My Aloof Lord Ex-Husband Begs for Remarriage
Chapter 115: Strict Investigation of Concubine Lin

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Strict Investigation of Concubine Lin

"Your Majesty," the Prince said to him, "the Emperor knows you visited the Empress Dowager today and suspects your motives are impure. He wishes to see you."

In the corner of the corridor outside the hall, a master and servant stood in the shadows.

Ye Jiuxiao said indifferently, "What ulterior motives could I have in visiting my mother? His suspicions are deep-set; he assumes everyone is like him, always acting with personal gain in mind."

Ling dared not say any more.

Ye Jiuxiao said, "Let’s go. Since he wishes to see me, I shall oblige."

Before leaving, Ye Jiuxiao looked towards the brightly lit great hall, deep in thought.

With that girl’s intelligence, she should be able to smooth things over behind the scenes and prevent any more slander from landing on me.

...

Inside the hall.

Bai Wuheng set down his teacup, his palms slightly clenched.

"How is the examination going, Divine Doctor Bai?" Chu Nanli asked indifferently.

Bai Wuheng casually replied, "It’s Horsetail Grass."

Chu Nanli said, "Divine Doctor Bai has suddenly taken such keen interest. I thought you had found some sort of lead."

Bai Wuheng’s expression changed slightly, a hint of displeasure showing. Just as he was about to speak, a guard led in the palace maids and eunuchs from the side hall.

Seeing this, he could only give Chu Nanli a cold look.

The Empress asked in a serious tone, "Who is the palace maid responsible for the Princess Consort’s tea at today’s palace banquet?"

A young palace maid knelt on the ground, trembling as she answered, "It was this servant. This servant swears she did not poison the Princess Consort."

Tears were about to well up in her eyes, she was so anxious.

The Princess Consort frowned and said, "Empress, it wasn’t her. This girl is a distant relative of mine."

After speaking, she asked, "Did you leave at any time?"

"I did leave. After going to fetch some honey, I returned to find several cat hairs on the tea can and cat paw prints on the table. Worried that a stray cat had caused trouble again, I went to check. I looked around but did not see the stray cat and then returned to the kitchen."

"Was there anyone else in the kitchen at that time?"

"No."

The Princess Consort frowned.

The Empress looked towards everyone in the hall, feeling a headache coming on.

If a thorough investigation was needed, she would inevitably have to question all the officials and their families who had been in and out of the side hall that evening. Even as the Empress, she could offend people if she handled this the wrong way.

Collecting her thoughts, the Empress signaled to a minister from the Crown Prince Party.

Immediately, the minister stepped forward and volunteered, "This humble official and his family are willing to cooperate with the investigation and allow palace attendants to check us for any poison."

With one person setting the precedent, others followed suit.

"We are also willing to fully cooperate with the investigation."

The Empress expressed her gratitude and then summoned a group of eunuchs and palace maids to search all the guests.

Even though she knew that the search might not turn up anything, she had to do everything by the book to avoid criticism.

Due to his high status, Ye Yunting was the only one excluded from the inquiry.

Chu Nanli was also about to move to the female guests’ area to cooperate with the investigation, but the Princess Consort stopped her.

"There’s no need for the Princess Consort of Chu to go. I haven’t even had time to thank you properly for saving me," the Princess Consort said.

Lin Fuying, however, spoke up at that moment, "Sister also left this great hall, and the fact that Sister suddenly knows medical skills, something even the Prince is unaware of, has raised doubts in everyone’s minds. Yingying understands that the Princess Consort appreciates my sister, but Yingying boldly advises that it is for the best to protect my sister if she joins us in the inspection."

Hearing these words, Chu Nanli’s cold gaze turned towards Lin Fuying.

This little white lotus surely understood that she wasn’t the one who poisoned anyone, and she knew that searching her would yield nothing. Her smooth-talking was nothing more than a means to showcase her "keen intelligence" and ingratiate herself with the Princess Consort.

However...

Chu Nanli looked at the Princess Consort, only to hear her say, "I trust her, and that is enough."

A faint smile crossed Chu Nanli’s eyes.

Once the Princess Consort said she trusted her, she wouldn’t change her mind based on anyone’s words, as to do so would be to slap her own face.

Lin Fuying’s face showed a momentary halt.

Then, they heard a voice that she greatly despised.

"I suggest a thorough investigation of Lin Fuying, the Concubine."