Gu Hengcang had always maintained secret correspondence with the real Gu Yanshuang.
Ever since Jiang Shi had taken her place, he had sent several letters to Gu Yanshuang without receiving a single reply.
That alone had told him something had happened to her.
Because of that, he had been confident that when the confrontation came, Jiang Shi would never appear.
But now…
The Emperor had actually found a fake to take her place…
Has His Majesty really become so determined to protect Ling Yu at all costs?
Tang Wan quietly swept her gaze across the hall, committing everyone’s expressions to memory.
Ling Yu, however, didn’t even bother looking around.
Holding Tang Wan’s hand, he knelt before the Emperor.
“Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!”
“Rise, rise.”
The Emperor cheerfully waved the couple to their feet.
Ling Yu helped Tang Wan stand.
Without drawing attention, he glanced toward the real Jiang Shi—the Second Prince’s Consort—and gave her a reassuring look.
Jiang Shi visibly relaxed.
Meanwhile…
Gu Hengcang knew there was no turning back now.
The arrow was already on the string.
He immediately stepped forward and shouted,
“Your Majesty, you must not allow yourself to be deceived by treacherous people!”
The Emperor cleared his throat and nodded solemnly.
Then he glanced indifferently at Gu Hengcang.
“We’ve already discussed Ling Yu’s matter.”
“What exactly do you mean by those words, Gu?”
“Are you questioning my judgment?”
“I would never dare.”
“But the imperial bloodline must never be confused!”
With that, Gu Hengcang pointed accusingly at Ling Yu.
“This young man originally came from the Ling family of Huanshan Village in Xiangxi Town.”
“I have witnesses.”
The Emperor could barely be bothered to look at him.
Instead, he turned to Ling Yu.
“Yu’er.”
“What do you have to say?”
“I have nothing to say.”
“But I believe my mother does.”
As he spoke, Ling Yu shifted his gaze toward Su Xi, who was disguised as Jiang Shi.
The moment Su Xi had entered the hall and seen Gu Hengcang…
She had already filled herself with righteous indignation.
Taking a step forward, she confronted him.
“Father…”
“Have you truly forgotten your own daughter?”
“Take a good look at me.”
“Then look at the Second Prince’s Consort.”
“My face alone is the greatest proof.”
With that, Su Xi stepped forward, knelt before the Emperor, and cried out tearfully,
“Your Majesty!”
“This humble woman has been grievously wronged!”
“You—”
Before Gu Hengcang could interrupt, Grand Tutor Yi quickly spoke up.
“Jiang Shi.”
“His Majesty is here.”
“If you have suffered any injustice, speak freely.”
“His Majesty is a wise ruler.”
“He will certainly see justice done.”
The interruption cut Gu Hengcang off before he could say another word.
Su Xi immediately seized the opportunity.
Crying bitterly, she began recounting her story.
“When the Chancellor’s household welcomed twin daughters into the world…”
“I believe many of the officials present heard about it.”
“It’s just that…”
“I was timid and afraid of strangers.”
“My elder sister was cheerful and outgoing.”
“So the world came to know only Gu Yanshuang of the Chancellor’s Manor…”
“And never Gu Yanran.”
“Because of my personality…”
“I was never favored by my parents.”
“I was never valued.”
“That year…”
“The Second Prince was ambushed and happened to arrive at the Chancellor’s residence.”
“He met me.”
“And we spent a night together.”
“I later became pregnant with Yu’er.”
“But…”
“But…”
At this point, Su Xi became visibly emotional.
Her hands trembled.
Her eyes turned red.
“But Father refused to believe me.”
“He insisted I had behaved immorally.”
“To protect the Chancellor Manor’s reputation…”
“He…”
“He sent people to kill me.”
“Utter nonsense!”
Gu Hengcang was horrified.
He had never imagined these people would shamelessly rewrite history like this.
To protect Jiang Shi, who was now the Second Prince’s Consort…
They had completely erased her involvement from the story.
Unfortunately for him…
He wasn’t facing the real Jiang Shi.
He was facing Su Xi.
And Su Xi was nothing like Jiang Shi.
She immediately shouted back in grief and outrage,
“Heaven is my witness!”
“You dare commit such deeds but refuse to admit them?”
Then she crawled a few steps closer toward the Emperor, weeping uncontrollably.
“Your Majesty…”
“I was fortunate enough to be rescued by Qiuwen, my elder sister’s personal maid.”
“I woke up in a mass grave.”
“Later, I gave birth to Yu’er.”
“The Chancellor’s family held overwhelming power.”
“In order to save my son’s life…”
“I fled from place to place.”
“In the end…”
“I settled in Xiangxi Town.”
“Your Majesty…”
“If you don’t believe me…”
“You may question Qiuwen.”
“She was the one who saved both Yu’er and me all those years ago!”
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