By the time we finished all that, it was already getting light.
Xu Yuehuai simply packed all these things and headed towards the East Palace.
At this moment, the High Priest had already begun to prepare Ah Qi's daily life, but the moment Xu Yuehuai stood at the gate of the East Palace, he frowned.
She originally thought that since she and Zhao Min had left the East Palace, Zhang Ting would also be kicked out, but she was clearly still living in the East Palace and enjoying her life.
This anomaly led Xu Yuehuai to directly confirm the connection between Aqi and the Underworld Moon Kingdom.
Her prolonged silence soon caught the high priest's attention.
The high priest immediately stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "May Princess Heyue be well."
"I wonder why Princess Heyue has come today?" She was polite on the surface and spoke fluent Central Plains dialect, making it hard for anyone to suspect anything.
But Xu Yuehuai couldn't help but narrow her eyes—since both A Qi and Zhang Ting had intricate connections with the Mingyue Kingdom, how could the Crown Prince's head palace maid possibly remain untainted?
However, she still smiled and said, "I haven't seen the Crown Prince for many days, so I thought I'd come and see him. Has Ah Qi gotten up yet?"
Xu Yuehuai's last sentence reached A Qi's ears.
Ah Qi felt a lump in his throat, as if he had returned to the time at Tianxiang Tower. But when he came to his senses again, the scenery before him was clearly different.
He immediately said, "Grandma, I'm here."
Xu Yuehuai was momentarily dazed by the word "Grandma," but quickly remembered why she had come today. She walked over quickly and handed over the food box in her hand: "Aqi, I thought you must not have been eating or sleeping well these days, so I specially made you breakfast. Eat it while it's hot."
"Alright, Grandma, come in." Ah Qi also came back to his senses, his expression becoming indifferent.
Although he didn't understand why Xu Yuehuai had come today, he could guess that it was definitely not simple.
After the two entered the hall, Zhang Ting, who hadn't spoken until now, turned cold.
She hurried to the High Priest's side and complained, "Didn't Consort Min say that she would get rid of Xu Yuehuai soon? How come she's still alive?"
Her disgust and dislike for Xu Yuehuai did not diminish in the slightest after the two had not seen each other for many days; on the contrary, it grew stronger, and she even felt murderous intent at just one glance.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" the High Priest said calmly. "General Maimaiti has already sent word that he will have the two of them set off for the Underworld Moon Kingdom as soon as possible. When that happens, you will naturally have to go back with them."
"Once they leave, Marquis Ningyuan and the Crown Prince will plan a coup. No matter how powerful they are, they won't be able to turn the tide. Then, you'll be able to easily obtain the Regent."
As she said this, a smug, cold smile crept onto her lips.
She has endured so much hardship and bided her time; it's time for her to reap the rewards.
But Zhang Ting couldn't wait even a day longer, and hurriedly said, "How much longer do we have to wait! And once they go to the Underworld Moon Kingdom, they definitely won't be able to separate. How can I get what I want then?"
"Good things come to those who wait; your impatience will surely lead to trouble," the high priest warned coldly.
Thinking of Xu Yuehuai's gaze just now, she couldn't help but speak up: "Xu Yuehuai already knows that you are still in the East Palace. In order to avoid suspicion, you can't stay any longer. I'll have someone send you back to Tianxiang Tower in a little while."
“But…” Zhang Ting was extremely unwilling.
"Zhang Ting, don't forget your place." The high priest spoke coldly again before turning and leaving.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the imperial court was extremely oppressive.
The Minister of Revenue's resounding voice came from inside: "Your Majesty, I must expose the Regent's collusion with the Dark Moon Kingdom, which is plotting a rebellion."
Even the eunuch guarding the gate couldn't help but shrink back, moving a little further away from the doorway, afraid of overhearing something he shouldn't and losing his life.
The atmosphere in the hall became extremely oppressive. Everyone held their breath and dared not speak first.
The Emperor cast a cold glance at Qi Guze, then said, "Minister Xu, you can't just say things like that."
"Your Majesty, would I dare to speak recklessly without evidence?" the Minister of Revenue said directly.
The fact that Qi Guze colluded with the Mingyue Kingdom was almost confirmed before, and now it's being brought up again, there must be something more to it. None of the court officials dared to say anything more.
Pei Xuan stepped forward: "Minister of Revenue, you keep saying you have evidence, but we haven't seen a single piece of it yet. Isn't this just you spouting nonsense?"
"Lord Pei, it's rather suspicious to hear such words from you," the Minister of Revenue sneered, the sarcasm in his voice unmistakable.
Seeing that he was about to be dragged into the mess by talking to him, Pei Xuan quickly spoke to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I still believe that the Regent is innocent and could not possibly be colluding with the Mingyue Kingdom."
The Emperor did not speak upon hearing this, but his cold expression did not lessen at all. However, since it was the Minister of Revenue who had been speaking on this matter, his words were not convincing.
The Minister of Revenue sneered inwardly upon hearing this. He had prepared evidence long ago, but the reason he hadn't produced it yet was because he lacked a legitimate reason to do so.
After all, he had been the one saying that Qi Guze and Mingyue Kingdom were colluding. If he were to produce more evidence, he was afraid that it would be too hasty and arouse the emperor's suspicion.
So he had been using words to pressure Pei Xuan into speaking up, knowing that Pei Xuan was someone who wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.
Today, Pei Xuan is exactly what he wanted.
"Of course we have this evidence. Shall we present it now?" the Minister of Revenue said, patting his chest.
Pei Xuan glanced at him and indeed saw that his arms were bulging, but he still didn't believe it, so he said, "Minister, there's no need to keep us in suspense. If you have evidence, then produce it. If you can really prove that Qi Guze and Mingyue Kingdom are colluding, then I have nothing to say."
He was certain in his heart that Qi Guze was absolutely innocent.
"Show it to me." The Emperor nodded and said, but his voice was icy cold.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, and Minister Pei, this evidence is nothing more than a few letters exchanged between us. However, the recipients and the contents of these letters are quite intriguing." As he spoke, the Minister of Revenue took out something from his robes and handed it to the three men.
Pei Xuan quickly took it, then glanced coldly at the Minister of Revenue. He didn't believe in any so-called evidence, and seeing the Minister's nonchalant expression made him furious. Then he turned his gaze to the letter in his hand, and after just one glance, he couldn't take his eyes off it.
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