Chapter 232: Want to See You!

I want to see you!

Noble Consort Ning did not commit suicide; this is undoubtedly an important clue!

At this moment, not only Gao Caiyong, but even Yin Fengzhan's expression grew slightly solemn.

For a moment, the stone chamber fell silent again, save for Emperor Shuncheng's frenzied howls. At that point, Nie Jinxuan sighed, then said

"Moreover, Lord Gao, since you previously had the Imperial Hospital's Doctor Li examine Noble Consort Ning's corpse, may I ask where Doctor Li is now?"

"Um... he... he's already dead!"

"Dead? When?"

"Um... probably more than twenty years ago... this old servant recalls it was shortly after Noble Consort Ning and Prince Xiang's incident..."

Though puzzled, Gao Caiyong answered Nie Jinxuan's questions in full detail. Yet just as he finished, he was suddenly startled, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Wait! Could it be that Doctor Li was instructed by someone back then, and later silenced..."

Having served in the palace for so long, Gao Caiyong was no fool. So when Nie Jinxuan asked, the thought immediately occurred to him. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan nodded slightly.

"Hmm, that's possible. However, there's something I can't figure out... The Imperial Hospital has many physicians; how did Lord Gao specifically locate Doctor Li?"

"Um... because Doctor Li was normally the physician attending Noble Consort Ning, so this old servant..."

"Ah, I see. That makes sense! The mastermind must have anticipated this, which is why they secretly bribed Doctor Li..."

Nie Jinxuan formed a conjecture, but at that moment, after his shock, Gao Caiyong furrowed his brow slightly, then suddenly said

"But Princess, when I originally sought someone to investigate Noble Consort Ning's death, it was merely a momentary impulse of mine—no one else knew! Even if the other side bribed Doctor Li, had I not boldly acted, wouldn't their effort be superfluous?"

"Superfluous?! Lord Gao, that's wrong; that's preparation against misfortune! Moreover, I think even if Lord Gao hadn't done so, the other side would still find a way to make Doctor Li appear."

Anyone capable of orchestrating such matters could not be a mere commoner, so these events were naturally within the other's expectations. Upon hearing this, Lord Gao was stunned, then found himself speechless.

For a moment, the scene fell silent again. Meanwhile, Nie Jinxuan sighed softly, rose, stood beside Yin Fengzhan, and looked up toward the now‑raving, almost unrecognizable Emperor Shuncheng.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, calm down. Look at me—do you still know who I am?"

Nie Jinxuan's voice was very soft, as if fearing to startle Emperor Shuncheng. Yet regardless of what she said, the emperor kept howling and struggling, and if Yin Fengzhan hadn't swiftly blocked him, he might have even scratched Nie Jinxuan!

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan felt not fear but increased sorrow. She glanced at Yin Fengzhan, then fixed her gaze on the emperor's face.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Look at me..."

"Ah—"

"Your Majesty..."

"Wan'er—ah—"

Seeing Emperor Shuncheng lose his reason, Nie Jinxuan clenched her teeth, raised her hand, and slapped him.

Slap—

In an instant, a deafening slap rang out, followed by Nie Jinxuan shouting with a raw throat

"Your Majesty, listen to me: Noble Consort Ning did not betray you!"

She uttered it with all her strength. After that roar, Emperor Shuncheng indeed froze, eyes wide, staring blankly ahead, showing no reaction at all!

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan sighed helplessly, turned to Yin Fengzhan. At that moment, Yin Fengzhan released his grip. After a pause, the previously motionless Emperor Shuncheng finally moved, and under Nie Jinxuan and others' gaze, he stepped toward Noble Consort Ning...

Emperor Shuncheng walked slowly, his hair disheveled, his robes stained with unknown blood, his expression increasingly vacant. After a while, he reached Noble Consort Ning, then with a 'Thump—' collapsed onto the ground, slowly reaching out to embrace her again.

"Wuwu... wuwu..."

Emperor Shuncheng cried again; the frenzy gone, only indescribable sorrow remained. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but weep, then stepped forward slowly, crouched beside the emperor, and whispered

"Your Majesty, listen to what An Guo says... Noble Consort Ning did not drown. Though An Guo still doesn't know the exact cause of her death, the earlier claim that she jumped into Hehuachi to commit suicide is certainly false! Since she didn't kill herself, there is no betrayal of Your Majesty..."

