The sky was dark, but due to the Lantern Festival, a dazzling array of lights illuminated the area outside the hall. Inside, it was as bright as day.
This allowed everyone to see the expression on the Empress’s face.
The Empress’s demeanor was too eager, too sincere. It was evident that at this moment, she truly regarded Jiang Si as a lifeline.
Yu Jin subtly raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself: Has Jiang Si deceived the Empress again? When did this happen? How did I not know about it?
Emperor Jingming also wore a strange expression. Seeing the Empress lose her composure in front of Princess Fuqing and others, he reminded her, “Empress, Seventh Prince’s wife wasn’t even at Xuande Tower at the time. Even if she were a supernatural detective, she couldn’t know who tried to harm Fuqing.”
Neither the Emperor nor the Empress believed that a mere palace maid was solely responsible for attempting to harm Princess Fuqing.
Princess Fuqing, her face pale, murmured, “Father, are you saying someone instructed Qingdai to harm me?”
“Aquan, don’t be afraid. Father will find out who tried to hurt you,” Emperor Jingming said, then turned to Yu Jin. “Seventh Son, do you have any more questions for Aquan and Fourteenth Princess?”
Yu Jin shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
It was clear that the two princesses had limited knowledge and could provide little information. They had already shared what they knew.
Hearing this, Emperor Jingming addressed the two princesses, “You’ve both had a shock today. Go and rest now.”
“Father—” Princess Fuqing called out, unwilling to leave.
The Fourteenth Princess, not in a position to speak up, stood silently beside Princess Fuqing.
The Empress, having regained her composure, gently patted Princess Fuqing’s arm. “Fuqing, listen to your father. Go rest first. Mother will inform you when we have results.”
Princess Fuqing nodded obediently. “Then daughter shall take her leave.”
Soon, the two princesses left together, allowing for a more open discussion.
The Empress’s suppressed emotions surged again. She gripped Jiang Si’s hand tightly and said with a trembling voice, “Prince Yan’s wife, do you… do you know—”
Originally, when Prince Yan’s wife had warned her through a dream, the Empress had made some arrangements despite her doubts. She had chosen to believe rather than disbelieve when it came to her daughter’s safety. Who would have thought that Fuqing would indeed be in danger tonight…
If Prince Yan’s wife could dream of Fuqing being injured, perhaps she had also dreamed of the culprit—
Thinking this, the Empress’s grip tightened.
Yu Jin’s gaze fell on the Empress’s hand, his brow slightly furrowed.
As an Empress, shouldn’t she show more self-restraint?
Emperor Jingming grew increasingly curious. “Empress, what exactly are you talking about?”
The Empress glanced at Jiang Si, and seeing no reaction, she steeled herself and said, “Your Majesty, do you know why Fuqing was saved in time by the palace maid today?”
“Hmm?”
“It was Prince Yan’s wife who warned me!”
Emperor Jingming’s expression changed slightly, and he turned to look at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si curtsied slightly, acknowledging the statement.
Emperor Jingming’s gaze intensified as he asked, “Seventh Son’s wife, what exactly happened?”
The Empress interjected, “Let me explain. A few days ago, Prince Yan’s wife came to the palace…”
After hearing the Empress’s explanation, Emperor Jingming looked at Jiang Si with a complex expression. “Seventh Son’s wife did you… dream of the culprit?”
“Daughter-in-law only had a fragmented dream. Upon waking, I forgot most of it, vaguely remembering only that the Princess was injured. I have no recollection of how she fell from the high platform…”
Hearing this, the Empress felt a hint of disappointment.
Emperor Jingming, however, didn’t share this feeling. He sighed, “To dream of this much is already extraordinary.”
Yu Jin calmly spoke up, “Father is right. If Jiang Si could even dream of the culprit who harmed Thirteenth Sister, I fear Inspector Zhen would have to return home to the farm.”
“What are your thoughts?” Emperor Jingming asked.
It was evident that the person who harmed Princess Fuqing was from within the palace, making it inappropriate to summon Zhen Shicheng to investigate. Emperor Jingming still had his dignity to maintain.
Yu Jin was silent for a moment before speaking, “After questioning Mother and my two sisters, I have a bold conjecture—”
“Speak!”
“But this conjecture is truly daring. I fear Father and Mother might scold me—”
“Speak!” Emperor Jingming glared at Yu Jin, reprimanding him, “This is no time for mysteriousness. Do you think your mother and I only know how to scold?”
“Very well, then I shall speak boldly.” Yu Jin touched his nose, his expression turning serious. “Qingdai is Thirteenth Sister’s maid, chosen by Mother herself. Her background should be beyond question—”
“What do you mean?” the Empress couldn’t help but interject.
Yu Jin’s tone turned cold, “I mean we needn’t delve too deeply into the past. Qingdai’s sudden action, barring insanity, suggests she was likely instructed by someone recently…”
“Recently?” the Empress murmured, repeating the word.
“Yes, for instance, have there been any changes in Thirteenth Sister’s daily life recently?”
“Changes?” the Empress paused. “Fuqing has had many changes since her eyes healed—”
Yu Jin calmly interrupted the Empress, “No need to think that far back. If the changes were due to Thirteenth Sister’s improved eyesight, this incident would have occurred during last year’s Lantern Festival, not this year’s.”
During last year’s Lantern Festival, Princess Fuqing’s eyes had already healed.
“Recently—” The Empress’s face suddenly changed, and she blurted out, “Recently, Fuqing has been constantly visiting the Empress Dowager. What could have happened?”
The moment the Empress said this, Emperor Jingming’s expression changed, and he said with displeasure, “Empress, don’t let your imagination run wild!”
The Empress was stunned.
What wild thoughts had she entertained?
Emperor Jingming, realizing he had overreacted, rubbed his nose and glared at Yu Jin irritably. “Continue.”
How did the conversation turn to the Empress Dowager? This troublesome boy never fails to cause concern.
Yu Jin inwardly sneered and asked again, “Which palace maids accompany Thirteenth Sister each time she visits Cining Palace?”
“Seventh Son!” Emperor Jingming, seeing Yu Jin persist with questions about Cining Palace, began to lose face.
Yu Jin feigned innocence, “Father, do you have any instructions?”
“You—” Emperor Jingming was left speechless by Yu Jin’s guileless expression.
He had voluntarily asked the Seventh Prince and his wife to investigate. Now, to forbid them from speaking seemed unreasonable.
Moreover, given Yu Jin’s knowledge of the Empress Dowager’s importance to him, his straightforward questioning suggested a pure heart, devoid of ulterior motives.
Thinking this, Emperor Jingming found himself oddly comforted, his expression softening.
Beside him, the Empress, noticing the Emperor’s fluctuating mood, twitched her lips and addressed Yu Jin, “Fuqing always goes with the Fourteenth Princess. Concerned about disturbing the Empress Dowager’s peace, they each bring only one palace maid. Fuqing’s maid… is indeed Qingdai.”
When it came to her daughter, even if it involved the Empress Dowager, she had to clarify!
“To have access to Qingdai and be able to persuade her to harm a legitimate princess, I dare guess this person must either be very capable or… of high status—”
“Impertinent! Are you suspecting the Empress Dowager?” Emperor Jingming burst out, his face filled with anger.
Across from him, Yu Jin looked shocked, “How could Father think I would suspect Grandmother? I’m boldly guessing that there might be another ‘Duo Nainai’ in Cining Palace, but I would never dare to suspect Grandmother.”