Li Tiao understood the principle, but she didn't know which chicken to kill and which monkey to warn when Su Mama talked about "killing the chicken to scare the monkey".
Even after Sumalagu left, Li Tiao was still pondering her words.
It's really unlucky of Su Ma La Gu to think about it. She used to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures every day, and her life was peaceful and quiet. But now, because of herself, she has caused a death.
"Master, what did Granny Su say?" After Granny Su left, Hongye came in and asked Li Tiao.
Although Hongye was the Fourth Prince's woman, Li Tiao knew that Hongye was different from Chunxi back then, and that she had no intention of harming her.
That's enough for Li Tiao. As for whose person she is, Li Tiao doesn't really care right now.
Since she couldn't understand it herself, Li Tiao repeated Su Mama's words about making an example of someone to warn others to Hongye.
What do you think she meant?
Hongye thought for a moment and said, "What Su Mama meant was probably to have the master think of the two people in the palace who most want you dead, and push today's matter onto one of them as a warning to the other."
Li Tiao naturally knew this; the key was who to pin the blame on and who to warn.
She's someone who could be crushed at any moment, yet she dares to warn others... This is quite difficult and a great challenge for Li Tiao.
However, it was difficult, but she had to take on the challenge because when the matter reached Kangxi's ears, the emperor himself became involved.
When Li Tiao arrived at the Qianqing Palace again, her mindset was different from the previous times she had visited.
Now she feels she has to live like Niohuru Li Tiao, otherwise she'll be bullied to death. As for whether she can become Niohuru Li Tiao, she doesn't know, but it's always good to have a dream.
When a court is being questioned, there must be witnesses, so Li Tiao didn't think she was the only one being questioned by Kangxi. When she saw the Imperial Concubine Gui and the Imperial Concubine De in the Qianqing Palace, Li Tiao was surprised but thought it was normal. However, what greatly surprised Li Tiao was that the Crown Princess was also there.
"Li Tiao, tell me, what's going on with the palace maid who serves you?"
Before Emperor Kangxi could even speak after asking Li Tiao his question, Consort De spoke up for Li Tiao, saying, "Your Majesty, you know that my relationship with Li Tiao has never been very harmonious."
But this matter, I believe, has nothing to do with Li Tiao.
Li Tiao was bewitched. What was Consort De up to?
Kangxi did not reply to Consort De. Instead, he asked Consort Gui, "Consort Gui, you are in charge of all the affairs, big and small, in the six palaces. What have you found out?"
The Imperial Concubine said, "Your Majesty, the cooks in Granny Su's small kitchen are fine. Li Tiao has three servants: Hongye is her personal attendant, and there are two maids who do menial tasks. The one who died was one of the two maids who did menial tasks, and the other maid can no longer be found..."
However, I have already ordered people to search for them. Whether they are dead or alive, they must be found.
Therefore, the person who ran away is the most suspicious; she is likely the one who poisoned the victim.
Li Tiao naturally knew what the Imperial Concubine was saying. After listening to the Imperial Concubine, Li Tiao did not speak rashly, but thought she should observe first.
Moreover, it seemed that Master Kang had only brought Li Tiao over to listen. After the Consort finished speaking, she didn't even glance at Li Tiao, and then asked the Crown Princess, "It is said that the palace maid who escaped saw you in private."
"Replying to Father Emperor, your daughter-in-law lives in the palace with our master, and has naturally seen quite a few palace maids. She has also had some interactions with Granny Su's side, but your daughter-in-law really can't remember which palace maid went missing."
Although the Crown Princess didn't seem to say anything, considering Consort De's attitude just now, Li Tiao felt that either Consort De or the Crown Prince had done it.
Following Sumalagu's veiled advice, "kill the chicken to scare the monkey"... now it's time to choose which chicken to kill.
Consort De, the Crown Prince... Li Tiao was going bald just trying to survive.
"By the way, Consort, who said that the missing palace maid had seen Lady Guarjia in private?"
Li Tiao also took this opportunity to cautiously glance at the Imperial Concubine.
The Imperial Concubine's gaze swept between the Crown Princess Guarjia and the Consort De before she finally spoke slowly: "It was Consort De who said she had seen the Crown Princess meet that palace maid in private."
"Your Highness, you can't say that. Haven't you seen that palace maid?" Guarjia immediately questioned the Consort the moment she finished speaking.
"I did see her. The reason I told the Consort that you had seen that palace maid was because I saw you meet that person two days before the incident."
After all, Sumalagu's place is quiet, and few people go there, let alone the master.
“Your Highness, what you say is absurd. Fourth Brother does visit Su Ma La Gu frequently, but whether he goes in to pay his respects to her is another matter.”
Li Tiao was alarmed. Fourth Prince... Judging from their tone, something was amiss.
After questioning Consort De, the Crown Princess bowed to Emperor Kangxi and said, "Father, please understand that there is no conflict between my daughter-in-law and Li Tiao. They only met once before when my father invited his brothers to dinner. It was just a normal interaction between sisters-in-law. There is nothing else."
Later, when the fourth brother and Li Tiao had this falling out, everyone felt very sorry for them.
But I would absolutely not do anything in place of my fourth brother.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Has the Fourth Prince made another decision that requires someone else to make it for him?" Consort De anxiously tried to defend the Fourth Prince.
Li Tiao felt as if she were in an ice cellar.
She was no match for these palace people when it came to scheming and plotting, but she was good at reading between the lines. If Li Tiao still couldn't understand what was going on here after hearing this much, then she would have wasted all the time she had spent living here.
Consort De appeared to be defending the Fourth Prince, but in reality, she wanted him dead.
The Crown Princess was implying that the Fourth Prince might have wanted to kill her, but it was actually that palace maid who was unlucky enough to die.
In everyone's understanding, Master Kang might have some unspeakable feelings for Li Tiao. At this time, it seemed normal for the Fourth Prince to want to kill Li Tiao, but it angered Master Kang.
Li Tiao realized that she had been made an example of, and she could no longer remain silent.
"Your Majesty, please see the truth." Li Tiao bowed to Kangxi, "Fourth Prince..."
Before Li Tiao could finish speaking, the Imperial Concubine interrupted her: "Your Majesty, the death of a palace maid is not a big deal, but since she served under Su Ma La Gu, it is normal for you to take it seriously."
However, in my humble opinion, it is absolutely impossible for the Fourth Prince to have done this.
The Imperial Concubine spoke up for her? Li Tiao was puzzled again.
However, since someone had spoken up for the Fourth Prince, Li Tiao was naturally delighted.
Master Kang asked, "Why do you think this wasn't done by the fourth brother?"
"Your Majesty, I must say something I shouldn't. According to what the Crown Princess just said, the Fourth Prince often goes to Su Ma La Gu's place. Even if he doesn't go to pay his respects, he still has many opportunities to see Li Tiao. If he wanted to kill Li Tiao, he could easily call her away from Su Ma La Gu's place without anyone knowing."
There's no need to accidentally kill a palace maid and draw everyone's attention to him.
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