Chapter 48 Death
The hall was silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes fell on the brocade box and the nine golden flowers discarded on the floor.
The prince's face turned pale, and he could only squeeze out a few words from between his teeth: "Okay, I will order someone to investigate who among the attendants accompanying the emperor today is responsible."
"Princess, how could you possibly think Yang Huaijiang had nothing to do with you?" Cui Fufeng, naturally unconcerned with the affairs of the Eastern Palace, nodded to the Crown Prince and continued to stare intently at Princess Gao. His voice was calm, but his words were sharp. "If it weren't for you, how would Her Majesty have known that Lady Dingxiang, who came to the capital to assist with the funeral arrangements for Prince Changhua, had also brought along the cousin of the Princess of Lingling County, and thus been tempted to bring them together?"
Princess Gaoguo denied the allegation, "I was simply bored and heard that the Princess of Lingling had a cousin who had come to the capital. Thinking that Prince Changhua had died young while serving his country and his people, leaving my granddaughter helpless to this day, I decided to bring the cousins together to strengthen their relationship. So, when I entered the palace, I made a suggestion to the Empress. Both the Emperor and Empress thought it was a good idea, so they approved my selection."
The Queen glanced indifferently at the Crown Prince, and seeing him sitting motionless in his chair with his head bowed, she spoke, "I also believe that the Princess of Lingling has been hesitant to choose a husband because she's unsure of the other candidates' family backgrounds and personalities. My aunt and cousin knew the background well and thought it would be a good match, so they allowed Yang Huaijiang to be included in the list. Who could have known, without further investigation, that he would turn out to be such a scoundrel, causing such a big incident in the Changhua Palace? It's truly a waste of my efforts to help the Princess of Lingling."
Qiandeng kowtowed to her silently, but didn't know how to respond.
Cui Fufeng, having spoken, would not let it go. He continued to get to the point. "If it were just one incident, it might be just a coincidence. But the Princess Gao's Mansion sent Yang Huaijiang in first, and someone with unusual connections to the Princess Mansion gifted him drugs and jewelry that closely resembled the imperial golden flower from the Changhua Palace. Then the stolen imperial golden flower appeared in the hands of a female official at the Princess Mansion, and the female official had the audacity to fabricate such shameful rumors about the Princess of Lingling County... Add up all these coincidences, and I've read through the Dali Temple's case files for a hundred years, and I've never heard of or seen anything like it before."
Princess Gao stiffened her neck, her expression weak. "How can there be so many coincidences? Some are indeed coincidences, and some are just your guesses! Yang Huaijiang was outside collecting a box, and you didn't see what was inside. Just ask him about it. What does it have to do with my princess's mansion? As for the female officials in my mansion, I will interrogate them thoroughly when I return. I will definitely give you an explanation as to where these nine golden flowers came from."
Everyone knew that after the female historian was brought back to the princess's mansion, there would be no possibility of interrogation.
Qian Deng immediately asked Cui Fufeng, "Shaoqing Cui, this female official stole the imperial gift and falsely accused the imperial princess. What is her punishment?"
Cui Fufeng acted as if nothing had happened and said calmly, "He should be executed if guilty."
As soon as she said this, the female historian collapsed to the ground in fear, and subconsciously raised her hand to grab the hem of the clothes of the Princess of Gao State in front of her: "Please, Princess, save this servant..."
Princess Gao kicked her hand away and squeezed out a few words from between her teeth: "Tell me, what is the hatred between you and the Changhua Palace? Why did you fabricate lies and frame the Princess of Lingling?"
After hearing her words, the female historian kowtowed hurriedly, her forehead bleeding profusely. "Yes, this servant... My family served in the army, and because they violated military law, they were beheaded by the Prince of Changhua, and our family was separated. I was resentful, so after obtaining these nine golden flowers, I fabricated lies with the intention of slandering the Prince of Changhua's palace... I know I was wrong, and I deserve to die!"
Princess Gao snorted coldly and turned to the Queen, saying, "So this bitch has a personal grudge against the Changhua Palace, so she fabricated a lie. Even I, the dignified Grand Princess, was deceived. It's truly infuriating!"
Qian Deng was well aware of this tactic and said, "Even if the ladies of the Princess's Mansion harbor resentment, how could they possibly steal the Nine Trees of Golden Flowers hidden deep within the Prince's Palace? I hope the Dali Temple can thoroughly investigate this matter and reveal the truth, lest they miss any crucial details and let the real culprit go unpunished."
