Article 155 (4)

  He was accompanied by several guards who were on duty with him every day, one of whom was Dailin, a member of the Ula Nara clan, who had some connection with the Cheng'en Gong Fu and was familiar with Alhatu when Yunzhu drove back to the Fucha Mansion that day.

  "Are you Alhatu?" Hongli's face sank, his eyes piercingly scanning Alhatu who was being held to the ground. He had to admit that this man had a pair of extremely good-looking dense eyebrows, deep eye sockets that seemed to hold a deep and sentimental feeling when staring at people, a straight nose bridge, not too thin or thick lips, a tall and strong physique, looking handsome and elegant. Moreover, his good birth also gave him a refreshing temperament, which was very popular among women. And being able to enter the palace as a guard also showed that he had some talent.

  But being good-looking is of no use? Having talent is of no use? Such a slave he has many, but he clearly knows that regardless of the outcome, he will not let this person continue to live in this world. He touched his reverse scales. His wife, his woman, is naturally the most beautiful and best in the world, being admired and loved by people all over the world is normal, but he should not have a dirty mind thinking about desecrating her, ruining her reputation.

  Alhatu's face turned slightly pale, but he remained calm and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

  "Do you know... why I brought you here?" Hongli's left hand was behind his back, and his right hand was stroking the green jade ring on his finger, looking down at him with a gaze that seemed to bore into his very soul.

  Alhatu saw the palace maid kneeling at the other end, and also noticed the suspicious gaze of the people in the scene and the eerie silence. His heart began to beat uncontrollably "thumping thumping", a kind of inexplicable fear grasped his mind.

  "I don't know." A faint cold sweat appeared on his forehead, he tried his best to calm himself down and deal with the situation in front of him. The worst-case scenario, he had thought about it before, was nothing more than death.

  "Is this what you wrote?" A small piece of paper floated down in front of him, Alhatu's eyes widened, and he was immediately startled by a cold shout like thunder, "Who told you to falsely accuse Fourth Madame?!"

  He suddenly raised his head and saw Hongli staring at him with a gaze that seemed to want to tear him apart, his breath caught in his throat, and for the first time, he felt a twinge of regret.

  He sneered, and Hongli saw the fear and retreat in his eyes. A look of disdain flashed across his face, and the fury in his heart was suppressed a little. "Think carefully before answering, or maybe think about your family and relatives first?"

  "No!" Alhatu shouted, his eyes filled with urgency, his face flashing with surprise, fear, disobedience, and determination. He looked deeply at Yunzhu who was standing quietly on the side and said: "This is my fault alone, please Your Highness do not implicate my family."

  Hong Jin's eyes narrowed slightly. This person is good at putting on a show, letting so many people see his deep emotions and sacrifices. Does he want to make others sympathize with him? He subtly swept his gaze across the expressions of the other people in the scene. After their initial shock, they were deep in thought, trying to maintain their composure. Only Hong Li's two concubines, Gao Shi and Wu La Na La Shi, had a different reaction. The handkerchiefs they clutched tightly in their hands and the faint glint of light at the bottom of their eyes - was it tension or excitement? Was the situation in front of them related to these women?

  Fu Heng naturally thought of the shameless trick Alhatu had played, his face turned red with rage, and he laughed furiously: "Dare to slander and frame our master, your heart is punishable by death——"

  This "heart" is unfathomable in its magnitude; the crime of a slave plotting against his master would be punishable by exterminating nine generations of his family, and even that would not be considered excessive.

  Alhatu naturally knew that he was born into a prominent Manchu clan, and many of his relatives were related to the imperial family through marriage. Although they were not close kin, it was still a powerful force for self-protection. His branch of the family had been purged several times during the Kangxi Emperor's reign, including the struggle for the throne and the abolition of the crown prince, leaving only his parents, his married sister, and his younger brother who had been adopted out. He feared that his family would be implicated, but in reality, there was nothing to fear. The Qing dynasty's punishments were always lenient towards Manchus, and as long as they were not directly involved in politics, even if they committed murder, as long as the victim was not a Manchu, they would not be executed. Therefore, even if Alhatu had indeed plotted against the emperor, at most, his entire clan would be punished, but there would be no risk of extermination.

  As long as he can be loyal to his master, as long as there is still the blood of Na La's family left, is he afraid that there will be no day when he will rise again? He had long since put life and death out of consideration.

