Xiahou Chengyu was shocked by this angry shout. He was a little scared, and his face was pale.
Regardless of how Qing Zhu treated her, she had never seen Qing Zhu so angry in front of her, especially in such a loud voice.
Yuan Venerate Qing shuddered in fear as he raised his head and met his father's menacing gaze.
Shangguan Qing was still at the side with his head slightly lowered, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
Qing Zhu squatted down slowly in front of his son, who was kneeling in front of him. His cold, angry eyes met his son's fearful gaze.
Yuan Venerate Qing couldn't stand the look in his eyes and turned his head away.
"Huh?" Qing Zhu snorted, pinched Yuan Venerate Qing's chin, and shouted, "Look at me!"
Yuan Venerate Qing had no choice but to continue looking him in the eyes.
Even though he was forcing himself, it was impossible to maintain a constant state of fear. There was something called getting used to it. Gradually, Yuan Venerate Qing seemed to get used to it. The fear in his eyes subsided, and his panic gradually stabilized. His trembling body was also gradually restrained.
The terrifying aura exuding from Qing Zhu and the oppressive gaze in his eyes were rare. Even after this experience, Yuan Venerate Qing's mentality would definitely change greatly. At the very least, he wouldn't be so terrified the next time he faced a similar situation.
Xiahou Chengyu, who was beside him, was so nervous that he didn't dare make a sound.
Upon sensing the change in his son's gaze, Qing Zhu finally let go of his chin and asked coldly, "Who did you see in the valley?"
"No …" Yuan Venerate Qing had just lowered his head. Before he could finish his sentence, he heard Qing Zhu's reply and looked up at him reflexively. "I didn't see who it was."
"Then how did you know it was a concubine from the palace?" Qing Zhu asked.
Yuan Venerate Qing said weakly, "I think I saw her at the Heavenly Palace. I came to pay my respects to mother."
"Tell me the details of the situation. Don't miss out on any details," Qing Zhu said coldly.
"I finished my farm work and went to the Jade Pool to take a bath as usual. Then, I entered the valley …" Yuan Venerate Qing tried his best to recall what had happened.
"Are you stuttering for yourself to hear? Straighten your tongue before you speak! " Qing Zhu shouted again, as if he wasn't interested in the details. It seemed like he was more interested in Yuan Venerate Qing's statement under pressure.
After listening to the statement, Qing Zhu stood up and said coldly, "Is it really a coincidence?"
Yuan Venerate Qing immediately kowtowed and explained himself. "Father, I really didn't have any improper thoughts. I always go there after the farming season. I didn't do it on a whim. I really didn't do it on purpose. Please understand, Father!"
Xiahou Chengyu also knelt down. "Your Majesty, this concubine dares to guarantee with my life that Zun 'er is definitely not that kind of person. Zun' er …"
"Shut up!" Qing Zhu shouted and turned to look at Shangguan Qing. "Investigate! Bring the relevant personnel to me! "
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Shangguan Qing responded indifferently and left quickly.
As for the two people kneeling on the ground, Qing Zhu didn't let them get up. He just stood there with his hands behind his back and his eyes closed.
Imperial Field. Concubine Qin, who had returned a long time ago, had already restored her makeup. She was half dressed as a farmer's wife and was working with Ning Chun and Nian Xia.
At this moment, a dozen Heavenly Generals in red armor descended from the sky. The one leading them was Wen Ze, an old acquaintance. Between them were two Heavenly Generals in golden armor. The latter took a closer look at Concubine Qin and the others, then turned to Wen Ze and nodded.
Wen Ze waved his hand and a few people followed him to land in front of Concubine Qin and the others.
Concubine Qin and the others had already seen them. Their forced calmness couldn't hide the panic that flashed through their eyes from time to time.
Wen Ze cupped his fists. "Concubine Qin, by His Majesty's decree, please follow me."
"What is it?" Concubine Qin forced herself to ask.
"Please!" Wen Ze didn't bother replying. He stepped aside and extended his hand.
Concubine Qin had no choice but to put down the farming tools in her hands. Her hands were trembling as she put them down. She turned to Ning Chun and Nian Xia and said, "You two go ahead."
