Chapter 67: Initial Clues

Initial Clues

Zhou Dexing's voice was as small as could be, but in the eerie silence, it was heard clearly by everyone present.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked, only Empress Duan narrowed her eyes slightly, then sighed helplessly.

"Sigh... this matter really is a case of 'speak of the devil'..."

Whether intentional or unintentional, Empress Duan muttered to herself. After finishing, she sighed again and turned to look at Noble Consort Zhang.

"Noble Consort Zhang, you and I have been sisters in the palace, and I have always trusted you the most. But now, with the big fire at Rongxin Yuan and Talent Lan dying miserably, there must be an explanation... After all, although Talent Lan's status is not high, she is still a little master of Rongxin Yuan, and now there is someone testifying..."

In front of everyone, Empress Duan spoke gently, her words even carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Therefore, in front of everyone, I cannot practice favoritism. So, I wonder if Noble Consort Zhang has any explanation for this?"

Empress Duan said it was an explanation, but in reality, it was no different from questioning Noble Consort Zhang. Noble Consort Zhang, who had been silent all along, finally turned her eyes to look at Empress Duan and smiled slightly.

"Thank you, Empress Niangniang, for trusting this concubine. However, Empress Niangniang just said one thing very correctly, and that is that although Talent Lan's status is not high, she is still a little master of the harem, and like Empress Niangniang and this concubine, she is one of the Emperor's women. Therefore, now that such a thing has happened and Talent Lan has died miserably in the fire, no matter what, we must notify the Emperor... Therefore, if Empress Niangniang doesn't mind, why not wait until the Emperor finishes the morning court and invite him over before we talk? Anyway, it is already the time for the morning court, and I suppose the Emperor will finish soon. What does Empress Niangniang think of this?"

No one expected that even at such a point, Noble Consort Zhang could still smile. And that calm, gentle voice made people feel even more incredible in the tense and eerie Rongxin Yuan.

But upon hearing Noble Consort Zhang say this, the originally kind-looking Empress Niangniang's eyes flashed instantly, and her face sank even further.

"Invite the Emperor?! Does Noble Consort Zhang think that I don't have the right to manage this matter? Or do you think I cannot manage Noble Consort Zhang?"

"Hehe~, Empress Niangniang has misunderstood. How would this concubine dare to do such a rebellious thing? Let alone think it, I wouldn't even dare to imagine it! It's just that this concubine feels it is better for the Emperor to know about this matter! What do you say, Empress Niangniang?"

Facing Empress Duan's aggressive aura, Noble Consort Zhang remained calm throughout. At this moment, meeting Noble Consort Zhang's gentle and even slightly smiling eyes, the originally gloomy Empress Duan instantly curled her lips into a smile.

"Noble Consort Zhang's words naturally have some truth. However, the Emperor is busy with ten thousand matters, and the affairs of the court are already enough to keep him busy. How can we bother the Emperor with the affairs of the harem? Besides, as the mistress of the harem, all I can do is share the Emperor's worries about the harem. Otherwise, wouldn't the phoenix seal in my hands become like a radish in the vegetable market, dispensable?"

"The Emperor worries about the country and the world, and it is only natural for Empress Niangniang to manage the harem. It is just that, Empress Niangniang, a murder case has occurred, and it involves a little master of the harem... Hehe, so not notifying the Emperor, no matter how you say it, doesn't make sense, right!"

"That is of course. After I have investigated this matter clearly and arranged everything properly, I will naturally report it to the Emperor. And it is precisely because of this that I am now asking Noble Consort Zhang. Do you think I have done anything wrong?"

"Hehe~, Empress Niangniang is too serious. How would this concubine dare to question whether Empress Niangniang's arrangements are right or wrong? It's just that..."

The air was filled with a thick smell of gunpowder, and Empress Duan and Noble Consort Zhang were at daggers drawn, each sticking to their own arguments. At this moment, before Noble Consort Zhang could finish her words, a transmission sound suddenly came from outside.

"The Emperor has arrived—" ===== CHAPTER 68 =====