At dawn the next day, a bombshell spread through the palace.
Concubine Dong had hanged herself!
It was said that when the young eunuch went to deliver the morning meal as usual this morning, he found Concubine Dong hanging from the roof beam. Her body was already a bit stiff, indicating that she had been dead for quite some time. It was likely that she died last night.
When Dongfang Yi heard this news, she was truly shocked. Without even bothering to tidy herself up properly, she immediately rushed over with Donghua.
By the time she reached Concubine Dong's palace, Concubine Chu had already arrived. Behind her, the Empress Dowager was sitting, covered by a curtain so as not to look at the dead body.
The Empress Dowager had her own reasons. Since a concubine had died in the palace, she naturally had to be present. But being covered by a cloth was to avoid bad luck.
When she saw Dongfang Yi, she couldn't help but let out a cold snort and then said, "Concubine Yi, why are you here? Is this a place you should come to?!"
Hearing her words, Dongfang Yi felt annoyed but kept telling herself in her heart, "She's old and confused. I shouldn't argue with her."
Thinking of this, she bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty has already lifted my house - arrest. Since such a big thing has happened in the palace, your servant naturally has to come and take a look."
Her respectful demeanor and impeccable words left the woman in front of her with nothing to fault. So she turned her head and didn't want to talk to her anymore.
The next moment, Dongfang Yi noticed Concubine Chu beside her. Anger flared up in her heart, but she couldn't lose her temper now. After all, this was the place where Concubine Dong had just died, and she had other matters to attend to.
So she just gave her a cold look and then looked away.
Concubine Chu naturally felt Dongfang Yi's look, but she knew Dongfang Yi couldn't deal with her on the spot. She could only stand there sulking, which was really satisfying to think about.
Then, Concubine Dong's body was carried out. Her body was already stiff and cold. Her tongue was sticking out, looking exactly like a hanged ghost. Coupled with her gaudily - made - up face, it was even more terrifying.
Seeing this, Dongfang Yi walked forward and reached out to feel without any hesitation. The maidservants beside her immediately widened their eyes and stammered, "Your Highness, please step aside. The body of a dead person is inauspicious. It might affect your good fortune."
Hearing this, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. She, a modern person, didn't believe in such feudal superstitions.
But with so many people watching, it was really inappropriate for her to examine the body casually. So she just took another look at the strangulation marks on Concubine Dong's neck before allowing the maidservants to take the body away.
The marks were very deep, almost cutting through her neck. It was obvious that Concubine Dong had died from the strangulation on her neck. But strangely enough, there were two strangulation marks on her neck. Did she fail the first time she tried to hang herself and then tried again?
While she was deep in thought, Helian Qi rushed over. His brows were deeply furrowed, looking very unhappy. He first glanced at her and then walked up to the Empress Dowager and said, "It has been determined that Concubine Dong hanged herself. Considering that she had done many evil deeds, there's no need for a grand burial."
The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement after hearing this. If it weren't for the fact that she had to be present when a concubine died in the palace, she would never have come to see that vicious woman. Her current end was what she deserved.
Helian Qi turned his head and saw Concubine Chu standing beside them. He immediately stared at her coldly and asked, "Why are you here?!"
Concubine Chu started to feel scared the moment she saw the emperor enter. Now she was even more uneasy. After hearing his question, she immediately knelt on the ground, lowered her head and said, "It... it was the Empress Dowager who brought me here..."
After saying that, she moved closer to the Empress Dowager's feet, hoping to get her protection.
The Empress Dowager also said, "Your Majesty, it was indeed this old woman who brought her here."
"Oh? Does the Empress Dowager not know that Concubine Chu has injured me and the Empress?!" Helian Qi roared again.
He still unhesitatingly referred to Dongfang Yi as the Empress.
Everyone around was shocked upon hearing this. They widened their eyes in disbelief. The Empress Dowager also felt a bit embarrassed and then said, "Your Majesty must be ill and confused. There is no longer an Empress in the palace. There is only Concubine Yi."
"I don't remember ever issuing an edict to depose the Empress. Where did Concubine Yi come from?" Helian Qi still said coldly with raised eyebrows, without any hesitation in his tone. He was determined to restore Dongfang Yi's position as the Empress.
Dongfang Yi was terrified when she heard what he said. Somehow, she now felt that he was like a young man in love defying his parents.
She was speechless at her own wild imagination. She immediately walked up to him and nudged him with her elbow, signaling him to give the Empress Dowager some face on this occasion. Although she was secretly happy, after all, they were mother and son, and she didn't want to be labeled as a seductress who brought ruin to the country.
But Helian Qi didn't stop. Instead, he roared at everyone, "There will always be only one Empress in my harem, and that is Dongfang Yi!"
The Empress Dowager was so angry at his words that she didn't want to say another word. She immediately stood up, flung her sleeves and left. Concubine Chu also wanted to leave, but was stopped by Donghua.
"Concubine Chu, please stay!" Donghua said.
Dongfang Yi gave her a thumbs - up and then walked over, ordering all the people in the palace to leave immediately. After only the four of them were left in the palace.
Dongfang Yi didn't say a word. She immediately raised her hand and slapped Concubine Chu.
She put all her strength into this slap, causing blood to flow from Concubine Chu's mouth.
Concubine Chu never expected to be slapped suddenly. She immediately covered her mouth and said in disbelief, "You hit me?!"
"So what?!" Dongfang Yi said and then slapped her again.
Because of the great force, blood was oozing from her other hand, but she seemed not to feel the pain at all and wanted to slap her a few more times.
But she was stopped by Helian Qi who rushed over. He held her hand and spread it out. Sure enough, he saw that her hand was already red. Then he frowned and said reproachfully, "That's enough. Don't do it yourself anymore."
Dongfang Yi had always been a vengeful person. So when she was wronged, she would retaliate in the same way. It seemed that only in this way could she feel better.