AUBTN -Chapter 279 Catching the Turtle in a Jar (Part 2)

But if they didn’t go, wouldn’t that be open defiance of the imperial decree—practically admitting guilt?

Moreover, Zhou Ruoyun was now in their hands. If they ignored it, that girl would lose her composure. If she slipped up in front of the Empress Dowager, everything would be ruined!

Standing behind Shen Jue, Su Hewan was currently dressed in an inconspicuous eunuch uniform, her head lowered.

She looked perfectly obedient on the surface, but inside, her mind had already switched into “bullet-screen mode.”

【This old fox is definitely thinking about how to slip away cleanly.】

【Good thing I already added Luohua Powder into Zhou Ruoyun’s calming incense!】

Hearing Su Hewan’s calm analysis in her thoughts, the corner of Shen Jue’s lips lifted uncontrollably.

A trace of extreme satisfaction and pride flashed in his eyes.

As expected of his woman—this ability to read and scheme against people’s hearts was almost on par with his own.

On the surface, however, Shen Jue remained expressionless, only his tone turning slightly colder as he urged,

“Lord Zhou, the Empress Dowager is still waiting anxiously in the Cining Palace.”

“If we delay any further, should Her Majesty be displeased and charge us with disrespect, neither of us can bear that consequence.”

Zhou Wenhai took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He gritted his teeth inwardly.

The Blood Lotus was a peerless medicinal treasure. Even the Imperial Medical Archives recorded it clearly—it could perfectly simulate a false pregnancy pulse.

As long as that item existed, even if the Empress Dowager wanted to make things difficult or frame them, she would have no real evidence!

Once they got through today, he would make sure Shen Jue and Lu Yan, those reckless brats, died without a burial place!

“If it is the Empress Dowager’s decree, then as a subject, I naturally cannot refuse.”

Zhou Wenhai flicked his sleeve harshly.

“Governor Shen, lead the way!”

Shen Jue stood up gracefully and straightened his sleeves.

“Lord Zhou, please go ahead.”

At this point—

Lu Yan had already sealed off Zhou Ruoyun’s retreat with thunderous decisiveness.

Shen Jue had lured this old fox, Zhou Wenhai, out through a mix of pressure and manipulation.

The trap of “catching the turtle in a jar” had now been perfectly sealed.

Inside Cining Palace, sandalwood incense curled through the air.

The Empress Dowager slowly rolled a string of purple sandalwood prayer beads in her hand.

Her expression was as still as water.

In the center of the hall, Empress Zhou Ruoyun was forced to sit upright on a brocade stool.

Her hands tightly twisted the bright yellow silk handkerchief.

Lu Yan stood coldly by the palace doors.

Soon, faint footsteps approached as Shen Jue entered the hall, leading Zhou Wenhai in an unhurried manner.

The moment Zhou Wenhai stepped inside, his gaze immediately swept toward his daughter.

Seeing her pale but still composed, he felt slightly relieved.

He bowed perfunctorily to the Empress Dowager.

“This old minister greets Your Majesty.”

His demeanor was that of a loyal and upright official.

The Empress Dowager raised her eyelids slightly.

“Rise.”

“This early summons was issued because things were not peaceful in the palace last night.”

Zhou Wenhai looked deeply concerned.

“This old minister has also heard rumors outside the palace.”

“To think assassins would dare disturb Fengluan Palace—utterly audacious and unforgivable!”

“May I ask, has Your Majesty summoned me because you have found some clues?”

The Empress Dowager did not respond.

Instead, her gaze slowly shifted toward Shen Jue standing to the side.

Shen Jue understood immediately, the corner of his lips curling slightly.

“Lord Zhou need not rush. As for clues… this governor just so happens to have intercepted one.”

He lifted his slender fingers lightly.

A young eunuch behind him stepped forward at once, holding up an exquisite purple sandalwood brocade box.

Shen Jue unhurriedly broke the seal and lifted the lid.

Inside the box lay a single medicinal herb—deep crimson in color, with nine distinct leaf segments.