Unexpectedly, Wen Ze said, "There's no need. Bring them along as well!"
With a wave of his hand, he didn't need to be courteous with the two handmaidens. The two Heavenly Generals came up and grabbed the back of their necks, then pushed their heads away.
The group quickly took to the skies and flew towards the Li Palace.
This scene attracted the attention of the concubines in the nearby fields. They didn't know what was going on, but they could tell from the Heavenly Generals' impolite attitude that it wasn't anything good.
"What's going on? Something doesn't seem right! "
"Didn't this Concubine Qin just win favor? How did she get treated like this in the blink of an eye? I don't understand! "
"Could it be that she went overboard and offended someone she shouldn't have?"
Some of the concubines began to gather together and mock them. They were all people who had been in the palace for too long and couldn't stand seeing other women doing well.
They quickly arrived outside the Li Palace's main hall. Standing on the steps, Shangguan Qing waved his hand. Wen Ze and the others retreated, only allowing Concubine Qin and the two Heavenly Generals in golden armor to ascend the steps. One could imagine the fear on their faces.
Just as Shangguan Qing extended his hand to invite them in, another person suddenly appeared from outside. It was none other than the commander of the Left Supervisor of the Imperial Guards, Defeating Armies.
Shangguan Qing appeared in a flash and blocked in front of Defeating Armies. He stretched out a hand and pressed on Defeating Armies's chest. "His Majesty doesn't have time to see you right now. Wait on the side!"
"I already know about that trivial matter. I have something to say to His Majesty!" Defeating Armies pushed his hand away. His subordinates had already reported the situation to him. When he heard that the Left Supervisor had been brought here, he was worried that he would be silenced, so he specially rushed over.
Whoosh! Shangguan Qing's other hand pressed on Defeating Armies's chest like a phantom. He narrowed his eyes and coldly said, "Old man Defeating Armies, this old servant will say it again. His Majesty doesn't have time to see you right now. Wait on the side and don't cause trouble. Otherwise, don't blame this old servant for being impolite!" His tone was so cold that it was almost chilly.
Defeating Armies glared at him and confronted him. However, in the end, he flicked his sleeves and made a rare concession. With a cold snort, he turned around and walked over to Wen Ze, who had retreated far away, to ask about the situation.
Shangguan Qing's figure flashed and he floated back into the palace.
When Imperial Concubine Qin and the others entered the palace, they saw the two people kneeling on the ground. When they realized that even the Empress had knelt down, they immediately knelt down. "Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Qing Zhu slowly opened his eyes. His cold and emotionless gaze swept across the faces of these people. The moment they met his gaze, they felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.
Xiahou Chengyu was the first to turn around. When he saw Imperial Concubine Qin and realized that it was this woman, he glared at her as if he was about to pounce on her and tear her apart. However, Imperial Concubine Qin's head was lowered and she didn't look up.
Shangguan Qing quickly went to Qing Zhu's side and whispered a few words before retreating to the side.
Qing Zhu slowly walked to Yuan Venerate Qing's side with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "Look back. Is it her?"
Yuan Venerate Qing slowly turned his head and took a glance. When he saw the charming figure in his mind, he immediately lowered his head and replied softly, "Yes!"
"Imperial Concubine Qin, do you have anything to say to me?" Qing Zhu asked.
Before Imperial Concubine Qin could say anything, she had already started sobbing. Two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks.
Xiahou Chengyu looked back again. She already knew that this was a trap to harm her son. It was easy to imagine how she felt when she saw this woman still pretending to be pitiful. She simply hated this woman to the extreme.
Qing Zhu glanced at Shangguan Qing and didn't say anything else.
Shangguan Qing understood and stepped forward to ask the two kneeling Heavenly Generals. "I heard that you saw His Highness rushing out of a valley. Is that true?"
The two Heavenly Generals looked at each other and replied weakly, "Yes!"
Shangguan Qing said, "What did you see and hear at that time? Tell me truthfully. If you have any excuses, you will be killed without mercy!"
