As Kong Qi was taken away by the Grand Supervisor, Liu Hao was unable to stop him. He managed to maintain his composure as he saw off the officials that had come to support him. Turning around, his face darkened. He kicked the death warrior that was kneeling on the ground and begging for forgiveness.
"Trash! You can't even stop a single person! "
In reality, the wang fu's death warriors couldn't be blamed for being a beat too slow. In today's occasion, their priority was to protect the safety of their mistress. Who would have thought that someone would jump out of nowhere and not to assassinate, but to curse? Wang Ye did not give the order. The people present were all officials of the court. They couldn't just kill someone they saw appear.
It wasn't just them that didn't react. Even Liu Hao himself didn't expect this sudden event. In these years, Kong Qi had been obedient to him and obedient. He had thought that he had subdued the other long ago. He hadn't thought that Kong Qi would suddenly betray him, and even more so, that the Chief Justice of the Judicial Office, Guo Huai 'an, would get involved.
"Old Thief Xue, ben wang won't attack you, but let you stab ben wang first." Liu Hao used his brain and guessed who was behind Kong Qi. If it wasn't the Empress, then it could only be the Xue family.
Seeing Liu Hao's displeased expression, the strategist standing to the side spoke up, "Your Highness, Kong Qi is spouting nonsense today and everyone here has heard it. If we don't clarify it as soon as possible, I'm afraid it will attract criticism. If word gets out …"
"Hmph, ben wang is upright and upright, what is there to be afraid of? Kong Qi was bribed by someone to slander me, but there is no proof. It is just slander. How many people would easily believe it? "
Even though he said so, Liu Hao had other concerns. He wasn't afraid that Kong Qi would report him because he was sure that he had done everything cleanly in the past. Even if people were suspicious, they wouldn't be able to find proof. What he was afraid of was the Grand Supervisor personally questioning him. In front of the Great Hole Illumination Technique, the truth would be revealed.
The crux was that after the Grand Supervisor knew the truth, whose side would he stand on.
Liu Hao returned to the houyuan with a heavy heart. He dismissed the maid that Ning Wang Fei had sent to greet him and went to the small yard in the western corner of the garden.
On the thirtieth day of the Lunar New Year, the Prince's Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, and the ground was full of firecrackers. Only this corner was deserted, and there was only a pair of couplets outside the door to welcome the Spring Festival.
There was a fire burning in the room. Two maidservants were sitting on a small stool doing needlework. A beautiful, fair-skinned woman was lying on the kang, holding a book in her hand. She was wearing a plain cotton dress, and from head to toe, not a single hairpin or ring could be seen. Her simple appearance was out of place in this painted room.
By now, everyone in Ning Wang Fu knew that this Ru Wei Furen was wang ye's new favorite. Because she had given birth to the eldest son and had worked hard, even Ning Wang Fei didn't dare to be harsh on her. But no one knew that she had another identity. She was actually the once famous Hideous Great Yi Master, Ji Xingxuan.
Liu Hao came in from outside. The yahuan hurriedly stood and bowed. Ji Xingxuan calmly put down the book and straightened her body. As she looked for shoes to wear, she asked in a gentle voice:
"At this time, ye, why aren't you receiving guests in front, why have you come to nujia's place?"
Liu Hao waved his hand for the yahuan to leave. With a cold face, he walked next to her and sat down. At this time, Ji Xingxuan was still slowly putting on shoes. He frowned and said: "Just sit."
Without a servant in front of her, Ji Xingxuan was too lazy to put on an act. She put her legs back on the kang and pulled over a brocade blanket to cover herself. She looked coldly at Liu Hao and asked: "What happened that made wang ye come to find me in such a hurry?"
Liu Hao narrated what had happened at the banquet. From the moment she had become Ru Wei Furen, he had treated this woman as a helper. He knew that her scheming and shrewdness didn't lose to any man. She was also a genuine Great Yi Master. So when he encountered something troublesome, he was always willing to come to her place to sit. Even if she couldn't come up with a plan, if she accidentally said one or two words, she would be able to enlighten him. This was the principle of a bystander seeing more clearly.
This time was no exception. After listening to his narration, Ji Xingxuan's words hit his heart: "wang ye is worried about the Great Yi Master's Great Insight Technique. You're afraid that if he finds out that you caused the sudden death of the Tenth Princess, he will deal with the matter impartially."
Once the Great Yi Master stood on the opposite side of Liu Hao, then not only would Liu Hao not be able to keep his position as regent, but he would also be unable to recover from this setback.
"Correct," Liu Hao didn't deny it. "The Xue family is like a grasshopper after autumn, they won't be able to jump for more than a few days. With Guo Huaian, ben wang isn't afraid of them. Only the Great Yi Master, ben wang can't lose his support if he wants to legitimately enter the Eastern Palace. "
The Great Yi Master of the Celestial Commissioner held the most power in his hands. It wasn't in rewarding and punishing the members of the Imperial Family, but in the matter of choosing a successor. No matter who became Emperor in the future, he could veto it with one vote.
