Chapter 235: Where to Go?

Where are we going?

In fact, Nie Jinxuan knew clearly in her heart that Long Jingyun, though he said a hundred and eighty times that he didn't want to, still wanted to help. Otherwise, given his temperament, even if Yin Fengzhan really took ruthless action, he wouldn't submit! At least he wouldn't submit so easily!

Of course, Yin Fengzhan also saw his thoughts, so he deliberately acted so recklessly, giving him a convenient way out!

The three understood each other without words. Immediately after they left the secret room together, Long Jingyun wrote a letter on the spot and handed it to Nie Jinxuan.

"All right, I've written it. Then give this letter to Lao Bo of the Drunken Willow Pavilion in West City; they'll handle it naturally."

Long Jingyun spoke plainly, and before Nie Jinxuan could reply, he turned and walked outward, but after only two steps he suddenly stopped.

"By the way, if anyone asks, don't mention me! I'm telling you, don't say it! Not even under threat of death!"

Finally, Long Jingyun reminded her once more, then vanished in a flash.

Nie Jinxuan didn't know exactly what the Drunken Willow Pavilion was, but the name gave her some idea. Moreover, West City is full of flower-and-willow districts, so she naturally understood what the Drunken Willow Pavilion referred to!

But at this moment, what concerned Nie Jinxuan wasn't how odd the Drunken Willow Pavilion was, but her surprise that Long Jingyun would have a brothel deliver a message—what could that mean?!

Moreover, Long Jingyun had previously said that Peach Blossom Frost was made by his mother, and later, disliking its faintly weeping scent, he stopped making it. Such a strange person...

Thus, for a moment Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but become curious about Long Jingyun's origins and background. But the matter was urgent, so she had no time to ponder further and promptly sent someone to deliver the letter out of the palace.

The true cause of Noble Consort Ning's death finally had a clue. Now they only awaited a reply from Long Jingyun's mother; once she reveals to whom she gave the Peach Blossom Frost, they will know who poisoned Noble Consort Ning!

Suddenly, the situation seemed to take a huge turn. Yet the one-month deadline left only two days, and although Emperor Shun Cheng did not mention it again, Nie Jinxuan was still slightly worried; after all, the ruler's heart is unpredictable, and who knows if, after one night, the ever-suspicious Emperor Shun Cheng might turn cold and ruthless?!

Thus, in this torment, two days passed. Then, on the night of the final day, Emperor Shun Cheng indeed sent someone to deliver a message: he wanted to see her!

This time, the messenger was not Gao Caiyong, so Nie Jinxuan couldn't inquire much; she changed into palace attire, tidied herself, and went with Yin Fengzhan to Emperor Shun Cheng's bedchamber.

When Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan arrived at Emperor Shun Cheng's bedchamber, he was leaning on a soft couch, resting. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan hurriedly bowed.

"An Guo has seen His Majesty."

Nie Jinxuan spoke softly. At that moment, hearing the sound, Emperor Shun Cheng barely opened his eyes, then upon seeing Nie Jinxuan, he glanced sideways at Yin Fengzhan, who stood with a motionless expression, head turned elsewhere without any respect, and Emperor Shun Cheng couldn't help but press his lips together.

"Alright, get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

She answered respectfully, then Nie Jinxuan straightened up. As she lifted her head, she was slightly startled.

Clearly, Emperor Shun Cheng looked much healthier today than the previous two days. Though his face remained gaunt, his graying hair was tied at the back, and his sunken eyes still lacked their former clarity, a faint, sharp aura was already spreading. Given time, he would surely recover.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan slightly eased her mind. At that moment, Emperor Shun Cheng glanced at Gao Caiyong, who quietly dismissed all the palace staff from the bedchamber.

In an instant, only Emperor Shun Cheng, Yin Fengzhan, and Nie Jinxuan remained in the room. Then Emperor Shun Cheng spoke on his own.

"Today is the last day of the one-month deadline; is there any result?"

Emperor Shun Cheng's voice was calm; hearing this, Nie Jinxuan sensed no accusation, and she silently exhaled, then said

"Your Majesty, the matter has made great progress. It has been confirmed that Noble Consort Ning did not drown; she was secretly poisoned to death!"

"... poisoned to death?!"

A flash of surprise crossed Emperor Shun Cheng's face.

"W-what poison? How was she poisoned?"

Emperor Shun Cheng's voice trembled with suppressed excitement, his eyes instantly sharpened. Seeing his momentary agitation, Nie Jinxuan stopped beating around the bush and whispered

"It is Peach Blossom Frost, a very strange poison. The victim's whole body turns pinkish, and judging from the faint hue on Noble Consort Ning, we can infer that someone administered the poison to her gradually over time, ultimately causing her death!"

