I Have A Qi Fortune Altar-Chapter 700 - 448: You Dare to Lay a Hand on the Emperor’s Woman?_3

Chapter 700: Chapter 448: You Dare to Lay a Hand on the Emperor’s Woman?_3

After much deliberation, he felt that he should not report this matter to Jingtai, for the consequences could be unpredictable, and as to why he was tasked to investigate the case, it was probably first because it fell within the jurisdiction of the Imperial City Department.

Second, they must think he’s clever enough not to really investigate, and even if he did find something, he wouldn’t speak of it.

Third, it was to silence the rumors.

Investigating was indeed necessary; after all, the Consort’s death was truly suspicious, and not investigating could damage the royal family’s reputation and lead to endless speculation.

But this ’investigation’ meant just going through the motions.

Jingtai would naturally not be too explicit about this, something that Chen Yuan needed to deduce on his own.

He even suspected now that Jingtai might already know the truth about the Consort’s secret affairs.

"What do you want?"

Chen Yuan, having a request, most certainly aligned with their interests. Otherwise, once he spilled the beans, Ke’er’s future would be completely ruined. Even if it was just for the sake of appearances, they would dispose of Ke’er or even execute him...

Now, it was Chen Yuan who controlled Sima Ke’s fate. Although she was also involved in this matter, she dared not gamble; no matter what demands were made, she would try her best to fulfill them.

"What can you offer me?"

Chen Yuan asked indifferently. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Whatever you want, as long as I have it, I’ll do my best to satisfy your desires." Noble Consort Yang said in a low voice.

"Lady, you make me sound like a villain. Right now, it is I, Chen, who despite past grievances, have saved you and your son. You are merely repaying the favor."

There was a cold sharpness in Chen Yuan’s eyes.

If there was a chance, it would be best to eliminate them, but the time was not right yet; acting rashly was not in his favor, and at present, their demise did not offer any substantial benefit to Chen Yuan.

First, stabilize the situation, then plan slowly...

Noble Consort Yang gazed at Chen Yuan, seeing the unfettered look in his eyes, and let out a light sigh:

"Chen daren, you are correct."

"I ask for something simple. Going forward, let’s cancel all grudges between us. If I find that Sima Ke dares to target me in the slightest, the exposure of this matter will ensure his demise.

Besides, I’ve heard that the Noble Consort has a token that allows free access to the Harem. Give me one, and perhaps on some future day, I might once again admire your grace." Chen Yuan’s gaze was indifferent, and he spoke in a flat tone.

Sima Ke was not even in his sight; if only he would lie low for a while. Once Chen Yuan accumulated enough power, there would be ample opportunity to make him atone for his past deeds.

He had threatened the Noble Consort in Chunhua Palace precisely to get his hands on that Harem token.

As the Imperial Concubine, Yang was second only to the Empress in the Harem and naturally held in her hands tokens that could give someone free access. To sneak into the Harem during the ancestral worship ceremony, he would need the aid of such a token.

Without it, forcing his way in would only lead to death.

Even if Jiang He and others diverted most of the court’s attention, there were bound to be strong presences remaining within the Imperial Palace.

His main objective was to rescue Moluo and not to get entangled in a fight...

"A Harem token?" Noble Consort Yang asked, furrowing her brows:

"What do you want with it?"

"As I just said, I wish to occasionally continue appreciating your grace. Or is such a modest request too much for the lady to grant?"

Chen Yuan had the opportunity to rely on Li Hongshuang’s strength to enter the Harem, but that would inevitably lead to scrutiny and possibly endanger her—it wasn’t entirely prudent.

"I can agree to your request, but you must understand, even if you are aware of the matter, you cannot be too disrespectful."

Noble Consort Yang said solemnly as she closed her eyes.

"Lady, you worry too much."

Chen Yuan chuckled lightly; he had no interest in playing stepfather to Sima Ke. Although the nearly fifty-year-old Noble Consort Yang still looked attractive, she did not possess such a great allure to him.

Moreover, he, Chen Yuan, has always stayed away from the charms of women.

Lady Yang deeply looked at Chen Yuan for a moment before handing over the Harem’s prohibition order to him, aware that Chen Yuan must still have some scheme at play, but at this moment, she could do nothing but follow his instructions.

For the sake of her son, this was a necessary sacrifice.

She only hoped that what Chen Yuan was doing wouldn’t be too excessive, otherwise... even the Noble Consort’s Tablet would become her death warrant.

"Many thanks, Noble Consort. This humble official shall take his leave," said Chen Yuan, not lingering any longer. He turned to leave, but halfway through, he suddenly turned back and said, "Noble Consort should still warn the Fourth Prince to be very careful in doing such things in the future."

After saying this, Chen Yuan promptly left.

Leaving only Lady Yang standing alone with a somber and fluctuating expression.

After a long time, she finally regained her composure and turned to walk toward a certain place inside the palace.

At this moment, the Fourth Prince, Sima Ke, was transcribing Buddhist and Taoist scriptures as ordered by Jingtai, but his arms were trembling, making it impossible for him to concentrate on his writing.

Ever since he had ordered the killing of the Consort, he had been living in constant fear.

He dreaded that because of this incident, his father, the Emperor, would be so enraged that he would depose him.

He was... very afraid!

This matter was actually also related to Chen Yuan. After Chen Yuan had breached protocol, he had been reprimanded and felt full of bitterness and resentment. He sought a way to vent his anger, only for things to go terribly wrong and for his deed to be witnessed by his mother...

He had no choice but to harden his heart for the kill, for the consequences were unimaginable otherwise.

And now, the consequences had arrived; the one investigating the Consort’s death was his nemesis... Chen Yuan.

If Chen Yuan were to find even the slightest clue, how could he let Sima Ke off?

And he had just learned that Chen Yuan was currently in the great hall seeing his mother.

Hearing the familiar footsteps getting closer, Sima Ke swallowed, quickly set down his brush, stood up, and hurried towards Lady Yang, asking:

"Mother Consort, what did Chen Yuan come to Chunhua Palace for..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lady Yang abruptly slapped him, scolding:

"Ridiculous fool, you even dared to lay a hand on the Emperor’s woman!"

"Mother Consort... I..."

"Do you know that Chen Yuan has already traced this matter back to you?"

"What should I do, Mother Consort, you must think of a way to save me," begged Sima Ke hurriedly, fear flashing in his eyes.

"Hmph, I have tentatively resolved this issue for you. Chen Yuan will not report your scandalous actions to His Majesty," Lady Yang said, taking a deep breath.

"How is that possible? How could he possibly let me go?" Sima Ke asked reflexively.

In his view, he had completely fallen out with Chen Yuan, how could Chen Yuan possibly forgive him? That was absolutely impossible.

"Don’t concern yourself with this matter. From now on, you are also not to provoke Chen Yuan. Your fate is in his hands, and he can dispose of you at any moment," Lady Yang said with a grave expression.

"I..." Sima Ke’s voice faltered as he looked at the graceful figure of his mother Consort and suddenly gasped, realizing a possibility. Could it be that, because of this... his mother had given herself to Chen Yuan?

He had heard about Chen Yuan keeping a voluptuous woman in Tangshan, known as Lady Xu...

And that his tastes were different from most, preferring... married women.

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