Yun Shu observed the Empress Dowager's demeanor from the beginning until now, coupled with Elder Grand Tutor Geng’s defense, and completely mistook everything as wrong.
Judging by her appearance, it seemed she genuinely believed it to be so.
She had even managed to deceive herself.
Yun Shu was so impressed she wanted to give a thumbs-up.
Seeing that Zhan Tianhong completely ignored her words and did not immediately convict Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu, the Empress Dowager was so enraged she gritted her teeth, "Emperor!"
Zhan Tianhong glanced at his mother when he saw her immense anger and frustration. "Mother, please wait a moment. I will make a judgment after examining the evidence."
Did she want to interfere with his affairs?
Was it that she had grown accustomed to overextending her reach in the past, and now she couldn't control herself?
Zhan Tianhong sneered inwardly and looked down at the evidence.
Various pieces of evidence, including testimonies, official documents from the local government about the child, and corroborating statements from neighboring villagers, one by one, confirmed the child's existence and the Empress Dowager's act of disgracing the royal family!
Indeed, even in death, the Regent King could not find peace!
The Empress Dowager watched Zhan Tianhong examine the evidence so meticulously and became even more furious!
Damn it!
Why was he looking so carefully?
If she had known the Emperor was now beyond her control, she should have killed him back then! She shouldn't have kept him around to become a menace! Hateful, hateful!
Filled with immense regret, the Empress Dowager could only grit her teeth and grind her molars in secret, her heart burning with anxiety, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead, as she nervously watched Elder Grand Tutor Geng.
She desperately wanted to call out "Father," urging him to quickly find a solution.
But Elder Grand Tutor Geng’s expression was extremely grim. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
The current situation was already very clear.
There was so much evidence! When the Empress Dowager sent people back to report to him, she only mentioned there was evidence, but not how much. Faced with such irrefutable proof, how could he argue that all the evidence was false?
For a moment, Elder Grand Tutor Geng felt extreme anguish.
He let out a long sigh in his heart.
Utterly helpless.
Deeply sorrowful.
The Geng family's century-old foundation was about to be destroyed by a foolish person! As the Empress Dowager, she had colluded in secret with the late Emperor's brother, given birth to a child, and intended to usurp the throne. Such behavior was scorned by everyone under heaven; how could she protect herself?
Elder Grand Tutor Geng seemed to age considerably in an instant.
He opened his eyes again.
Seeing the Emperor carefully reviewing each piece of evidence, he knew the matter was all but decided, and he was likely powerless to change the outcome.
He recalled how strongly he had disagreed with the Empress Dowager's mistreatment of the Emperor back then, but she had been obstinate and refused to listen to him.
Now, there was no room for regret.
The Emperor had a developed mind and was ambitious; others' thoughts could no longer sway him. He had lived for more than half his life, seen all sorts of people and experienced all kinds of events. The Empress Dowager, in her obstinacy, believed she controlled the entire capital, offended Prince Ye and General Yun, and now offended the current Emperor. This situation...
The consecutive misfortunes of the two grandchildren of their Geng family were enough to show that everything was too late.
Yun Shu noticed Elder Grand Tutor Geng’s change in expression within a short period.
From initially being as steady as a rock, his complexion had turned pale.
She and Zhan Tianye exchanged another glance.
Zhan Tianye secretly clasped her hand and tightened his grip.
Perhaps from this moment on, Zhan Tianye had made a decision: she and their three sons were his world, and he no longer needed to bother with any troubles in the capital.
He wanted to take them away from the capital.
Yun Changfeng had not noticed at first, but when he turned around, he caught a glimpse of their clasped hands out of the corner of his eye, and his old face blushed.
Fortunately, his skin was dark, so it couldn't be seen.
The affections of young people, truly wonderful!
The entire Imperial Study was dead silent.
Zhan Tianhong read through the evidence repeatedly and finally looked up.
As he looked up, he saw the intimate interaction between Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye, their unspoken communication, and his eyes darkened.
With a clap, he slammed the pile of evidence onto the table.
The Empress Dowager, her face pale, took a step back.
Elder Grand Tutor Geng’s hands also trembled.
"This evidence, each piece is beyond doubt, I... I..." Zhan Tianhong gestured to the nearby palace attendants to open the doors of the Imperial Study, allowing those outside to witness the scene unfolding within.
At this moment, many officials who had come to offer their advice were already gathered outside the Imperial Study.
There were also some palace attendants and guards.
He showed a look of grief, his face ashen, one hand resting on the pile of evidence.
It was evident of his current anger.
"Your Majesty... cannot be trusted..." the Empress Dowager's voice of defense grew weaker.
She placed all her hope on Elder Grand Tutor Geng, hoping he could turn the tide and alter the situation.
The current predicament could not be a dead end.
Yun Shu and the other two did not need to say anything at this moment; the secretly collected evidence was enough to prove their case, surpassing a thousand words.
However, Yun Shu did not expect the Empress Dowager to be so stubborn. If she had admitted her mistake then and requested to become a nun to atone for her sins, she might have retained some dignity.
But now, she was still indulging in wishful thinking.
Truly...
Years of being in a high position had made the Empress Dowager forget how to bow her head.
"Mother, I truly do not wish to believe it. You raised me diligently for many years, and I am grateful for your nurturing. However! However, this is all irrefutable evidence! While my father was still alive, you were involved with the Regent King. Do you have any regard for him? Do you and the Regent King have any respect for the law of the land? Or for my father? You even gave birth to a child with the Regent King!" Zhan Tianhong's voice boomed like a bell, his angry shouts from the Imperial Study reaching those outside.
Everyone outside heard it.
They all showed expressions of shock.
Clearly, this news had stunned them immensely.
They had initially thought someone was slandering the Empress Dowager because the Regent King had died, but it turned out to be true! The shock was before them! The evidence was conclusive! Undeniable!
Otherwise, why would the Emperor be so angry? So grief-stricken?
Zhan Tianhong looked at her with disappointment. "Mother, you have committed so many wrongdoings, incurred so many sins. How am I to punish you?"
The Empress Dowager felt dizzy, as if a dark cloud had enveloped her. Her fingers trembled as she pointed at Zhan Tianhong. "What I said is the truth! You believe them and not me, this is a great act of unfilial piety!"
At this moment, the Empress Dowager's accusations were too weak; anyone could see that she was arguing unreasonably.
Zhan Tianhong felt someone laughing wildly in his heart. He slammed the table again. "Mother, why do you still not admit your mistakes at this point? You are still making excuses?"
Yun Shu frowned slightly. Zhan Tianhong's actions today surprised her somewhat.
The fact that the Imperial Study doors were wide open showed that he could handle this matter independently, without needing her father or Zhan Tianye.
Thus...
They would have to make a decision.