The statent was astonishing.
Emperor Mu’s face turned terrifyingly dark as he said, "Speak in detail."
This palace maid was Yang’s personal maid, nad Caizhu.
Since Yang beca pregnant, Emperor Mu had bestowed many rewards upon her.
Unexpectedly, she would betray her gratitude and make a move against Yang!
Caizhu prostrated herself on the ground, her voice trembling, "This servant did not wish to do so. It’s just that my elderly mother was taken hostage. If I didn’t comply, my mother would be killed."
Ye Siheng sneered, "So now that you’ve spoken voluntarily, you’re still going to be responsible for your mother’s death."
Caizhu continued, "Therefore, I implore Your Majesty and the Ninth Prince to spare my mother’s life and forgive this servant. I am willing to offer my life in atonent."
In an instant, the expressions of everyone changed, and they all looked towards the Empress.
Empress Xie was both shocked and angry, "Outrageous! When did I ever hold your mother hostage? Don’t spew blood from your mouth!"
Caizhu raised her head, her eyes already red and tears streaming down her face, "Empress, it was Mammy Gui who carried out these actions on your behalf. How couldn’t you know? Mammy Gui said that she would spare my mother’s life only if I switched the talisman in Consort Yang’s purse. I have already done as she instructed. Now that the truth is exposed, I have no choice but to reveal it."
Emperor Mu was furious, repeatedly saying, "Well done!" as he turned and sat on the palace chair.
Empress Xie’s heart skipped a beat as she said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Emperor Mu couldn’t be bothered to listen to their argunts, imdiately ordering for Mammy Gui to be brought in.
He looked at Nanli, "Girl, I know you possess a talisman that compels people to speak the truth."
Nanli nodded, "Indeed, such a talisman exists."
Emperor Mu glanced at Empress Xie, "When the ti cos, let Mammy Gui use it, and the truth will be revealed."
His eyes turned cold, and a sense of estrangent had already erged.
Empress Xie and Emperor Mu had been husband and wife for twenty years, but now she was subjected to such suspicion.
How could she not feel a chill in her heart?
She stood tall, her back straight, showing no signs of fear.
Soon, Mammy Gui was brought in.
Her complexion was sowhat pale, and as soon as she knelt down, her body couldn’t help but tremble.
Emperor Mu gestured, and Nanli took out a truth-telling talisman and affixed it to Mammy Gui’s body.
Emperor Mu asked, "Caizhu said that you held her mother hostage and instructed her to switch the talisman in Yang’s purse. Is this true?"
"No..." Mammy Gui’s face flushed, seemingly wanting to deny it, but she couldn’t resist the power of the truth-telling talisman and blurted out, "Yes... it is true."
Empress Xie stared at Mammy Gui in disbelief.
How could the old woman who had been by her side do such a thing?
Emperor Mu’s expression grew darker with each passing mont.
He leaned forward slightly and asked the question he most wanted to know the answer to, "Who ordered you to do this? Was it the Empress?"
Mammy Gui’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
She struggled and hesitated for a mont before tremblingly saying, "Yes, it was the Empress who instructed this old servant to do it."
Empress Xie’s expression changed, "Mammy Gui, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
At this mont, Ye Siheng furrowed his brows slightly.
Nanli was also sowhat astonished.
Emperor Mu was infuriated, abruptly standing up, "Sixth Miss used the truth-telling talisman. How could there be any mistake? Empress, you are so malicious! Could it be that all of my previous children were hard by your hand?!"
Empress Xie’s nose tingled, and her eyes quickly filled with tears, "I swear to the heavens, I have never done anything to harm the imperial heirs!"
During the struggle for the throne, with its twists and turns, it was impossible to determine who was responsible for everything.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Mu would attribute everything to her.
She believed in her conscience and felt that she had done nothing wrong, so even now, she did not kneel.
"Then how do you explain Mammt Gui’s words?!"
Emperor Mu angrily questioned, "She spoke the truth! No matter how much you deny it, it is useless!"
Nanli also couldn’t believe that Empress Xie would do such a thing, so she said, "Your Majesty, perhaps it was my talisman..."
"How could your talisman be at fault?" Emperor Mu waved his hand, no longer allowing Nanli to speak.
He knew that Xie Beihan and Nanli were close, so it was understandable that Nanli would speak up for Empress Xie.
He wouldn’t vent his anger on her.
Nanli wished to express that even the True Speech Talisman is not foolproof.
If soone had previously used a different seal on Mammy Gui, it would have been able to withstand the power of the True Speech Talisman.
However, at this mont, Mammy Gui was already crying out, "Your Majesty, I have failed to handle the matter properly. I apologize!"
Concealed in her hand was a sharp poisoned needle, which she swiftly plunged into her own neck.
In an instant, the toxin spread throughout Mammy Gui’s body, causing her to convulse before collapsing to the ground.
Nanli inwardly exclaid in alarm, hastily approaching to check Mammy Gui’s pulse.
It was already beyond salvation.
She furrowed her brow tightly, realizing that even if she were to discover sothing now, there would be no evidence to support it.
Empress Xie trembled, for even though Mammy Gui had falsely accused her, witnessing Mammy Gui take her own life after serving by her side for many years caused her vision to darken, almost fainting.
Emperor Muwu, however, showed no pity and believed that Mammy Gui’s death was not worth lanting.
"Empress, do you still refuse to confess?"
Empress Xie, aware of her predicant, sneered, "Your Majesty, I have not committed any wrongdoing, so naturally, I will not confess. But the evidence is conclusive, and I have no way to deny it. I only beg Your Majesty not to vent your anger on the Crown Prince. He has been confined and knows nothing of these matters."
Emperor Muwu brushed his sleeve, turning away from Empress Xie.
He declared, "Escort Lady Xie back to the palace and retrieve her imperial consort seal."
Empress Xie closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Ye Siheng remained silent.
The affairs of the palace were beyond Nanli’s control, and Ye Siheng had no desire to involve himself in the matters of the harem.
He escorted Nanli out of the palace and back to her residence.
Nanli felt uneasy in her heart, thinking, "Mammy Gui’s sudden suicide was likely to evade my investigation. It is highly probable that the Empress has been frad and manipulated."
In the quiet of the night, only the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels could be heard on the streets.
The pearl in the carriage emitted a faint glow, and Ye Siheng’s expression remained calm.
He looked at Nanli and said, "I will have soone investigate. Rest assured."
Nanli nodded.
The next day, Xie Beihan arrived early at Nanli’s doorstep.
His aunt had been confined in Fengxi Palace last night and had her imperial consort seal revoked.
He was unaware of any other details.
Learning that Nanli had entered the palace last night, he hoped to glean so information from her.
Coincidentally, Ye Siheng also arrived.
Xie Beihan wore a worried expression as he approached Ye Siheng, "Ninth Prince, what has happened to my aunt? Why was she confined in Fengxi Palace?"
Ye Siheng’s eyes were cold and clear as he replied, "Let’s discuss it in Alu’s courtyard."
The two of them arrived at Qingliang Courtyard, where Yuanbao served them tea. Only then did Ye Siheng briefly recount the events of the previous night.
Xie Beihan listened in astonishnt, his mind feeling sowhat dazed, "No, my aunt wouldn’t do such a thing. She has a kind heart!"
"Indeed, from the Empress’s countenance, she has never harbored murderous intentions," Nanli interjected, entering the room, her attire still simple and plain.
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