The volume of this information was a bit too much for Dongfang Li, who was slow to react and took a while to grasp the situation.
When he realized what Dongfang Mosheng meant, he shivered.
Ten years ago, around the time Zhao Ang entered the palace, the Father Emperor had no more heirs. Among several Princes, Dongfang Mosheng was the youngest, already seventeen years old, and the youngest Princess was eleven.
That is to say, since Zhao Ang entered the palace, there have been no more Imperial Heirs in the harem.
Originally thought to be a coincidence, could it now be a deliberate act?
"Ninth, you can’t talk nonsense. Are you saying she was killed because she bore an Imperial Heir?"
"Not just her, the other bodies too. Except for the Ying Family, the skeletons of the others also showed changes."
Normally, human bone structure is fixed, but during pregnancy in women, the bone structure undergoes certain changes. These changes are mostly temporary and return to normal postpartum.
However, these skeletons had not reverted back because they were killed during pregnancy.
"Indeed. The pelvis and spine of a pregnant woman experience changes, and the thigh bones may splay out."
Feng Bailing meticulously observed these skeletal remains and indeed identified these characteristics.
She deduced this based on medical knowledge, while Dongfang Mosheng through examining the bones also mostly figured it out. It must be said, he had some skills.
"Murdering an Imperial Heir, and five no less, that is a grave crime. This matter must be reported to the Father Emperor, and the Empress must be investigated, after all, Zhao Ang is her man."
No matter how oblivious Dongfang Li was, he knew this matter was of great importance.
It involved the Empress, and he shouldn’t investigate further.
"On the contrary, this matter should not be reported to the Emperor but should be investigated discreetly."
Dugu Wu spoke solemnly.
"You make it sound easy. The Empress is the head of the harem, even my Queen Mother respects her to some extent. With the position of Crown Prince still undecided, if I investigate carelessly and offend the Empress, Dugu Wu, don’t you lead me into trouble."
Dongfang Li said annoyed.
"Ninth, follow me to see the Father Emperor."
Dongfang Li grabbed Dongfang Mosheng and left.
Dongfang Mosheng nodded towards Feng Bailing and Dugu Wu as he left the Heavenly Prison.
"Impenetrably stupid."
Dugu Wu’s lips thinned.
"Why do you think we should investigate this matter secretly?"
Feng Bailing asked curiously.
"There’s a puzzle here. If it was done by the Empress, why did she not harm other Imperial Heirs ten years ago? Nanny Ying should have been the first to be killed; she was never favored by the Emperor, why kill her too?"
Dugu Wu spoke solemnly.
Feng Bailing also felt puzzled.
"If Dongfang Li rashly reports this to Emperor Yongye, he is likely to be rebuked."
"Are you worried about him?"
Dugu Wu gave him a cool look.
"If I were truly worried about him, I would have advised him not to provoke the Empress. I used to think the hardest to deal with in the Imperial Palace was the Emperor, but now it seems it’s this Empress."
Feng Bailing stared at the rows of skeletons, deep in thought.
As Feng Bailing and Dugu Wu anticipated, when Dongfang Li went to report to Emperor Yongye, he and Dongfang Mosheng were both reprimanded.
Both Princes were punished to kneel outside the sleeping chamber.
Noble Princess Consort Xiao and the Empress, hearing the news, hurried to plead for mercy.
"How could this be? These unfilial sons, suspecting the Empress of murdering Imperial Heirs.
Emperor Yongye, having just recovered from a serious illness, looked very pale.
Upon hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Xiao hurriedly pleaded,
"Your Majesty, Li’er was momentarily confused, please discern clearly."
"Your Majesty, this is not about Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince, it’s due to my lack of strict supervision, letting Zhao Ang carry out such inhumane actions. Those missing skeletons, I also investigated clearly, they were all palace maids, they broke the rules, became involved with guards, disrupting the harem, I only allowed Zhao Ang to drive them out of the palace, but he ended up killing them."
The Empress spoke, her eyes red, ceaselessly wiping away tears.