The two Heavenly Generals swallowed subconsciously. They naturally knew that this person had authority in the Heavenly Palace and would definitely do what he said. One of them said nervously, "We were at the encampment when we suddenly heard someone shouting 'thief' in the valley. We immediately rushed over and saw His Highness rushing out of the valley. We then saw a palace maid chasing after him. The palace maid called out to us and asked us to catch His Highness. We didn't dare act rashly and let His Highness go. We stopped the palace maid and asked her about the situation. The palace maid blurted out … said …"
Shangguan Qing immediately scolded, "What did she say?"
The man was shocked and quickly replied, "She said that someone peeped at Her Highness bathing, but she quickly changed her words and said that she was playing a game. Then, she immediately turned around and seemed to be hiding something. Later, we saw three women quickly leaving the valley. That's all."
Shangguan Qing looked at the other person, who quickly said, "That's what happened. That's right."
Shangguan Qing asked again, "Is the palace maid who chased after him here?"
The two Heavenly Generals looked at Ning Chun, who was kneeling. One of them pointed, "It's her!"
Shangguan Qing asked, "Are the three women who left the valley the three of them?"
The two Heavenly Generals nodded, "Yes!"
Shangguan Qing walked to Ning Chun and asked, "Is there anything wrong with what the two of them said?"
Ning Chun shook her head. Shangguan Qing asked again, "Why did you chase after His Highness? You said someone peeped at Her Highness bathing. Are you referring to His Highness that you were chasing after? "
Ning Chun said nervously, "Replying to Chief Steward, when I was chasing after him, His Highness covered his face with his sleeve. I didn't know it was His Highness, so I couldn't help but chase after him. I only found out it was His Highness after hearing Concubine Qin mention it."
Shangguan Qing asked, "You saw His Highness peeping at Concubine Qin bathing?"
Ning Chun quickly shook her head, "His Highness didn't peep at Her Highness bathing. He probably didn't know that Concubine Qin was bathing in the valley and accidentally barged in. His Highness only saw her once and immediately left."
Shangguan Qing asked, "Are you sure His Highness didn't intentionally peep? Then why did you say that someone was peeping at Her Highness bathing in public? "
Ning Chun answered, "I was also anxious at the time. I don't know how to describe it other than 'peeping.'" In fact, she didn't have a better word to describe it other than 'peeping.' Actually, that kind of situation could also be classified as' peeping. 'She couldn't possibly say that someone had accidentally seen Her Highness bathing.
In short, no matter how Shangguan Qing asked the three of them, the three of them unanimously said that Yuan Venerate Qing had accidentally seen it and hadn't peeped.
Xiahou Chengyu and Yuan Venerate Qing heaved a sigh of relief. The nature of the matter was different now that the three of them had testified.
However, it was different for Shangguan Qing. The three of them had unanimously said that it was impressive. There was definitely an expert who was familiar with Qing Zhu giving them pointers. He tilted his head to see Qing Zhu's reaction. Seeing that Qing Zhu didn't say anything, he retreated and didn't ask further.
Qing Zhu didn't say anything. He just glanced at the few of them coldly and walked out of the hall with his hands behind his back. Shangguan Qing turned around and followed him.
Outside the hall, Defeating Armies quickly greeted Qing Zhu when he saw him come out. "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"
"Scram, you old bastard!" Qing Zhu shouted before disappearing in a flash.
"Old Defeating Armies, I know what you want to say. Tell your subordinates to keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, you know the consequences." Shangguan Qing stopped in his tracks and instructed Defeating Armies before leaving in a flash.
Defeating Armies was stunned for a moment before he turned around and flashed to the entrance of the main hall. He saw that everyone inside was still kneeling there. He walked around and glanced at Xiahou Chengyu when he passed by him. Xiahou Chengyu also raised his head to look at him. The two of them stared at each other as if they were enemies on a narrow road.
Then, he glanced at Yuan Venerate Qing, who was riddled with scars, grabbed Yuan Venerate Qing's arm and lifted him up. "Your Majesty, he has already left. Why are you still kneeling here?"
Left? He left just like that? Everyone was stunned.
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