Chapter 260 Where Did Song Jiyun Go?
Zhao's heart pounded like a drum, crashing heavily against her chest.
She simply wanted to test the child's bloodline, clear the name of the Duke of Ying's family, and give an explanation to the ancestors of the Zhou family.
Her original intention was simply to conduct a blood test to verify kinship.
After the examination and confirmation, the child is sent back without anyone noticing.
She never intended to harm the child in the slightest.
It's that madman Song Jiyun!
She never expected that Song Jiyun would be so audacious as to use the people she provided to not only injure Miss He, but even... even try to kill the child!
Those outlaws of the martial world were all beheaded.
Song Jiyun has also completely disappeared.
Meng Shilan even went so far as to subtly probe whether this matter was related to her.
Each and every one of these things was like an invisible giant net, trapping her firmly in the center, unable to move.
At this moment, above him were those gentle yet sharp eyes on the phoenix throne.
All around were the curious, inquisitive, or gloating gazes of the imperial consorts.
Zhao felt a sudden dizziness, and cold sweat almost seeped from her temples.
She forced herself to stand up slowly from her seat and respectfully curtsied to Empress Zhang on the throne.
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress."
Her voice remained steady, revealing not a trace of panic.
“Jiyun is my mother-in-law’s grandniece. In a way, she is my junior.”
She first tried to build rapport by appearing friendly.
"Ever since moving into the mansion, she has been grateful for the old lady's love and often stayed by her side, copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers. She lived a secluded life and was very quiet."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has not seen her for several days."
Zhao lowered her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness and tolerance from an elder.
"I suppose he's still in the old lady's yard right now, keeping her company and keeping her company."
That's a perfectly watertight statement.
This both explained Song Jiyun's absence and preserved her reputation for being filial to her elders.
Unexpectedly, Empress Zhang, sitting on the throne, gently furrowed her brows.
"Is that so?"
"Because of her saving the emperor last time, I specially had someone send her a private invitation."
Empress Zhang's voice was not loud, but it clearly resonated throughout the entire hall.
"Could it be that someone dares to block my invitation?"
Zhao's face turned deathly pale instantly, as if something had exploded in her mind.
How dare she obstruct the Empress's jade decree!
But given the current situation, she absolutely cannot admit it!
Once Song Jiyun's disappearance is acknowledged, it will be necessary to investigate the reasons behind it.
At that time, they will kidnap the children of the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and instigate the Empress's savior to commit murder...
Either of these two charges would be enough to plunge the entire British Duke's mansion into an abyss of no return!
She can't handle it!
Not a single one can be held accountable!
Zhao's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
Just as her lips moved, preparing to deny it outright.
A clear, cold sound, like jade striking jade, rang out unhurriedly.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to report."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.
Meng Shilan had already stood up and walked out of the room.
She walked gracefully into the hall and gave Empress Zhang a proper curtsy.
The dark blue skirt rippled gently across the smooth, mirror-like gold brick floor.
"I did meet Miss Song a few days ago."
These words shocked everyone present.
Zhao suddenly looked up, staring intently at Meng Shilan's back, her eyes filled with horror.
What is she trying to do?!
A hint of surprise flashed in Empress Zhang's eyes, and she put down her teacup.
"Oh? Miss Meng, please tell me about it."
"yes."
Meng Shilan's expression remained calm and composed, as if she were discussing an ordinary family matter.
"To be precise, it was Miss He who saw it with her own eyes."
"I'm sure the ladies here have heard that a few days ago, my household was attacked by thieves, and my child was almost kidnapped by them."
Upon hearing this, a low gasp immediately filled the hall.
The attack on the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was no secret.
No one expected that Meng Shilan would dare to say this in person in the main hall, right in front of the Empress!
Ignoring the reactions around him, Meng Shilan continued speaking.
"The situation was critical at the time, but fortunately, the daughter of General He's family risked her life to protect the child, which saved the child."
"Fortunately, the child is safe and sound, but it's a pity for that Miss He. She was covered in injuries and barely survived. She is still recovering in bed."
Her voice carried a perfectly balanced mix of lingering fear and gratitude.
But the conversation took an abrupt turn the next moment!
"After Miss He woke up, she mentioned something to me."
Meng Shilan's gaze swept over Zhao Shi's pale face seemingly unintentionally, her voice still cold.
"She said she saw Miss Song Jiyun with her own eyes."
"Not only did I see them, but it seems... they were quite familiar with the leader of that gang of thugs."
One stone stirs up a thousand waves!
The entire main hall of Fengwu Palace fell into a deathly silence in an instant.
Everyone's face was filled with shock and disbelief.
The Empress's savior was acquainted with the villains who kidnapped nobles from the Duke's mansion.
How...how is this possible?!
Empress Zhang's expression finally darkened.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and a hint of coldness flashed in her phoenix eyes.
"Is this really true?"
A few days ago, she caught a cold. In order to allow her to rest and recuperate, the head lady-in-waiting stopped her from reporting some trivial matters outside the palace.
She had no idea that such a shocking event had occurred in the capital!
"Meng Shilan!"
Empress Zhang's voice carried a touch of the majesty befitting an emperor or empress.
"This is no small matter. Do you have any evidence?!"
"Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously."
Meng Shilan met the Empress's gaze with composure and dignity.
"I also do not believe that Miss Song would be the kind of person who associates with thieves."
"After all, she is Your Majesty's savior."
Then, her tone shifted slightly, like the finest embroidery needle, piercing the already tottering Zhao family with precision and ruthlessness.
"However, there is one thing that I do not understand."
"The Duchess of England was a man of simple tastes and disliked getting involved in such mundane matters."
“I am not very familiar with you, Madam, but you suddenly came to visit me at the mansion that day.”
"I thought that since Miss Song is a cousin of the Duke of Yingguo, the Duchess should know this. However, the Duchess has acted contrary to her usual behavior, doing everything she can to protect and exonerate Miss Song for knowing the villain."
"This humble woman is dull-witted and truly cannot understand the reason behind this."
Upon hearing Meng Shilan's words, Zhao swayed violently.
She looked up, and her well-maintained face was drained of color, leaving only a deathly ashen hue.
As she looked at the slender yet upright figure in the hall, the muscles on her face twitched uncontrollably.
Meng Shilan!
She actually dared to drag her down with her in front of the Empress and all the noblewomen in the palace!
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