“Was it you?” Wei Shu confronted Qin Zhi in the Eastern Palace.
Qin Zhi asked in confusion, “What was me?”
“Assassinating Ruan Ning, was it you?” Wei Shu stared at her.
She had mentioned killing Ruan Ning a few days ago, which made him suspect her.
“What is Your Highness thinking?” Qin Zhi asked with a slight smile. “Even if I wanted to act, I would need the ability. I’m not as brilliant as Your Highness.”
Wei Shu was torn between belief and doubt. It was hard to believe his wife could orchestrate such an act right under Gu Lianzhuang’s nose, yet he couldn’t think of anyone else responsible. He studied her and said, “You’d better not have touched her, or I won’t spare you.”
Qin Zhi lowered her eyelids, hiding her disdain, and nodded. “I understand. I will not disobey Your Highness’s wishes.”
As they spoke, a eunuch urgently reported, “Your Highness, something’s wrong! His Majesty is coughing up blood again!”
Wei Shu glanced at Qin Zhi, who said softly, “If something happens to the Emperor, Your Highness’s first task will be to expose the evil deeds of the Prince of Jin and his mother.”
Gu Lianzhuang was stopped by the Prince of Jin. The prince anxiously said, “Chief Gu, if something happens to my father, I plan to make his will public. Can you release my mother?”
The only witness who heard the Emperor say he would make him crown prince was the Virtuous Consort. Despite the suspicion, she was the only witness, and he couldn’t miss any opportunity.
“Zhang Jing, go wait at the Xiushou Palace. If there’s news from the Qingqing Palace, immediately bring the Virtuous Consort to testify,” Gu Lianzhuang said calmly.
“Thank you, Chief Gu!” The Prince of Jin looked towards the crowd heading to the Qingqing Palace, where the former Imperial Consort, now Empress Ruan Ning, was bringing the Fifth Prince, Wei Ying, to visit.
“The eunuch Liu Yi, who was serving outside the study when the Emperor gave his order, will testify if necessary,” Gu Lianzhuang said, inwardly sneering at the sight of Ruan Ning.
With the Prince of Jin’s capabilities, even with witnesses and evidence, he could hardly turn the situation around. But let him try to create some momentum and dampen Wei Shu’s spirit.