Hearing Liu Hao's confession, Ji Xingxuan smiled faintly and said in a very confident tone: "wang ye, do not worry. Even if the Great Yi Master knows that the Tenth Princess' death is related to you, he won't oppose you. On the contrary, he will protect you."
"Oh?" Liu Hao looked at her in confusion and looked like he was all ears.
"I can tell wang ye why, but you have to promise me one thing." Ji Xingxuan took the opportunity to make a request.
"You want to talk about conditions again," Liu Hao wasn't angry and said generously: "As long as what you say makes sense, ben wang will promise you."
Receiving the promise, Ji Xingxuan's body leaned forward slightly and she lowered her voice to say: "I have told wang ye that the Crown Prince has always been chosen by the Book of Mystery Woman Liu Ren. You must not understand why the Emperor has been so slow in making a decision. That is because the Book of Mystery Woman was lost 20 years ago."
Liu Hao was shocked. He had guessed many things before, but he didn't expect the problem to be this.
Ji Xingxuan continued: "That is why the Emperor has been so slow in making a decision and appointing you as the regent of the country is only an expedient measure. It is because other than you, there is no one else among the princes who can take charge of the country. If you are kicked out of this position, no matter which prince is the regent, they will become someone else's puppet. The Great Yi Master is a pure courtier. He will not watch as the imperial power is lost. Compared to the grand plan of the country, whether wang ye killed the Tenth Princess or not is an insignificant matter."
Ji Xingxuan's analysis was thorough. Liu Hao's eyes flickered and his expression changed. One moment he was smiling, the next moment he was frowning. After a long while, he calmed down and clapped his hands:
"So that is the case. According to what you said, the Great Yi Master will protect ben wang."
Ji Xingxuan continued: "Even so, wang ye must not be careless. The Great Yi Master will not make things difficult for you, but the Xue family will not let this matter go. I believe that apart from Kong Qi, they must have other tricks up their sleeves."
Liu Hao sneered: "As long as the Great Yi Master does not make things difficult for me, I have ways to deal with the Xue family."
"What does wang ye have in mind?" Ji Xingxuan asked curiously.
Liu Hao was in high spirits, so he didn't hide anything and told her in detail, "A while ago, Imperial Father assigned me an errand to investigate who was responsible for Jing Chen's mishap on the way back to the capital. Since there weren't any clues, the task was put on hold. Not long ago, the palace issued an order for a wanted criminal to be posted on the Imperial Bulletin, and a chief steward of the Xue family was captured. Afterwards, I found out that it was Jing Chen who entered the palace to present a portrait. It was said that when he was kidnapped, he had seen this person. Only then did I conclude that Jing Chen's danger was related to the Xue family. "
"Didn't you say that Jing Chen is the so-called Da An calamity? His fate is closely related to our dynasty. Once something happens to him, the world will be in chaos. At that time, the traitors will have an opportunity to take advantage of it. There is no doubt that the Xue family has the intention to rebel. Since Xue Lingnan wants to settle old scores with me, there is no need for me to be polite with him. He can let Kong Qi accuse me of killing my brother. Why can't I let others accuse him of treason? Hehe, at that time, he can't even protect himself. How can he accuse me? "
Liu Hao has long thought of using this matter to destroy the Xue family. However, he is worried that if he acts too aggressively, the High Commissioner will intervene. Without the support of the High Commissioner, he will not be able to hold his position as the regent. But now that he no longer had this layer of scruples, he could go all out and do it.
"Your Highness is brave and resourceful. There is no need to worry about failure." Ji Xingxuan sincerely praised.
Liu Hao looked at her fair and flawless face. He was so close to her that he could smell the faint cold fragrance on her body. An idea came to his mind. He lifted her chin and said in a loud voice, "
"Just now, I promised you one thing. What do you want?"
Ji Xingxuan does not avoid his frivolous action. She lowers her eyebrows and says: "I want to go out for a while. I ask for your permission."
As soon as she finishes speaking, she feels a pain in her chin. In front of her, Liu Hao's eyes are cold. He pinches her chin and whispers: "Let me guess. You want to go out to find your omniscient master?"
Ji Xingxuan frowns and bears the pain: "I have been cooped up in this residence for too long. I want to go out for a walk. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can send someone to follow me."
Liu Hao raised his eyebrows. "The Ji Xingxuan that this prince knows is indeed not a woman who is content with the inner courtyard, yet you are willing to bind yourself for the sake of this child. This prince really wants to know who the biological father of this child is, to be able to make you so determined to continue the family line for him."
Ji Xingxuan tightens her lips and remains silent.
Liu Hao sneered and let go of her. He got up and walked out, "Let's see when you want to go out. Send someone to inform this prince."