"Moreover, Lord Gao, worried for Your Majesty and doubting Noble Consort Ning's death, had asked Doctor Li of the Imperial Hospital to examine her corpse. Yet Doctor Li panicked then, and shortly thereafter died under mysterious circumstances. This further confirms that there must be hidden facts behind Noble Consort Ning's death..."

Word by word, Nie Jinxuan spoke calmly and clearly, while Emperor Shuncheng only wailed, not even glancing at her. Watching him, Nie Jinxuan was at a loss, but then Yin Fengzhan strode forward and pulled Nie Jinxuan up.

Suddenly, Nie Jinxuan was slightly stunned, then looked up to meet Yin Fengzhan's calm face. Before she could speak, Yin Fengzhan's eyes flickered, turning toward Gao Caiyong nearby.

"It's yours now."

Having said that, Yin Fengzhan grabbed Nie Jinxuan and strode out of the stone chamber, simultaneously disabling all the hidden mechanisms in the secret passage.

…

And so, leaving Emperor Shuncheng behind, Yin Fengzhan led Nie Jinxuan away. Neither spoke as they emerged from the secret passage into the courtyard, where Nie Jinxuan finally exhaled softly.

It was now dawn. Thick clouds hung on the horizon, as if awaiting sunrise, when the first ray of light would pierce the layers and finally disperse the mist.

Besides that, a courtyard of Imperial Guards stood, each holding their breath, eyes heavy yet vigilant toward Yin Fengzhan, yet none dared to charge.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan behind Yin Fengzhan felt a flicker of worry, but then Yin Fengzhan's eyes sharpened, scanning the faces of the Imperial Guards, his expression darkening.

"Step aside!"

Yin Fengzhan's voice was cold as a blade, making the guards shiver, yet they remained unmoving. Seeing this, his eyes flashed murderous again, but at that moment Nie Jinxuan reached out and grabbed him.

"Fengzhan, wait, don't act rashly."

Leaning against his back, Nie Jinxuan whispered. Hearing this, Yin Fengzhan was startled. Then Nie Jinxuan stepped out from his protection, pulling from her bosom the 'Yu' token she always carried.

"Brothers, tonight's events were sudden and caused you trouble. But now everything's fine; the Emperor is still inside, Lord Gao is here, all is well. So there's no need to linger. As for Prince Chen and I, we won't leave the palace; we'll remain at Ningxin Pavilion. If the Emperor issues punishments later, just come to Ningxin Pavilion to arrest people!"

Nie Jinxuan's face remained calm. Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guards froze, glanced at Nie Jinxuan, then at Yin Fengzhan, exchanged silent looks, and a guard captain stepped forward, speaking solemnly

"Since Princess An Guo says so, and holds the 'Yu' token, I, your humble servant, will believe the princess!"

As he spoke, the captain stepped back, raised his hand, and the Imperial Guards that had blocked Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan retreated, clearing a path.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but smile gently, then nodded at the guard captain, and walked out with Yin Fengzhan.

With the final crisis averted, Nie Jinxuan felt considerably relieved. Yet as the two stepped out of the Imperial Guards' encirclement, she was suddenly taken aback.

It turned out that behind the guards, at the entrance of the courtyard's Moon Gate, stood a person— the elderly eunuch Nie Jinxuan had seen late last night tending the garden.

At that moment, as Nie Jinxuan saw the eunuch, the eunuch also saw her, bowed respectfully, then turned and left... Watching his back, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but frown.

The restless night finally passed.

Later, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan returned to Ningxin Pavilion. The next afternoon, after Nie Jinxuan had just finished lunch, a young palace maid came in with a message: Gao Caiyong had arrived.

Gao Caiyong's arrival surprised Nie Jinxuan a little. Soon after, Gao Caiyong walked in on his own. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Gao Caiyong slightly lifted his head, gave Nie Jinxuan a glance, and then said in a gentle voice.

"Princess, actually I have come to deliver a message: the Emperor just woke up and said he wishes to see the Princess…"

I'll post at the second watch; see you tomorrow.