"Why?" Bai Fei asked with a hint of curiosity.

“Actually, just think about it…” Zu’an originally wanted to say “me,” but immediately realized that it would expose his identity, so he changed his words accordingly, “think about the actions of the Embroidered Robe Envoy after the incident and you can make some inferences. If Xinrui died, they would definitely mainly investigate her interactions in the palace, who she met before her death, and who had the motive and opportunity to kill her. In that case, even Consort Bai might be suspected.”

Consort Bai smiled faintly: "That's right. Xinrui was my personal maid. Now that she's dead, I'm the prime suspect. But even if she leaves the palace, I'm still a major suspect, after all, we were too close."

Zuan continued, "The mastermind behind it all is very clever. She exploited human weaknesses and immediately put herself at the top of the list of suspects. But people would subconsciously think that it was too easy and that they had fallen into someone else's trap. With this mindset, coupled with other clues that soon appeared, people would naturally have a 'I knew it' reaction and start investigating other suspects. Little did they know that they had been led by the nose by the mastermind from beginning to end."

Bai Fei frowned slightly: "From what you're saying, it seems like you're implying that I'm the mastermind behind the murder?"

Zuan did not answer, but continued, "What you just said was the situation of Xinrui's death, but the reality is that Xinrui is not dead and has left the palace. So the Embroidered Robe Envoy will definitely go to the palace gate to check the entry and exit records first. If he can't find any relevant records, he will naturally suspect Ou Wu, the gatekeeper of Xuanwu Gate."

"Just when the Embroidered-Robe Envoy was about to investigate Ou Wu, he actually fled with his family, and the one guarding the city gate was the young master of the Murong family. Whether it is Ou Wu or Murong Luo, they are both well-known members of the Qi Prince's faction. The Qi Prince has both the motive and the power to deal with the Crown Princess. This will make everyone think that the mastermind is the Qi Prince, and even other ministers in the Qi Prince's faction will probably think so."

"In this way, the emperor will inevitably target Prince Qi, and Prince Qi will feel that this is a fabricated charge, a frame-up by the emperor. Naturally, he will retaliate. At that time, the balance and tacit understanding formed by the two major power groups over the years will be completely broken, and the whole country will be in chaos. It will be even more convenient for that person in the dark to fish in troubled waters."

At this moment, the Crown Prince suddenly woke up and burst into tears. Consort Bai hurriedly comforted him while saying to Zu An, "I don't know what you mean by telling me this. Do you think I am the mastermind behind this? I am the Crown Prince's concubine and the Crown Prince's mother. What good would it do me if the country were in chaos?"

At this moment, the maid had already brewed the herbal tea and come over. In addition, the old women in the distance also rushed over in a panic when they heard the sound of the Crown Prince crying.

The two remained silent, and Zuan quietly sipped his Hundred Flowers Tea, the fragrant aroma truly invigorating.

Consort Bai ordered her maids and nannies to take the Crown Prince away. Once only the two of them were left, she coldly said, "What, aren't you afraid the tea is poisoned today?"

Zu An smiled slightly: "I don't think Consort Bai is that kind of despicable person. Besides, the Crown Princess isn't here this time. If I were drugged, would you personally come up with a plan to frame me?"

Bai Fei's breathing suddenly became rapid: "Do you know that just because of what you said, I could have you beaten to death with sticks?"

Zu An put down his teacup: "Your Majesty is a smart woman, she shouldn't do something so unwise."

"Do you really think you have something on me?" Bai Fei sat back down on the swing. "I'd like to hear your explanation for why I'm the mastermind behind this."

"Let's go back to Your Majesty's question. This case has framed Prince Qi as the murderer. Although Prince Qi has more followers, the Emperor is still the strongest in the world. It's more likely that the Emperor will win against Prince Qi. That way, the Crown Prince will have no one to compete with him for the throne. At the same time, the Crown Princess's reputation is tarnished, so you can take the opportunity to rise to the throne. You are the birth mother of the Crown Prince. Which other concubine can compare to you?"

He sighed and said, "Actually, there is a principle in solving cases: whoever has the most motive and who benefits the most after the crime is often the murderer. Unfortunately, we have all been misled by your deliberate misdirection and have overlooked you, the biggest beneficiary."

Consort Bai said calmly, "Does Lord Zu know what crime it is to falsely accuse a concubine? Your claims are completely unfounded. I only have one question for you: if I were truly the mastermind, why would I have saved you in the first place? Wouldn't it have been more effective to have you and the Crown Princess discovered naked?"

Zu'an exclaimed with admiration, "This is Your Majesty's brilliance. If the Crown Princess had been discovered in that manner from the beginning, she would have been finished, but you, as the biggest beneficiary, would have stood out too much, and everyone would have suspected you. On the contrary, by sparing her life, the Crown Princess attracted everyone's attention, and you could safely remain behind the scenes."

"Of course, there is another reason. Compared with Prince Qi, the Crown Prince's side is already at a disadvantage. If the Crown Princess, who is the leader on this side, had an accident at the beginning, the Crown Prince's party would most likely not be able to defeat Prince Qi's party. In that case, you would end up doing the work for Prince Qi."

Consort Bai snorted: "Wouldn't this be like making a wedding dress for the Crown Princess? By helping her get rid of Prince Qi, she will become the Empress in the future. What am I risking so much for?"

Zu An stared into her usually gentle and timid eyes and sighed, "That's why I said you're brilliant. It's because of what you said that no one suspected you. But now I've roughly guessed your plan. You probably have evidence of the Crown Princess's 'loss of chastity' and are still using her power to deal with Prince Qi. Once the situation is settled, you can find someone to spread that evidence at any time. In that case, she will naturally have no face to stay as the Crown Princess, and she might not even be able to save her life."

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