Feng Guche's joyful expression instantly turned gloomy.
The dragon blood ginseng was presented today and it was stolen in the blink of an eye. What's more, the envoy from the Southern Frontier is still here. Doesn't this make people think that the guards of the Tianzhao Kingdom's palace are a bunch of good-for-nothings?
Upon hearing this, Jing Sha stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this thousand-year-old dragon blood ginseng is a rare and precious treasure, only one in a thousand years. It is perfectly normal for those with ulterior motives to covet it. However, to open the Yinmu box, a specially crafted key is required. I wonder how this thief opened the box?"
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department, who was in charge of the keys, hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed on the ground. "Your Majesty, the keys have always been on my person and have never been given to anyone. Your Majesty is wise."
Feng Guche frowned, raised his eyes to stare at Qi Mingsheng kneeling on the ground, and asked sternly, "General Qi, have you found any clues?"
Qi Mingsheng clasped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, this person was able to easily bypass the palace guards and sneak into the Imperial Household Department without anyone noticing or leaving any trace, successfully stealing the Dragon Blood Ginseng. He is no ordinary person, and must be familiar with the terrain of the palace and the Imperial Household Department, otherwise he would never have been able to do so so quietly."
This clearly indicates that the thief is definitely someone from the royal palace, and possesses exceptional martial arts skills.
"So you mean the palace staff stole?" Feng Guche asked seriously.
"Your Majesty, I dare not make any rash judgments. I have inquired with the people of the Imperial Household Department, and the dragon blood ginseng was stolen around 5 PM."
Qi Rong continued, "That means anyone who doesn't have an alibi during this period is most likely a thief."
As they were talking.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Mu Chenshuang's direction. She had sent someone to inquire before 5 PM, but Mu Chenshuang refused to see them at that time.
Perhaps, as Qingyu said, this woman must have a secret she's hiding, maybe she's trying to steal the Dragon Blood Ginseng.
Qi Mingsheng responded, "That's certainly possible. When the Imperial Guards were searching for thieves, they heard some noise on the covered bridge of Tinglan Courtyard, but when they went there, they didn't find anyone because the snow on the bridge hadn't been cleared yet, so footprints were left behind."
As he spoke, Qi Mingsheng took out a blueprint and an earring from his pocket.
"Your Majesty, this was drawn at the scene according to the proportions of the footprints. It is clearly a man and a woman. An earring that had fallen off was also found on the covered bridge."
When Mu Chenshuang saw the earrings, her eyes darkened, and her hands, hidden under the fox fur coat, suddenly tightened.
Why did it have to fall into that kind of place?
However, when Fu Junheng took her to Dengyun Tower, she did not notice that her earring had fallen off.
A sudden sense of panic rose in her heart, and she glanced at Fu Junheng inadvertently. He, on the other hand, had a calm and composed demeanor that made him difficult to understand.
Xiao Qingyu exclaimed in astonishment, "Oh, sister, isn't that your jade earring?"
These words were spoken.
Everyone looked at Mu Chenshuang in surprise.
Recalling what Qi Mingsheng just said, this person is highly skilled in martial arts. Previously, the Crown Princess had been resting in the palace under the pretext of feeling unwell, but who can prove that she has really been resting all this time?
Based on this, Mu Chenshuang cannot escape suspicion.
But whose footprints are these?
"Your Majesty, I have felt guilty about what happened at noon, so I arranged for someone to send some things over before dusk to express my apology, but I don't know why the Crown Princess refused to see me," Qi Rong continued.
“I’m also wondering. Before 7 p.m., I noticed that my sister hadn’t appeared yet, and I was worried that she would miss the appointed time. But her maid stopped me from going in. I wonder why?” Mu Yazhi added.
The slap on her face was still burning hot, and she would never let it go. She was determined to make Mu Chenshuang pay the price.
The testimonies of the two individuals undoubtedly put Mu Chenshuang in the spotlight.
Mu Chenshuang wanted to explain, but she couldn't explain the earring.
"Your Highness, what's the story behind these earrings?" Feng Guche asked, his tone unusually stern.
Mu Chenshuang stepped forward, curtsied, and said, "Father, the earring... is indeed my daughter-in-law's."
"So those footprints are yours?"
Mu Chenshuang paused for a moment before replying, "Yes!"
A simple comparison of the footprints revealed the truth, leaving her with no room for argument.
"Then who is the person with you?" The emperor's tone became increasingly stern.
Even if this questioning cannot prove that Mu Chenshuang was involved in stealing the Dragon Blood Ginseng, it will certainly prove that she was having a secret rendezvous with a man.
Considering that she proposed a divorce from the Crown Prince today, could it be that she has already abandoned the Crown Prince and found a new love?
Could it be that he and his new lover committed theft?
Feng Xilan's face grew increasingly grim, his brows furrowed, and he was in immense inner turmoil. Inadvertently, he noticed the Empress's gaze, which clearly urged him to step forward and explain, to protect Mu Chenshuang.
Feng Xilan's heart sank, and he clenched his fists. He wanted to take a step, but his legs felt like they were filled with lead and he couldn't move.
Xiao Qingyu noticed the Empress's actions and understood her intentions, but seeing Feng Xilan's unpleasant expression comforted her somewhat.
Mu Yazhi was right. Mu Chenshuang did indeed steal the Dragon Blood Ginseng, but she had no internal energy, so how could she do it quietly without being noticed? Now it's clear that someone is helping her.
Is it the Carefree King?
Even with his help, Mu Chenshuang cannot escape the charge of having a secret rendezvous.
At this moment.
She noticed Feng Xilan's movements, panicked, and subconsciously reached out to grab him.
Sudden.
A tall and slender figure strode forward, his elegant and graceful bearing, with flowing silver hair, making him appear like a deity. In the darkness, he seemed to be the moon, drawing all who beheld him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com