Once the swelling on her jaw had mostly subsided, Nan Shiying, accompanied by the Grand Li princess, returned to the main hall.
As for Mu Baiyu, he was still lying unconscious in the Imperial Hospital.
...
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was extremely tense. Ji Hong, looking at the palace maid kneeling on the ground, his expression shifted repeatedly, "Repeat what you just said."
The palace maid, trembling, replied, "Your servant, your servant saw the Consort’s maid kill the wife of Marquis Xunyang in the Cold Palace."
Good, very good!
Ji Hong's face was filled with anger and disbelief, but in his heart, he felt an overwhelming urge to laugh heartily.
If this were true, he wondered how Ji Jinmo would quell the wrath of Marquis Xunyang's household and how he would protect his Consort.
As he thought this, he picked up the wine cup beside him and smashed it, his voice thundering, "Nonsense! Guards, drag this babbling maid out and behead her."
Upon hearing these murderous words, the palace maid's legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground.
She looked up, her gaze fixed on Consort Zou seated beside the Emperor. Consort Zou frowned slightly, but the Emperor, following the maid's gaze, turned his attention to Consort Zou.
Was this person arranged by Consort Zou?
Consort Zou intended to deny it, but after a moment's thought, she did not shake her head immediately. Instead, she gave the Emperor a look that revealed nothing.
Was it or wasn't it?
Ji Hong frowned but did not pursue the matter further.
As soon as he spoke, Marquis Xunyang immediately stood up, strode out from his seat, and knelt heavily in the center of the hall.
With a mournful expression, he cried out, "Your Majesty, your servant's wife has been away for a long time. I beg Your Majesty to grant me peace of mind."
Though he spoke of peace of mind, it was a strategic move. Only a handful of fools here would believe Ji Hong was truly angry.
Even the Grand Li envoy understood Ji Hong's intentions.
Marquis Xunyang's appearance greatly pleased Ji Hong, but he glared at him with feigned anger, "Marquis Xunyang, what is the meaning of this?"
Marquis Xunyang kowtowed heavily, his voice filled with grief, "I beg Your Majesty to grant me peace of mind."
With each kowtow, his forehead struck the ground with such force that it soon began to bleed. His pleas were desperate and tragically moving.
Ji Hong sighed heavily, "Alas, forget it!"
As soon as Ji Hong finished speaking, Nan Shiying entered from outside the hall, having witnessed the entire dramatic performance. She began to clap, her applause crisp and clear. Everyone turned to look at Nan Shiying as she gracefully walked in, unsure how to react.
This person, dared to return?
Was it arrogance, or was she truly wronged?
"What a truly spectacular play!" she said with a smile as she walked in, her voice full of sarcasm.
It was unclear whether she was being sarcastic towards the maid who had accused her, the two-faced Emperor, or the astonishingly acting Marquis Xunyang.
If she had killed the wife of Marquis Xunyang, most people would not have believed it. This woman was completely unrelated to the wife of Marquis Xunyang. Moreover, the Emperor had chosen Zhang Silang, the legitimate son of Marquis Xunyang, to be paired with the Grand Li princess, indicating suspicion that Marquis Xunyang was secretly allied with the Regent. If that were the case, why would the Consort have killed the wife of Marquis Xunyang?
It was likely a false accusation.
But if it were proven, who would care if it was a false accusation!
"Consort!"
Ji Hong's face darkened, clearly displeased with Nan Shiying's impudence.
Nan Shiying nodded towards Ji Hong, bending her knees casually without any reverence, considering it a greeting.
She walked to the center of the hall and, looking down at the palace maid kneeling there, asked, "You say I, killed the wife of Marquis Xunyang?"
The palace maid trembled uncontrollably, but remembering the person behind her, she summoned her courage and looked up, saying, "Your servant, your servant saw with her own eyes, your maid piercing the wife of Marquis Xunyang's chest with her hand. Blood, blood flowed all over the ground."
"You..."
Marquis Xunyang seized the opportunity to look up, his gaze filled with venom as he glared at Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying glanced at him, feeling no apology in her heart. This wife of Marquis Xunyang was from Miao territory; she wondered if Marquis Xunyang knew this.
Her gaze swept over them, and then she crouched down, grabbing the palace maid's chin. "So it is just because you say so? How utterly laughable!"
The palace maid shivered violently, her voice broken by fear, "Your servant, your servant also saw your maid throw the corpse of the wife of Marquis Xunyang into the dry well in the Cold Palace. Right and wrong can be proven by investigation."
A cold glint flashed in Nan Shiying's eyes. Hmph, were there people from Miao in this palace, or was someone trying to use a borrowed knife to kill?
She let out a scoff, "Is that so? But even if the corpse of the wife of Marquis Xunyang is indeed in that dry well, how does that prove it has anything to do with me?"
As soon as Nan Shiying uttered these words, everyone's expression changed instantly.
Had she let something slip?
Did this statement amount to an admission of involvement in the death of the wife of Marquis Xunyang?
A hint of joy appeared in the palace maid's eyes. She stiffened her neck and declared loudly, "Your servant, your servant has physical evidence!"
As she spoke, she suddenly pointed to Lu Wan's shoulder and said, "It's her. Her body is stained with the blood of the wife of Marquis Xunyang."
As soon as this was said, everyone's attention immediately focused on Lu Wan. Nan Shiying's expression changed abruptly, and Lu Wan's eyes showed a trace of panic.
This reaction... had she really let her maid kill the wife of Marquis Xunyang?
But why?
Could it be...
Everyone suddenly turned their gaze to the Grand Li princess who had entered the hall with Nan Shiying. Could it be that the Consort had reached an agreement with this Grand Li princess, and thus helped the Grand Li princess kill the wife of Marquis Xunyang? If that were the case, Zhang Silang would likely have to observe a mourning period of three years. Even the Emperor would not be able to force Zhang Silang to marry the Grand Li princess. How could the political marriage between the two countries be delayed for so long? Lin Yuan would inevitably have to select someone else to marry the Grand Li princess.
Was it because of this?
The Grand Li princess was dissatisfied with the chosen consort, so the Regent's Consort acted to kill the wife of Marquis Xunyang for her?
If this explanation were to be believed, it made sense.
Everyone was somewhat speechless. To kill a minister's family member for the sake of the Grand Li princess, Nan Shiying was likely to incur public wrath this time. Even Ji Jinmo would probably not be able to protect her.
Nan Chaoyin glanced at Nan Shiying, frowning slightly. Why was Qing Yuan with the Grand Li princess? Did she truly kill the wife of Marquis Xunyang?
Would she be so foolish?
Nan Yuan'er couldn't help but want to burst into laughter. Heh, she wanted to see how Nan Shiying would escape punishment this time!
"Blood?"
Nan Shiying looked towards Lu Wan's shoulder. It was indeed stained with blood, something she hadn't noticed before. But even so, what of it?
Nan Shiying grabbed the palace maid and, picking up the broken wine cup that Ji Hong had just smashed, forcefully stabbed the maid's wrist with the shattered glass.
A scream immediately erupted. Nan Shiying grabbed the maid's head and, like dragging a dead dog, moved her next to Lu Wan, placing her wrist onto Lu Wan's shoulder.
Instantly, Lu Wan's shoulder was stained with blood.