Chapter 235 – Mutual Suspicion
Chapter 235 Mutual Suspicion
The Empress was scolded, but she only learned from the Emperor’s words that someone wanted to assassinate Lord Yun. She did not know who the assassin was, but she was sure that her people did not make a move this time. It must be done by Noble Consort He and Lord Jing.
Noble Consort He also didn’t look well. As an imperial concubine and also the Emperor’s favored imperial concubine, she had never been questioned like this. She was angry. Seeing the Empress staring at her, she suppressed her anger and forced a smile. She asked gently, “Your Majesty, what exactly happened? I came late, so I didn’t understand.”
She meant that the Empress had been reprimanded for a longer time than her. The Empress’ expression became even gloomier. She sneered, “Since you did not hear clearly, let me tell you. Someone tried to murder Lord Yun. I heard that it is related to the palace. His Majesty reprimanded me for not managing the inner palace well so that someone in the inner palace dared to intervene in things outside of the palace. No matter who it is, they have reached their hands out so far that their hands must be cut off.”
“Who, who has the guts to murder Lord Yun?” Noble Consort He was surprised and asked anxiously.
“I also want to know who is so bold to do such a thing. Don’t they know that Lord Yun is His Majesty’s most valued official?” The Empress said coldly, fixing her eyes on Noble Consort He. She was most suspicious of Noble Consort He. If she knew that this matter had something to do with Noble Consort He, she would definitely not spare her this time.
The Empress was angry after being scolded by the Emperor. But if Noble Consort He really did it, then there would be a good show to watch. The Empress was looking forward to it. Lord Yun was clearly not someone who was willing to suffer losses. So what if the assassination was plotted by Lord Jing!
“How dared the murderer plot against Lord Yun? This person has really gone too far. Your Majesty, you must get someone to investigate this matter thoroughly. Please don’t let the suspect get away with it.” Noble Consort He said naturally. She thought this matter had nothing to do with her. She also looked at the Empress suspiciously, fearing that she would fall into the Empress’ trap.
She didn’t want to fight against this devilish woman.
The Empress and Noble Consort He were suspicious of each other. After speaking for a short while carefully, they parted unhappily.
Noble Consort He took Lord Jing away from the Empress’ Pepper House Hall and went back to her own palace. She sat down, waved her hand to dismiss the people around her, and asked Lord Jing bluntly, “Does this have anything to do with you?”
Lord Jing, Pei Yusheng, felt a headache. He pinched his brows and sat down on a chair. He picked up the tea in front of him and took a sip before putting it down.
“Mother, I don’t know what happened either.”
“How could you not know?” Noble Consort He was anxious. How could Pei Yusheng have anything to do with this? Pei Yuanjun was never a person to be trifled with.
“It’s hard for me to get out of the trouble with Qu Mansion.” Pei Yusheng said with difficulty. He was extremely annoyed. For the first time, he felt that it was a mistake to take a fancy to Qu Qiuyan. That was why such a thing happened in the palace. Now that something had happened to Qu Moying, from whichever perspective, people had reasons to suspect him.
“Speaking of that Qu Caiyue, you only need to carry her into your mansion with a sedan. You don’t have to give her any title. Just tell them that after you marry your Princess Consort, the Princess Consort will give her a title.” Noble Consort He’s face darkened. She did not like Qu Mansion’s people because they had tarnished Pei Yusheng’s reputation.
As long as she thought about how Qu Caiyue had plotted against her son, she was furious.
Of course, Pei Yusheng would not say that he also played a part in the event at that time, nor would he tell his mother about Qu Qiuyan’s role in the drama. He only said that Qu Caiyue was greedy for wealth, so she set him up and shamelessly went to his bed.
Although Noble Consort He had some doubts, she felt that it was impossible for her son to take a fancy to a concubine-born daughter. Moreover, her son had said before that he was interested in Vice Minister Qu’s third daughter, so he couldn’t have anything to do with a concubine-born daughter of Qu Mansion.
“Carry her into my mansion with only a sedan?” Pei Yusheng asked.
“Yes. Of course you can’t give her a high position. Otherwise, there will be more women climbing into your bed in the future. If she was just a palace maid, you could have directly beaten her to death for doing such a thing. You don’t even have to take her into your mansion. It is just that her father is a high-ranking official. As for her position, let the future Princess Consort make the decision.” Noble Consort He said decisively.
She had been thinking about what position she should give Qu Caiyue before. After all, Qu Caiyue’s father was an Imperial Censor. What position should she give Qu Caiyue? At the mention of Qu Mansion, she felt angry. She decided to give the future Princess Consort the right to make the decision. Coincidentally, her son had taken a fancy to the Guardian General’s daughter. She also thought favorably of that young lady.
“Then I will get someone to go to Qu Mansion later.” Pei Yusheng nodded. It was best to resolve this matter like this. He really didn’t like Qu Caiyue. He didn’t solve this matter before because he wanted to solve it in the best way. Qu Mansion had lost too much face after that incident, and it had also affected Qu Qiuyan. Recently, Qu Mansion was involved in trouble again and again, causing him quite a headache. Now they even dared to assassinate Lord Yun, which made him quite annoyed.
Noble Consort He’s face softened after seeing Pei Yusheng readily listened to her. She went back to the previous matter and asked, “Why are you involved in today’s matter?”
