Chapter 228: The So-Called Method

The So-Called Method

Actually, Nie Jinxuan originally wanted to say, 'I want to examine Noble Consort Ning's body', but thinking that opening Prince Xiang's coffin for examination was a huge ordeal, then if it were Noble Consort Ning, Emperor Shuncheng would definitely not agree!

So, afraid that Emperor Shuncheng would be angry from shame, Nie Jinxuan cleverly changed the wording. But even so, Nie Jinxuan was not sure if Emperor Shuncheng would agree to her. Afterward, it was indeed as Nie Jinxuan had expected; as soon as Nie Jinxuan's words fell, Emperor Shuncheng's expression turned cold instantly, and he turned around and roared without thinking:

"No!"

Emperor Shuncheng's momentum was fully unleashed, and his anger spread to every corner of the room with that explosive roar. At this time, hearing this, Nie Jinxuan could not help but frown, but before she could speak, Yin Fengzhan, who had been silent all along, said in a low voice:

"Why not?"

Yin Fengzhan's expression was unmoved, his gaze cold. Hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's expression instantly stiffened, and meeting his eyes, Emperor Shuncheng's expression became extremely ugly.

"We said no, so no!"

"You..."

"Alright, Fengzhan, stop talking!"

Seeing that Yin Fengzhan and Emperor Shuncheng were about to quarrel again, Nie Jinxuan interrupted Yin Fengzhan at the right moment. But clearly, Yin Fengzhan did not intend to stop; although he did not speak, his eyes kept looking at Emperor Shuncheng without blinking.

Seeing this, Emperor Shuncheng, who was already extremely angry, became even more furious.

"Get out! Get out at once! We don't want to see you again!"

Emperor Shuncheng was shaking with anger. At this time, Yin Fengzhan just snorted coldly and then walked out

……

Emerging from Emperor Shuncheng's bedchamber, Yin Fengzhan returned straight to Ningxin Yuan. A short while later, Nie Jinxuan also walked back quickly. As soon as she entered the room, she dismissed the few young palace maids and went straight to Yin Fengzhan.

"Fengzhan, what are you trying to do?"

In the past, Emperor Shuncheng and Yin Fengzhan had kept their distance, maintaining a state of relative peace. But now, ever since the matter of Noble Consort Ning was brought up, Yin Fengzhan hadn't shown a pleasant face whenever they met. His usual calmness and composure had been thrown to the winds; he had completely turned into a powder keg!

Nie Jinxuan couldn't fathom what was going on in Yin Fengzhan's mind, yet she felt he was like an immature child going through puberty—stubborn, rebellious, covered in thorns, and maddeningly awkward!

At this moment, hearing Nie Jinxuan's words, Yin Fengzhan remained silent, turning his head to the side as if he had no intention of speaking. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had been trying to use kind words, suddenly frowned. She reached out, grabbed Yin Fengzhan's head with both hands, and forcefully twisted it back.

"Yin Fengzhan, let me tell you, don't you dare pull this with me! I am not the Emperor, and you can stop giving me that look!"

Nie Jinxuan did not have a good temper. As soon as she finished speaking, she pursed her cherry lips, stepped forward, and stared straight into the eyes of the Yin Fengzhan before her.

Today, Yin Fengzhan was wearing a crescent-colored Confucian robe, his ink-black hair tied casually behind his head, which actually lessened his usual coldness and sternness, adding a touch of elegance and handsomeness. Even the young palace maids in the room who heard the sound and looked up could not help but blush. But at this moment, Yin Fengzhan did not even look at them, his gaze falling directly on Nie Jinxuan.

The more Nie Jinxuan spoke, the angrier she became, her voice rising in volume. Hearing this, Yin Fengzhan reached out and swatted her hand away, his expression remaining gloomy as he said:

"He brought it on himself!"

"Even if he did, he has already been punished. What more do you want?"

"I don't want anything! I just don't want to see him!"

"But he is your father!"

"He is not!"

With a sudden roar, Yin Fengzhan sprang up with a 'thump', then glared at Nie Jinxuan with furious, narrowed eyes.

"He is not! He never was!"

His angry face was twisted; at this moment, Yin Fengzhan looked like a provoked beast. Meeting his bloodshot, rage-filled eyes, Nie Jinxuan, who had also been furious, couldn't help but purse her lips again. She slowly stepped forward and reached out to embrace him.