This is agreeing to her request. Ji Xingxuan looks at his back disappearing behind the screen. She lightly rubbed her chin. There wasn't any distress left on her face. Her expression was frighteningly calm. The scorn at the corner of her mouth was especially clear.
"How would you know? This child is my last hope."
.....
The events that happened at Ning Wang Fu's noon banquet seemed to fly into the palace. Rui Empress received the news before nightfall. She immediately smashed her beloved mutton fat jade cup. Then she sat silently in her bedroom for an hour until the sky darkened. Zheng Shang Gong reminded her multiple times that it was time before she called someone in to help her change clothes.
"Set up the carriage to Zhong Cui Palace."
On New Year's Eve, there was no banquet in the palace but the New Year's Eve dinner still had to be eaten. However, the Emperor wasn't present. The feipin preferred to eat their own so Rui Empress didn't call everyone to her Perching Wu Palace.
The Empress arrived. Zhong Cui Palace had just set up the banquet. Noble Consort Xue didn't go out to welcome her. She waited until Rui Empress entered the hall before calling a palace maid to help her up.
"No need to be so courteous. Meimei, sit down." Rui Empress looked at Noble Consort Xue's haggard appearance. Her emotions were complicated. On one hand, she was jealous that this woman had once been pampered, but on the other hand, she felt that she was in the same boat as her.
Noble Consort Xue sat down with her big belly. She smiled slightly at Rui Empress and said: "This year's New Year's Eve is unreasonably quiet. Does jiejie feel lonely and came to find me as a companion?"
Without responding, Rui Empress walked to the side of the table. She waved her sleeve and said to the attendants in the hall: "All of you leave first." Half of the people didn't move. At first, they didn't move. Seeing Noble Consort Xue wave her hand, they retreated.
Very quickly, only Rui Empress and Noble Consort Xue were left in the empty hall. They looked at each other. Rui Empress was the first to speak. Her eyes were slightly red as though she was trying to suppress her temper: "Xue He, ben gong wants you to tell me the truth. Who killed my Yao 'er?"
Noble Consort Xue's maiden name was He. He was crimson red.
It had been a long time since anyone called her by this name. Noble Consort Xue dazed. She raised her head to look at Rui Empress, the smile at the corner of her lips gradually cooling.
"Who killed the Tenth Princess? Empress, you shouldn't ask me, you should ask yourself. "
Ning Wang's hands and feet were clean, but Rui Empress' own daughter, how could she not know? As long as she investigated, she would definitely find clues. But even if Rui Empress guessed who the culprit was, she wouldn't say it. Three years ago, Rui Empress had used the death of the Tenth Princess to viciously suppress her and taste the sweetness. In these three years, Rui Empress had also used the death of the Tenth Princess to step on her head step by step.
Now, she had come to denounce her and put on such a sorrowful and angry expression. Who was she showing it to?
Rui Empress' back froze. She could read the disdain and disdain in the eyes of the woman in front of her but she couldn't get angry. Because she wasn't confident, because she was guilty.
"Empress, you really don't know?" Noble Consort Xue sneered: "Even though the Tenth Princess was deep in the palace, she had an affair with a foreign official. Long before my nephew, she had made a promise to marry him. Who knew that the man had purposefully seduced her. But in order to escape the marriage arranged by the Emperor, she listened to someone else's evil plan and jumped into the lake from Sea View Tower, framing my little niece. Who would have thought that the heavens would scheme against her. In the end, she died, harming others, and harming herself."
The hall was brightly lit, illuminating Rui Empress' face as white as paper.
"Don't say anymore."
"Didn't you want to ask? Empress, guess, does the Emperor know what I just said? I guessed that he knew. Was there anything in the palace that could be hidden from the Emperor? But he clearly knows who killed your precious daughter, but he still didn't punish the culprit and still doted on her. Even when he was gravely ill, he let that cruel and unscrupulous thing take on the position of regent. Doesn't this mean that the Emperor doesn't even care about you, the Empress? "
"… … Shut up."
"Oh, right, there's also the Fifth Prince who died early. That was the Emperor's di son. He died so mysteriously. Even now, the murderer hasn't been found. It's so pitiful."
"I told you to shut up!" Rui Empress stared viciously at Noble Consort Xue. The grace and magnanimity she had in front of others had completely disappeared. It looked like if she said one more word, she would fight her to the death.
Noble Consort Xue smiled and added one last stab without fear: "I heard that Shu Fei went to you a few days ago to ask for the Eastern Palace seal. She said that Ning Wang should be moved in to make it easier for Ning Wang to manage the court. Did the Empress agree?"
Rui Empress' anger reached its peak. Her palms were scratched, her eyes burning red. After a few breaths, she closed her eyes tightly in front of Noble Consort Xue. Blood slowly returned to her face.
In a flash, she suddenly opened her eyes and stared at Noble Consort Xue. In a raspy voice, she said: "Ben gong and you will work together and chase Ning Wang out of Jing!"
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