klisemfg Chapter 85 They tricked her in collusion with the Crown Prince.
Chapter 85 They tricked her in collusion with the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness, the missing weapons have been found in the small kitchen of Xianning Palace!"
"Bring it up." Jun Yinghuai's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
Uncle Wang was right!
With a wave of his hand, the soldier brought up all the weapons he had found and placed them in front of Consort Shu and the Crown Prince.
The weapon fell to the ground, and Consort Shu trembled. Her eyes widened, and panic and suspicion flashed wildly in them.
"How can this be……"
She pushed Chunlan aside, fell to the ground, and picked up the weapons with both hands to examine them closely.
It was cold and sharp to the touch, undoubtedly a weapon!
It also has the insignia of the Imperial Guard on it...
How did these things end up in Xianning Palace?!
Could it be... that Marquis Wu'an plotted against her?!
Could it be that he feigned allegiance and actually conspired with the Crown Prince to outmaneuver her?
The thought of this possibility sent a chill down Consort Shu's spine.
Her fingertips trembled, and she slumped to the ground somewhat undignifiedly.
“Your Majesty…” Chunlan stepped forward to help her.
Jun Yinghuai raised his eyes with a half-smile, "The evidence is conclusive, what else does Consort Shu have to say?"
Consort Shu was startled and stood up with Chunlan's help, explaining in a flustered manner, "I was framed!"
"Oh?" Jun Yinghuai drawled out the last syllable, his tone cold and indifferent.
But he deliberately waited for Consort Shu to explain.
"Your Highness, please think carefully! I have lived in the inner palace for so long, how could I possibly have such great ability to extend my reach into the Imperial Guard camp?"
Consort Shu grabbed Chunlan's arm, trying to stand up straight.
"Besides, why would I, a mere woman, steal these weapons?"
Jun Yinghuai gave her a meaningful look.
"It seems that Consort Shu has high hopes for her sixth brother."
They stockpiled troops and weapons, and plotted a coup.
They might not be afraid to do it.
Consort Shu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she shouted in a shrill voice, "This matter has nothing to do with Qing'er!"
Seemingly realizing her lapse in composure, she took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said to Jun Yinghuai, "This matter has many flaws."
"If it were truly my doing, why would I be so foolish as to place these weapons in the small kitchen of Xianning Palace?"
"Wouldn't that be like lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own foot?!"
Jun Yinghuai picked up a dagger, his fair fingertips brushing against the dangerous blade, and chuckled dismissively, replying slowly:
"The most dangerous place is the safest place."
"Who in the entire palace doesn't know that Consort Shu has a brilliant and insightful mind?"
"If Your Highness says you are stupid, then everyone in the palace must be full of water."
"Your Majesty, please don't be so modest."
He threw the dagger to the ground.
With a clang—
Consort Shu gripped Chunlan's arm tightly, as if she were a frightened bird.
"But Your Majesty, rest assured," Jun Yinghuai changed the subject, "Your Majesty is virtuous and wise, and I will not be easily manipulated."
"This matter is indeed well-documented."
Consort Shu's heart skipped a beat, her expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
There is much to be found?
If this matter is investigated further...
It seems that Jun Yinghuai came prepared today. If he is not given a taste of success, he will not leave easily.
I just don't know what he really wants.
Jun Yinghuai looked at Consort Shu and slowly said, "But at this critical juncture, I'm afraid it's not advisable to marry. Father is seriously ill, and Consort Shu has been causing trouble frequently. In my opinion, the marriage between my sixth brother and Mu Ling..."
Consort Shu gritted her teeth, as if she had made a firm decision, and said, "I will have Qing'er annul the engagement!"
"So, very good."
Jun Yinghuai smiled, a look of satisfaction on his face as if he had achieved his goal.
"Your Highness, rest assured, this thief not only stole military equipment, but was also so audacious as to hide it in Xianning Palace to frame you."
"I will definitely arrest him myself and punish him severely."
He smiled sinisterly and led his men away.
Consort Shu stared at Jun Yinghuai's retreating figure, her hands clenched into fists, her eyes flashing with coldness.
Marquis Wu'an is a completely useless pawn...
Prince's Mansion.
An aide stepped forward and asked, "Why doesn't the Crown Prince take this opportunity to make things difficult for Consort Shu?"
Such a significant case as the loss of military equipment could be used to create a major scandal and bring down the Sixth Prince.
Jun Yinghuai said calmly, "Consort Shu is not so foolish as to get involved in this matter. This must have been done by Marquis Wu'an alone."
"If we investigate further, we might be able to clear Consort Shu of suspicion."
Marquis Wu'an, that traitor, is no loss even if he dies. However, if we cannot find evidence of his collusion with Consort Shu, we will not benefit from it either.
I'm afraid that Consort Shu might turn around and bite me.
It would be better to take advantage of her guilty conscience and use this matter to get a condition from her.
The advisor pondered for a moment, then nodded. "What the Crown Prince says makes sense."
"But how should we proceed with this investigation?"
Jun Yinghuai's thin lips curled into a cold smile. "Whoever made the move, we'll find them."
Marquis Wu'an wanted to pledge his loyalty, but he didn't know that he was signing a life-or-death contract.
“He is already a useless pawn. Consort Shu will not protect him. You may investigate boldly.”
The aides bowed and flattered, "Your Highness is wise!"
*
Qixia Temple.
Wenyue, the Empress Dowager's personal maid, was talking to the abbot.
The abbot, his fingers twirling prayer beads, lowered his brows and said, “The Empress Dowager’s grace extends to all corners of the land. She is willing to help us repair Qixia Temple. This humble monk is deeply grateful.”
Wen Yue smiled and said, "The abbot is a compassionate and merciful person with boundless kindness. The Empress Dowager's actions are also for the benefit of more people."
"Abbot, you needn't be so polite."
The abbot thanked him again and then took his leave.
Wen Yue's eyes immediately darkened, and she whispered to the guard beside her, "How's the investigation going?"
The guard stepped forward hesitantly, his face full of embarrassment.
"We have already turned Qixia Temple upside down under the guise of renovation, but we still haven't found the whereabouts of the Ye family's private property."
Let alone a secret room, Qixia Temple doesn't even have a secret passage.
"Is Ye Kun lying to us?" the guard asked, frowning.
Is the treasure really at Qixia Temple?
Or perhaps, there was no treasure at all...
Wen Yue frowned, her eyes like cold blades. "The Empress Dowager has already spent a considerable amount of money repairing the temple in order to find the Ye family's private property. If we can't find the treasure, none of us will escape unscathed!"
She shouted sternly, "Investigate everything again!"
"If it's not in Qixia Temple, then check the mountain roads along the way! Cliffs and caves, we can't miss a single one!"
We must give the Empress Dowager an explanation.
"Yes!"
……
Inside the cave.
Zhai Sangjie looked back at the stone wall and saw some murals carved on it.
It's just an ordinary painting of ladies singing and dancing.
This would not have been surprising, but at this moment, sunlight streamed into the cave and fell directly on the murals, making a woman's eyes appear to sparkle.
He got up and walked to the mural, squinting slightly.
This slight protrusion looks like some kind of switch.
Following his instincts, he raised his hand and pressed it down on those eyes.
Rumble, rumble——
Sure enough, the stone wall slowly moved, revealing a secret chamber!
Golden light shimmered.
The room was filled with gold and silver treasures.
Gu Xiruo stood up in surprise, meeting Zhai Sangjie's equally astonished gaze.