Chapter 148 Yongning's Thoughts

The crown prince took the list, glanced at it, and his eyes revealed disbelief.

Are you sure this list is accurate?

Xie Yunman shook his head: "I am not sure, this is only the scope of the investigation."

The Crown Prince looked at the list in his hand, which included the Emperor, Empress Dowager, Empress, and several high-ranking concubines, each with someone by their side.

Xiao Ling reached out and took the list, then looked it over and said:

"Then investigate. Since these people are either Jin Chun's or Consort Ye's people, there are clues to follow."

"Your Majesty, please investigate each one individually."

The Crown Prince shared the same sentiment: "If these people have ulterior motives, keeping them around is indeed dangerous."

After speaking, the Crown Prince asked, "How is the investigation going with Vice Minister Du these past two days?"

The eunuch beside him replied, "Your Highness, Du Shaoqing was invited away by Princess Yongning as soon as he returned."

"Yongning? What does she want with Du Shaoqing?"

"He said he remembered something that happened on the Dragon Boat Festival and wanted to tell Du Shaoqing in person."

The eunuch answered respectfully.

The crown prince remained silent after hearing this.

In the afternoon, the Crown Prince found some time to give the list to the Emperor for review.

The emperor granted him permission to take everyone away for a thorough investigation.

Many of the powerful people around the high-ranking master in the palace were taken away at the same time.

They were not sent to the Imperial Palace or the Heavenly Prison, but instead all went to the prison of the Court of Judicial Review.

The Crown Prince appointed Xiao Ling and Xie Yunman to preside over the trial.

Xiao Ling didn't want to stay in the palace anyway, so he left with Xie Yunman.

Since Du Zhengming was in the palace every day, his official residence was occupied by Xiao Ling and Xie Yunman.

Du Zhengming is currently in the palace coaxing Princess Yongning.

"Your Highness, have you recalled the details of that day, the Dragon Boat Festival?"

Princess Yongning had been staring intently at Du Zhengming ever since he entered the palace.

These past two days, Yongning had been listening to the maids talk about him, which piqued her curiosity.

Yongning thought he knew Du Zhengming inside and out.

But now I see this man with a stern expression, a handsome face, thin cheeks, and an upright and dignified demeanor.

Princess Yongning felt that she still didn't understand him well enough.

For example, his good looks...

I've always liked cheerful people, but this person in front of me doesn't look cheerful at all.

I've heard there's another title for him: 'Cold-Faced Judge'.

This person looks rather cold, and the title is quite fitting.

What's wrong with me these past two days? I'm obsessed with him.

After Du Zhengming finished asking his question, he didn't hear a response for a long time.

So he slightly raised his head and glanced at Princess Yongning, only to see that the other party was looking him up and down.

"Princess, why do you look at me like that? Is there something wrong with me?"

Princess Yongning then snapped out of her deep thoughts.

"Du Shaoqing, there is nothing wrong. I was just lost in thought."

Yongning said with a smile.

Du Zhengming looked at Princess Yongning's face and said gently:

"The princess looks quite well today."

Princess Yongning leaned against the couch, her gaze shifting from beneath Du Zhengming to her own hands.

"Today is much better than yesterday, but I'm still... weak..."

Du Zhengming looked at Yongning, who resembled a faded flower, and continued to comfort her:

As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like pulling silk from a cocoon.

Moreover, the princess was poisoned, which is naturally more harmful to her body than an illness.

Du Zhengming was eight or nine years older than Princess Yongning and had met her before at a palace banquet.

At that time, Yongning wore a pomegranate-colored skirt adorned with flowers, looking bright and charming, like a beautiful and wealthy flower in the world.

But now that it has become like this, I feel quite sorry for it.

So my attitude was very gentle, and when I spoke to her, I unconsciously used a coaxing tone.

Yongning had thought that the rumors about Du Zhengming were true, but he didn't seem that cold-hearted at all.

