Chapter 561: Han Jing’s True Origins (Part 6)
Qin Shutong knew they were all hesitant to believe this affair, but it was indeed the truth.
"Years ago, Xichen and I were attacked outside the palace, saved by Senior Fengxi. He not only saved Xichen but also saved me, and I have always held him in high regard, so such matters are certainly not spoken lightly." Qin Shutong explained to them: "Here is what happened,"
"Back when Consort Li married into Yanjing, my imperial grandfather was very fond of her. I don’t know how she managed to escape his attentions and engage in a secret relationship with the Ninth Imperial Uncle, but within a year of marrying into Yanjing, she had Qing Jue, a child strikingly similar to the Ninth Imperial Uncle. Any discerning person could see what happened, but then my imperial grandfather was already becoming muddled with age, and Consort Li used some method to root out the suspicion he might have had. It was when Senior Fengxi arrived in Yanjing, after she had Qing Jue."
Lian Xichen nodded: "I know this. My adoptive father seemed to plan on leaving after saving us, but later, for unknown reasons, he stayed."
Qin Shutong continued: "Later, I don’t know what happened, because a year later the late Emperor, already infatuated with Consort Li, couldn’t wait for my imperial grandfather to pass and took control of the palace eunuchs, swapped my imperial grandfather’s medicine, and killed him, ascending the throne himself. His first act as Emperor was to make Consort Li his concubine, but Consort Li refused him. By that time, I had moved into the palace, so I’m privy to some of these affairs."
"To coerce Consort Li into submission and break her spirit, the late Emperor killed the Ninth Imperial Uncle before Consort Li’s eyes. At that point, Consort Li nearly lost her mind, refusing to submit to the late Emperor even at the cost of her life. Consort Li was but a weak woman back then, knowing just some rudimentary martial arts, nowhere near a match for the late Emperor. Initially, he indulged her, but after just a few days, he lost patience and drugged Consort Li. Just before Consort Li lost her senses, she threatened the late Emperor, saying she wouldn’t let him off even in death. Since childhood, I practiced martial arts and was somewhat talented, so that night, as I passed by Consort Li’s palace, I heard the commotion inside, and curiosity led me to sneak in unnoticed. Afraid of being discovered, I hid inside the wardrobe, secretly watching what was happening. As I saw the late Emperor attempt to overpower Consort Li, I intended to leave, as the matters of the late Emperor were beyond what I could intervene in."
"Just as I was about to leave, Senior Fengxi appeared, astonishing me greatly, and, driven by some inexplicable urge, I decided to stay. I found it curious, seeing him enter, yet, in a blink, he disappeared. However, moments later the late Emperor suddenly fainted mysteriously, and then I saw Senior Fengxi reappear in the hall. I had never witnessed such a miraculous event, so I quietly held my breath and waited. Consort Li was already delirious from the drugs, and Senior Fengxi held her for a long time, seemingly torn but also compassionate, hesitating for a lengthy period until Consort Li was nearly at her wit’s end when they came together. At that moment, I inexplicably drifted off to sleep. When I awoke, Senior Fengxi was fully dressed, standing by the bed. But I am certain that the person who was with Consort Li that night was Senior Fengxi, not the late Emperor, who was lying unconscious on the floor."