Wanru narrowed her eyes:
"My sister has reminded me. Hongli is filial and afraid that I would worry. So he asked the servants to keep it from me, but now that I know, I can't just ignore it."
"This time, let's not hide anything, let's investigate directly."
"Sister, have you come up with an idea?"
Geng Youran smiled:
"Now that you're helping the Empress manage the six palaces, and this prince has been tricked and injured, why don't you just have the entire palace searched?"
"But we don't know what this person or what useful things they have."
"No need to know, whoever is guilty is the one."
It's all about playing with people's hearts.
Although Yinzhen did not say it explicitly, everyone knew in their hearts that the name behind the "Upright and Honorable" plaque was Hongli.
Where there are those who fawn, there will naturally be those who are jealous.
"I'll listen to you, sister. Tomorrow morning, I'll lead the search party."
The next day, the entire palace was in chaos. The Empress's palace was filled with people demanding justice from her.
"Your Majesty, this morning, before I even got up, those servants came in and ransacked the house."
"Yes, Your Majesty, if the Emperor were here, wouldn't we be incurring his wrath?"
"Tch, you make it sound like the Emperor is going to your place."
"What do you mean? Why can't the Emperor come to my place?"
The Empress found the chatter of these people incredibly annoying.
Yesterday evening, Consort Xi did come to my place, saying that someone in the harem was plotting to harm the prince.
I heard that she already had evidence and came to ask me for instructions.
Hongli was the crown prince favored by the emperor, and he was usually quite respectful to his empress.
Since Consort Xi had come to her for help, she naturally couldn't refuse.
But she never expected that this Consort Xi would have the entire harem searched.
How could she possibly investigate so many people? It's absurd.
"Shut up, all of you! Aren't you noisy enough already? You're all so quick-witted; save your mouths for the Emperor!"
Seeing the Empress's anger, everyone lowered their heads and remained silent.
But there was one person who caught the Queen's attention.
She waved her hand, pointed at the person, and asked softly:
Who is that person in the green shirt?
"Your Majesty, she is Consort Gu, and she was just appointed a few days ago."
"Go and tell Consort Xi to investigate this Consort Gu thoroughly."
"Yes, sir."
That's why she's called the Empress; her eyes are sharp.
She had just glanced at the woman unintentionally and thought she was very beautiful. She didn't say anything, but kept her head down, looking submissive and pitiful.
But if you look closely, you can see that she is constantly fiddling with the handkerchief in her hand, as if she is very nervous.
When someone tried to talk to her, she ignored them.
On the other side, Consort Xi was getting anxious.
She sent out so many people, and they searched for almost a whole morning, but they didn't find a single useful piece of information.
Just then, someone sent by the Queen arrived and told her the news.
"Report this to the Empress. Tell her that I will personally visit her to express my gratitude later."
"yes."
Consort Xi, Wanru, led her entourage to Consort Gu's courtyard. Upon entering the house, she found it to be small but filled with many fine items, presumably gifts from the Emperor.
Sure enough, not long after, Huang Li found a box under Gu Changzai's bed containing a purse, which was clearly for men.
Next to the purse, there was a grindstone.
Consort Xi Wanru's eyes hardened:
"Go, go to Chengqian Palace for me and ask my sister to borrow Xiao Anzi for a while."
The reason for borrowing Xiao Anzi is that Xiao Anzi has a skill he learned from Liang Jiugong.
That happened during the reign of the late emperor.
"This humble servant, Xiao Anzi, pays his respects to Consort Xi."
"Get up. Little Anzi, I might need to trouble you a little later."
"If Your Majesty needs anything, please just give the order. This servant will do his best."
After that, Consort Xi Wanru had someone bring Consort Gu to Ning Shou Palace.
"Tell me, where did this thing come from?"
"Your Highness, I have never seen this before."
"And this purse isn't yours either?"
"What are you saying, Consort Xi? I am but a woman in the palace, how could I possibly possess such a man's possessions?"
Consort Xi Wanru sneered:
"I never said these were men's things. Tell me, where did these things come from?"
"As I said, I have never seen these things before."
"I didn't expect you to be such a principled person. It's alright, I have plenty of ways to deal with this."
This time, Xiao Anzi specifically interrogated people in a side hall of Yongshou Palace. Meanwhile, Consort Xi Wanru made Consort Gu kneel in the courtyard.
The screams coming from the side hall grew louder and louder, and Consort Gu bit her lip until it bled.
An hour passed. Consort Gu could no longer kneel.
"Your Majesty, you've fainted."
"Make her wake up. She is not allowed to faint without my permission."
"Yes, Your Highness. Xiao Anzi's matter is all settled. He's been completely dealt with."
"Is it Changchun Palace?"
The oriole nodded.
"I didn't expect her to still be so persistent."
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has gone from being the Emperor's son to the son of a fallen prince. Consort Qi must harbor resentment."
"Hmph, I know. However, I still need to interrogate Consort Gu. It's necessary to make an example of her."
Consort Xi, Wanru, is truly determined to kill this time.
In less than half an hour, Consort Gu confessed to her affair with Hongshi and also revealed that she had ordered the murder of the Fourth Prince.
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