The moment Zhou Ruoyun saw it, her pupils contracted sharply.

Her body swayed violently without control, nearly falling from the brocade stool.

That was the Nine-Leaf Blood Lotus his father had sent into the palace last night!

How did it end up in Shen Jue’s hands?

Zhou Wenhai’s heart also shook violently, a chill running down his spine!

But after all, he had served as an official for many years and was deeply scheming.

He bit the tip of his tongue and forced down the shock and panic in his eyes.

Shen Jue caught every subtle crack in the father and daughter’s expressions.

“This object is called the Nine-Leaf Blood Lotus.”

“It is a supreme medicinal treasure originating from the Southern Border.”

“Last night, while patrolling the palace, the Eastern Depot’s eunuchs unexpectedly captured a suspicious black-clothed man.”

“That man was attempting to bribe a steward eunuch of the inner treasury, intending to secretly mix this item into the pregnancy-preserving medicine of Chaofeng Palace.”

“This Governor conducted a night-long interrogation with severe torture—guess what was discovered?”

Shen Jue pressed step by step, staring fixedly into Zhou Wenhai’s eyes.

“The black-clothed man who attempted to harm the imperial heir… was actually your estate’s steward, Zhou Fu!”

The moment these words fell, the entire hall sank into deathly silence.

The Empress Dowager suddenly tightened her grip on her prayer beads, her knuckles cracking loudly.

“Zhou Wenhai!”

“How do you explain this!”

Zhou Wenhai immediately dropped to his knees.

His face filled with righteous fury!

“Your Majesty, please investigate! I am innocent!”

He slammed his head down heavily in a kowtow.

“That damn slave Zhou Fu always appeared honest and obedient in daily life, yet he secretly committed such a crime punishable by extermination of the nine clans behind my back!”

“I, your servant, am loyal to the Empress Dowager and to Great Wei—Heaven and earth can bear witness!”

“Yun’er is my own flesh and blood as well. How could I possibly order someone to harm the imperial heir in her womb!”

His words were full of sincerity and emotion.

“This old geezer really deserves an Oscar for lifetime achievement!”

“He threw the blame so cleanly, even sacrificing his most trusted steward without hesitation. What a ruthless man.”

Su Hewan sneered inwardly.

Hearing this familiar inner mockery, Shen Jue slightly turned his head.

A trace of pleasure flashed in his deep eyes.

Lu Yan’s fingers, gripping his sword hilt, unconsciously rubbed against it.

The show was about to begin.

Su Hewan took a deep breath and suddenly stepped forward, removing the eunuch’s hat from her head.

Three thousand strands of black hair cascaded down.

“Your Majesty!”

Her urgent voice immediately drew everyone’s attention.

She knelt properly in the center of the hall.

“I, Su Hewan, humbly request to speak!”

When Zhou Ruoyun saw Su Hewan, her eyes nearly popped out.

Su Hewan raised her head and said directly:

“Your Majesty, I have once read detailed records about the Nine-Leaf Blood Lotus in ancient texts.”

“Although it is an extremely rare treasure of the world, its medicinal properties are extremely violent and overbearing!”

“It is a vicious medicine capable of reversing qi and blood, forcibly altering the meridians and pulse patterns!”

Her tone became increasingly urgent.

“If such an evil substance truly targets the Empress’s imperial pregnancy…”

“Even if the Empress merely inhales a trace of its scent by accident, the fetus will surely be disturbed!”

“The consequences would be utterly unimaginable!”

The Empress Dowager’s expression instantly turned dark and stormy.

For a royal family with weak heirs and unstable foundations, anything that threatened the imperial offspring was an absolute forbidden taboo!

Seeing the timing was right, Su Hewan immediately knocked her head to the ground again.

Her forehead pressed against the cold golden bricks, her voice firm and resolute.

“To ensure absolute safety!”

“And to protect the imperial bloodline of Great Wei!”

“I humbly request Your Majesty to immediately summon the Imperial Medical Academy’s Chief Physician, Physician Li!”

“I am willing to work with the Chief Physician to once again examine the Empress’s pulse!”