She was in the palace, so she really did not have any news about this.
“Fourth Lady Qu is the target of the assassination today. It happened on the street, and Uncle Yun happened to see it.” Pei Yusheng already knew the cause and effect of the matter, and he explained everything in a few words.
“It’s about Qu Mansion again? Why does it have anything to do with you?” Noble Consort He was furious. She felt that none of Qu Mansion’s ladies was good and they were all jinxes. She rejoiced that she did not promise to let Qu Qiuyan be Pei Yusheng’s Side Princess. Judging from what happened today, Qu Qiuyan didn’t even deserve to be a Side Princess.
“I heard that Uncle Yun suspected that someone was trying to assassinate Fourth Lady Qu so as to threaten him. Uncle Yun has warned me before because of Qu Qiuyan.” Pei Yusheng lowered his head in annoyance.
Noble Consort He’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her voice and asked, “Could it be that he was really interested in Fourth Lady Qu?”
“I don’t think so. Uncle Yun has seen all kinds of women. He dislikes weak women like Fourth Lady Qu the most. Even if she is a stunning beauty, Uncle Yun won’t look at her.” Pei Yusheng shook his head and said indifferently. “Moreover, Fourth Lady Qu might not be good-looking. Her face is still mostly covered by an eye veil. Who knows what she looks like?”
“Then what does he want to do?” Noble Consort He’s face darkened.
“I don’t know!” Pei Yusheng was extremely worried. Pei Yuanjun was very clear about Pei Yusheng’s relationship with Qu Qiuyan, and that was why Pei Yusheng was involved in this matter. Although Pei Yusheng did not send the assassin, he was afraid that this matter would end up involving him.
“Go and ask Qu Qiuyan whether it was her doing.” Noble Consort He said coldly.
“I… I don’t think she did it. She is just a weak woman.” Pei Yusheng said hesitantly.
“Go and ask her. Why couldn’t a weak woman do such a thing? Her mother is not a good person, so how could she be an exception?” Noble Consort He sneered.
If it was in the past, Pei Yusheng would definitely refute her, but this time, he opened his mouth without saying a word. He lowered his head and felt very depressed.
“Go and find out who did it. I suspect…” Noble Consort He said in a low voice, pointing in the direction of Pepper House Hall. Then, she continued to warn Pei Yusheng, “If Qu Qiuyan is really involved in this, you must not hesitate to make a decision. Don’t get yourself into this.”
Murdering Lord Yun was a big deal. Noble Consort He did not want her son to get involved.
“Mother, I understand!” A trace of malice flashed through Pei Yusheng’s eyes. He nodded. If this matter really had something to do with Qu Qiuyan, he would definitely act ruthlessly. He wouldn’t risk his future for a woman.
Hearing Pei Yusheng answer her so decisively, Noble Consort He breathed a sigh of relief. In the past, Pei Yusheng had always been persistent when it came to Qu Qianyan, but he actually gave in this time.
Noble Consort He was glad to see his change.
While Noble Consort He was talking with her son, the Empress was also discussing the issue with her son.
“Mother, I didn’t do this.” The Crown Prince, Pei Luo’an, also said firmly to the Empress. He got the news a little late, but he was also clear about it. “It’s Qu Mansion’s matter. I have nothing to do with Qu Mansion. I won’t be involved in this matter. Moreover, my Crown Princess has just passed away. I didn’t even bother to do my own business in recent days. How can I cause such a thing?”
“Then why did your father reprimand me?” The Empress did not look happy.
Pei Luo’an had a guess, and he said out in a low voice, “Could it be that Father suspects you?”
“I have been in the palace all the time. Why would I do such a thing to a useless girl?” The Empress was so angry that she slammed her hand on the table. There were no outsiders, so she did not need to pretend to be dignified and decent. “It must be done by someone on Noble Consort He’s side.”
“Mother, when Fourth Lady Qu entered the palace, I heard that you also intervened. Is it because of this that Father suspects you?” Pei Luo’an couldn’t think of any other reason, and this was the only one that made sense.
“It was His Majesty’s idea. How could he blame me?” The Empress was getting angrier. She pressed her head and said, “Since that woman was gone, His Majesty has always been like this…”
“Mother, please be careful with your words!” Pei Luo’an’s expression changed.
At this time, the Empress also realized that she had made a slip of the tongue and immediately shut her mouth. After a long time, she said, “This matter has nothing to do with me and you, so we don’t have to worry about the investigation. Let your father investigate it. I will also investigate this matter in the palace. If there are any clues, I will tell you.”
Whenever there was something, the Empress always told her son first before telling the Emperor. She trusted her son more than she trusted the Emperor, and she was determined to make her son the future Emperor.
Her son was the Crown Prince, and he was destined to be the future Emperor. Noble Consort He and her son were daydreaming.
Pei Luo’an nodded. Hearing the Empress’ words, he was relieved. He had been afraid that the Empress was involved. “Mother, since this matter has nothing to do with you, we don’t have to worry. Let’s just investigate it first. If Father comes to ask anything, you can answer him frankly. You can also investigate Noble Consort He, but don’t act on impulse. We can’t spoil our great plan due to this incident.”
“There is one thing…” The Empress said after hesitating for a moment. Her gaze at her son looked complicated.
