Suddenly, a group of constables hurried past Hongyu and ran towards Kongqueer.
The woman in the veil left in a hurry.
Hongyu was even more puzzled. Could it be that the constable had mistaken the woman in the veil for Qiu Xue'er?
She hurriedly ran to Kong Que'er and whispered, "Did you know that woman just now?"
Kong Que'er shook her head in confusion, her heart filled with unease. She had only kindly helped the woman in the veiled hat with directions, so why were the officials chasing after her? Oh no, had she been used?
Just then, Prince Yan and Master Gu rushed over. As soon as they arrived at the gate of the Kong family mansion, a constable ran up to report, "Sir, the woman climbed over the back of the Kong family mansion. Should we continue the pursuit?"
Master Gu hesitated. Kong Xiang was the Emperor's adoptive father. Shouldn't we inform Kong Xiang before searching his residence?
Unexpectedly, Yan Wang shouted, "Continue the pursuit! That woman committed murder and killed my son. Come with me to the Kong residence to search!"
After saying this, Prince Yan led dozens of constables into the Kong residence.
Peacock and Red Jade followed.
At this moment, Hongyu sensed something amiss. Why did the carriage head straight for Prime Minister Kong's residence last night? Why did someone impersonate a criminal and enter Prime Minister Kong's residence?
Furthermore, Kang'er and the Sixth Prince were poisoned with the same kind of poison. Clearly, someone is trying to frame the Kong family.
------
Kong Xiangzheng was leading his men to search the courtyard, clearly taking precautions.
Last night, the carriage carrying Kang'er's body stopped at his door and refused to leave. He guessed that something big was about to happen, so instead of going to the yamen to listen in on the case, he quickly strengthened the guards of the Kong family mansion.
Suddenly, a woman in green leaped across the rooftops and headed towards the East Pavilion. Prime Minister Kong hurriedly led his men to give chase.
As he ran into the East Court Pavilion, Prince Yan arrived with his constables, escorting a woman in green out of the room.
Hongyu ran over and went straight to the woman in green, tearing off her veil.
She was immediately dumbfounded. The woman in green was actually a maid from the Qiu family named... Zhiya, who had delivered a letter to the Yan Prince's mansion.
Hongyu asked, "What brings you to the Kong family residence?"
"To avenge my beloved Shuang'er?"
"Did you see clearly? It was Qiu Xue'er who kidnapped Kang'er?"
"I shot them from a distance, so naturally I didn't get close enough to see. The official announcement said that Qiu Xue'er kidnapped Kang'er, so who else could that woman be but Qiu Xue'er?"
"Yes, it was Qiu Xue'er who kidnapped Kang'er, and it was you who shot and killed my son Kang'er?"
"yes."
"ah……"
Snap snap snap...
Hongyu wept bitterly, slapping Zhiya's face like a madwoman. She never imagined that a lowly maid would take revenge on her, causing Kang'er's death.
Little did they know, this was a scheme by King Yan to sow discord.
The night before last, Prince Yan gave Zhiya a strange poison, instructing her to hunt down Cuiwei and Kang'er, with the aim of framing Prime Minister Kong and exposing that Prime Minister Kong had killed the Sixth Prince.
However, when Yan Wang entered the Kong family mansion, he found it heavily guarded, with all doors and windows locked and guards patrolling. Zhi Ya was unable to put the strange poison into the Kong family's room.
Therefore, King Yan changed his mind.
He drew his sword and stabbed at the branch, but was stopped by Master Gu.
"Stop, Prince Yan! The Emperor wants to spare their lives."
The Emperor wants to try Zhiya alone.
Master Gu placed a packet of medicine powder in front of the Emperor and led everyone away.
The Emperor gazed thoughtfully at the poison laid out on the table. The imperial physician said that the powder carried by Zhiya was the very poison that had killed the Sixth Prince and Kang'er.
*Smack!* The Emperor slammed his gavel down and demanded in a stern voice, "Why did Zhiya plot to harm the Sixth Prince and Kang'er?"
"Zhiya is Qiushuang'er's maid. She only chased after Qiuxue'er and Kang'er, and did not assassinate the Sixth Prince."
"Then why did you bring poison into the Kong family mansion?"
"In order to frame Kong Xiang for the crime of murdering Kang'er."
Why?
"Because Kong Xiang is the most suitable candidate, he wants to marry Zhang Hongyu as his second wife, and naturally does not want Hongyu to be a burden."
What? The Emperor was shocked. He never expected that his adoptive father, who had raised him, would want to marry Hongyu!
Hongyu and the women of the Kong family waited in the courtyard, their heads craning with excitement as they awaited the Emperor's arrival.
It should be noted that after the emperor ascended the throne, he was busy with court affairs and had not yet selected a concubine.
In order to consolidate the Kong family's position, Kong Xiang naturally thought of sending his daughter into the palace.
Since Kong Que'er was no longer a virgin, only Kong Feng'er and Kong Yan'er could be allowed to enter the palace to serve the emperor.
Unfortunately, last night the Emperor ordered Eunuch Cai to send Kong Feng'er and Kong Yan'er back!
Kong Yan'er was still a girl who had not yet reached marriageable age. She walked with a bouncy gait as she ran towards Hongyu.
Hongyu frowned and sat on the stone bench, pondering: Logically speaking, Zhiya had already avenged Qiuxue'er and Kang'er by killing them, so why did she sneak into the Kong family mansion?
She really couldn't understand it.
"What is Sister Hongyu thinking about?"
Kong Yan'er sat down beside her and whispered, "Father wants me and Feng'er to enter the palace together and support each other in the future. I don't want to be with Feng'er. Eldest sister won't help me think of a way. Sister Hongyu, can you help me think of a solution?"
Hongyu was terrified. Could it be that Prime Minister Kong wanted to marry her as his second wife so that a girl from the Kong family could become empress?
She couldn't help but feel jealous and furious.
At this moment, the Emperor walked over, and Kong Que'er led the Kong family girl forward to pay her respects, with Hongyu following behind.
“I grew up in the Kong family. You are my family, so there’s no need for you to be so formal.”
Everyone stood up, and Hongyu stepped forward to ask, "Your Majesty, did Zhiya kill Kang'er?"
"That's right. To avenge Qiu Shuang'er, Zhi Ya followed Qiu Xue'er and Kang'er out of the city the night before last and ambushed and shot them on the road."
"Hongyu has something she doesn't understand. Now that Zhiya has succeeded, why come to the Kong family's residence? Isn't that just walking into a trap?"
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