Shen Nanzhi agreed with Mu Chenshuang's statement, "Shuang'er, what you said makes sense. If it's not Consort Xian, then who else could it be?"
Mu Chenshuang looked at the Empress and asked, "Your Majesty, think carefully about whether anyone you've been in contact with recently has shown any unusual behavior, including their words and actions?"
She had her own suspicions, and it was highly likely that she was the one who did it, but everything required evidence.
Although she didn't want to get involved in the palace intrigues, the Empress had always treated the original owner well, so she didn't want to see the Empress suffer an injustice.
The Empress frowned in thought, "I haven't noticed anything particularly unusual lately."
"Your Majesty, you'd better think about this carefully. Perhaps the real mastermind is behind this."
The wind leaves its mark, the wild goose leaves its cry.
Once the other party takes action, no matter how careful they are, they will definitely leave some clues.
The Empress thought of something and said, "Today, Consort Li came to pay her respects to me."
"Consort Li?"
The Empress explained, "Consort Li has been in the palace for five years. She entered the palace at the same time as Consort Rong. At first, Consort Li was more favored than Consort Rong. Later, Consort Rong's younger brother, Qi Mingsen, who is now the commander of the Imperial Guards, made meritorious contributions in Qibei three years ago. After returning to the capital, His Majesty was ambushed during a hunt and was rescued by Qi Mingsen. He captured the assassins and brought them to justice. His Majesty appreciated his talent, and his performance thereafter was highly regarded by His Majesty. With the recommendation of the Grand Commandant, he is now directly ranked as the commander."
Just as Qi Mingsen was rising through the ranks, Consort Rong also gained the Emperor's favor, while Noble Lady Li was gradually neglected. The Emperor even began to forget her existence, and now their statuses were worlds apart. A few months ago, the Emperor heard Noble Lady Li's zither music, which probably reminded him of someone he once valued in the palace. That night, the Emperor went to Noble Lady Li's palace, and she became pregnant. Unfortunately, Noble Lady Li miscarried before two months of pregnancy and has been depressed ever since. Seeing her like this, I allowed her to stop coming to pay her respects and bestowed some gifts upon her as a form of comfort.
Mu Chenshuang asked in confusion, "So, Consort Li and Consort Rong once had a relationship? Why did Consort Li miscarry?"
"The two women are related by marriage, so they are considered sisters," the Empress replied, pausing for a moment. "Consort Li suffered a miscarriage due to a fall, which can only be considered an accident."
Mu Chenshuang's eyes darkened. "Then, Your Majesty, do you really think it was an accident?"
The Empress sighed helplessly and said, "Even if it wasn't an accident, we can't convict someone without evidence. However, I did suspect Consort Rong. Consort Rong had never been able to conceive before, but Noble Lady Li became pregnant on her first try. Given Consort Rong's current temperament, I'm afraid she won't be able to tolerate it."
"It seems we need to investigate Consort Li thoroughly."
The Empress looked at Mu Chenshuang and said, "So, Shuang'er, do you think that Consort Li framed Consort Rong?"
"But if it's Consort Li, why would she frame my aunt?" Shen Nanzhi asked in surprise.
Mu Chenshuang pondered for a moment before speaking, "No one suspected should be let go. What is so special about Consort Li who paid her respects to Your Majesty today?"
The Empress pondered with a deep look in her eyes, "There's nothing particularly special about it, but one day Consort Rong came to Fengyi Palace. Although Consort Rong disliked Noble Lady Li and made all sorts of sarcastic remarks to her, Noble Lady Li still smiled and chatted with her, and even tidied her hair."
"Did Consort Rong not pay her respects to the Empress according to etiquette?"
"After she became pregnant, she claimed to be unwell and came to pay her respects every three days, all of which His Majesty tacitly approved." As the Empress said this, a bitter smile appeared on her lips.
Mu Chenshuang pondered silently, wondering where the problem lay. This Consort Li was definitely a suspect; it was impossible for her not to have left any trace.
At this moment.
Mu Chenshuang noticed a peculiar fragrance and sniffed it twice. "What's that fragrance?"
At this moment, a palace maid was changing the incense inside the room.
Mu Chenshuang stepped forward and opened the incense burner.
Suddenly.
Suddenly remembering something, she asked urgently, "Who sent the incense?"
The palace maid trembled with fright and hurriedly replied, "As always, the Imperial Household Department sends incense every day."
Shen Nanzhi stepped forward and asked, "Shuang'er, what's wrong?"
Mu Chenshuang did not answer. She quickly walked to the table, picked up a cup of tea, and extinguished the incense. The Empress was greatly shocked.
"Shuang'er, is there a problem with this incense?"
Before Mu Chenshuang could answer their questions, she hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, we need to find the dolls hidden in the palace immediately."
"A doll?"
Mu Chenshuang quickly replied, "There is a kind of curse spell that involves making a doll and hiding the target's hair inside it. It also requires an incense made from an extremely yin flower. When the incense is lit, its fragrance surrounds the doll, and once it smells the fragrance, it will activate the curse spell on its body. This incense is made from the extremely yin flower, Sang Yunluo."
The Empress's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
“Someone will definitely come to search. There’s no time to lose; we have to find it immediately.”
I never expected their trump card to be here.
The Empress immediately ordered people to search inside the house.
While everyone was searching, Mu Chenshuang took the opportunity to place her hand on the incense burner. A stream of spiritual energy entered the incense burner, changing the composition of the incense inside.
immediately.
Mu Chenshuang followed the search, leaving no place unchecked.
Suddenly.
She noticed a potted plant placed to the side.
At that moment, the sound of well-trained footsteps came from outside the hall.
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