Chapter 129 Le Yue's Death
Today happens to be the day when the Western Jue envoys come to the palace to meet the emperor.
He Yanchen was busy and had left Wanyan Cong and the envoy in the side hall for a long time. When Wanyan Cong heard the news of Le Yue's death, he seemed a little out of control and anxiously followed He Yanchen towards the lotus pond.
The Queen had ordered people to guard the area near the lotus pond, and no one present was allowed to leave.
Although Le Yue was not from Dazhao, she was the Holy Maiden of Xijue, and it happened to be the time when Xijue came to pay tribute. It was hard not to suspect that someone was playing tricks and wanted to break up the peace between the two countries that had lasted for many years.
When He Yanchen arrived, the first thing he saw was the moon pear in the pavilion.
She seemed a little frightened, her face slightly pale, she leaned in Lian Qiao's arms with a handkerchief covering her mouth, her brows furrowed, and she looked very uncomfortable.
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
The queen hurriedly led everyone in paying their respects. He Yanchen didn't look at her, but walked up to Yue Li and helped her up.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Yue Li shook her head, feeling a little nervous: "Just now, the Saint was talking peacefully, and suddenly she vomited blood..."
He Yanchen knew the whole story on the way here. He glanced at Le Yue lying on the ground and summoned Xiao Yuanpan to check.
While Court Judge Xiao was inspecting, the Queen spoke up, "Your Majesty, I'm hosting a banquet for you all today. I remembered that the Imperial Concubine had said she wasn't feeling well a few days ago, so I didn't bother her. Everything was fine, but then the Imperial Concubine came. The Saint spoke to her for a few words and she suddenly vomited blood. Before I could even call the Imperial Physician, she...she passed away..."
He Yanchen glanced at the Queen impatiently: "According to you, the Saint Girl died just because she spoke to the Imperial Concubine?"
"I dare not," the Queen said hurriedly, "but the Saint was by the Imperial Concubine's side before her death. I think we should search the Imperial Concubine to see if there is anything inappropriate on her body, so as to clear her name."
Yue Li almost exploded with anger when she heard this. Le Yue came to her and started chattering. She didn't even say a word, but the Queen couldn't wait to put the blame on herself.
He Yanchen held her and squeezed her hand soothingly. Yue Li then snorted and stopped talking.
"Only the Imperial Concubine and the Saintess are talking today?"
The Queen was startled: "It's not just the Imperial Noble Consort..."
Lian Qiao added, "Your Majesty, the Saint was already here before the Imperial Noble Consort arrived. I saw her talking to the ladies in the pavilion just now."
He Yanchen glanced at the Queen with a half-smile: "Then according to what the Queen said, anyone who has spoken to the Saint is suspected. Doesn't that mean all the ladies present will be searched?"
As he spoke, he made a gesture, and Chu Yi immediately took people to take the female relatives present away for a body search. Everyone's face changed. This body search was too embarrassing for them, especially in front of so many people.
He Yanchen said calmly, "I don't want to doubt you, but the Queen is worried. Since it's the Queen's wish, I can't refute it."
The queen's face turned pale, and she said hurriedly: "That is not what I meant..."
"Then what does the Queen mean?" He Yanchen frowned in confusion. "Whether to search or not, the Queen decides."
The ladies present were all from high-ranking officials and nobles, and many of them had changed their eyes when looking at the queen. They were all shrewd people, so how could they not hear that the queen's original intention was to use the death of the saint to implicate the imperial concubine? These harem struggles had nothing to do with them, but it was very unpleasant to have it inexplicably linked to them.
Under pressure, the Queen gritted her teeth and said, "It's just a few words. I don't think it has anything to do with the Saint's death. It's better not to search me..."
The man snorted softly, and his words were clearly seen by everyone beside the silent lotus pond.
The Queen's behavior had ultimately made her lose face in front of the ladies of high rank. She could only shamelessly continue, "But Le Yue is, after all, the Saintess of Xijue. She came to Dazhao for the stability of both nations. If she died in such an unclear manner, I'm afraid it would chill the hearts of Xijue."
He Yanchen looked at her and said calmly, "According to the Queen, should this matter be thoroughly investigated?"
"Yes, we must conduct a thorough investigation to give justice to the Saint."
The queen didn't notice the flash of contempt in the man's eyes. She just listened to his response: "Then let's investigate thoroughly."
Le Yue's body was examined by the imperial physician and the coroner. He Yanchen only glanced at it before leading Yue Li into the pavilion. The others, including the empress, dared not leave without permission and could only wait outside the pavilion.
Wanyan Cong stood aside, staring at Le Yue's body, his eyes full of sadness, which made people feel moved.
The queen clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, cursing Le Yue in her heart. "Didn't she say she would take this opportunity to put a curse on Yue Li today?" What on earth was she doing? How could she kill herself?
A strong sense of uneasiness suddenly arose in his heart, especially when he caught a glimpse of He Yanchen's calm appearance, as if he didn't care about Le Yue's death at all.
After a while, Ji Ming brought the palace maid who served Le Yue.
The Queen couldn't wait to ask, "Is there anything unusual about the Saint today?"
The maid Aqi replied, "Your Majesty, Queen, the Saint entered the palace early this morning and then went to Fengyang Palace to pay her respects to the Queen. Afterwards, she accompanied the Queen to the flower viewing banquet. There was nothing unusual."
Yue Li sneered, "So today is the day the Empress and the Saintess spent the most time. In my opinion, we should thoroughly search Fengyang Palace."
"How dare you!" the Queen cried angrily. "I have no grudge against the Saint, why would you harm her?"
Yue Li was not intimidated by her at all and pointed it out directly: "What grudge do I have with the Saint? Why would I want to harm her? I was just a word from the Saint, and yet the Empress was suspicious. Then why can't I be suspicious when the Empress spent most of the day with the Saint?"
The queen was so angry that she was speechless. At this moment, Wanyan Cong suddenly knelt and said: "Your Majesty, Xijue has been vassal to Dazhao for more than ten years. Leyue is not only the saint of Xijue, but also my sister. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and give Leyue justice."
"Don't worry, Second Prince. I also value Xijue very much and will definitely not let this matter go unmentioned easily."
"Chu Yi," He Yanchen ordered, "The Saint has been in the palace these days. Go to the palace where she lives and the places she visited today and conduct a thorough investigation. Don't miss any place."
No place can be missed, even the Queen's Fengyang Palace must be searched.
Chu Yi received the order: "Yes."
The queen's whole body was stiff, she clenched her fists tightly, and her eyes were dark.
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