Chapter 439 Hidden Person in the Eastern Palace
Consort Shen held Xiao Zhuo's hand, "Zhuo'er, now that things have come to this, we can only make the best of a bad situation. If people discover my scheme from back then, my son and I may never have a chance to survive."
Xiao Zhuo's gaze was calm. "You said that the real Yuanyi killed the real Chuan'er, and that the real Yuanyi disappeared without a trace, and even that Taoist priest disappeared."
Consort Shen nodded, "I sent many people to search, but there was no news at all."
Xiao Zhuo was silent for a moment, then said, "Mother, please don't interfere in this matter anymore. Leave the rest to me."
Consort Shen immediately agreed.
Xiao Zhuo talked to Consort Shen for a long time about his experiences abroad over the years before going back to rest.
Princes who have reached adulthood are not allowed to stay overnight in the palace.
However, the third prince born to Consort Shen, who was once the most favored concubine, was an exception.
They could stay overnight in the palace, making it convenient to visit Consort Shen.
Xiao Zhuo returned to his bedroom without having anyone serve him.
There were no candles lit in the room.
Something strange was amiss in the main hall today.
The palace is now completely controlled by the Emperor and Empress.
It was simply impossible for someone from the State of Chu to try and poison someone in the palace.
Moreover, given Qin Jinzhi's shrewdness, she would never allow such a thing to happen.
She didn't care about anyone in the palace.
But I care about the two people in high positions.
Qin Jinzhi would not allow the two of them to suffer any mishap.
The current Thousand Birds Guard was established by Qin Jinzhi.
Although it is directly under His Majesty's jurisdiction.
But no one is stupid; the only real person in charge of the Thousand Birds Guard is Qin Jinzhi.
Now, the Thousand Birds Guard protects the palace, and the guard beside His Majesty is a member of the Huo family.
Hearing that Qin Jinzhi wanted to attack Fengchi, the Huo family immediately led their most elite troops on a long-distance raid.
The Huo family and the Qin family are like family.
It can be said that Qin Jinzhi's eyes were on everything in the palace.
Moreover, if the Chu Kingdom truly intended to poison him, since the princes and princesses could act silently, why not directly target the emperor?
All the royal family members were poisoned, so why was he the only one unharmed?
Xiao Zhuo narrowed his eyes. Was the person behind this trying to frame him?
And what is the purpose of doing this?
If anyone in the palace truly wanted to frame him in a grand and elaborate manner, it would only be the Crown Prince.
But the crown prince was also poisoned. A man like him would never risk his life.
The events in the main hall were still unclear, and today his mother had told him something so important.
The Empress Dowager was so foolish that she tried to switch the imperial heirs because of some Ziwei destiny.
However, he had just figured out what his mother had said.
For so many years, my mother has been sending people to keep an eye on Cangzhou.
Therefore, I don't understand why the real Xiao Yuanyi would kill the real Xiao Chuan and then disappear completely.
There is only one possibility: Yuanyi has already discovered her mother's plot with the Taoist priest.
So she had decided that Xiao Chuan should die.
The fact that the Taoist priest disappeared with her indicates that he had also been taken into her control.
If he wasn't mistaken, Yuan Yi must have already entered the capital.
Lurking in the shadows.
However, he didn't know what she was going to do.
Thinking of this, Xiao Zhuo frowned. If that's the case...
The real Yuan Yi must hate her mother, as well as the fake Xiao Chuan and Xiao Yuan Yi.
Although today's incident has been investigated and found to be caused by poison from the State of Chu, he is the only prince who is unharmed.
The emperor's suspicions were also inevitable.
Could it be that she has such great abilities?
The poisoning of the royal family caused a huge uproar, and the situation became so serious that the three judicial offices were completely brightly lit.
The Thousand Bird Guards also began arresting people throughout the city.
At the city gate, Fuya instructed Wei Lin, "You must always carry the hidden arrows, daggers, and poison gas I prepared for you. You are weak and helpless, so remember to run fast if there is any danger."
Wei Lin immediately replied, "Don't worry, my wife, I haven't forgotten a single thing you asked me to do."
Fuya nodded. "This trip to Chu is fraught with danger. Take good care of yourself and come back as soon as possible. My father and I still have a way to go. We'll wait for you to come home."
Wei Lin stepped forward and hugged Fuya, "Wife, wait for me to come back."
After the two released each other, Fuya turned and left immediately.
The members of the delegation behind him were somewhat dazed when they saw Wei Lin bidding a reluctant farewell to his wife.
After all, it seems like Wei Lin's words are so poisonous they could kill several people.
I never expected Wei Lin to be so tender-hearted despite his tough exterior.
The Jin delegation's mission to Chu was to hold them accountable.
A great power cannot afford to lose its momentum.
Lou Zhao personally led the team, and the first person he selected to accompany him was Wei Lin.
They had all witnessed Wei Lin's power when they negotiated with the State of Chu.
The common people also cheered for the delegation.
With the state of Jin united in purpose, the state of Chu was determined to give an explanation.
However, the Inspection Department received a distinguished guest.
When Qin Jinzhi arrived at the front hall, Shen Liuying immediately stood up.
Shen Liuying's belly had become quite noticeable after a period of absence.
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand, "You're pregnant, sit down."
After sitting down, Shen Liuying said nervously, "Princess, there's been no progress on the matter you asked me to investigate, but there are indeed people hiding in the Eastern Palace!"
Qin Jinzhi raised an eyebrow, "Hidden someone?"
Shen Liuying immediately said, "The imperial physician said that pregnant women should exercise appropriately after the second trimester so that they will suffer less during childbirth. I take the opportunity to walk around every day. There is an uninhabited side room in the backyard of the East Palace. A few days ago, I found that His Highness's secret guards were watching over it, and there were signs that someone had been inside."
Qin Jinzhi tapped her finger on the table. "I understand. You are currently unwell, and leaving the East Palace rashly might cause trouble. I will send someone to escort you back."
In a side room of the Eastern Palace, a tall man spoke up: "Is Your Highness certain that woman will tell Qin Jinzhi about my presence in the Eastern Palace?"
The Crown Prince, who should have been poisoned and unconscious, said calmly, "That woman is a spy sent by Qin Jinzhi, so naturally she would tell Qin Jinzhi about the strange things that happened in the Eastern Palace."
Xi Shan looked at the Crown Prince, who was sitting calmly on the fish platform, with a dark expression. "Is there His Highness's child in that woman's belly? Does His Highness really not care about the slightest father-son relationship?"
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, "Xishan, we are old acquaintances. You should know my temper. I don't like people questioning my decisions. You are not qualified."
Xi Shan said with a dark look in his eyes, "This is the master's will."
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly, "Once Qin Jinzhi dies, your master will naturally know my thoughts."
Xi Shan looked at the Crown Prince for a long while before speaking, "Your Highness can even abandon your own flesh and blood. If we help you kill Qin Jinzhi, what will you do if you discard us after we've served our purpose?"
The Crown Prince set his teacup aside. "Don't you in Chu want to kill her? Whether it's your master, Huangfu Nanfeng, or Chu itself, Qin Jinzhi poses a far greater threat to you than I do. I'm the one helping Chu!"
Then he looked up at Xishan, "Besides, aren't my own flesh and blood right beside your master?"
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