  Ula Nara's long fingernails pierced through the silk handkerchief and into her palm, bringing a thrill of pain. Finally, at this critical moment, Fucha Yunzhu, your perfect image will begin to collapse...

  "I don't slander anyone! I am loving Yun, Sifeng's wife, with a sincere and passionate heart. She is so noble, beautiful, gentle, kind, and brave. In my heart, there is no better woman under the sky who deserves me to devote my life to love and protect!"

  His deeply emotional and passionate expression made Yunzhu feel sick, this kind of purely manipulative declaration that was like a third-rate drama plot stirred up memories she had buried deep within her heart and wanted to forget. In the end times... one moment they would be speaking sweet nothings, the next they would push you into a horde of zombies as a human shield, and incidentally obtain precious food; clearly just a moment ago they were solemnly protecting, but in the blink of an eye they would reveal their sharp blades and snatch away the precious things that the object of their protection relied on to survive... twisted humanity and cold emotions, in those chaotic times were normal, were universal.

  Everywhere is full of falsehoods and exploitation. But at that time, who had the time and energy to distinguish clearly?

  The words of praise that came out of his mouth were completely at odds with the true feelings in his heart, and the purpose he held was not even close to the sincerity and passion he claimed. It's laughable that he still wanted to use these fake performances to move others and make them believe in his good intentions. Compared to some brainless romance dramas from past lives, his true heart wasn't even worthy of holding shoes! At least those people truly believed in their hearts.

  "...and the fourth wife was only moved by my devotion, pitying my sincerity... I, we, absolutely did not do anything deceitful! We are truly in love..."

  "How dare you spout such nonsense!" Hong Zhen's anger was uncontrollable, his body trembling with the urge to step forward and kill that lying servant. Fu Heng had already taken a step ahead of him, kicking him in the chest, sending him flying several feet away, spitting out fresh blood.

  "Ah!" Ulanara Nara exclaimed, seeing everyone's sideways glances, her delicate face showed a hint of unease as she said: "He won't die, will he?" Implicitly referring to Fu Heng wanting to kill someone to silence them. Hongli's calm gaze swept over, and she pursed her lips tightly, feeling as if his gaze was like a knife scraping against her skin.

  Isn't your heart too anxious?! Gao Lü Weiming sneered in her heart, usually how arrogant, not making big mistakes, Furen and Wangye wouldn't bother you, but at this sensitive time, daring to take the lead is just asking for death. Maybe she was also so foolish before, but after that assassination attempt at the end of Yongzheng 10th year, she saw clearly that Aixinjueluo Hongli's feelings towards Fucha Yunzhu were absolutely not just a man's respect for his legitimate wife, but also a man's affection and love for a woman... If something happens to Fucha Yunzhu, with his temperament, he might vent his anger...

  "I didn't... everything I said was true, uh, we love each other, even if that love is not tolerated by the world..." Alhatu continued to climb up, and coughed out another mouthful of blood. Fu Heng wanted to step forward, but was stopped by Yunzhu.

  "Rice can be eaten more, but words cannot be spoken recklessly. I've gone crazy to give up a good life and have an unclear relationship with a guard?" Yunzhu looked at him calmly, "Compared to my husband, you are like jade and sand, do you think my brain is bad and my eyes are blind too?"

  "Hmph." The Duchess of Ning couldn't help but burst out laughing. The other duchesses and princesses present also mostly had red faces from holding back their laughter, thinking that Yunzhu's words were indeed a sharp rebuke. Comparing the various conditions, Hongli was indeed much better than this person, and Yunzhu was not only the legitimate duchess but also favored, it was truly foolish to destroy such a good marriage life.

  If it weren't for the solemn occasion, Hongli really wanted to kiss this lovely woman. How could she say such moving words with a straight face? She was indeed a beautiful jade.

  Yunzhu's eyes were clear and calm as water, "I usually enter and exit the house with eight attendants following me, there are female officials, wet nurses, and eunuchs by my side, who has ever seen me meet you alone?"

  This is true, from the upper and lower levels of the Ganxi Temple, from the female officials who served beside Yunzhu to the several ayahs who accompanied her when she went out, as well as the two eunuchs Wang Jinbao and Feng Yi who transmitted messages, even the rough-serving ayahs and young palace maids in charge of sweeping the palace were summoned for questioning, with very clear and uniform results.

