Chapter 474: Chapter 474: Murder Case
Si Yao’s gaze fell on the wine cup. This time, the family banquet was organized by Si Yuzhang. She had Si Yuzhang put aphrodisiac powder in Zhan Lan and Ye Xiuhan’s wine cups.
Soon, a chance for the two to be alone would be created, and when Mu Yan discovered their affair, he would surely despise Zhan Lan.
Si Yao was plotting mischief in her mind, and Si Yuzhang was scheming in his own way.
The moment their eyes met, they exchanged a secret signal.
Si Yun noticed that Mu Yan was cooperating with him today and didn’t oppose him appointing Si Yuzhang as Prince Huai; he felt a bit elated and drank a few more cups.
Suddenly, numerous Kongming Lanterns drifted through the sky, and countless river lanterns floated along the river.
Si Yun, in high spirits, said, “Today, it’s just us family. The boat is large, everyone can go to the deck to enjoy the spectacle I prepared.”
With a bang, fireworks exploded in the sky, and everyone stepped out of the cabin.
Gradually, everyone’s eyes shifted to the fireworks and Kongming Lanterns.
Zhan Lan slowly approached Prince Xian’s wife and spoke a few words to her.
Prince Xian’s wife showed great respect to Zhan Lan, and after Zhan Lan left, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, and her smile faded.
Prince Xian’s wife, who preferred peace and quiet, went to a secluded corner and watched a solitary Kongming Lantern drifting in the sky, thinking of herself.
Suddenly, someone appeared behind her.
The person’s voice was gentle, “Are you okay?”
Prince Xian’s wife turned and looked at the man, quickly avoiding suspicion, “I didn’t know the Prince liked this place; sorry to disturb.”
Taking advantage of the night, Prince Qi embraced Prince Xian’s wife and kissed her.
Prince Xian’s wife was lost in the moment and didn’t push him away. After a few breaths, Prince Qi whispered in her ear, “I heard he treats you poorly; sneak out tomorrow and meet me at our old spot.”
The warm breath threw Prince Xian’s wife into emotional turmoil, and she pushed Prince Qi away, her voice like a faint buzz, “Please show restraint, Prince!”
Prince Qi stood there stunned. Is this woman playing this game again?
Prince Xian’s wife gave Prince Qi a tender glance, playing hard to get as she ran away.
Si Yao’s gaze occasionally fell on Zhan Lan; why hasn’t she shown any physical reaction yet?
Zhan Lan looked at Mu Yan and said with a smile, “Prince, I feel a bit cold; I’ll go put on a coat. Wait for me.”
“Okay.” Mu Yan touched her cheek.
Si Yao saw the opportunity arise and said to Ye Xiuhan, “General Ye, I’m afraid of the dark; accompany me to get a coat.”
“Yes.” Ye Xiuhan followed Si Yao.
Si Yao pointed to a room, “Wait here; I’ll be next door.”
Si Yao was extremely excited; once Ye Xiuhan went in, he would see Zhan Lan changing clothes.
Si Yao pretended to change clothes in the room next door; unexpectedly, someone covered her mouth from behind.
Then her neck was fiercely tightened.
Si Yao’s pupils dilated, her face flushed red, and a ghostly voice whispered in her ear, “Don’t blame me; your death is the best way to stir up trouble.”
Si Yao recognized the person’s identity; she was also a pawn in the person’s conspiracy. Horrified and desperate, she grabbed the person’s clothing.
But soon, her breathing became difficult, the bloodless face showed a gray-blue tint, her expression withered, and her breath faltered.
The feeling of suffocation left Si Yao powerless; her vision dimmed, and in extreme pain and resentment, she lost consciousness.
After committing the murder, the person quickly left the cabin.
Not long after, a palace maid discovered Si Yao’s body and screamed loudly.
“What happened?” Emperor Qingwu, watching the fireworks, was startled by the scream and immediately hid behind the Imperial Army.
“Protect the Emperor!” shouted Si Yuzhang.
Then, everyone gathered in the direction of the sound.
Si Yun went over and saw Si Yao strangled to death, her neck red, her eyes wide open in death.
Si Yuzhang immediately said, “Where is General Ye? Wasn’t General Ye just with Princess?”
Si Yuzhang had seen Ye Xiuhan go inside earlier, and Zhan Lan had also gone inside before. If he claimed they killed him, some would believe it.
Si Yuzhang looked at the room next door and shouted, “Come out!”
The door next door was pushed open from the inside.
Si Yuzhang was thrilled; if Ye Xiuhan and Zhan Lan didn’t admit it, he could also claim they were having an affair.
No matter what, the two wouldn’t escape trouble.
At this moment, Mu Yan pushed open the door from the room, followed by Ye Xiuhan.
“What’s going on!” Mu Yan’s expression was colder than the weather.
“You…” Si Yuzhang was extremely startled. Why did these two come out of the room?
Where’s Zhan Lan?
“General Ye didn’t bring a cloak, and he’s about the same height as my royal self, so I brought him to look for a cloak. Why are you all gathered here?”
Mu Yan’s words carried a strong pressure, leaving Si Yuzhang briefly at a loss for how to respond.
Ye Xiuhan wore a black cloak and nodded, “Thank you, Prince.”
Just then, a voice appeared not far away, “What happened?”
Si Yuzhang looked up to see Zhan Lan and Prince Xian’s wife approaching from the stern.
Si Yuzhang suddenly felt his scalp tingling.
Zhan Lan and Mu Yan had secretly prepared all along.
He thought he had made sufficient preparations. Besides planting the evidence of infidelity based on Si Yao’s claims, he had also killed Si Yao, creating a false impression of Zhan Lan and Ye Xiuhan’s affair being discovered by Si Yao, leading to a murder to silence.
Even with double preparation, the scheme failed!
“Imperial Uncle, the Princess is dead!” Emperor Qingwu weakly said to Mu Yan.
Ye Xiuhan cried out in horror, “Empress!”
Emperor Qingwu slowly approached Mu Yan; after the last incident where Si Jun took him hostage, he trusted no one.
He felt everyone on the boat wanted him dead.
But then, Emperor Qingwu reconsidered; Si Jun’s rebellion was aided by Mu Yan, so Mu Yan probably wouldn’t kill him now.
Everyone’s eyes turned towards Si Yao inside, her face ashen, her neck vividly red from the strangulation.
Emperor Qingwu asked, “Apart from the Princess, was anyone else in the room just now?”
Since it was nighttime on the boat, even with lanterns, visibility wasn’t as clear as during the day.
Suddenly, a voice spoke, “I saw Imperial Uncle enter this room.”
Prince Xian’s finger pointed at Si Yuzhang.
Si Yuzhang feigned composure, sneering, “Prince Xian, cease your nonsense!”
Zhan Lan glanced at the crumpled marks on Si Yuzhang’s robes with curiosity, “How could the dignified Marquis Lin Yuan wear such wrinkled clothes? They looked fine during the banquet just now.”
Zhan Lan’s casual remark drew everyone’s attention to Si Yuzhang.
“It was from accidentally getting dirty during dinner, rubbing and causing this,” Si Yuzhang frowned at Zhan Lan, “Regent Princess Consort, don’t muddle things up!”
“Oh…” Zhan Lan replied meaningfully.
Zhan Lan’s words suddenly made Emperor Qingwu suspicious of Si Yuzhang.
But why would Si Yuzhang kill Si Yao?
The two had no grievances, so why act with such cruelty?
Mu Yan’s dark, deep eyes looked at Si Yuzhang, “I indeed heard a man’s voice from the room next door earlier. Actually, identifying who was in the room is simple.”