The man stared intently at Song Xizhi's barbed words, his Adam's apple bobbing, and a strange smile inexplicably appeared on his lips.
Before he could speak, Song Xizhi suddenly said in a cold voice, "Never mind, today's events are indeed related to you."
The man suppressed his smile and adopted a listening posture.
She pondered for a moment, then began her story with the assassination attempt the previous night: "Last night I encountered an assassination attempt in the palace. Zeng Yaxian saved me. She said she wanted to cooperate with me and wanted Zhao Qingshu dead..."
Song Xizhi recounted the whole story in detail.
Listening to Song Xizhi's story, the man's expression was solemn, but he was not surprised.
Looking at his expression, Song Xizhi knew that the attendant who had been with her last night must have already told him what had happened.
He Jingyan is capable of considering everything comprehensively, and she is like a transparent person in front of him.
It is one-way transparent.
Song Xizhi frowned slightly as he thought about it, but he could only continue recounting what had happened that day.
"...Zhao Qingshu harbored resentment and plotted to usurp the throne, while Zeng Yaxian's only thought was to perish together with him..."
Her voice was calm and emotionless, unlike the passionate and animated way they used to talk during their deductions.
He Jingyan simply nodded after hearing the last part and reassured Song Xizhi, "I understand. You don't need to worry too much. Everything will be fine."
"However, if you are going out, you must take guards with you. Do not take Siqin out alone."
Song Xizhi nodded. Although they were all He Jingyan's people, she wouldn't risk her life just because she was dissatisfied.
“I have already spoken with Zeng Yaxian and confirmed that she is trustworthy. However, if we can really find that ledger and wipe out the remaining villains of Da Gan… I also have a request.”
I hope you will say yes.
Hearing her request, He Jingyan slightly raised his eyebrows, lifted his eyelids, and even leaned forward: "You mean yesterday..."
Before he could finish speaking, Song Xizhi said, "Although Siqin is your person, I still hope that after our divorce, Siqin can stay with me."
The man stiffened slightly, and after a moment he said, "Siqin has always been yours."
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi was overjoyed and took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, placing it on the square table between the two of them.
“Your jade pendant was once kept by me, and I managed it for you, which earned me quite a bit of money. Now that we have made our decision, I will return the jade pendant to you.”
The man lowered his eyes even further, and after a moment, his low voice could be heard: "These things do not belong to the Marquis of Anding's mansion. Since I gave them to you before, they are yours."
Song Xizhi shook his head: "Actually, I don't lack anything, and I don't want anything."
The reason she wanted to get the jade pendant from He Jingyan in the past was not because she coveted the money, but because she thought he was the husband she would spend the rest of her life with.
The man didn't know how long he had been silent, or when Song Xizhi continued to push the jade pendant forward from behind, he finally came back to his senses.
He slowly reached out and took back the jade pendant, then looked up at Song Xizhi and said, "Go to bed early tonight."
Song Xizhi lowered her eyes, making it impossible to see the expression in them: "Are you going out tonight?"
The man's Adam's apple bobbed, and he nodded again: "No need to wait for me."
After saying this, he seemed to be waiting for Song Xizhi to continue.
But Song Xizhi said nothing. He simply got up from the couch and went into the inner bedroom.
He Jingyan stood there for a moment, gripping the cold jade pendant in his hand, before turning and leaving again.
As expected, the next day at court, Emperor Guangqi proposed demoting Prince Yu to a county prince, which was met with unanimous opposition from the court officials.
It's unclear who spoke first, but what followed was a chaotic mess, with officials kneeling and begging the emperor to reconsider.
Even the demotion of Consort Liang to Noble Lady and the removal of Princess Jingyue from her status as a commoner were met with resistance from everyone.
Emperor Guangqi sneered in anger, clutching his chest and nearly fainting.
After the court session, he immediately issued an imperial edict, demoting both Consort Liang and Princess Jingyue.
Although Prince Yu was not dismissed, he was stripped of all his posts and placed under house arrest in Prince Yu's residence. The Dali Temple, together with the Jingzhao Prefecture, was ordered to thoroughly investigate the assassination attempt on Prince Ning in his palace.
The emperor's implication was that he suspected Prince Yu was behind the assassination of Prince Ning. Anyone with eyes could see that Prince Yu was unpopular and that the capital was about to change.
After the news spread, Zhao Qingshu went berserk and smashed several sets of expensive teacups in the mansion.
Zeng Yaxian stood to the side, noticing his gloomy face, and obediently brought him a cup of tea, asking in a low voice:
"My lord, Prince Yu has completely lost His Majesty's favor, and Prince Xiu, supported by Song Xizhi, has gained power. What should we do now?"
Zeng Yaxian looked so anxious she was about to cry; her expression didn't seem like an act.
Zhao Qingshu's chest heaved twice more, his anger rising.
Yesterday, he originally went to assassinate Song Xizhi, but he ran into Prince Ning's men and caused Prince Yu to be suspected.
All plans now need to be accelerated.
However, thinking of his plan, he slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled confidently: "The emperor's preference?"
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