The interrogation of the Empress was carried out three days later. Emperor Jinzheng asked Wei Shuxuan to gather all the evidence and hoped that she could work out a detailed reasoning about the case.
"Wei Shuxuan, regarding the affairs of your family, I only sentenced your family to exile back then. I didn't send anyone to kill your family members. I deeply regret General Wei Tu's death. He was a good official and a good general."
Emperor Jinzheng was extremely pained at the loss of such an important official. At that time, however, he was blinded by anger and didn't think clearly about the interests of the country before sentencing Wei Tu to exile. In fact, he regretted it after making the decision. But as the emperor, how could he go back on his word? Wouldn't that make him lose face?
So, even though Emperor Jinzheng regretted it afterwards, he didn't try to make amends, which led to today's situation.
Wei Shuxuan actually wanted to say that if it weren't for his momentary impulse, her family wouldn't have ended up like this. She was the only one left in the world. As a time - traveler, she also sympathized with the original body's misfortune.
"...Your Majesty, I understand. I will sort out all the materials as soon as possible and submit them to Your Majesty."
"Then you may retreat."
"I take my leave, Your Majesty."
In the Crown Prince's palace, the Yongfu Palace.
"What did you say? You mean the interrogation of Mother is in three days?" Xin Yezheng stood up from his chair in surprise, looking at the guard kneeling on the ground.
"Your Highness, according to the information we've gathered, that's correct."
"All right, you may retreat."
Xin Yezheng dismissed the guard kneeling on the ground. He clenched his fists. It seemed that he had to go to the dungeon to see Mother before the interrogation.
Time was pressing. In the dead of night, Xin Yezheng put on a black suit and a black cloak embroidered with gold trim. Taking two personal guards, he headed for the dungeon.
The two soldiers guarding the dungeon saluted as soon as they saw Xin Yezheng. "Greetings, Crown Prince!"
"I want to see the Empress! Why don't you open the door quickly!" Xin Yezheng looked at the two soldiers impatiently.
The two soldiers glanced at each other. "Yes, Your Highness! But please go in alone, and you can't take your cloak in. Please understand, Your Highness!"
"All right, stop talking nonsense!"
Xin Yezheng was quite straightforward. He took off his cloak and told the two personal guards to wait for him outside the dungeon. Then he went in alone.
Inside the cell, the Empress was sitting cross - legged on the straw. Xin Yezheng looked at his once elegant and outstanding mother, who now looked so haggard, as if she had aged dozens of years overnight. "Mother!"
Hearing the familiar voice, the Empress opened her eyes that had been closed. Looking at the child kneeling in front of her, there was a glimmer of water in her wrinkled eyes. Her voice was tinged with sobs. "My son! How have you been out there alone? Has your father made things difficult for you? And that Xin Yelin and that hateful Wei Shuxuan, have they given you any trouble?"
"No, no. Your son is doing well. Please don't worry, Mother."
"Then... has your father said anything about removing you from the position of Crown Prince?" The Empress was very concerned about this.
".....No, Father hasn't said anything about this. But when I wanted to see Father, he refused to see me..." At this point, Xin Yezheng couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, because if he couldn't see his father, he wouldn't be able to plead for his mother.
The Empress saw her son's disappointment. She smiled and stroked Xin Yezheng's head. "Don't worry about Mother, Zheng'er. All you need to do now is to be yourself. Mother did all these bad things so that you could ascend the throne. You mustn't let Mother down!"
"But..." Xin Yezheng gritted his teeth. Mother was the only one in the world who loved him the most. If anything happened to her, how could he live with himself? "Your son can't bear to see you suffer, Mother."
"Silly child, everyone must die one day. It just depends on how you die. Mother thinks it's very worthwhile to die for your future happiness, Zheng'er. Remember, never give up your position to that Xin Yelin. Otherwise, Mother won't rest in peace. Do you understand?"
"Your son... understands."
Since time was limited, Xin Yezheng couldn't stay in the dungeon for long. He soon left.
Walking on the road, he lowered his head slightly. There were still traces of tears on his handsome face. If you don't fight for something, you'll never know if you can succeed.
When he looked up, the cold moonlight fell on his face. There was an indescribable determination in his expression.
Soon, three days passed. Wei Shuxuan had sorted out all the evidence as Emperor Jinzheng had requested. Although the Empress no longer wore her gorgeous attire, her dignity couldn't be concealed even in her plain clothes.
As soon as the Empress entered, she looked at Emperor Jinzheng sitting on the throne. She didn't kneel but simply said, "Your Majesty, are you going to sentence me?"
"Wei Shuxuan, read out the evidence you've sorted out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The indictment listed the causes of death of each victim, the crime scenes, and the items found at the crime scenes. There were also the letters discovered by Ge Zian. All the evidence pointed to the Empress.
"Empress, do you have anything to say?" Emperor Jinzheng still hoped that this was just a misunderstanding.
"Your Majesty, I have nothing to say. I'll take all the blame."
The Empress had long since come to terms with this. She even knew that she would surely be sentenced to death. There was not much change in her expression.
"Empress, are you really sure you have nothing to say?" Emperor Jinzheng asked her again.
"Your Majesty, I have nothing to say and I won't defend myself. I did plan this whole thing. Your Majesty needn't think too much."
"You!" Emperor Jinzheng didn't know how to persuade the Empress because of her stubbornness. Since that was the case, there was nothing he could do. He could only enforce the law of the country. "Fine, very well. I never knew that the person lying beside me was so vicious that she even wanted to poison her own husband."
"Your Majesty can say whatever you want about me. I have no objections. But please spare Zheng'er and my elder brother. These things have nothing to do with them."
The Empress intended to take all the blame on herself so as to preserve Xin Yezheng's position as the Crown Prince.