Chapter 190

Investigate to the End

In the large side hall of Deyang Palace, there was no sound. Yin Fenghan looked at Empress Duan with a smile that was not quite a smile, his narrow eyes filled with an unfathomable depth.

Concubine Li and Yin Fengjin around them didn't dare to speak, but Empress Duan's expression froze instantly, and she turned her eyes to look at Yin Fenghan.

"Han'er, are you doubting me?"

Empress Duan's voice was a bit gloomy, and her expression was also sharp. Hearing this, Yin Fenghan's eyes flashed instantly, and he curled his lips into a smile.

"Hehe~, Mother misunderstood. I just think this matter is a bit suspicious, so I asked an extra question... Of course, it is precisely because I believe in Mother that I think this matter shouldn't have been done by Mother. After all, if Noble Consort Zhang were so easy to topple, Mother would have dealt with her long ago, so why wait for so many years~!"

Yin Fenghan's words were filled with flattery. Hearing this, Empress Duan's expression eased slightly. But at this time, Concubine Li on the side widened her eyes in surprise.

"What? This matter wasn't handled by the Empress?"

Concubine Li clearly wasn't good at reading the room. Hearing this, Empress Duan, whose expression had just eased, glared at her instantly.

"Concubine Li, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that such things are all done by me?"

"Uh... no, I didn't mean that, I just think that in this palace, besides you, Empress, who else would dare to attack Zhang Jingya..."

This time, Concubine Li finally knew she had poked a hornet's nest, so she explained immediately. Afterward, once Concubine Li's words fell, Prince Yun, Yin Fengjin, on the side also nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Empress, it's not that Mother is suspicious and doesn't believe you, but this matter really makes everyone think so... Of course, whether it's Big Brother, Mother, or me, we all believe in you, Empress. If you say it's not, then it naturally isn't!"

"Hmph! Forget it, I know what you're thinking, but this matter really has nothing to do with me~!"

Empress Duan said in a deep voice. After saying this, she paused, then raised her eyes to look into the distance before continuing.

"This plan was truly excellent! It's just a pity that Nie Jinxuan ruined the matter in the end. It seems that Zhang Jingya is indeed fearless; she pretends to be pitiful on the surface and doesn't move, but in reality, she secretly went out of the palace to find help... Hmph, but forget it, I just need to know that there is still someone in this palace who wants to deal with Zhang Jingya, and they are also a capable person..."

"But then again, I hope that person is sensible. If she wants to deal with Zhang Jingya, or anyone else, I don't care. But don't mess with me, otherwise, I will definitely make her leave no bones behind!"

While saying this, a scorching ferocity flashed in Empress Duan's eyes. Seeing this, Concubine Li and the others present couldn't help but be startled, and even Crown Prince Yin Fenghan couldn't help but purse his lips.

But afterward, Empress Duan twitched her brows slightly and said in a low voice.

"Alright, you all go down. I'm tired and want to rest."

Empress Duan dismissed Crown Prince Yin Fenghan and the others. Hearing this, they responded and then got up and left.

Crown Prince Yin Fenghan and Concubine Li left. In the blink of an eye, only Empress Duan and Xiangyi were left in the side hall of Deyang Palace.

Watching the backs of Yin Fenghan and the others get further and further away until they disappeared, Empress Duan, who had been gloomy, instantly calmed down. In her beautiful brows and eyes, there was no longer half the gloom and anger from before.

At this time, Xiangyi, who was standing behind, looked outside, then stepped forward to Empress Duan's side.

"Empress, are we really going to let Noble Consort Zhang go this time?"

Lowering her voice, Xiangyi frowned and spoke softly. At this time, hearing this, Empress Duan couldn't help but laugh coldly.

"What else?"

Asking Xiangyi back, Empress Duan stood up slowly and walked slowly to the entrance of the side hall, looking at the bright sunshine outside.

"Zhang Jingya and I have fought for a lifetime. Do you think she is really that simple?! And this incident has already alarmed the Emperor. I will definitely be suspected too. If we keep suppressing her now, it won't be Zhang Jingya who gets hurt, but me! Know when to stop; you should understand this point!"

"Yes, your servant understands."

Listening to Empress Duan's words, Xiangyi nodded respectfully. At this time, Empress Duan looked at her and said again.

"Alright, you don't need to be annoyed, actually it's nothing! Anyway, the purpose of this matter wasn't on Zhang Jingya, so it doesn't matter. It's just that..."

Speaking of this, Empress Duan paused again, then changed the subject.

"However, I have suffered heavy losses this time! Several important chess pieces have been destroyed! So you go and tell him: I only help him this once, let him solve the matter quickly, and don't drag me down again!"

That night, the Imperial Study in the palace.

Emperor Shuncheng was sitting behind the dragon desk, reading a state letter sent by a neighboring country.