  Alhatu's face contorted in a sorrowful expression, "How can you be so ruthless and heartless to deny everything between us?" He slowly raised his hand, pointing at the kneeling palace maid: "Hui'er often helped us deliver messages, she can testify. Although I'm foolish, I'm not someone who clings to something without reason. If Madam didn't have any response, how would I have become so infatuated?" He then took out a small pouch from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "This is the token of our engagement that you gave me, do you want to deny this too? Was your affection for me, was your being moved by me all fake?"

  Ye Gu's face was filled with disgust, "Your Majesty, we also recognize this person. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, for a period of time, this guard frequently appeared near Qian Xi's residence under various pretexts, seemingly spying on something. Later, he disappeared without a trace. Who would have thought that at the beginning of this year when Fu Jin returned to the Marquis' estate to attend her nephew's third birthday celebration, the carriage broke down and this person reappeared..."

  After Deng Yixian and others finished stating the matter, Hongli asked Dalin and others: "What is your relationship with him? Are you clear about what he said?"

  Ula Nara, Dailin and several other guards knew that they would be dragged into the palace struggle, so they respectfully replied: "I used to be a eunuch with Alhatu in the same team. After the assassination attempt in the imperial palace at the end of November in the tenth year of Yongzheng, there was a period of strengthened patrols in the imperial palace. Alhatu... often seemed absent-minded on duty and was reported by the team leader to the commander-in-chief, who demoted him from his position as second-class inner guard to third-class blue feather guard. That day, I and several others were ordered to escort the fourth lady out of the palace, along the way..." The so-called "absent-minded" was actually dereliction of duty, being too concerned with Duanxi's affairs. The team leader was afraid of causing trouble, so he took advantage of Alhatu's mistake and had him transferred away. Whether there was any interference from the Fuca family, Dailin had also vaguely heard about it, but he couldn't say anything at this time, after all, Alhatu's mistake was a fact.

  From the words of several guards who worked with Alhatu, it was heard that this person inexplicably paid attention to Qian Xi's residence and tried every means to get close to Yunzhu.

  The people present were either born into aristocratic families or raised in the palace, and their cunning and tactics had been honed since childhood. It was clear that this person had come out during the chaos of Yunzhu's horse carriage to play the "hero rescues the beauty" card, getting close to Yunzhu and leaving a good impression on her. However, he didn't realize that the beauty didn't need his rescue, nor did she have a fragile heart for him to take advantage of.

  She took a look at the purse presented by Alhatu, which was made of green silk with a square shape, one side embroidered with celadon-colored silk chrysanthemum and the other side with golden-purple chrysanthemum. It looked elegant and dignified. The pattern and embroidery were indeed very similar to Yunzhu's needlework.

  Fu Heng trusted his sister, and Hong Li trusted Yunzhu. However, the two men were not experts in needlework or embroidery, so even if there was a slight difference between the pouch made by Yunzhu and the one made by someone else, they couldn't tell them apart. The women present, even those who were skilled with a needle, weren't familiar enough with Yunzhu's embroidery to distinguish any subtle differences - and even if there were some, it was possible that they were intentional. Besides, even if two pieces of work looked identical, it didn't mean that every stitch was exactly the same.

  "This satin is not rare, and this pouch may not necessarily be made by the Fourth Mistress." said Baolan. Not to mention that Yunzhu was her husband's aunt, even if they were strangers, she had to say fairly, just relying on this to prove a woman's private affairs was too arbitrary.

  "This can't be false!" Alhatu glared, "She said it was Yun, that the Fourth Imperial Concubine personally made it for me." His finger pointed once again at the palace maid Hui'er kneeling on the ground.

  "A third-class palace maid." Yunzhu smiled lightly, her face turned pale, and everyone saw the anger in her eyes. "Even if she was a regular attendant at the main hall of Ganxi Second House, it wouldn't prove anything."

  Wulana. Ni Mengyi's silver teeth clenched, if it weren't for the female officials and second-class palace maids who didn't understand, could she find a third-rate one? Her foot moved slightly.

  Hui'er trembled with fear, "......I don't know anything, spare my life......"

