Chapter 188

Words Fail at Meeting

Yin Fengxuan was driven away by Noble Consort Zhang, and the side hall suddenly became quiet. At this time, watching Yin Fengxuan's departing back, Noble Consort Zhang, who was sitting in her seat, couldn't help but sigh, then turned to Nie Jinxuan and said.

"Sigh, Jinxuan, Xuan'er just has that stubborn temper. Don't pay attention to him; he just can't say anything good. Jinxuan, please don't take it to heart~!"

Although she had been fierce just now, he was her son after all. So once Yin Fengxuan left, Noble Consort Zhang naturally had to comfort Nie Jinxuan. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan smiled and nodded.

Afterward, Noble Consort Zhang and Nie Jinxuan talked affectionately for a while. But as they talked, Noble Consort Zhang looked at Nie Jinxuan quietly for a moment, then suddenly said directly.

"Alright, you all go out first."

Noble Consort Zhang said this to the palace servants serving in the room. The servants bowed and then left quietly. Once they were gone, Noble Consort Zhang pursed her red lips and took Nie Jinxuan's hand again.

"Sigh, Jinxuan, now I don't know who to believe anymore. Think of Xiao Qing, she followed me for at least eight or nine years, but in the end..."

Noble Consort Zhang felt a bit emotional, but after saying this, she sighed helplessly.

"But forget it, just like you said before, you can know a person's face but not their heart. I have learned my lesson too. But Jinxuan, actually, I kept you today, besides wanting to thank you properly, there is actually another matter..."

"Another matter?"

Meeting Noble Consort Zhang's eyes, Nie Jinxuan was a bit puzzled. At this time, she heard Noble Consort Zhang say slowly.

"What I want to talk to you about is Zhan'er's matter... Jinxuan, now that no one is here, tell me the truth. Why did you want to leave Zhan'er back then?"

Back then, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, Emperor Shuncheng told the outside world that Yin Fengzhan had divorced Nie Jinxuan, but Noble Consort Zhang understood that the facts were not so. However, Noble Consort Zhang could not understand why Nie Jinxuan insisted on leaving! After all, Noble Consort Zhang had lived for more than half her life, but she had never heard of any woman who took the initiative to propose a breakup!

At this time, hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was stunned, but then lowered her eyes slightly.

"Your Ladyship, this..."

"Jinxuan, just tell the truth... Sigh, actually, I should have asked about this a long time ago, but I just couldn't think of how to open my mouth, which is why it dragged on until now..."

Noble Consort Zhang became more sincere. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan held Noble Consort Zhang's hand slightly.

"Your Ladyship, there are some things Jinxuan doesn't want to say, but Jinxuan just wants to tell Your Ladyship: perhaps when I proposed the divorce back then, Jinxuan was impulsive, but now, Jinxuan no longer regrets it... After all, there are some things that one person cannot do alone. A husband and wife are two people, sharing fate and advancing or retreating together. If that cannot be done, it is better to separate early. Otherwise, wasting a lifetime, what would be the point?"

Nie Jinxuan didn't want to say much about her and Yin Fengzhan's affairs; after all, some things could not be said. And she had no right to complain to Noble Consort Zhang. Although Noble Consort Zhang was worried in her heart, hearing that Nie Jinxuan didn't want to say more, she couldn't keep pressing her.

Afterward, the two talked some more. Noble Consort Zhang said she was going to see Yuzhu, and then had someone take Nie Jinxuan to the warm pavilion next door to rest. She said she must invite Nie Jinxuan to dinner in the evening before sending her back. Nie Jinxuan couldn't refuse her kindness, so she had to agree.

Nie Jinxuan followed two young palace maids to the warm pavilion. Because of Nie Jinxuan's help to Noble Consort Zhang, the two palace maids were extremely polite to Nie Jinxuan, and there was even a hint of admiration in their eyes.

Nie Jinxuan saw this but didn't say much. Afterward, when the two palace maids left, Nie Jinxuan sat on the soft couch to rest.

Tossing and turning all day, Nie Jinxuan was truly tired. So as soon as she leaned on the soft couch, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but close her eyes... But as soon as she closed her eyes, Nie Jinxuan not only didn't fall asleep, but couldn't help but think of Noble Consort Zhang's matter!

Actually, Noble Consort Zhang suffering this disaster was indeed baffling! Moreover, such a bizarre layout and ruthless methods truly made one's hair stand on end!

But Noble Consort Zhang held a high position and had two princes, Yin Fengxuan and Yin Fengzhan, as her backers. Her status in the palace was not something ordinary people could compare to. Looking at the entire harem, besides Empress Duan, Nie Jinxuan couldn't think of a second person who would dare to attack Noble Consort Zhang!

But why would Empress Duan do this? Was it just to get rid of Noble Consort Zhang, this thorn in her side?! But if so, why send someone to kill Xiao Qing after a few days?! You know, if she had sent someone to kill Xiao Qing the day after the incident on the first, then when the Emperor was at his most furious, seeing that Soul-Nailing Stake, there would be no need to ask: Noble Consort Zhang would be dead for sure!

