Chapter 187

The Gloom Disperses

Nie Jinxuan deliberately emphasized the volume of the two words 'a shadow'. Those around were all smart people, so they naturally understood Nie Jinxuan's meaning instantly!

If Chun'e had seen two shadows at the time, it would be conceivable that Xiao Qing was running in front and someone was chasing her. In that case, it would explain why there was a Soul-Nailing Stake on Xiao Qing. Because Xiao Qing was running with the Soul-Nailing Stake, and Noble Consort Zhang was afraid Xiao Qing would betray her, so she killed her to silence her.

But the situation now was that there was only one shadow, and then Xiao Qing's body was found. So what Chun'e saw at the time could only have one possibility: the murderer killed Xiao Qing to silence her, then carried the body to dispose of it. Passing by the Laundry Bureau, Chun'e saw it, followed out of curiosity, and then discovered the body... But in this way, the problem arises: the murderer killed Xiao Qing to silence her, so they would certainly not leave behind such an important thing as a Soul-Nailing Stake. But now that it was on Xiao Qing, there is only one explanation: framing!

The murderer killed the key figure Xiao Qing, then placed the Soul-Nailing Stake on her... Nie Jinxuan even suspected whether the murderer knew beforehand about Chun'e and Hong'er meeting in private, and then deliberately passed by the entrance of the Laundry Bureau at that time to attract Chun'e's attention! Otherwise, the harem is so big, why did the murderer have to hide the body in the backyard of the Laundry Bureau?! Wouldn't it be better to just throw it into the chaotic grave on the back mountain?!

The palace is a place where a falling leaf can kill someone, and disposing of a dead person is even more common! But now, such a key figure as Xiao Qing was discovered, which really makes one feel baffled!

Nie Jinxuan had such thoughts, and even if the people present couldn't understand it completely, they could at least guess seven or eight out of ten. So for a time, the large courtyard became quiet!

But things didn't end here. After all, they had only found the problem, not the murderer. So after adjusting her expression slightly, Nie Jinxuan looked at Gao Caiyong again.

"Eunuch Gao, may I ask, after Xiao Qing was discovered, was the body examined?"

"Yes. According to the coroner, Xiao Qing was stabbed in a vital spot from behind and died."

"Then could you bring Xiao Qing's body over now? Jinxuan would like to re-examine it in public."

Nie Jinxuan made the request. Hearing this, Gao Caiyong turned to look at Emperor Shuncheng, then made the arrangements. Not long after, two palace guards were seen carrying Xiao Qing's body up.

Xiao Qing's body was placed on a wooden board, covered with a white cloth. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan didn't speak; she walked forward, took the sheepskin gloves prepared by a young eunuch, and reached out to lift the white cloth.

Nie Jinxuan began the autopsy, her focused expression revealing incomparable seriousness and composure. Half an hour later, Nie Jinxuan finally stood up. At this time, Emperor Shuncheng couldn't help but furrow his brows and ask.

"How is it? Did the coroner make a mistake before?"

"No mistake. Xiao Qing's time of death was around the Xu hour last night. The fatal wound is on the back, and according to the details of the wound and the direction of the force, the murderer has great strength, and the weapon should be a short blade similar to the length of a dagger..."

"And the deceased's wound is clean and neat, so the murderer must be a practitioner. Furthermore, some bloodstains were found in Xiao Qing's fingernails. It must be that when the murderer killed Xiao Qing with one strike, Xiao Qing realized it and scratched the murderer..."

Nie Jinxuan said in a deep voice. Hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's gloomy eyes flashed instantly, and he turned to look at Gao Caiyong beside him.

"Investigate for me! Investigate right now! Find everyone who has scratches on them!"

"Yes!"

The truth of the matter finally had a clue. Afterward, finding the murderer who killed Xiao Qing was no longer Nie Jinxuan's business. So after Gao Caiyong took people away, Emperor Shuncheng's expression finally eased, and after a few simple words, he left directly.

Of course, before leaving, Emperor Shuncheng also pardoned Noble Consort Zhang and offered more comfort. Once Emperor Shuncheng left, Empress Duan, the Crown Prince, and others naturally wouldn't stay. They glanced at Noble Consort Zhang with a look that was not quite a smile, and then left. Afterward, other concubines followed, but they didn't have Empress Duan's arrogance, so they could only say some nice things like hindsight, and didn't forget to flatter her a couple of times.

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, the Yongxin Palace courtyard, which had been crowded, suddenly became quiet. Noble Consort Zhang had someone help the already unconscious Yuzhu into the room, and then she came to Nie Jinxuan.

"Jinxuan, I really didn't expect that at the final moment, it was still you who saved me."

At this time, Noble Consort Zhang had a grateful smile on her face. While speaking, she held Nie Jinxuan's hand affectionately, just like before! Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan just smiled slightly and said slowly.

