Gu Jiangli looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, when the fire was being burned, I was still outside. How could I have lit the fire inside? Besides, if I really wanted to burn paper money for my mother's funeral, why would I have chosen to do it inside?"
"With the firelight shining through the window, wouldn't passersby see it at a glance? Why don't I choose a quiet, secluded corner to do this?"
Gu Jiangli herself knew this principle, but the original owner, who was in the midst of grief, had not thought so much about it.
Her counter-question left the emperor speechless.
The emperor wasn't really at a loss for words to refute her; he was more surprised by her change.
She's become... cleverer.
He said solemnly:
"Whether it is you or not, I will investigate carefully. Consort Gu, if you are burning paper money in the room, I may be able to find some unburned ashes. If I do find them, you will be guilty as well."
Gu Jiangli was extremely surprised; this emperor was not someone to be easily fooled.
However, since he intends to investigate, it proves that he is not someone who is easily swayed by others, which is good; everything should be based on evidence.
Gu Jiangru stood to the side, a smug glint in her eyes, which Gu Jiangli noticed.
She calmly said:
"If Your Majesty wishes to investigate, please do so. After the investigation, please clear my name."
She was certain the emperor wouldn't find anything.
She gathered all the paper money around the bed curtains, and then burned it all along with the bed curtains.
Indeed, some that hadn't been thrown into the fire were hidden in her own shirt.
The emperor looked at her intently, his imposing aura pressing down on her, but Gu Jiangli was not afraid at all, confidently meeting the emperor's gaze.
At this moment, a eunuch ran over and said, "Your Majesty, the fire has been extinguished. Consort Gu's house needs some more cleaning and repairs; it may be uninhabitable for some time."
Gu Jiangli curled the corners of her lips slightly.
That suited her perfectly.
"Since Consort Gu's room is uninhabitable, let her stay temporarily in the palaces of other concubines," the Emperor said.
Gu Jiangli immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I think it's unnecessary to trouble the other concubines. My sister and I are very close, so please allow me to stay in her palace."
The emperor looked at Gu Jiangli in surprise, "Didn't you complain about Consort Gu just a few days ago? You thought she had harmed your mother and you cursed and hurled insults at her."
Gu Jiangli's eyes narrowed slightly. The person who caused the original owner's mother's death was not only Gu Jiangru, but also the emperor's edict.
If she's going to start swearing, she should do it with the other person.
However, for now, we should use the emperor's hand to deal with the culprit first.
"Your Majesty, my sister and I are sisters, how could we hold a grudge overnight? I was too impulsive that day and said some hurtful things to my sister. My sister won't blame me, will she?"
She took Gu Jiangru's hand affectionately, her eyes filled with genuine emotion.
Compared to her, Gu Jiangru is probably far inferior in terms of tea aroma!
Gu Jiangru tried hard to force a smile, but her displeasure made it difficult to maintain, so she could only manage a rather awkward smile as she said to Gu Jiangli:
"Of course... if my sister needs anything from me, how could I refuse?"
Gu Jiangli's eyes crinkled into a smile. "That's good. By the way, my little sister won't make me, her older sister, stay in the side hall, will she?"
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