sbdcsierra Chapter 1638 Telling Chu Shuxian the Truth (Bonus Chapter for 258 Million Reward Points)
Chapter 1638 Telling Chu Shuxian the Truth (Bonus Chapter for 258 Million Reward Points)
Manager Tao was also a devout follower of Master Xingchen.
This conclusion was too shocking, and he subconsciously denied it, saying, "How could someone like Master Xingchen..."
"Our family doesn't want to believe it either."
Li Changde shook his head and said, "Before receiving this secret report, I, like you, never doubted Master Xingchen."
Because Master Xingchen is a holy monk!
He is a Buddhist disciple worshipped by countless people!
Even His Majesty has to show him respect.
Once the news gets out, people in the palace will suspect him of committing adultery in the harem. Even if it's just a baseless rumor, it will be enough to cause unrest among believers and controversy in the court and among the public!
Even...damage the royal family's reputation!
No one would believe that a holy monk would do such a despicable thing.
People will only think that the royal family is slandering Buddhism, and that His Majesty cannot tolerate the pure stream of Buddhism!
This is the most terrifying place.
Master Xingchen's image was too perfect, and his status too transcendent.
To touch him would be extremely risky.
But... I have an imperial decree to carry out. More than half of the ten days His Majesty gave me have already passed!
The investigation uncovered fabricated clues, proving Huichen's innocence, while Master Xingchen was highly suspicious...
Li Changde said with a headache, "Tao Shun, tell me, besides Master Xingchen, who else has such great ability to set up such a scheme?"
"Who else can both have access to the women of the imperial harem and perfectly conceal themselves under the Buddha's light, leaving no room for suspicion?"
"And who else has the ability to use the greedy and avaricious Huichen as a shield to divert attention?"
Manager Tao opened his mouth, but didn't know how to defend Master Xingchen.
It was precisely because he was a follower of Master Xingchen that he understood even more the horror of the collapse of faith.
They knew that once this matter got out, it would cause a huge uproar in the Great Zhou Dynasty!
Steward Tao said, "Sir, this is just your guess; there is no solid evidence."
"Based solely on these connections, accusing a holy Buddhist monk would be a grave mistake, and Master Xingchen might be wrongly implicated..."
Li Changde said, "Then let's continue to investigate carefully!"
"Investigate Master Xingchen's background before becoming a monk and his interactions with everyone around Empress Dowager Gongsu."
"Every plant and tree in Chengxin Pavilion, and all the worshippers who come into contact with Master Xingchen on a daily basis, especially the female worshippers, must be thoroughly investigated!"
He knew that this was going against the will of the world and blaspheming the gods and Buddhas.
But Your Majesty must find the real adulterer!
If it really wasn't Master Xingchen, then it would be good to clear his name and spare Fatu Temple from further being implicated.
If the adulterer is Master Xingchen...
Manager Tao felt a heavy weight in his heart: "Yes..."
He also wanted to find out the truth and know if his faith, which he had held for so many years, was really so filthy.
Li Changde didn't rest; he went to interrogate Chu Shuxian again.
After not seeing her for a few days, she had lost even more weight, and her face was deathly pale.
Chu Shuxian had no idea what tricks Li Changde was planning to play this time.
Should she be subjected to new punishment?
Or should we continue to let her watch that unfortunate Huichen?
She had already made up her mind that, no matter what, she couldn't let that person get involved.
"The Chu family."
Li Changde looked at Chu Shuxian and went straight to the point: "The adulterer you refused to confess to even under torture is not Huichen at all, but Master Xingchen. Is that right?"
Chu Shuxian felt a sudden "boom" in her mind, and her mind went completely blank!
This expression was as if his most secret thoughts had been suddenly exposed.
But soon, Chu Shuxian forced herself to calm down: "I don't understand what you're saying..."
Even so, Li Changde still keenly noticed her momentary loss of composure.
His initial three-tenths doubt suddenly rose to seven-tenths.
If she didn't have something to hide, why would the Chu family react this way upon hearing Master Xingchen's name?
However... the last time she saw Huichen, Chu Shi acted the same way, pretending to be excited but trying her best to control her emotions.
This woman may not have any other skills, but she's unparalleled in her ability to pretend and be stubborn.
We cannot conclude that Master Xingchen was Chu's lover based solely on this point.
Li Changde decided to add fuel to the fire, shaking his head at Chu Shuxian with a sympathetic tone: "Tsk tsk... I feel a bit sorry for you."
Chu Shuxian remained silent.
Li Changde said slowly, "You protected Master Xingchen so well, enduring torture for him and refusing to confess even at the cost of your life. This deep affection is truly touching and admirable!"
"But... if you knew that the Buddhist monk you admire had another lover in the harem besides you, and that the other woman was also pregnant, would you still be so devoted to him, willing to die for him?"
As he said this, Li Changde silently apologized to himself.
He was also trying to find out the truth. If he had misunderstood Master Xingchen, he asked Buddha not to be angry!
Hearing such outrageous words, Chu Shuxian felt more and more that Li Changde was bluffing her.
Although her relationship with Xingchen could not be made public, there was no doubt that Xingchen's love for her was as deep as the sea.
How could Xingchen have other women besides her?
Chu Shuxian said weakly, "Eunuch Li, if you want to kill or torture someone, just do it directly. Why slander the innocence of the holy monks of Buddhism?"
Li Changde sighed, "Do you really have no doubts at all about whether our family has slandered Master Xingchen?"
"Before you entered the palace, you had several secret meetings with Master Xingchen. Did you really think that no one knew?"
"If he can have an affair with you, why can't he have one with someone else?"
Chu Shuxian sneered, "Master Xingchen is upright and honest, with a heart as clear as the moon. You despicable people, your own hearts are filthy, so you see everyone else as filthy!"
"I have committed a grave error; you may kill me, but why resort to such vulgar language that tarnishes the purity of Buddhism?"
Seeing that Chu Shuxian's emotions were becoming agitated, Li Changde continued, "What if I told you that Consort Feng, who entered the palace at the same time as you, was carrying not the emperor's child, but Master Xingchen's illegitimate child?"
Chu Shuxian's expression froze.
The sealed room was deathly silent...
She opened her mouth wide, as if she couldn't understand what Li Changde was saying.
Consort Feng...
No, not possible!
This is absolutely impossible!
Chu Shuxian acted as if she had heard a ridiculous joke: "Eunuch Li, you'll stop at nothing to force a confession, you even come up with such nonsense!"
"You're slandering Consort Feng's unborn child? Aren't you afraid His Majesty will find out and have your entire family executed?!"
Li Changde had been observing the subtle changes in Chu Shuxian's expression, and of course he could see that she was all bark and no bite.
It seems... my guess might actually be right.
"As you know, slandering the imperial heir and the concubines' innocence is a capital offense punishable by the execution of the entire family. As the Grand Eunuch, how could I possibly break the law?"
Li Changde took a step closer to Chu Shuxian: "Do you think that by keeping your mouth shut, you are protecting a shocking and unconventional true love?"
"Are you willing to die so that Master Xingchen's innocence and reputation can be preserved?"