Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 327: I Am a Person of the Qi Princess

Chapter 327: Chapter 327: I Am a Person of the Qi Princess

In the Imperial Study Room, Li Tianze glanced at An Ruoya kneeling on the floor and spoke in a subdued voice, "It’s just me here, you can speak now."

An Ruoya’s hands were nervously clasped together, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.

Just now, in the Imperial Garden, the act she had put on had deeply convinced Li Tianze of the Empress’s intent to kill her.

Then, she took advantage of the situation and revealed how she had accidentally stumbled upon the Empress’s secret.

The entire process was seamless, with not just Li Tianze, but even Zhou Fu failing to perceive any flaws.

Of course, when Li Tianze asked her what the Empress’s secret was, An Ruoya purposefully feigned a look of terror, successfully piquing Li Tianze’s interest in what she was about to reveal, which led him to bring her into the Imperial Study Room.

It was well known that even the Empress would not dare to come to the Imperial Study Room without good cause.

An Ruoya knew that what she was about to say was shocking and could very likely cause Li Tianze to take offense.

A single misstep might plunge her into an irredeemable abyss.

But if she succeeded, not only could she escape the dreaded Cold Palace, but she might also be able to bring down the Empress.

Rather than being a resentful woman in the Cold Palace, she preferred to fight to the death.

"Your Majesty, your concubine... once witnessed the Empress colluding with Imperial Physician Chen Shi," An Ruoya said, barely lifting her head and steadying her spirit, her voice strained.

Upon hearing this, Li Tianze’s expression changed slightly, and he continued, "The Empress is colluding with Imperial Physician Chen? For what reason?"

As if afraid he wouldn’t believe her, An Ruoya immediately raised four fingers to swear, "Your Majesty, every word your concubine speaks is true, if there is even the slightest falsehood, may I be struck by lightning!"

Li Tianze furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "I understand, now tell me everything you know, I won’t do anything to you."

With his assurance, An Ruoya felt somewhat relieved.

She cleared her throat and said in one breath, "Your Majesty, your concubine overheard the Empress and Chen discussing... the Dragon Son!"

After finishing speaking, she timidly raised her eyes to check Li Tianze’s expression, and indeed saw his pupils shockingly dilate, showing disbelief but quickly regaining composure, "Continue."

An Ruoya this time did not pause between sentences but spilled everything she knew: "Your concubine faintly heard that Chen said he knows a secret technique that can help the Empress conceive a Dragon Son. The Empress, overjoyed, immediately accepted Chen’s method. Your concubine did not hear very clearly, only that this is a secret technique from Tulan, which makes it appear as if one is truly pregnant, but what is conceived in the womb is not a Dragon Son, but... a stillborn!"

With every sentence he heard, Li Tianze’s expression grew darker, and by the end, his face was as dark as ink.

An Ruoya trembled all over, but in her heart, she was already laughing heartily.

She knew that even if her words today weren’t enough to topple the Empress, they would plant a seed of doubt in Li Tianze’s mind.

Once she left, Li Tianze would surely summon the Imperial Physician named Chen Shi.

When the truth came out, the Empress would have nowhere to hide!

Li Tianze did indeed begin to doubt the child in the Empress’s womb, just as she had expected.

But, having been Emperor for over twenty years, he would not easily believe An Ruoya’s words.

His voice cold, he asked, "Since you knew about this a long time ago, why wait until now to tell me?"

An Ruoya had a contingency plan in place, and once more tears streamed down her face as she spoke with a choking voice, "When I first heard about this matter, I was terrified and almost got caught by the Empress on the spot. The matter itself is shocking to hear. Even if I had reported it then, Your Majesty might not have believed me, and if the Empress found out, she would certainly flay me alive."

Hearing her defense, Li Tianze’s furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and his heart was already believing her story somewhat.

Indeed, as An Ruoya had said, such a matter was too shocking to be believed by many once spoken of.

Seeing that his expression was no longer so stern, An Ruoya continued, "Afterward, Her Majesty punished me for talking back to her by sending me to the Cold Palace and even placed a nanny there to watch over me, forbidding me to leave. I valued my life and daren’t disobey. However, recently, as Her Majesty is nearing childbirth, she remembered this affair and instructed the nanny to silence me. I fought desperately, tore the white silk, and escaped from the Cold Palace to report this matter to Your Majesty!"

By the end of her speech, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing her cry so pitifully, Li Tianze softened his tone and comforted her, "Stop crying. I am aware of the matter and will certainly stand up for you."

Only then did An Ruoya wipe the tears from her face and whispered, "I thank Your Majesty."

Having finally finished performing this act, An Ruoya felt she had cried out all the tears she had for the rest of her life. Her eyes were swollen like walnuts, sending stabs of pain through her sockets.

Li Tianze, still a man who felt compassion for women, did not send her back to the Cold Palace but instead summoned Zhou Fu and ordered the restoration of her status as a noble lady, and moved her into Tinglan Palace.

He also sent an Imperial Physician to tend to her health.

As for the nanny whom An Ruoya accused of having tried to strangle her on the Empress’s orders, Li Tianze had her taken into custody.

Within two hours, everyone in the harem knew that An Ruoya had regained favor.

In Jingyang Palace, the Empress was so furious that she smashed things around, exclaiming, "What exactly did that wench do!"

Treasure Bead, supporting her, kept comforting her, "Why should Your Majesty be angry over her? Even if she’s left the Cold Palace, she is merely a noble lady after all."

Hearing this, the Empress’s anger subsided a bit, but she still said with dissatisfaction, "Hurry and find out for me. I want to see what bewitching technique that wench used to enchant the Emperor this time!"

Treasure Bead answered and gave a knowing look to a nearby little eunuch.

The little eunuch was quick-witted and rushed out of Jingyang Palace. In less than half an hour, he had gathered some news.

After hearing it, the Empress frowned skeptically, "That’s it? That wench just happened to encounter His Majesty in the Imperial Garden, and that moved him to pity?"

The little eunuch knelt on the ground, fearfully responding, "Your Majesty, I have asked around, and even the eunuchs serving in Yangxin Hall say the same."

The Empress, somewhat wearily, rubbed her forehead and dismissed him with a wave, "I understand. You may go."

"Yes."

After the little eunuch left, Treasure Bead consoled the Empress a few more times, finally helping her to calm down.

After serving the Empress and helping her to rest, she closed the room door, left Jingyang Palace, and made her way to Xuanruo Pavilion.

"I have something to discuss with the Noble Consort, and I hope the lady will grant me this convenience," Treasure Bead said softly to Adi.

Adi instantly recognized her as the personal maid of the Empress and snorted coldly, "Our Xuanruo Pavilion is small and cannot accommodate people from Jingyang Palace."

Treasure Bead did not take offense, showing a gentle smile on her face. She approached Adi and whispered, "You need not worry, I am from the Princess’s side."