But what about the facts?! The facts were that after the incident on the night of the first, several days passed before Xiao Qing was killed! By this time, the Emperor had already calmed down slightly from his initial fury. So later, when Xiao Qing's death and the Soul-Nailing Stake were discovered, Emperor Shuncheng was furious and wanted to execute Noble Consort Zhang, but in reality, he didn't... Of course, Gao Caiyong also played a significant role in this. But if Xiao Qing had been killed the day after the incident, presumably, let alone Gao Caiyong, who had followed Emperor Shuncheng for decades, even anyone else couldn't have stopped the murderous intent that had already risen in Emperor Shuncheng!

So, why?! If the mastermind behind this conspiracy was really Empress Duan, why didn't she press her advantage at the critical moment? Instead, she gave Noble Consort Zhang a chance to breathe?! Could it be that Empress Duan's goal was not to get rid of Noble Consort Zhang, but for something else? But what could be more important than getting rid of an old rival of decades?!

Could it be that Empress Duan didn't think of these things? No, impossible! Even such a vicious and seamless scheme could be thought of, how could Empress Duan miscalculate such an obvious loophole? Furthermore, although the methods and arrangements of this conspiracy were perfect, what made Nie Jinxuan's heart palpitate was that Empress Duan had calculated Emperor Shuncheng's mind accurately!

When to be angry, when to have murderous intent, when to calm down... If all this was done by Empress Duan, then she really understood Emperor Shuncheng very deeply! But the more someone understood Emperor Shuncheng like this, how could they not know when to kill Xiao Qing after the incident on the night of the first to give Noble Consort Zhang the most fatal blow?

The logic didn't hold up, and this also proved one thing—this matter was definitely not as simple as framing Noble Consort Zhang!

But as for what it was for, Nie Jinxuan couldn't figure it out no matter what! So, Nie Jinxuan, leaning on the soft couch, couldn't help but furrow her brows... But just at this moment, Nie Jinxuan, who had been closing her eyes, felt something strange for some reason, as if a scorching gaze was looking at her. Immediately, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but furrow her brows tighter, and at the same time opened her eyes. But the moment she opened her eyes, she met a pair of deep, cold, and very familiar eyes!

"... You?!"

Yes, the man who appeared before her was none other than Yin Fengzhan! At this time, he was standing beside the soft couch, his eyes slightly lowered, looking at her quietly, without blinking!

That gaze was filled with profundity, mystery, and words left unsaid... Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan was startled, then sat up abruptly, quickly tidying up her slightly disheveled clothes.

"... Is something the matter?"

Nie Jinxuan tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible. Watching her every move, Yin Fengzhan just pursed his sexy thin lips and said in a low voice.

"Aunt asked me to get something."

"... Oh..."

So Noble Consort Zhang asked him to come...

Thinking this in her heart, Nie Jinxuan responded, then shifted her gaze to the side. At this time, watching Nie Jinxuan no longer looking at him, a dark light couldn't help but flash in Yin Fengzhan's eyes. He turned and walked to a cabinet in the corner of the room, opened it, took something out, and put it into his bosom.

The item was obtained. Afterward, Yin Fengzhan turned around again, and his gaze couldn't help but fall on Nie Jinxuan again. After remaining silent for a full stick of incense, Yin Fengzhan finally spoke in a low voice.

"... Thank you..."

"Your Highness Prince Chen, you are too polite. Noble Consort Zhang has already said this to Jinxuan, so Your Highness really doesn't need to. Besides, Jinxuan helped because I believe in Noble Consort Zhang, and Noble Consort Zhang has always treated Jinxuan with courtesy. Jinxuan couldn't just watch Noble Consort Zhang be wronged for no reason... So, Jinxuan just did what I could do. Your Highness, please don't say any more."

Lowering her head, Nie Jinxuan's words were smooth. While speaking, she didn't raise her head to look at Yin Fengzhan once. At this time, hearing this, Yin Fengzhan, who had been expressionless, instantly froze.

"So... you mean, you only did it for Aunt?"

"Heh... what else did Your Highness think?"

With a light smile, Nie Jinxuan pursed her cherry lips. Then she stood up from the soft couch and said slowly.

"Excuse me, Your Highness, Noble Consort Zhang previously asked Jinxuan to stay for dinner, but Jinxuan just remembered that there are some things at home that haven't been dealt with, so I need to rush back. Therefore, I'd like to ask Your Highness to convey a message to Noble Consort Zhang on my behalf, saying that Jinxuan has gone back first, and will come to the palace another day to apologize to Noble Consort Zhang!"

Saying this, Nie Jinxuan bowed to Yin Fengzhan, then walked out with her head lowered and eyes downcast... But the moment she turned around, she saw Yin Fengzhan's expression stiffen abruptly, and without thinking, he grabbed her.

"Wait!"

Second update uploaded, see you tomorrow~!