"Do not be careless, I am asking you to keep a close eye on things."
"Yes, Your Highness, your humble servant will keep a close watch," Chu Fengyu nodded. His family's current status was all thanks to his capable elder sister, so how could he not obey her words?
"Alright, you may go back now," the Empress Dowager waved her hand. Chu Fengyu stood up and withdrew.
Outside the palace gates, the chief eunuch of Guangyang Palace was waiting. Upon seeing the Prime Minister emerge, he respectfully led him out through another secluded path.
Every time the Prime Minister entered the palace, he was let in through the back door of Guangyang Palace. That back door was adjacent to a grove of trees. Circling the grove led to the front hall. If the Empress Dowager wished to see the Prime Minister, she would send someone to summon him.
Sunlight streamed into Guangyang Palace like flowing water.
Golden light shattered on the ground. The Empress Dowager, seated on a high throne, wore a smile. This was truly a heaven-sent opportunity. Was Heaven itself helping her?
In stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere of Guangyang Palace, the air in Liuli Palace was filled with a chilling, murderous aura that swirled through the grand hall.
Within the hall, the Emperor sat on his throne, clad in a luxurious deep purple robe with a white outer garment. He was tall and imposing, his handsome features creased in a frown. His dark eyes were deep and unfathomable, his presence exuding a cold, aloof aura as he gazed down at the hall.
Seated on either side were the prominent officials of the Xian Yue Kingdom: the Left and Right Prime Ministers, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, General Ximen, the Protector General, and Grand Scholar Han.
The atmosphere in the hall was incredibly heavy. All eyes were fixed on the Emperor on the dragon throne.
The Emperor's expression was grim, his bloodthirsty intent evident. The matter at hand was of great importance, and the person implicated was the Emperor's most cherished, Prince Nan'an.
How could the Emperor not be heartbroken? Furthermore, the peace of the seven kingdoms was at stake. If Prince Nan'an could not be proven innocent, Xian Yue would be forced to hand him over.
If Prince Nan'an were indeed handed over, Xian Yue's status among the seven kingdoms would plummet. If he were not, war would erupt among the seven kingdoms, with Xian Yue bearing the brunt of it. They would have provided a legitimate pretext for others.
At this moment, everyone felt the gravity of the situation. Even the Emperor, known for his brilliant strategies, felt perplexed and at a loss.
He believed his imperial brother would never commit such an act. However, both witness testimony and physical evidence were against him. His personal jade pendant had been found in the chambers of the Crown Princess, and someone had personally witnessed him leaving the Crown Princess's room. Now, he was beyond the ability to clear his name.
"My esteemed ministers, do any of you have any suggestions?"
The Emperor's deep, cold voice echoed. None of the officials dared to offer any suggestions, and the hall fell silent.
Prime Minister Mu Hen scanned the faces of the assembled officials. Seeing the Emperor's darkening expression, he had no choice but to stand and speak slowly.
"Your Majesty, Prince Nan'an would absolutely not commit such an act. Therefore, he must have been framed. Only by finding the true culprit can Prince Nan'an's name be cleared, and the Xian Yue Kingdom remain at peace."
The Emperor's expression eased slightly. His gaze, fierce as a tiger's, fixed on the Minister of Justice. He issued a firm command:
"The Ministry of Justice is to immediately re-examine the scene of the crime. You must find other evidence to exonerate Prince Nan'an. I am sure the perpetrator would have left some other clue."
"This humble servant accepts the imperial decree."
The Minister of Justice felt a tremor in his heart. If he could not clear Prince Nan'an's name, his position as Minister of Justice might well come to an end.
However, finding other evidence would be extremely difficult. The scene of the crime had been tampered with by the perpetrator, making it hard to find any further clues. He had personally led his men to investigate that morning upon receiving the news, but had found no other significant leads.
"Very well, if there is nothing else, you may all withdraw."
"Your humble servants accept the imperial decree," the officials bowed and took their leave. Chu Fengyu had remained silent throughout. The Emperor's sole focus now was on exonerating Prince Nan'an. If he spoke out of turn, he might not fare well, so it was best to remain calm and observe.
Outside the palace doors, as everyone was still departing, two soft palanquins arrived in haste. As the palanquins stopped, palace maids stepped forward and lifted the silken curtains.
The sunlight cast myriad beams of light, revealing two beautiful figures. It was none other than the aloof Empress and Princess Xingzhu.
Several ministers did not dare to delay and hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects to the Empress and the Princess.
"We greet Her Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Princess."
Mu Qingyao waved her delicate hand and said with a cool tone, "Rise, all of you." As they stood up, her gaze fell upon her Prime Minister father, standing with a worried expression among the officials. She stepped forward two paces and bowed, "This daughter greets my father."
"You are too kind," Mu Hen was surprised that his daughter would so boldly bow to her own father. Though touched, he dared not overstep his bounds in front of the assembled ministers, and thus respectfully returned the bow.
With the Empress's appearance, several ministers' thoughts began to stir. The Empress was known for her extraordinary intelligence; perhaps there would be a turning point in Prince Nan'an's affairs.
The designs she had drawn the previous night were unlike anything they had ever seen, truly astonishing. Even the envoys from the six kingdoms had been taken aback.
Among the group, only Chu Fengyu's eyes flickered with disdain.
Although the Empress had performed exceptionally the previous night, she was, after all, a woman. Could she really solve such a seemingly flawless case?
Chu Fengyu secretly pondered. If Prince Nan'an was not the killer, then who else could have committed this act? The Crown Princess had been killed, and she was a martial artist, and not a weak one at that. To think she had been so easily slain.
Mu Qingyao still wanted to speak with her Prime Minister father, but Princess Xingzhu, who was beside her, was already impatient. She urged Mu Qingyao, "Imperial sister-in-law, let us go inside."
"Mm," Mu Qingyao nodded and bid farewell to her Prime Minister father, "Father, take care."
The two figures gracefully walked towards Liuli Palace, followed by several palace maids. As they ascended the stone steps, the eunuch's voice rang out, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived, Her Highness the Princess has arrived."
In the grand hall of Liuli Palace, Murong Liuzun was reclining on the dragon throne, eyes closed in contemplation. His contained and steady presence filled the air as various possibilities flashed through his mind. Upon hearing the eunuch's announcement, and realizing it was the Empress, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart.
That woman had many peculiar notions, and perhaps she could help him. He immediately waved his hand and ordered, "Ah Jiu, permit Her Majesty the Empress to enter."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ah Jiu flashed out.
As Ah Jiu reached the entrance of the hall, he saw the coolly composed Empress walking in, with Princess Xingzhu, her eyes red, following behind.
Seeing how she clung to the Empress, it was likely the Princess who had caused the Empress to appear here.
Ah Jiu had not expected the Princess to be able to persuade the Empress. Given the Empress's reserved nature, she disliked meddling in others' affairs, and yesterday Prince Nan'an had offended her, making it even less likely she would get involved.
He figured it must have been the Princess pestering her. Ah Jiu quickly bowed respectfully to the Empress.