  "I swear, I have no false words!" Alhatu straightened his back and looked at Yunzhu with a gaze that was both deeply affectionate and sorrowfully abandoned. He also showed the courage and honesty that a man should have, and many palace maids were secretly looking at him.

  Yunzhu coldly said, "Then you should swear to the heavens, if any of what you just said was insincere, may the heavens strike you down with lightning."

  Everyone was shocked. This era values the virtue of a gentleman, one word is as good as an oath, and those who break their promises will be despised by others. They also believe that those who go back on their words will have retribution, but they don't think it will happen right in front of them. The saying "good people die young, calamities leave behind a legacy for a thousand years" is somewhat reasonable too. At this point, what's the use of having this person curse heaven? It's just adding to the joke.

  Only Hong Lian, Hong You and Hong Yan, who were clear about the "Shen Rui" incident that year, heard this and felt a sudden jump in their hearts, thinking she wasn't joking.

  Alhatu saw Hongli and several others remaining silent, hesitated for a moment, and indeed pointed to the sky and swore: "I, Alhatu... what I just said is true from my heart, if not..."

  "Go on." Hong Yu looked up at the somewhat gloomy sky, raised an eyebrow and sneered. The face of the Aixinjueluo family was something that their own people could deal with, it wasn't for a slave like him to come and tarnish it.

  Even if you were skeptical just now, many people's faces have changed color. The autumn sun was shining brightly, but in the blink of an eye, it was covered by dark clouds and the sunlight dimmed. Does heaven really have eyes?

  Alhatu's face turned pale with cold sweat, his teeth chattering. Did he still have a way out at this point? Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth and said, "If I deceive you, may heaven strike me down with lightning and deny me a good death."

  As soon as the words fell, "Boom!" A loud noise shook the sky, and a bright light flashed across the horizon. Alhatu only felt his head being blown open by something, his eyes rolled back, and his body convulsed and fell to the ground.

  A bolt from the blue!

  Their faces were frozen in shock, their mouths agape and speechless, unable to express the emotions that filled the room.

  Hongli's eyes widened in shock, was Saiyunzhu too overbearing?! This old heaven is simply her backing, he suspected that she might be the daughter of the Jade Emperor, reincarnated to the mortal world.

  Well done! Hong Jin's lips slightly curled up, and there was no more convincing evidence than this. Even the heavens couldn't bear to look on and not testify, who would still dare to speak ill of him?!

  Fu Heng also seemed to have thought of this, and he snorted, kicking Alhatai who was lying unconscious on the ground. He then turned to a nearby eunuch and said, "Check if he's dead or not?"

  Feng Yi quickly stepped forward and reached out a hand to feel his pulse. "He's not dead, but whether he can wake up... I think it would be better to ask a doctor."

  Who dares to speak recklessly in front of him?

  Ulaanara, Nini and Gaolü Weimuer were watching all of this, the shock in their hearts was simply indescribable.

  "Spring and, bring over the handbag on your body, Prince Wang, do you still remember the first handbag I gave to Prince Wang?"

  The first embroidered pouch? He got her first embroidered pouch from Fu Heng and Bu Ku, the second piece of embroidery was the carp-shaped sachet she had made during the selection... Of course, this couldn't be told to her. "Remember, it's still there." Looking at the chrysanthemum-embroidered pouches in front of him, his own and the one Alhata had taken earlier, Hongli understood her meaning and reluctantly said to Wu Shu, "You go get it yourself, the one embroidered with 'Good Fortune Welcomes Spring'".

  "Hmm." Wu Shu came and went in a hurry. He thought to himself, "The master's treasured collection will be one less now." Although Madame Fu hadn't reduced her embroidery work, most of it was for hanging screens, room dividers, and paintings; fan covers and pouches like this were rare. The master's chrysanthemum pouch had been used for several years already, and Madame Fu wouldn't make another one until it wore out.

  "Bring me a pair of scissors."

  "Yes."

  Soon, the scissors were found and Wu Shu brought the handbag over. Yunzhu, with her last bit of strength, took the scissors and cut open a handbag, "Heaven can't tolerate the evil deeds of petty people, I also have to do my part as a human being."

  Princess Shu Shen, Princess Bao Lan, Madame Wu Fu, and Madame Ning Guang all rushed over, took one look, and were left speechless: "This handbag is really too difficult to make!"

