While everyone was puzzled and unable to figure it out, Yunyi cast her gaze toward Jirong. Could it be… that this was entirely a case of the thief crying “catch the thief”? Ayue was actually sent by Jirong, who poisoned Li Chengzong’s ears to frame Zheng Shi, thereby removing this legitimate wife. According to what she knew, among Li Jiancheng’s several concubines, Jirong was understanding and had given birth to the eldest son, making her most favored by Li Jiancheng. If the position of legitimate wife became vacant, she would be most likely to be elevated. With Jirong’s character and scheming mind, doing all this was not impossible.

However… for the position of legitimate wife, to poison her own flesh and blood, her only child, wouldn’t this price be too great? Moreover, looking at Jirong’s earlier nervousness and despair, it didn’t seem like an act.

Actually, if Jirong truly wanted to harm Zheng Shi, she could have used a different method, such as using poison that seemed fierce but had an antidote. This way, Li Chengzong would at most suffer temporarily and wouldn’t be left with irreversible defects like now.

The more Yunyi thought about it, the more she felt this matter was confusing and mysterious. Both Zheng Shi and Jirong were possible, yet neither seemed likely, making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Over there, Zheng Shi had already walked to Qiulin’s side and said through gritted teeth: “Speak! Who instructed you to frame this madam?”

Qiulin frantically waved her hands: “No… no, everything this servant said is true. Ayue really said she was from your side. Even if this servant had enormous courage, she wouldn’t dare to lie.” Speaking of this, she remembered something and hurriedly said: “Oh yes, there were other people in the kitchen at the time. They should have heard it all. First Young Madam can summon them to question.”

Before Zheng Shi could speak, Li Jiancheng already said: “Go bring all the people from the kitchen here. Not one should be missing.”

Xue Wanche departed as ordered. After about half an hour, six or seven drowsy people walked in. Upon entering and seeing so many people present, they quickly collected themselves and bowed one by one.

When asked about that Ayue, most of them couldn’t remember, after all it had been more than ten days ago, and they hadn’t paid particular attention. After questioning everyone, only one person said he remembered such a person, because Ayue had asked him where the honey was kept, but that was all.

After hearing their words, Li Jiancheng looked at Zheng Shi and said slowly: “If you confess now, I can still deal with you leniently.”

Zheng Shi’s eyes were filled with disappointment and heartache as she looked at him: “How can I confess to something I never did? In any case, I am innocent and absolutely never did anything to harm anyone.”

Li Jiancheng’s expression was unpredictable, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Zheng Shi’s protruding belly. He had considered using torture, but first, Zheng Shi came from the prestigious Xingyang Zheng clan, and second, she was carrying his child. He could disregard Zheng Shi, but he couldn’t disregard the child. Although he had four wives and concubines plus many chamber maids, his offspring had always been quite scarce over the years. He only had two sons so far, and his eldest son Chengzong had become deaf in both ears. Even when grown, he would be a cripple, which meant he effectively only had one son. Additionally, this matter did indeed have some questionable points.

After pondering for a long while, he said to Xue Wanche: “Escort Young Madam back. Before this matter is cleared up, she is not to leave her own courtyard. Also, Chengdao shall temporarily be raised by Madam Fang.” Madam Fang was Li Jiancheng’s second wife.

“No, you cannot take Chengdao away.” Chengdao was Li Jiancheng’s second son, just turned one year old. After years of marriage, Zheng Shi had finally given birth to this child with great difficulty and loved him like her own life.

Li Jiancheng said coldly: “It’s not for you to decide.”

Zheng Shi cried out in pain: “I already said I didn’t harm anyone. Why can’t you trust me just once? Why?”

Li Jiancheng ignored her words and just had Xue Wanche take her away. After she left, Yunyi also departed from there. Upon returning to her small courtyard, Ruyi was removing the pearl hairpins from her hair while yawning: “Really unexpected. The First Young Madam usually looks so kind and gentle, but who would have thought her heart was so vicious.”

Jixiang happened to come in carrying water and, hearing this, curled her lips: “Exactly! How old is Dalang? To poison his ears deaf – this simply ruins his entire life.”

Ruyi nodded: “I think if the First Young Madam weren’t pregnant right now, the First Young Master wouldn’t let this matter rest.”

“I think so too. The First Young Master’s face was blacker than charcoal just now.” Speaking of this, Jixiang asked curiously: “Princess, who do you think this Ayue really is?”

Yunyi removed her pearl earrings and said: “I haven’t even seen her face, so how would I know her identity? The only thing I can be certain of is that she’s definitely not in the residence, and perhaps… not even in Chang’an City.”

“Why is that?” Before Jixiang finished speaking, Ruyi already said: “Think about it – if Ayue were found, wouldn’t the First Young Madam’s crime of harming people be confirmed? She probably left the residence or even Chang’an after deceiving Qiulin.”

Jixiang nodded: “You’re right. So this matter will just end up unresolved?”

Ruyi shrugged: “That depends on the First Young Master’s intention. It can be resolved or not.”

Yunyi looked at her bare face in the mirror and said slowly: “There are still many suspicious points in this matter. It’s not necessarily Zheng Shi’s doing.”

Both were startled. Ruyi probed: “Princess means someone is using Dalang’s matter to harm the First Young Madam? Who has such a vicious heart?”

“I’m not certain yet. In any case, you two should be more careful in the residence and don’t get harmed without knowing it.”

Jixiang stuck out her tongue and said softly: “It seems this residence is not peaceful either, just like the palace.”

Yunyi took the peachwood comb and combed her smooth, silk-like long hair: “Wherever there are people, there will be conflicts, especially where there are many women.”

Ruyi smiled with pursed lips: “Princess, saying that includes us servants and yourself.”

“You’re quite good at finding fault with me.” Yunyi said reproachfully, then continued: “In any case, be careful yourselves. Today is different from the past – we don’t have Mother Empress protecting us.” Speaking of this, her movements paused and her eyes dimmed.

Ruyi said softly: “Is Princess missing Empress Mother again?”

Yunyi remained silent for a long time before saying: “That day I left hastily and couldn’t take care of Mother Empress, leaving her still trapped in Yuwen Huaji’s clutches. I wonder how she is now?”

“The situation was so urgent then, it was really difficult to take care of everything. When Jixiang and I left the palace gates, we were still dizzy. Please don’t blame yourself.” Seeing that Yunyi’s brows were still furrowed, Ruyi added: “Empress Mother is blessed and will be fine. Besides, didn’t Second Young Master say he’s been keeping an eye on the situation in Jiangdu? Perhaps there will be news tomorrow. It’s already late at night now, you should rest early.”