"What is Your Ladyship saying? Before, Your Ladyship also took great care of Jinxuan, didn't you? So Jinxuan doing this now is naturally a matter of course. Besides, even without considering past feelings, Jinxuan believes that with Your Ladyship's character, you would naturally not do such a vicious thing. So Jinxuan is just stating the truth~!"

Nie Jinxuan would not do the thing of claiming credit for herself. Even if she really helped Noble Consort Zhang, she would not be complacent. Hearing Nie Jinxuan say this, Noble Consort Zhang felt even more moved, and the hand holding Nie Jinxuan's tightened by two points.

"Alright, this is not the time for modesty. I am not confused; who is good to me and who saved me, I know in my heart~!"

After speaking, Noble Consort Zhang let go of Nie Jinxuan's hand and walked slowly to Senior Minister Nie, who was still in his seat.

"This time, thanks to Senior Minister for taking action to save me, even not hesitating to enter the palace to see the Emperor despite your illness. This kindness, I am deeply grateful."

Noble Consort Zhang said, and after speaking, she bowed to Senior Minister Nie, who was still sitting in his seat. Seeing this, Senior Minister Nie quickly reached out to support the chair and stood up, then said with a smile.

"Why is Your Ladyship doing this? This humble official just did what should be done! It's not worth mentioning. Your Ladyship, please don't do this; this humble official cannot accept it, cannot accept it!"

Senior Minister Nie had always been a modest person in the court, so he naturally wouldn't be arrogant at this time. But after such a big incident, Noble Consort Zhang naturally couldn't raise her status because of Senior Minister Nie's few modest words, so she thanked him again, her attitude being truly sincere.

Noble Consort Zhang was pardoned, and the gloom that had hovered over Yongxin Palace for many days finally dispersed. Afterward, Noble Consort Zhang invited the Nie father and daughter into the hall for more conversation.

Time passed quickly. Afterward, considering Senior Minister Nie's health, Noble Consort Zhang couldn't keep them for too long, so she had someone send Senior Minister Nie back, strictly instructing them to send him back to the mansion, but she kept Nie Jinxuan behind.

Seeing this, Senior Minister Nie was stunned for a moment, but then smiled and left. Once Senior Minister Nie was gone, Noble Consort Zhang turned to pull Nie Jinxuan's hand and said.

"Jinxuan, sigh, I really don't know what to say. Thank you so much this time, if it weren't for you..."

"Oh, Noble Consort, look at what you're saying. Jinxuan already said, this is what Jinxuan should do, and what I could do. I couldn't just watch Your Ladyship be wronged, right?! So..."

Facing Noble Consort Zhang's thanks again, Nie Jinxuan truly didn't know what to say. But just at this moment, before Nie Jinxuan could finish her words, a voice was heard coming from the opposite side.

"Hmph! That sounds really nice!"

The voice was filled with contempt and disdain. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, who was talking to Noble Consort Zhang, was stunned and turned her head, only to find that the person who had just spoken was none other than Prince Gong, Yin Fengxuan, who had not spoken before!

At this time, seeing Nie Jinxuan looking at him, Yin Fengxuan also squinted at her without showing weakness. At the same time, he spoke again.

"It's a pity, I still don't know what kind of twists and turns are hidden in her heart..."

"You shut your mouth!"

Clearly, Yin Fengxuan had never had any good feelings toward Nie Jinxuan. Although Nie Jinxuan had just saved Noble Consort Zhang, he didn't appreciate it. At this time, hearing this, Noble Consort Zhang, who had a smile on her face, changed instantly, and before he could finish his words, she interrupted him in a deep voice.

Seeing this, Yin Fengxuan was not happy and couldn't help but shout at Noble Consort Zhang.

"Mother, why are you protecting her?! I'm telling you, this woman really doesn't have any good intentions, she..."

"Enough! You shut your dog mouth! If Jinxuan hadn't risked danger to stand up for me this time, I would have been dead by now!"

"Mother! What are you saying? Even without her, Mother..."

"Shut up! Are you trying to say that if it weren't for Jinxuan today, I would have escaped danger too?! Then let me ask you, how would I have escaped? Relying on you?"

Hearing Yin Fengxuan's increasingly excessive words, Noble Consort Zhang was truly angry. Even her face, which had always been gentle and kind, was instantly stained with a layer of frost. Being scolded by Noble Consort Zhang, Yin Fengxuan was speechless. At this time, seeing him stop talking, Noble Consort Zhang eased up slightly, and after a moment, she said again.

"Alright, you get out too, so you don't make me angry here!"

Noble Consort Zhang couldn't stand Yin Fengxuan's attitude. Hearing this, Yin Fengxuan was stunned for a moment, but then he became angry too. He stood up from his seat abruptly and roared unhappily.

"Hmph, I'll go then!"

After speaking, Yin Fengxuan didn't forget to turn and glare at Nie Jinxuan, then left angrily.

First update uploaded, there will be another one later, around 5 PM~! (Dears, don't forget to vote for the monthly ticket~!)

By the way, I haven't seen the 'moody' one for several chapters. I'll bring him out for a stroll in the next chapter~