He then smiled and looked at Du Zhengming, saying:

"I remember that when I went to see my brother, the Crown Prince, it was because I received guidance from the nanny beside him."

I was watching Ling Gege's twins with my brothers and sisters when Father and the others arrived.

After I returned to my seat, the old woman seemed to say something.

Since the Crown Princess's sister-in-law is also pregnant, I can't show favoritism; I should also inquire about the Crown Princess's situation.

So that's why...that's why I...that's why I sat down there.

Du Zhengming frowned upon hearing this: "It seems that Her Highness already has a plan in mind."

"May I have this old woman handed over to you?"

Princess Yongning raised her hand to the side and said:

"Hand the man over to Du Shaoqing."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Yongning glanced at the bright sunshine outside the window and said to Du Zhengming:

"Du Shaoqing, how is the investigation going? Could you please give me a detailed account of the progress?"

Then he said to the person next to him, "Please have a seat."

Du Zhengming sat not too far from Princess Yongning's soft couch, a ray of sunlight shining through the window and onto him.

Princess Yongning's gaze fell upon him as if she were looking at a painting.

Du Zhengming's lips moved, but Princess Yongning didn't hear a word he said; she just stared intently at the person in front of her.

This person didn't have the same composure as Brother Ling, but possessed a different kind of aloofness.

Even though she's eight or nine years older than me, I feel that people my age are very charming at this moment.

She certainly has a beautiful appearance.

Du Zhengming spoke for a long time, but Princess Yongning ignored him completely.

Princess Yongning only came to her senses when Du Zhengming got up to leave, and reluctantly sent someone to see him off.

Seeing that Du Zhengming had left, Bai Zhi turned around and looked at Princess Yongning, asking:

"After hearing Du Shaoqing's story, the princess seemed to be in a better mood."

"Hmm, this Du Shaoqing is quite capable."

Princess Yongning affirmed.

Bai Zhi chimed in, "That's right, he's the youngest Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review in our dynasty."

His family couldn't help him; it was all the result of his own hard work.

He's actually a rare talent.

“Of course, His Majesty greatly admires him,” Princess Yongning replied.

"By the way, how is Father Emperor today?" Yongning asked.

"I heard it was diagnosed as poisoning. But the imperial physician said it can be cured."

Bai Zhi was the Empress's head maid. After the Crown Prince's suggestion, the Empress gave her to Yong Ning.

Over the past year, with Yongning's guidance, Princess Yongning has made considerable progress.

Yongning was taken aback and sat up abruptly.

"Wasn't it supposed to be a wind-related illness? How could it be poisoning?"

However, she was too weak and couldn't get up immediately.

Seeing that she looked flustered and was struggling to get up, Bai Zhi quickly stepped forward to help her up.

"Your Highness, please don't panic."

Yongning leaned against Baizhi's chest, looking anxious and flustered.

"Your Highness, please let me finish."

Bai Zhi held Yong Ning in her arms, gradually comforting her, and then began to recount what had happened.

After hearing this, Yongning asked, "So the person who poisoned me was the eldest prince?"

"It wasn't to poison you, it was to poison His Highness the Crown Prince, and you just happened to be there," Bai Zhi explained.

Yongning remained silent after hearing this, his face blank.

Bai Zhi gently placed Yong Ning on the soft couch, covered him with a quilt, and silently stayed by his side.

After a long pause, Yongning finally spoke: "Who found out about this?"

"I heard it's Lord Xie and Prince Shou'an."

Yongning would question whether there was a mistake in the investigation if he heard that someone else had conducted the investigation.

But the results of their investigations will inevitably be the truth.

"By the way, later the two of them also got rid of many people in the palace."

This included the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and those close to His Majesty.

After hearing this, Yongning murmured again, "If Father Emperor does not grant permission, these people cannot be taken away."

Bai Zhi nodded in agreement: "The Crown Prince personally petitioned His Majesty to send the Hundred Cavalry to arrest the person."