Jiang Luoxi wore an expression of being wronged, and said with a self-deprecating smile, "Miss Yun Er has always been at odds with this empress, and our misunderstandings run deep. It's understandable that you don't believe my words today, but Miss Yun Er, please don't wrongly accuse me of things I haven't done."
The two sang in harmony, portraying their grievances to the extreme.
During this time, Yun Shu subtly felt Zhan Tianye's pulse.
There were no signs of poisoning.
He must have taken the antidote pill she gave him.
However, judging from his pulse, he had indeed been affected just now.
Zhan Tianye coldly stared at the two, "Was the迷烟 (mí yān - mysterious smoke) that appeared in the bamboo forest just now released by you?"
"What mysterious smoke? Fourth Brother, what do you mean? How could anyone release mysterious smoke in this bamboo forest? Could it be that Fifth Brother mistook it? There's a hot spring not far away, perhaps it was the mist from the hot spring?" Zhan Tianyu asked in confusion.
Jiang Luoxi lowered her eyelids, falling silent for a moment, her thoughts unknown.
However, Zhan Tianyu had completely calmed down. For now, it was merely Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye questioning them, and they had left no evidence. There had indeed been mysterious smoke earlier, but the wind tonight had dispersed it while they were talking. Yet, Zhan Tianye was completely unaffected by the smoke!
Zhan Tianye let out a scoff, and suddenly, in a certain direction to the southeast, he roared, "Who's hiding there, get out!"
The surroundings suddenly became eerily silent.
Zhan Tianyu's pupils constricted slightly, and he followed Zhan Tianye's gaze towards the southeast.
Indeed, someone was hiding in this bamboo forest.
He was actually discovered by Zhan Tianye?
He had underestimated Zhan Tianye! Five years of being crippled, yet his martial arts had not deteriorated, and his internal energy was so astonishing! The noise in the bamboo forest was chaotic, yet he could still detect something!
He clenched his fist secretly and said in a deep voice, "It must be a servant from the manor."
Yun Shu moved subtly and raised her hand.
An unseen weapon shot through the air.
As fast as lightning.
Leaving no time for anyone to defend themselves.
When Zhan Tianyu saw Yun Shu unleash the weapon, his eyes widened, and he sternly questioned, "Miss Yun Er, what are you doing?!"
Yun Shu saw the gentle facade on Zhan Tianyu's face crack, and replied nonchalantly, "Would a servant from the manor possess unfathomable internal energy? The person hidden in the dark is clearly not a servant. Since they are not a servant and are suspiciously hiding in the dark, it means this person is an assassin."
The darkness concealed Zhan Tianyu's ashen face well. Zhan Tianyu's lips had pressed into a thin line.
"It seems Miss Yun Er's thrown weapon did not injure anyone, and Miss Yun Er is overthinking. The people in the manor have been thoroughly investigated, and absolutely no assassins could have infiltrated," Zhan Tianyu listened carefully to the surroundings. There was no sound.
He must not have hit anyone.
Just then.
Someone suddenly appeared.
And several people appeared.
The one in the lead wore a bright yellow robe.
Under the illumination of the nearby lights, the bright yellow was particularly striking.
"Why is it so lively?"
Zhan Tianhong questioned.
Several people looked towards Zhan Tianhong, who was walking quickly.
Behind Zhan Tianhong followed several palace attendants.
Two of the palace attendants immediately rushed to Jiang Luoxi's side, "Your Highness! Your Highness's complexion... why is Your Highness spitting blood?"
"Your Majesty, Your Highness is spitting blood!"
The two palace maids exclaimed.
Jiang Luoxi's beautiful eyes flickered, and she leaned into the arms of the two palace maids, speaking weakly, "This empress... it's because Prince Ye misunderstood something, and thus attacked this empress. It's nothing serious, you don't need to worry."
Zhan Tianhong lowered his gaze.
He did not step forward to check on Jiang Luoxi's condition but instead questioned, "What happened?"
This question was directed at Zhan Tianye.
Fearing that Zhan Tianye would immediately reveal his affair with Jiang Luoxi, Zhan Tianyu quickly spoke first, "We few met by chance here. It was initially too dark, and Prince Ye mistook us for assassins, so he attacked Consort Luo. It was merely a misunderstanding."
Zhan Tianhong narrowed his eyes. A misunderstanding?
Did he take him for a fool?
If he truly believed that, he wouldn't have to be emperor.
"It is indeed so," Jiang Luoxi agreed with her head bowed.
Since both of them had said so, Zhan Tianhong looked at Zhan Tianye and Yun Shu.
The two of them stood together, like the most dazzling scenery, a match made in heaven.
Like immortal companions in a painting.
Zhan Tianhong's gaze deepened imperceptibly.
"This king attacked because those two were colluding," Zhan Tianye stated directly.
His icy voice and the words he spoke caused the palace attendants to gasp.
"What?"
Colluding?
Consort Luo and Prince Ning? They were colluding?
Were they so audacious?
This, this couldn't be true, could it?
Jiang Luoxi's vision darkened, and she took a deep breath. "I have already explained to Prince Ye just now, but Prince Ye still did not believe me. I don't know why Prince Ye would slander me and Prince Ning like this. I have only met Prince Ning a few times and never spoken a word to him. I haven't spoken as much with him as I have with Prince Ye. How could I be involved with Prince Ning?"
After speaking, Jiang Luoxi held a handkerchief and wiped away her tearful eyes, appearing aggrieved.
To anyone watching, she seemed incapable of such impropriety.
She did not seem like someone who would do such a thing.
Zhan Tianyu sighed a long, helpless sigh. "The entire hot spring manor only has this small bamboo grove. The bluestone path inside is paved neatly, perfect for a post-meal stroll. Thus, it's normal for a few people to accidentally meet here and exchange a few words. Moreover, if there were truly an affair, why choose this time? The hot spring manor is full of people from top to bottom."
His words were sincere and helpless.
On the surface, the two of them sang in harmony, dispelling all doubts. Who would believe they were colluding here?
Colluding here was too illogical and unreasonable.
Yun Shu inwardly chuckled. These two would be wasted if they didn't go into acting. Their harmonious performance was invincible.
She had gotten to watch a good show for free.
"Is it truly a misunderstanding?" Yun Shu asked lightly.
Zhan Tianye looked at Yun Shu and said indulgently, "It's fine. If they say it's a misunderstanding, then let it be a misunderstanding."
If they had continued to question sternly, without any evidence, it would have been easy for Zhan Tianyu and the others to counterattack.
But by saying this now, the seeds of doubt were sown.
Sown in everyone's hearts.
More importantly, it took root in Zhan Tianhong's heart. Although Zhan Tianhong had not suspected anything initially, at this moment, his gaze towards Zhan Tianyu and Jiang Luoxi was filled with suspicion.
The palace attendants also exchanged glances, remaining silent, but their hearts had begun to harbor doubts.
Prince Ning and Consort Luo…
Zhan Tianyu and Jiang Luoxi gritted their teeth in hatred, but at this moment, they could not say anything more.
The scheme they had designed for tonight had backfired!