"The future world is so much better, wah wah wah......"
"If an earthquake happened here in our time, we common people would just have to wait for death, who would bother to save us desperately?"
Hearing these words, the ancients' already sorrowful feelings became even heavier and more desolate.
How could they compare themselves to the future world?
In the face of such an event, they could only die in despair.
Hope for the imperial court to save them? Impossible! The imperial court would only care about the big picture.
In the Xuyang Palace.
Consort Li's heart was deeply shaken by the content of the movie.
She saw a frail nurse in white faint from exhaustion, a woman travel thousands of miles to the disaster area to help, even if it was just to distribute supplies, she had done her part.
And there were more.......
There were couples divorcing, and couples in passionate love, the kind of reversal in the portrayal of human nature that struck Consort Li like thunder.
Consort Li stood dazed, feeling like something in her mind had cracked open!
In the face of life and death, everything seemed so insignificant.
She had admired Consort Zhao's noble intentions, why had she then been swayed by the Empress's few words? Human nature, at critical moments, could best distinguish right from wrong!
No, she could no longer hide it!
Her conscience would not allow her to ignore Consort Zhao's instruction for her own benefit!
With her mind made up, Consort Li tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand and strode determinedly to see Pei Changying.
Inside the palace hall.
An eunuch hurried in: "Your Majesty, Consort Li has this servant convey that Consort Zhao has come to her senses and is willing to expose the Crown Princess in front of the people."
"She also says she is willing to force Noble Consort Gu to return to the palace."
Ever since Consort Zhao stubbornly refused to help him, Pei Changying had lost faith in her and could not even be bothered to visit the cold palace.
Now hearing that Consort Zhao was actually going to help him regain the people's support?
To make Noble Consort Gu return to his side?
Although there was a lingering unease deep down, intense joy overwhelmed Pei Changying's nerves, making him feel invigorated.
Pei Changying immediately ordered: "Quick, let Consort Li in."
"Announce, Consort Li enters the hall."
As Consort Li entered the hall, all the civil and military officials looked at her in surprise, then at Pei Changying.
Consort Li appeared calm on the surface, but was actually so nervous that sweat beaded on her forehead. She knelt before the hall and said: "This consort greets Your Majesty."
"These past two days, this consort went with the Empress to visit Sister Zhao."
"Sister Zhao said she is willing to admit her guilt in front of the people and persuade Noble Consort Gu to return."
Pei Changying's heart bloomed with joy immediately.
He turned his gaze towards Noble Consort Gu on the broadcast screen.
Ha! You wench!
Hearing this, yet not showing the slightest fear, still putting on such a brave front!
At the thought of Noble Consort Gu returning to ancient times, Pei Changying's eyes revealed an indescribable delight: "Are these words true? What is her intent?"
Consort Li: "Sister Zhao prays that Your Majesty will not hold her past mistakes against her."
"Let her return to the consort position, and treat her family well, and she is willing to make amends for her fault."
Pride filled Pei Changying's expression.
See, no one is not afraid of death!
He is the emperor who can decide life and death with a word, the lord of this realm! No matter how defiant Consort Zhao was before, now she has to come begging him obediently!
If Consort Zhao is like this, then Noble Consort Gu should be the same!
At that time, he will definitely make Noble Consort Gu kneel and beg for mercy, trampling her dignity underfoot, to avenge her promiscuity in the future world.
Pei Changying's expression was firm and expectant as he immediately said: "As long as one is willing to work for me, I will certainly be lenient."
"Go and summon Consort Zhao, have her properly groomed and prepared."
Consort Li and the head eunuch accepted the order and left.
All the civil and military officials knelt and called out "Your Majesty is wise and brilliant."
But Pei Changying did not see that Noble Consort Gu, reflected in the broadcast screen, seemed to have guessed something and a hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes.
Consort Zhao had endured torment in the cold palace and never submitted, to step forward at this critical moment, it was probably......
"System, is there any way to save Consort Zhao?"
"Life and death are fated! But after accumulating one million merits, there may be a slight chance of reincarnation."
When the System said these icy words, Noble Consort Gu's heart pounded wildly.
One million merits!
Until now, all the merits she had accumulated added up to only twenty or thirty thousand, still far from one million.
In this life, faced with matters of life and death, how powerless one is.
Here they come!
Footsteps sounded from outside the grand hall.
Consort Zhao was dressed in a magnificent and solemn attire, her pale, bloodless face thickly made up with layers of powder and rouge adding a touch of rosy color.
Seeing Consort Zhao's deferential appearance, Pei Changying's heart was put more at ease. He then led all the officials to the city walls to face the broadcast screen.
On the walls above was the broadcast screen.
Outside the city;
Tens of thousands of common people had gathered!
Half an hour ago, they had heard that the emperor and Consort Zhao would personally appear on the city gates to explain the plague situation and the matter of the sweet potatoes!
"His Majesty's carriage arrives."
"The truth about Consort Zhao's case has been uncovered."
"To prevent those with ill intentions from spreading rumors and causing panic among the people, now Consort Zhao accompanies His Majesty to give an account to the people under heaven!"
As the eunuch's shrill words fell, the people knelt in a flurry.
After Pei Changying allowed the people to rise, they dared to sneak a peek at the dragon countenance.
That tall and handsome figure was indeed the reigning emperor, with a naturally imperious aura.
The woman standing beside him must be Consort Zhao?
Who exactly was spreading rumors that Consort Zhao had been sent to the cold palace by the emperor? Consort Zhao looked resplendent and not at all like someone who had been sent to the cold palace.
"Consort Zhao......" Noble Consort Gu gazed at Consort Zhao standing on the city wall, a mix of emotions in her eyes.
Consort Zhao raised her head, revealing her carefully made-up face. Her eyes held a determination to die, but also gave Noble Consort Gu a relieved smile: "Sister Sang, I'm sorry, please let me go."
I'm sorry, she has to go first.
After all, she could not live and walk towards freedom.
Don't grieve for her.
She is doing something incredibly great, following her heart's desire.
Under Pei Changying's urging gaze, Consort Zhao stepped forward with a resolute expression, allowing the tens of thousands of people below to see her more clearly.
She took a deep breath and faced the masses, her voice ringing out: "I am Consort Zhao, Zhao Ronghua!"
"Previously in the capital, there were rumors that because I, Zhao Ronghua, was unchaste, the Zhao family was implicated and imprisoned. This is all baseless gossip! All rumors!"
"Today, I am here to clarify the truth in person!"
Her words fell.
All the commoners fell silent, staring intently at the woman on the city wall.
Hearing Consort Zhao admit to the falsehood of the matter before the people, Pei Changying's originally somewhat uneasy heart finally settled down.
He had to give it to Consort Zhao for being clever, knowing to preserve the dignity of the imperial family.
The life and death of the entire Zhao clan rested in his hands, so she dared not speak nonsense.
Had it not been for the people incessantly discussing the Consort Zhao affair, destabilizing the public sentiment, he would never have condescended to come to this tower and explain things to the people.
"Well done, Rong'er, you truly haven't disappointed me," Pei Changying said, satisfied, as he walked forward.
He was about to bring up Pei Weiqi's treason, then have Consort Zhao identify him, nailing that lowly woman to the rebellion!
However!
Before Pei Changying could even open his mouth!
Consort Zhao suddenly uttered words that shook the heavens and earth, leaving all the commoners aghast—