The surroundings were extremely quiet, with only the occasional crackling sound of the flickering candle flame. But not long after, faint footsteps were heard, and Gao Caiyong walked in from outside with his head lowered.

"Your Majesty, the person has been caught."

Gao Caiyong spoke in a low voice. Hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng continued to look at the state letter in his hand, not moving at all.

Seeing this, Gao Caiyong didn't dare to speak again, so he stood respectfully to the side, silently lowering his head without a word.

Time passed. After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Shuncheng finally put down the state letter in his hand and looked up at Gao Caiyong beside him.

"Who is it?"

"A handyman from the back hall. A few days ago, Yongxin Palace was short of hands, and he was just transferred over."

"Has the mastermind been found?"

"That person committed suicide."

"What?"

According to the clues provided by Nie Jinxuan, they had finally found the murderer who killed Xiao Qing and dared to attack him, but this murderer had committed suicide... This undoubtedly caused Emperor Shuncheng's anger to surge!

Watching Emperor Shuncheng's expression instantly turn gloomy, Gao Caiyong lowered his head immediately.

"Your servant is incompetent."

Actually, the person bit the poison hidden in his mouth the moment he was caught, so no matter how Gao Caiyong guarded, he couldn't stop it. But in front of Emperor Shuncheng, all explanations were pale. So Gao Caiyong just admitted his mistake without saying another word.

Having been by his side for decades, how could Emperor Shuncheng not know Gao Caiyong?! So seeing him like this, Emperor Shuncheng pursed his thin lips.

"Alright, I don't blame you! Besides, the other party wanted to die, presumably they were well-prepared. Even if you were prepared, you couldn't have stopped them."

Saying this, Emperor Shuncheng stood up and paced slowly to the entrance of the Imperial Study.

"But this matter is extremely bizarre. The mastermind not only understood my mind clearly but even dared to attack me. Clearly, their background is not small..."

With his hands clasped behind his back, looking at the vast sky in the darkness, Emperor Shuncheng said almost to himself. Hearing this, Gao Caiyong, who followed, couldn't help but nod, but then furrowed his brows slightly.

"Your Majesty, could it be that Your Majesty suspects it is the Empress..."

The harem is not small, but it is not big either. But if one really dares to frame Noble Consort Zhang, and is even bold enough to attack the Emperor, besides Empress Duan, presumably there is no one else!

But at this time, hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng shook his head slightly.

"She has the guts, but unfortunately, she doesn't have the brains! However, this matter happened in the harem, so it's not guaranteed that it doesn't have anything to do with her!"

When saying this, a hint of ferocity surfaced in the depths of Emperor Shuncheng's eyes, but then it instantly faded away. Hearing this, Gao Caiyong also restrained his expression.

"Yes, your servant will definitely investigate this matter to the end! Daring to attack Your Majesty, if such a villain is not found, who knows what they will do in the future!"

"En, this matter is left to you! Remember, it is better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let one go! I would like to see who has such great courage!"

"Yes!"

Responding respectfully, Gao Caiyong also felt a chill in his heart. At this time, after handing the matter over to Gao Caiyong, Emperor Shuncheng's expression eased slightly. Then he said directly.

"Alright, I'll go out for a walk."

Saying this, Emperor Shuncheng strode out directly.

Night, silent and still.

Emperor Shuncheng walked alone on the bluestone road of the palace. The cold moonlight reflected his figure, casting a long shadow, faintly revealing a hint of bizarreness.

Since the last incident, the palace had strengthened its defenses. From time to time, one could see teams of imperial guards walking by with weapons, adding an indescribable tension to such a bizarre night.

But Emperor Shuncheng turned a deaf ear and walked leisurely. It seemed aimless, but it was as if he knew where he was going. Finally, after an unknown amount of time, Emperor Shuncheng slowly stopped after passing a rockery and a moon gate.

This was a secluded courtyard. It was not particularly large, but it was quiet and elegant. The cold moonlight reflected the small bridge and flowing water in the courtyard, and the ancient trees reached the sky, carrying a fascinating atmosphere, mixed with the scent of night-blooming jasmine, making one feel even more relaxed and happy.

At this time, Emperor Shuncheng stood in the courtyard, looking at everything around him quietly. But just at this moment, he discovered a black shadow squatting in the corner. Emperor Shuncheng was stunned for a moment, then walked over slowly.

"What are you doing?"

Emperor Shuncheng's voice was not loud. Hearing this, the figure squatting in the corner slowly stood up and turned around.

"Uh... so it's Your Majesty. It's so late, and Your Majesty hasn't rested yet~!"

The person spoke lightly, his gentle voice very calm. At this time, looking at the person before him, Emperor Shuncheng just pursed his lips and nodded, then walked to the person's side, first looked at the peony flowers blooming well behind him, and then let his gaze fall on the person's face.

"Aren't you the same?"

Second update uploaded, see you tomorrow~!