Princess Gao was extremely anxious, and Xiao Fuyu was even more panicked, but looking at the prince's expression, she knew that it would be better for her not to do anything, and could only look at the queen pleadingly.
The Queen looked indifferent and waved her hand noncommittally, indicating that the female official should be taken away first. "It is very annoying to keep such a sinister servant here."
The eunuchs agreed, picked up the female historian and pushed her out of the hall. They pushed her to the railing and then let go.
Xiao Fuyu raised his eyes angrily and glared at the miserable female historian whose forehead was bleeding. He snorted coldly and turned his head away with a gloomy look on his face.
The moment she turned her head, the lady closed her eyes, trembling all over, and jumped down from the railing.
The Xuanhui Hall was built on a high point, overlooking the Taiye Lake. The desperate wails were hasty and brief, and were immediately ended by a slight thud.
In the silence of the hall, the eunuch walked to the railing, took a look, then quickly walked to the front of the hall and reported loudly: "Your Highness, the Queen, the prisoner knew that he could not escape his guilt and committed suicide out of fear of punishment -"
Qiandeng was still kneeling in the hall, but the weather was too cold. The chill from the ground seeped up little by little and spread throughout her body, making her limbs stiff and unable to move.
She saw Princess Gaoguo curl her lips coldly and said, "Princess Lingling, although the people in my mansion spread rumors by mistake, now that the person is gone, I have explained to you. I hope you can resolve your anger, let go of your hatred, and not involve other innocent people."
She also heard the Queen's voice, calm and unassuming, just like any other. "Mr. Cui, regarding the arson case and the two murders at the Changhua Palace, I understand your previous statements are quite clear. While the theory of a wronged spirit seeking revenge is unbelievable, it's highly likely that the victim lost their true nature and became hysterical after the murder. You should investigate further with the Dali Temple. It would be best if this case is resolved as soon as possible, before Madam Qi's funeral."
The Queen's intention was to close the case by saying that Yang Huaijiang killed Shi Jingning and then committed suicide due to hysteria.
Cui Fufeng replied, "Yes, the Dali Temple will conduct a thorough investigation and will not overlook any loopholes."
"Lingling has been wronged today, Changyi, when you take your seat later, remember to offer Lingling a glass of wine to calm him down." The queen said, and when she saw that everything had calmed down, she looked at the time and stood up to signal everyone to go to the side hall to take their seats.
Xiao Fuyu immediately stepped forward to help the Queen down the steps, saying respectfully, "Yes, Changyi was reckless today, and I apologize to Her Majesty on my mother's behalf. It's my mother's fault for always being so intolerant of injustice. So when she heard about that, her blood boiled, and she lost her mind in her haste."
The Queen chuckled, then turned to see the Crown Prince, still looking gloomy. He pursed his lips and silently gazed at Qiandeng. She frowned, coughed, and said, "Since the Changhua Palace is so busy, Princess Lingling will skip the incense burning at Jianfu Temple the next day. Instead, focus on handling the affairs of the Palace and close this case as soon as possible."
Qian Deng kowtowed in thanks: "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
The queen stood up and calmly signaled to her son, "Prince, follow me."
Qiandeng had already stood up in the back, and Mrs. Cui helped her pick up the nine golden flowers scattered on the ground and placed them in a brocade box.
Qiandeng held the box and thanked Madam Cui, but she smiled and said, "We'll be seated soon, and it would be very inconvenient for you to carry the box with you. Why don't you give it to Fufeng first? He's steady and will definitely make no mistakes."
Qiandeng nodded and handed the brocade box to Cui Fufeng.
Mrs. Cui patted her son's arm and gave him a meaningful smile: "Go, this is what the county lady told you to do, don't take it lightly."
Cui Fufeng put away the brocade box, but heard his mother lean over to his ear and whisper, "I'll talk to your father when we get back. It's not right for you to stay in the county lady's backyard without a name or status. You still need to be listed."
Cui Fufeng's heart skipped a beat. He suppressed the corners of his lips that were about to rise unconsciously, and maintained a calm tone: "Why did mother suddenly bring up this matter?"
"Nonsense! My son, such an unrivaled husband, is right here in the Changhua Palace. How dare they say with their eyes open that the county lady would fall for another man?" Madam Cui smiled slyly at him. "If this gets out, won't my son lose face?"
Cui Fufeng shook his head speechlessly. As he turned to leave, he heard his mother say behind him, "I'll go to the temple and ask for a few more amulets for you someday. I just don't believe that my Qilin child could be afraid of any astrological signs in this world."
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