Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 519: Methods of Forging Evidence

The sleeping chambers fell silent for a moment, then Pang Wenzheng’s somber voice emerged.

"As it stands, while this matter does affect the Empress, the issue isn’t very severe yet, because the root cause lies with the Emperor. Who else to blame when he and the Empress Dowager are at odds? What we truly fear is if the matter concerning Zhen Pin is exposed, the Empress would face true ruin."

Empress Qiao nodded: "Exactly, if Ji’er finds out that I was behind his mother’s death, it wouldn’t just be a mere discord."

Empress Qiao was well aware of this herself, having recently revealed evidence to prove her innocence in his mother’s death; now to claim it was her doing.

Such an act carries not just the hatred of a mother slain but the betrayal of deception.

This seed of hatred could root deeply between the two of them, "mother and son".

If she remains in power, nothing need be said; he would fear reprisal and perhaps even fawn for her favor. But should her position falter, Qi Junji would transform into a mad dog, tearing her to pieces.

"What you must do now, Your Majesty, is secure your position as Empress quickly. Go, apologize to the Emperor, and then seize opportunities as they come."

"Apologize? Humph, do you think Qi Yun would accept my apology? That man is always heartless about things he doesn’t care for."

A hint of resentment flickered in Empress Qiao’s eyes.

Having been by Qi Yun’s side for so many years, it is impossible to claim she holds no feelings for him.

She once had youthful dreams, once felt the stirrings of love. When she entered the palace, she was but five years younger than Qi Yun.

At eighteen, Qi Yun was striking and full of vigor.

At thirteen, she was radiantly beautiful, her hair flowing like a waterfall, possessing ethereal beauty and grace.

They were a destined pair, so much so that when she was called to him, upon first sharing intimacy with Qi Yun, she dreamt of winning his heart, of growing old together.

Yet, ultimately, it was all a dream.

A dream is illusory, reflecting like flowers in a mirror or the moon’s shimmer on water. One may gaze upon them, but cannot touch.

Having once loved, having hoped, having held, it was upon knowing she couldn’t have him that hatred grew, leading her to act foolishly.

Because the emptiness was too unbearable, eighteen years ago, upon first meeting Pang Wenzheng, his honeyed words captivated and won her over, and she embarked on a path of no return.

"Your Majesty understands well enough, but this apology must be made. It’s a gesture showing you comprehend your boundaries. Recognizing boundaries and showing remorse may prompt the Emperor to forgive you, for the sake of past affections."

Empress Qiao gave a derisive laugh: "You think he’s that kind of person? That he would cherish the past?"

Pang Wenzheng shook his head repeatedly, sighing: "Empress, Empress, despite your claims of affection for him, of knowing him well, can it be you overlook even this basic aspect? He appears cold and detached, but how has he not treated those close to him well? Let’s not forget the Rebellion of the Seven Princes!"

Pang Wenzheng merely hinted, yet Empress Qiao quickly understood.

Qi Yun didn’t act against the members of the Imperial Family. Is this indicative of kindness? No, not at all. This man is ruthless, resorting to killing ministers as a matter of course.

The reason he spared them was out of respect for past ties, recognizing them as his siblings and uncles!

"I understand. Tomorrow at first light, I shall seek forgiveness!"

Pang Wenzheng: "Your Majesty truly is perceptive, understanding in a flash. I will take my leave now."

No one knew how he vanished, one blink, and he was gone.

However, elsewhere, in Qi Yun’s study, Long Yue and her husband were present.

"Your Majesty, I have something I’d like you to see!"

"Present it."

Though it was a private meeting, formalities were still necessary.

Chen Zhong stepped forward and retrieved a sheet of paper from Long Yue’s hand.

This paper resembled a secret letter, bearing words as Qi Yun glanced over it, his expression darkened dramatically.

"The Crown Prince secretly colluding with Da Rong behind my back? Li Qingmu, is this letter genuine?"

Qi Yun’s hand trembled with the letter, wishing he could rip it apart if not for it being evidence!

The handwriting unquestionably matched the Crown Prince’s script!

Yet since he was the Crown Prince, Qi Yun needed confirmation.

Li Qingmu said calmly: "It’s false."

"You...I..."

Qi Yun was so furious, he nearly swore, his hand hastily groping around the desk, ready to launch something over.

This was a habit he didn’t know when he developed; previously Li Qingmu didn’t dodge, but this time he cautiously held his young wife, eyeing Qi Yun warily.

"Your Majesty, please curb your anger and hear me out!"

Qi Yun recalled the time during spring hunting when he had shattered a teacup on Li Qingmu’s head, drawing blood, and felt a touch of guilt, so suppressing his fury, he said coldly: "Speak!"

"Your Majesty, why not closely examine this secret letter? While the script indeed matches that of the Crown Prince, whether it’s truly authentic is another matter."

Qi Yun frowned slightly. As a sharp Emperor, he naturally grasped Li Qingmu’s implication. Without speaking, he unfolded the letter, examining it by candlelight.

In the end, he detected nothing initially.

No, wait, he did find something!

A subtle detail barely perceptible, sighted only due to the dim candlelit setting.

An intricate line, not a real line, but the paper’s texture; these lines creating a latticework interwoven pattern.

Qi Yun tried to feel them but discovered nothing unusual upon touch.

Yet, it was certainly peculiar, prompting him to look at Li Qingmu in curiosity: "Li Qingmu, what is this?"

"Has Your Majesty also noticed? Yue’er." Li Qingmu exchanged looks with Long Yue, who promptly stepped forward, "Your Majesty, please observe carefully!"

Long Yue produced a delicate blade, akin to a feather, and gently scraped aside an edge of the letter from a certain angle.

Then she applied powder, sprinkling it over the incision, which melted and seeped into the paper.

A bizarre phenomenon unfolded, as something emerged from the incision’s edges; Long Yue gently brushed, extracting a slender sheet from the letter’s surface, marked with the word "Rong"!

Words began to peel off from each segment, each on a separate sheet.

Seeing this, Qi Yun felt his scalp prickling.

What kind of sorcery was this? 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

To arrange individual characters on a paper like gossamer silk, sealed with something special; it appeared like a genuine secret letter.

Qi Yun quickly grasped its meaning, stunned: "With such craftsmanship, any personal letter could be forged! Li Qingmu, in showing me this peculiar counterfeit document technique, what are you implying?"