For a time, the vast room was deathly silent. Nie Jinxuan held Yin Fengzhan quietly without speaking. Finally, after a long while—long enough for the flames of rage radiating from the man she held to gradually cool—she leaned closer into his warm embrace and whispered:

"Fengzhan, don't be like this!"

Nie Jinxuan spoke softly, her words filled with comfort. Only then did she slowly lift her head to meet his eyes again.

"Fengzhan, I know you resist the idea that you and the Emperor are father and son. But Fengzhan, you must know that although Eunuch Gao said Noble Consort Ning gave birth to you prematurely, there are things you might not understand. People say a woman carries a child for ten months, but in fact, it should be about 12-14 weeks, with seven days in a week. Furthermore, a fetus that has reached about 10 weeks is generally not considered premature!"

"Therefore, it wasn't strange that Noble Consort Ning gave birth a month earlier than the expected date. Besides, even if it were premature, so what? That doesn't prove you aren't the Emperor's child. You should know the situation back then, Fengzhan. The Emperor sent Noble Consort Ning out of the palace largely to protect her. From this point alone, one can see the inner palace was not stable at the time. And since Noble Consort Ning was the woman the Emperor loved most, think about it, Fengzhan: if she had successfully given birth to an imperial prince, what would the result have been?"

"The Emperor poured all his affection into Noble Consort Ning. Therefore, I can say with certainty that there were countless people who wished her or the child in her womb harm! Because once she gave birth to a prince, he would likely have been named Crown Prince. In such a situation, it is only natural that someone would use underhanded tactics!"

Nie Jinxuan voiced the thoughts she had kept hidden. Having said this, she slowly straightened up, pulled away from his embrace, and took Yin Fengzhan's hand.

"Besides, not to mention anything else, just look at how you have repeatedly shown disrespect to the Emperor these days. He is so ill he has nearly fainted from anger several times, yet what has he done to you? Has he had you beaten? Has he had you locked up? Even when you broke into the Imperial Study, the Emperor, in his extreme rage, only had you thrown into the Celestial Prison without giving any further orders. How can you not understand such intentions?"

In truth, Emperor Shuncheng and Yin Fengzhan were both men who were clumsy with emotions. They could be decisive and ruthless in their careers, but they were always ridiculously immature when it came to feelings, whether it be family or love!

At this moment, whether it was because Nie Jinxuan's words had truly taken effect or because Yin Fengzhan felt he had been angry enough, his expression softened slightly. After a moment, he sat back down and said in a low voice:

"Then what do you plan to do next?"

Yin Fengzhan finally changed the subject. A smile flickered in Nie Jinxuan's eyes as she stepped forward to lean against him, speaking in the same low, slow tone:

"What else can I do? Keep trying to persuade the Emperor!"

As she spoke, her expression tightened.

"However, this matter is truly difficult. The Emperor's feelings for Noble Consort Ning are too deep, so even if I keep talking, I don't think he will necessarily agree. But given the current situation, Prince Xiang faked his death and disappeared years ago. Everyone connected to Noble Consort Ning back then cannot be found. With no clues left, we can only start with Noble Consort Ning's well-preserved remains..."

Speaking of the serious matter, Nie Jinxuan fell into a dilemma again. On one hand, she wanted to uncover the truth, but on the other, the resistance was immense, leaving her unsure of what to do.

Nie Jinxuan worried to herself. At this moment, seeing her furrowed brows, a flash of brilliance crossed Yin Fengzhan's eyes. A moment later, he whispered:

"There is nothing difficult about it. I have my own way!"

……

Nie Jinxuan was curious about Yin Fengzhan's method. It wasn't until that night, when she was carried by Yin Fengzhan through the moonlight, that she finally understood: his so-called method was to break into the palace!

Nie Jinxuan felt some fear. But since things had come to this, she had no choice. She could only reach out and wrap her arms around Yin Fengzhan's neck, waiting for him to take her to the forbidden palace grounds where Noble Consort Ning's remains were sealed!

Then, in the dark of night, Yin Fengzhan moved like a phantom. Before long, they arrived at the forbidden grounds. After using a small pebble to lure away the guards patrolling the courtyard, Yin Fengzhan carried Nie Jinxuan inside, set her down, and walked to the wall to open a secret passage.

"There are traps inside. Follow me!"

With that, Yin Fengzhan took Nie Jinxuan's hand and led her inside...

Feeling their way along, Nie Jinxuan was finally led by Yin Fengzhan to the innermost stone chamber. Looking at everything before her, she was stunned. Then, her gaze fell upon the crystal coffin placed in the center of the room...

"This is..."

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