Chapter 322: Smart but Mistaken

After Yun Qin left, Prince Rui remained where he was, watching her procession disappear into the night.

When she was no longer visible, the servant beside Prince Rui asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what did Concubine Xi mean just now?"

Although Prince Rui could not fully understand Yun Qin's meaning, he could tell that her last sentence was a strong reminder.

"It means exactly what it says. She is reminding me not to act rashly."

His voice at this moment was a little cold, completely different from his usual gentle voice.

The servant was shocked, "Did she know something?"

Prince Rui didn't think so. "Even if she knew something, it should have been the emperor who told her. It seems that the emperor has long suspected me."

"Then, what should we do?" The servant was not as calm as Prince Rui and immediately showed nervousness.

But then he wondered again: "Then why did Xipin remind the prince?"

Prince Rui recalled the previous times when they had exchanged ambiguous glances. There were many things between men and women that could not be explained clearly.

"Since she said this, she is at least willing to help me." Prince Rui curled his lips and smiled.

The servant did not understand the meaning of his smile, but after hearing him say that, he felt relieved and asked, "Should I go and tell Eunuch Wang?"

"No need for that. There are so many eyes watching us. We must not be caught by anyone." He shook his head.

The servant responded and asked, "Is the prince going back?"

"Now that we're here, why not take a walk here, at least for show." Prince Rui said as he walked towards the lake.

In the blink of an eye, the news of the two people's encounter by the lake was brought to Hawking Chi by the people who were keeping an eye on Prince Rui.

"I didn't dare get too close to what the two said, so I didn't hear it clearly."

"How can this be a coincidence? Prince Rui clearly predicted that Concubine Xi would pass by and had been waiting for her for a long time." Xu An couldn't help but say from the side.

Huo Jinchi said nothing, but waved his hand to let Wu Deshi leave.

Xu An was still angry, "Prince Rui doesn't trust the emperor enough."

Huo Jinchi glanced at him and said, "You've talked too much today."

"I am angry on behalf of the Emperor." Xu An knew that he had talked too much and quickly changed the subject.

"Your Majesty, you didn't eat much for dinner, so I prepared some snacks." He said as he placed the snacks on the desk.

Without waiting for Huo Jinchi to refuse, he immediately continued, "This was what Concubine Xi asked me to prepare before she left. She was afraid that you would get sick from overwork."

Upon hearing this, the word "take it" came to Hawking's lips, but he swallowed it back.

He glanced at the snacks on the plate and said calmly, "Put it aside for now."

Xu An immediately responded with a smile. He knew that bringing up Concubine Xi would definitely help. "Then I'll go make a pot of new tea for His Majesty."

Huo Jinchi nodded indifferently and lowered his eyes to look at the memorial.

——

Perhaps he really listened to Yun Qin's words, for Prince Rui did not take any further action. Huo Jinchi also did not allow him to stay in the palace any longer, but let him return to his own residence.

But people are still watching him secretly.

However, the rumors could no longer be contained and instead grew more and more intense, causing some court officials who were at odds with the Fang family to submit memorials asking Huo Jinchi to thoroughly investigate what happened.

The reason given is, naturally, that there is no wind without waves.

Some people also dug up the files from that year and pointed out that before Zhao Zhaoyi was sentenced to death, he did not confess to murdering Concubine Li.

A few days later, those ministers who had asked Huo Jinchi to re-investigate the events of that year were impeached one after another.

They range from corruption to oppression of the people.

As expected, the rumor eventually turned into a confrontation among court officials.

However, from beginning to end, Hawking Chi never made a clear statement whether to investigate or not. Instead, like Prince Rui who was waiting to reap the benefits, he sat back and watched the court officials make a fuss.

As for Prince Rui's response, he was always investigating.

And we actually found something.

It was discovered that the Fang family was involved in the source of the rumor.

Maybe the rumor was initially spread by Prince Rui, but the Fang family added some spice to it, naturally in order to make the emperor suspect Prince Rui.

The goal was naturally achieved, and the Fang family had already decided to sacrifice the Queen Mother.

After receiving the news, Huo Jinchi sat in the study for two hours. It was not until Xu An invited Yun Qin over that he was allowed to speak.

Things were going on all over the place, and in a blink of an eye, the weather started to turn cold.

It's almost time to return to the palace.

Huo Jinchi had begun to prepare an edict to end this farce, but there was still no news about the old lady.

It was as if she had really evaporated from the face of the earth, with no trace left at all.

Yun Qin didn't take it too seriously at first, but now, it has become a thorn in her side.

"Did the emperor really order a thorough investigation?" She even began to question Huo Jinchi.

Huo Jinchi held him with one hand and read a book with the other. He lowered his eyes and looked at her, "My son, do you doubt that I am not doing my part?"

"How could it be possible, how could it be possible." Yun Qin said embarrassedly, "I also think it's too bizarre. Whenever I think of such a person, I feel terrified. Doesn't Your Majesty feel the same?"

"You just think too much." Huo Jinchi pressed her back into his arms, "At least we can be sure that she has no ill intentions towards Zi Yan."

"Oh, by the way, eldest prince!" Yun Qin suddenly raised her head from him, looked at him and asked, "Has the emperor ever asked the eldest prince about the matter of the old nanny?"

Huo Jinchi raised his eyebrows slightly, "You haven't asked?"

"Why am I asking this?" Yun Qin widened her eyes in surprise.

Huo Jinchi frowned now, "You have been investigating, I thought you had already asked Zi Yan, but didn't get any useful information, so you didn't ask him again."

They looked at each other, both speechless.

Smart people can sometimes be misled by their own intelligence.

"Go and ask the eldest prince to come over!" Huo Jinchi shouted.