The emperor's brow furrowed slightly with anger.
"So, the Empress's target is you, and I'm just an accident?"
Gu Jiangli nodded helplessly.
This was the only possibility she could think of.
At that time, she was pregnant, and the Empress may not have wanted the child to be born, which is why she targeted her.
The empress couldn't possibly harm the emperor.
After all, he was the emperor, and after all, he was her husband.
No matter how she thought about it, she felt that the emperor had suffered this calamity in her place.
After a long silence from the emperor, Gu Jiangli finally spoke and asked:
"Your Majesty, several months have passed since the Gu worm incident. It may be difficult to find evidence to prove that the Empress was responsible."
"Li'er has a plan?"
Gu Jiangli did indeed have a plan in mind, which required the emperor's cooperation.
"Her Majesty the Empress is meticulous. Even if there is evidence, she has probably destroyed it. Without physical evidence, we can only rely on witness testimony."
"I have heard that Eunuch Li has always been loyal to Her Majesty the Empress and is her confidant."
"Her Majesty the Empress is of the highest rank and is very precious. She would never do anything herself, but would instead arrange for her most trusted eunuch, Eunuch Li, to do it."
"Therefore, Eunuch Li is the witness."
The Emperor's expression was solemn. "Eunuch Li is utterly loyal to the Empress. Even if the Empress really arranged for him to do these things, he would not betray her."
Gu Jiangli smiled faintly, "Your Majesty, there is no need for Eunuch Li to betray the Empress."
She laid out her entire plan.
The emperor listened attentively to Gu Jiangli's plan until Gu Jiangli finished speaking, at which point a look of amazement appeared on his face.
He was so captivated by Gu Jiangli's confident demeanor that he didn't come back to his senses for a long time.
Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Gu Jiangli was somewhat puzzled.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty? Do you think my method won't work?"
The emperor shook his head and smiled, "Li'er's method is simple, but it may be surprisingly effective."
He knew Gu Jiangli's talent all along, but today, listening to her explain her plan in such a logical and organized way, he still found her exceptionally brilliant.
He has always liked intelligent women.
"Li'er, let's do it your way. I'm also very curious to know what the Empress is secretly hiding."
————
Two days later, the emperor's complexion gradually improved.
On a clear, moonlit night, Gu Jiangli encountered Eunuch Li approaching from the entrance of the Empress's Palace.
He walked out with a swagger, carrying a food box in his hand.
Perhaps he was too arrogant and didn't notice the banana peel on his feet, nor did he notice the lotus flower to his right rear that was eagerly facing him.
Just then, Lotus, quick-witted and agile, seized the opportunity, pretended to step on a banana peel, and fell down, landing on top of Eunuch Li.
"Ouch--!"
With a scream, Eunuch Li flew out of his hand and the food box hit Gu Jiangli's dress.
Lotus raised her elbow, and seemingly unintentionally, struck Eunuch Li on the back of the head.
His eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness.
Many palace maids rushed forward to wipe away the dirt from Gu Jiangli, surrounded her to ask if she had been burned, and straightened her clothes.
A large group of people gathered together, making a great commotion, which attracted the Queen to come out of the palace.
They were dumbfounded when they saw the chaotic scene before them.
Upon closer inspection, she realized that the lotus flower was still pressing down on Eunuch Li, and she broke out in a cold sweat.
"What...what are you doing?"
Lotus pretended to be drowsy and tried to get up from Eunuch Li, but she was too weak.
The other palace maids realized that the Empress was standing to one side and hurriedly bowed.
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Gu Jiangli immediately followed suit and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."
The Empress approached, forcing a dignified smile. "Consort Gu, you should be busy these past two days investigating the murderer who tried to assassinate His Majesty. What urgent matter brings you here to see me?"
Gu Jiangli straightened her skirt and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I will naturally investigate the true culprit who plotted against His Majesty."
"However, Your Majesty has more important matters to understand at the moment."
"A few days ago, His Majesty found the gourd-shaped jade pendant that I had left in the Guangming Hall. He gave it to a servant and asked that servant to pass it on to me."
"But guess what?"
"That servant was so careless that he actually lost the gourd jade pendant!"
"Your Majesty, I remember that the gourd-shaped jade pendant was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress. It was very precious! How could it be lost so easily?"
"So when I called that servant over to ask him, he said that on the way to deliver the jade pendant, he ran into Eunuch Li from your palace. Eunuch Li bumped into him, and then the jade gourd disappeared."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's smile turned cold.
"What do you mean by that, Consort Gu? Do you really think that something I send out would be stolen back by Eunuch Li?"
Gu Jiangli waved her hand and laughed, "How could that be? I know that Your Majesty the Empress is not that kind of person, and His Majesty also trusts Your Majesty's character."
"So, instead of arranging for the guards to arrest Eunuch Li immediately, they sent me over to 'invite' him over for a few questions."
"After questioning him, Eunuch Li's innocence will be cleared, and Your Majesty can let that shirking servant die in peace, won't you?"
The Empress's face tightened, then she smiled again, quickly concealing a hint of panic.
"That gourd-shaped jade pendant was originally a gift to celebrate Consort Gu's pregnancy. Now that the child is gone, the jade has lost its purpose."
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