empress looked at the Emperor in disbelief. Was he going to refute her too?
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. General Pei is still guarding the border. A woman can't cause any trouble. Let's handle this privately." The Emperor's low voice rang in the Empress's ear, and her agitated heart gradually calmed down.
The Empress took a deep breath, sat back down, and stared coldly at Madam Pei.
Yes, why should I bother with a lonely woman who hasn't been able to reunite with her husband and son for years?
Besides, she now holds the title of a first-rank imperial lady. If she were to be punished in public, it would not only displease the public but also damage his own reputation.
If this matter gets back to the border, that old woman's whole family will surely go crazy and make a scene, and the situation will only become more embarrassing.