"Now we have found the person who made the Peach Blossom Frost back then, so if we ask them who took it, we can locate the original poisoner!"

Nie Jinxuan poured out everything at once. At that moment, Emperor Shun Cheng could no longer restrain his trembling and collapsed instantly... Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan was shocked, but before she could react, a figure beside her rushed forward and helped Emperor Shun Cheng to his feet.

It was Yin Fengzhan!

Immediately, Nie Jinxuan felt a slight comfort. At that moment, Emperor Shun Cheng slowly opened his eyes and, seeing Yin Fengzhan supporting him, felt even deeper sorrow.

But Emperor Shun Cheng still forced himself to endure, his body trembling, yet he did not cry out. Then Yin Fengzhan gave him a glance and turned his head aside.

Yin Fengzhan said nothing; seeing this, Nie Jinxuan sighed again, then hurried forward to help steady Emperor Shun Cheng.

At this point, Nie Jinxuan didn't know what to say. After a while, Emperor Shun Cheng calmed himself, pushed Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan aside, steadied himself, and then said

"What about the Prince Xiang matter? Still not found?"

The Noble Consort Ning case now has clues; only the Prince Xiang issue remains. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan frowned and shook her head.

"Please excuse An Guo's inability; Prince Xiang still has not..."

If possible, Nie Jinxuan truly wished to give Emperor Shun Cheng good news. In her eyes, he was no longer the awe-inspiring ruler of old, but an elderly man burdened with lifelong sorrow. He needed comfort, reassurance, truth... so Nie Jinxuan did not want to disappoint him!

But reality was such, and Nie Jinxuan could do nothing. Upon hearing this, Emperor Shun Cheng's expression remained unchanged, yet a hint of decline surfaced in his eyes.

For a moment, the vast bedchamber fell silent again. No one spoke, unsure what to say... At that instant, Nie Jinxuan, who had been looking down, blinked slightly, frowned in thought, then abruptly looked up at Emperor Shun Cheng.

"Your Majesty, An Guo wishes to ask you something; though it's hard to speak, please answer truthfully!"

"... Speak."

Nie Jinxuan's expression was cautious; hearing this, Emperor Shun Cheng's eyes flickered, but after a brief silence he still agreed. Nie Jinxuan then exhaled and asked softly

"Actually, An Guo wants to ask, according to reports, Prince Xiang was also deeply fond of Noble Consort Ning, though his feelings were bound by propriety... So An Guo wishes to know: Your Majesty, how deep do you think Prince Xiang's affection for Noble Consort Ning was?"

Nie Jinxuan's words carried an inexplicable oddness. Hearing this, not only Emperor Shun Cheng but also Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but frown, then glanced at Nie Jinxuan.

At this moment, Emperor Shun Cheng's expression grew increasingly gloomy, and after a moment his complexion turned terribly pale, yet he spoke with restrained tone

"Why bring this up?"

"Because the matter is crucial now! It even affects whether we can locate Prince Xiang!"

Nie Jinxuan spoke earnestly, and after silently watching her for a while, Emperor Shun Cheng barely pressed his lips together, then forced his slightly agitated feelings under control and exhaled

"I don't know how deep Second Imperial Brother's feelings for Wan Er are, but at least they shouldn't be less than mine!"

When Emperor Shun Cheng said this, Nie Jinxuan could not imagine his inner feelings. At the end, Emperor Shun Cheng turned his head elsewhere and waved his hand

"Alright, go down. I'm tired!"

The sight of Emperor Shun Cheng's decline made people feel heartbroken. Afterwards, Nie Jinxuan also didn't want to say anything more, so she left together with Yin Fengzhan. But as soon as the two left Emperor Shun Cheng's sleeping quarters, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but glance at Nie Jinxuan.

"Where are we going?"

As if knowing Nie Jinxuan's thoughts, Yin Fengzhan wore a calm expression. Upon hearing those words, Nie Jinxuan, however, lifted her head to glance at him, then pursed her lips and smiled.

"Just follow me!"

Saying that, Nie Jinxuan went ahead directly. Seeing this, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, then followed after her…… Yin Fengzhan never expected that Nie Jinxuan would actually come to the forbidden area of the imperial palace again!

But this time, Nie Jinxuan did not go to the secret chamber; instead, she went straight to a small side room outside the forbidden area's courtyard. Then, amid Yin Fengzhan's puzzlement, she reached out and pushed open the door…

Today's ten-thousand-word update, the first part uploaded first, then continuing during the day……