It turns out that Prime Minister Kong was afraid something might happen to her in prison, so he rushed back to the capital ahead of time. The reason he sent the woman in plain clothes into the prison was to completely eliminate the Sixth Prince.
After the death of the sixth prince, the emperor became suspicious of the Prince Xiang's residence and the Kong family, and banished Consort Kong from the Ziji Palace.
In order to gain the emperor's trust, Prime Minister Kong had no choice but to accompany Bao Qianshan in interrogating Hongyu. It was only after he subjected Hongyu to the cruel torture of riding the wooden donkey that the emperor dispelled his suspicions about the Kong family, summoned Consort Kong back to his bedside to serve him, and handed over the imperial edict to Consort Kong.
With the Emperor's passing, is Chancellor Kong temporarily in charge of the state?
Kong Xiang helped Hongyu settle the case of the passenger ship fire. Zhang Jing and Zhang Han's wives both claimed that Butler Liao and Yin Xing had fought, and that the passenger ship fire was a crime of passion, with Butler Liao as the murderer.
As for the woman in white who died in prison, she was just an escaped death row inmate, which is why Hongyu was able to escape the charges and leave the prison.
squeak……
The door opened.
Kong Xiang personally carried in the medicine, put down the small bowl, and approached Hongyu.
Looking at that kind and gentle smiling face, Hongyu instantly lost her gratitude. Instead, she thought of the branding iron and the wooden donkey. She was still in fear and couldn't help but step back.
After taking a few steps back, his feet hit the footrest, he lost his balance and fell backward onto the bed.
Kong Xiang hurriedly followed, but his outstretched hand failed to catch Hongyu. Instead, he braced himself on the quilt and leaned over Hongyu.
Last night, the imperial physician cleaned the scars on Hongyu's face and peeled away the dry skin. Hongyu's skin has recovered completely, becoming pinkish-white, smooth, tender, and delicate to the touch.
Kong Xiang reached out to touch her again, but seeing tears in Hongyu's eyes, he gently wiped them away.
Hongyu quickly turned her head to avoid him. She knew that Kong Xiang had feelings for her, but her heart belonged to Songhua. After all, Songhua was a descendant of the Zhao family.
Remembering the emperor's will, she turned to Prime Minister Kong and asked, "Who is listed as the successor in the will? Is it the Prince of Jin?"
Kong Xiang nodded, looked at Hongyu, and said, "Hongyu is a genius with great foresight. No wonder you came up with the title of Prince Pu. It is indeed the title of Prince Jin. However, I have added two strokes according to Hongyu's wishes and sent Mu Nanfeng and Gu Dalang to Jiangnan to deliver the edict to Songhua."
Hongyu immediately retorted, "How could this be Hongyu's idea alone? Don't Prime Minister Kong and Consort Kong share the same idea?"
"Hehehe..." Kong Xiang couldn't help but laugh. He liked this shrewd and courageous young lady more and more. He couldn't help but reach out and pinch Hongyu's nose, saying with a doting look, "Yes, you've seen through me, you little fox."
After saying this, he couldn't help but feel sad and his eyes were full of sorrow.
To be honest, he was smitten the moment he first saw Hongyu.
On the day Song Hua visited the Mu family, Prime Minister Kong hid in the shadows watching Hong Yu perform tricks in the water. Song Hua was completely unaware of this and found it quite amusing, vowing to marry Hong Yu as his second wife.
Kong Que'er's mother passed away ten years ago. Although he has always favored his maid, Xi Que, Xi Que is too loyal, honest, and boring.
A woman like Hongyu, who is shrewd and insightful, is both unsettling and infuriating to him.
"Father, Father." Kong Que'er's voice came, and Kong Xiang smiled again, slowly stood up, and helped Hong Yu up.
Hongyu's outer garment slipped off her shoulder, revealing a glimpse of her chest. She covered her chest and bent down slightly, but was supported by Prime Minister Kong, who comforted her, "She is no longer a Noble Consort, there is no need to bow. From now on, just call her Que'er."
“I’m older than Hongyu, so I should at least call her ‘older sister’.”
Kong Xiang's smile vanished instantly. He glanced at Kong Que'er and asked, "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry? You barged in without even letting the maid announce your arrival."
Kong Que'er glanced at Hongyu, then pulled Kong Xiang aside to the courtyard and whispered, "People from the Lu Prince's mansion have come to report that a maid carelessly fell asleep and knocked over the cradle, causing Kang'er to roll into the river, and her fate is unknown..."
Hongyu peeked out the window. She had already learned lip reading from Chenyu. When she heard that Kang'er had fallen into the river, she ignored her wounds, rushed out the door, and headed straight for the Prince of Lu's mansion.
Kong Que'er went to chase after her, but was caught by Kong Xiang, who whispered in her ear, "This must be a trap set by Wang Baochai for Hongyu. I'll go after her, you take some men and go after me."
"It's a trap. Not only did Father not stop Hongyu, but you still want to go?"
“I suspect Wang Baochai wants revenge on Hongyu. Why don’t we take this opportunity to get rid of Wang Baochai? Even if we don’t kill her, we should lock her up for life.”
After saying this, Kong Xiang ran after Hongyu.
Fortunately, the Prince of Lu's residence and the Prime Minister Kong's residence were not far apart. Hongyu was already panting and weak when she ran into the Prince of Lu's residence.
She leaned against the wall, panting, when suddenly a figure attacked. Looking up, she saw Wang Baochai rushing towards her with a sharp sword in hand.
Her eyes widened, frozen in terror. Her legs, weak and numb, were unable to move. She watched as the sword pierced her heart. Thump! She was shoved aside. Turning her head, she saw Kong Xiang with a sword protruding from his abdomen, smiling at her, "Little fox, why were you so reckless? You've fallen into a trap..."
Hongyu was terrified and hurriedly stepped forward to help Kong Xiang up. She looked at Wang Baochai and questioned, "You used my son to lure me here so you could kill me? Why?"
"The Sixth Prince said before he died that his death was inextricably linked to you. Zhang Hongyu, you are so despicable, using a rare northern poison against the Sixth Prince, a poison with no antidote. Although I do not have the rare poison, I will kill you with my own hands."
After saying this, Wang Baochai pulled out a dagger and rushed towards Hongyu.
Hongyu tried to push Kong Xiang away, but Kong Xiang pulled her into his arms. He turned around and stabbed her in the back with a dagger.
"Father!"
Kong Que'er arrived with her men and pointed at the guards, ordering, "Princess Lu has gone mad! She's attacked and attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Kong without provocation! Seize her immediately!"
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