On the way back to the manor, Nan Shiying heard about what happened afterward.
"Ji Hong is truly remarkable!" Nan Shiying couldn't help but exclaim, surprised that he would dare to offend his court officials to protect Zou Yun'er.
Lü Wan sat to the side, massaging Nan Shiying's shoulders. She asked, "Your Highness, do you truly believe that Concubine Zou was behind today's events?"
Nan Shiying half-closed her eyes, a weary expression on her face. She didn't directly answer Lü Wan's question, instead asking, "What do you think?"
"This servant doesn't think so!" Lü Wan shook her head. "The palace maid's final accusation seemed rather far-fetched. Relying on a mere handkerchief to condemn Zou Yun'er is hardly enough. Furthermore, if she's a servant from the Imperial Wardrobe, when they were tailoring the noble consort's gown for Zou Yun'er, did Zou Yun'er really only ask them to make four handkerchiefs from the remaining fabric?"
"The handkerchiefs weren't embroidered by palace maids from Zou Yun'er's palace. Why should we assume that only the palace maids serving Zou Yun'er in this vast capital have such skills? Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that the handkerchiefs were embroidered by palace maids from the noble consort's palace, wouldn't the Imperial Wardrobe have kept a scrap or two for themselves?"
"Actually, if the Emperor hadn't resorted to killing just now, we could have investigated the Imperial Wardrobe. But..."
Lü Wan glanced at Nan Shiying, leaving her sentence unfinished. Nan Shiying understood her unspoken concern and continued, "But no matter who the mastermind turns out to be, it's all the same for Ji Hong. If a consort is accused of framing the Regent's Consort and the charges are proven, even if he wishes to protect her, it will be difficult to defy the authority of our Prince's manor, the indignation of the court officials, and the uproar of the people of Linyuan."
"Therefore, only by sacrificing a palace maid can this matter be thoroughly suppressed."
A chilling smile spread across Nan Shiying's lips, growing ever more sinister. Lü Wan felt a gust of cold wind sweeping through the confined carriage. Her hands faltered for a moment, then resumed their gentle massage. She was, however, quite perplexed by Nan Shiying's decision to ease up on Ji Hong after gaining leverage. "Your Highness, why did you... today?"
"Why didn't you press your advantage?"
Lü Wan nodded.
Nan Shiying propped her head with her hand, her voice tinged with a sleepy drawl as the carriage swayed. "After the palace maid's death, if I wanted to investigate further, I could only focus on Zou Yun'er. But as you said, Zou Yun'er doesn't seem like the mastermind. In that case, why should I help the mastermind achieve their goal? Moreover, the death of the Marquis of Xunyang is indeed related to me. If they can reveal your killing methods, then besides you and me, the Princess of Dali, her maid Baolan, and the deceased Marchioness of Xunyang, there must have been a sixth person present at the time."
"Do you think it was that palace maid?"
Lü Wan shook her head with a grave expression. It had been snowing that day, and there were no obstructions on the path outside the cold palace. If it were an ordinary palace maid, the sound of footsteps on the snow would have been enough to alert her. Therefore, the other person must have either been hidden within the cold palace courtyard wall near the path beforehand or was a master of Qi concealment.
"That palace maid was merely a pawn pushed forward by the mastermind. Her clothes were clean and tidy, without a trace of snow. Her claim of witnessing the event firsthand is completely baseless. Therefore, the sixth person present at the time must be someone else."
"And that person was either lying in wait in the cold palace courtyard beforehand or was someone with superior martial arts skills to you. Who do you think it could be?"
Lü Wan furrowed her brows. In this imperial palace, the only person likely to have such a skilled individual by their side would be Ji Hong. But could it be him?
It didn't seem likely.
But if not Ji Hong, then who?
Lying in wait in the inner courtyard of the cold palace? Ambush?
A flash of insight struck Lü Wan, and she suddenly exclaimed, "It's from Miao疆... But how could it be..."
Lü Wan gasped, her breath catching. Could it be that people from Miao疆 had already infiltrated the Linyuan imperial palace? What about their Prince's manor? Or perhaps... Lü Wan considered another possibility: what if the remnants of Miao疆 hidden in the palace were Ji Hong's people?
So, Ji Hong was the one who ordered the poison to be administered to their Prince all those years ago?
A fierce look suddenly flashed in Lü Wan's eyes.
"Why couldn't it be?"
"Wasn't the Marchioness of Xunyang also a remnant of Miao疆?"
"Our Linyuan country is truly becoming like a sieve!"
First Xiliang, then Miao疆.
Xiliang was one thing, but why were the remnants of Miao疆 not bothering Dali and instead focusing their aggression on Linyuan?
Nan Shiying sighed, too weary to say anything more.
...
The carriage stopped at the manor gates. Lü Wan helped Nan Shiying alight. The Xinyuan Pavilion was unusually quiet today. Normally, there would be some sounds in the courtyard.
Lü Wan's brow furrowed slightly. The maids guarding the courtyard entrance had already seen Nan Shiying and hurried to greet her. "Consort, His Highness has been waiting for a long time."
Nan Shiying was slightly taken aback. Ji Jinmo? Why was he back at the manor?
Lü Wan glanced at Nan Shiying. Although the Consort hadn't revealed where she and His Highness had been these past few days, the disappearance of the Poison Elder had given Lü Wan some insight. Seeing the Consort's surprised expression now, it seemed His Highness shouldn't have returned to the manor. As for why he had returned...
Lü Wan covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. It was definitely because he was worried about the Consort.
"This Consort understands."
Nan Shiying nodded at the maid. Although her expression was not very revealing, she quickened her pace.
"Your Highness, peace be with you."
The servants of Xinyuan Pavilion bowed as they saw Nan Shiying return. Hearing the greetings from outside, Ji Jinmo slowly lifted his eyes.
Bai Zhi and Lan'er exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of teasing and joy in each other's eyes.
His Highness had kept his eyes lowered since entering the room, as cold as a block of ice. Now, merely hearing the greetings from outside, he transformed as if the frost had melted and the earth had returned to spring. The chill radiating from him instantly receded, and it was as if a warm spring breeze had begun to waft through the room.
Lan'er nudged Bai Zhi, who quickly stepped forward and opened the door, her face beaming as she went to greet Nan Shiying. "Consort, you're finally back. His Highness has already drunk two pots of tea."
Lü Wan glared at Bai Zhi, feeling that the Consort had spoiled Bai Zhi to the point of becoming unruly; she dared to joke about anything.
Nan Shiying paid no mind to Bai Zhi's teasing. She entered the room, removed her fur coat, and handed it to Lü Wan. Bai Zhi, having been glared at by Lü Wan, snatched the coat from Lü Wan's hands and playfully appealed to Lü Wan, "I'll put it away. Sister Lü Wan, hurry and go inside with the Consort to warm up!"
"You!" Lü Wan tapped Bai Zhi on the nose, shaking her head in exasperation.