  Hongli stood beside her, also looking surprised. Other people's pouches were made of one layer of fabric, but hers was double-layered, and it was a double-sided embroidery that was sewn together. If you didn't look carefully, you would only think it was ordinary double-sided embroidery... Moreover, between the two layers of fabric, there seemed to be something in between. Baolan Junzhu picked it up and carefully opened it, revealing a piece of paper that was almost torn apart, with a poem about chrysanthemums written on each side.

  Yunzhu picked up the embroidered pouch with "Fu Rui Ying Chun" and was about to cut it open, but Hongli snatched it away, saying: "There's no need to cut this one." This was the first pouch she had given him on their wedding day, and he didn't want it to be cut like that. Although he was also very curious about what kind of poem was hidden inside.

  "Really not cutting?"

  "Not cut, not cut."

  Yunzhu sighed and put down the scissors, "I'm a person with lazy fingers, I make very few lotus bags, but every one I make is made with heart, wanting to imitate it isn't easy."

  "It's not easy for ordinary people to achieve the skill of hiding threads like this." Wu Zaku, the wife of Wufu, was most proud of her own embroidery. To be honest, a purse like Yunzhu's would take her three to five years to practice and she could also make it, but she wouldn't bother...it's just a purse, is it worth the effort?

  She didn't know that Yunzhu had spent over a decade copying Buddhist scriptures to temper the killing intent, evil energy and restless energy she brought from the apocalypse. Not only that, but she also learned embroidery and needlework, taking it to an extremely high level of perfection.

  Wulana, Niniang and Gaolüwei didn't come closer to take a look, but they also knew that Yunzhu's handmade purse had some secret mechanism. Their carefully designed move was also in vain.

  Hebao was embroidered by Gaolü Weijin herself. She had carefully watched Yunzhu embroider a Hebao for Hongli... but still fell short of it.

  Later, if I want to make a move in this regard, with this precedent, it won't be easy to succeed, people will first think that the Fourth Mistress is being framed again... This isn't framing, this is clearly setting up a defense for Rong Chao Yunzhu, highlighting her integrity and contrasting it with the darkness and cruelty of others.

  Gao Lüwei felt a bit disheartened after realizing this point. If she hadn't witnessed the sudden turn of events, she would have suspected that Fugui had planned everything from the start, especially the final move "cutting the lotus bag". Which woman would hide another trick in her lotus bag? Without this cut, who would know about her skills? Unless she knew long ago that one day she would use them.

  Forget it, anyway I won't be able to sit in the position of Fu Jin, and I don't need to compete with Fu Jin. As long as I'm not too displeasing as a side concubine, that's enough. What I should focus on is taking care of my body and raising a child.

  "Fourth brother, this matter must be thoroughly investigated and punished severely." The person who set up this scheme behind the scenes must have great abilities. The guards, palace maids, and even the timing of the exposure were all calculated to perfection. If not for bad luck, Fourth Sister's reputation would have been ruined. Hong Yu's heart felt heavy, thinking about his deceased eldest son. Although they were princes, sometimes they couldn't even protect their own wives and children.

  The truth is revealed, who set up this scheme to pour dirty water on Yunzhu's body? In the end, apart from Baoqin Wang's two concubines and Hongshi, who wanted to take Hongli's life or make him lose his reputation, who else benefited? Everyone tacitly understood. The gaze towards Wu Lala Nianmiao Yi and Gao Luwei became subtle.

  "Take these two people away, they absolutely cannot die like this." Hongli said word by word. Wulana Nianmuyi heard and her body went soft, feeling empty inside, all her strength had gone somewhere unknown. She couldn't fall, she couldn't make any mistakes, she told herself over and over again, thinking about how to deal with Alhatu who was struck by lightning, he should have died today, they were all supposed to die today, now something unexpected happened, what to do? What if he woke up, didn't die after all? The imperial palace's dark guards, the Shenxing Bureau had many ways to make people who wanted to die not dare to die...

  "Report to the master, Hui'er has poisoned herself to death." Two rough serving women discovered that she had already taken poison when they went to pull and drag the palace maid who was kneeling on the ground with her head hung low, blood overflowing from the corner of her mouth.

  "What?! Poisoned?! Hongli scolded, "Investigate! Investigate for me! And that Alhatu, search him thoroughly from head to toe. If he dies, I'll hold you all responsible!"