Something happened at the Ten Thousand Flowers Festival that day. When the emperor rushed over, he focused all his attention on the empress, as if he was worried about her safety.
Later, when he heard that Biqiao fell from the tower, the emperor's expression showed no emotion or joy.
No matter what, Biqiao is still the emperor's minister. Even if his status is not as high as that of Li Yu, he should still be an important person around the emperor.
"The Ai family can't tell." Mu Ci murmured.
She gave Biqiao death that day, and the emperor should have known that this was her intention, but the emperor never asked her about it.
Suddenly, she found that she could not understand Dugu Liancheng.
This imperial city is very deep. If he doesn't say something, doesn't it mean he doesn't know about it?
After Dugu Liancheng went to court, he invited Mu Ci to Yanfu Palace.
Concubines De, Concubines Shu and Concubines Xian who were originally imprisoned in the Criminal Department were all brought up.
Because the matter was so important, Dugu Liancheng personally tried the case this time.
Mu Zhi has been thinking of ways to rescue Mu Xue from the Punishment Department these days, but the guards from the Punishment Department are like iron barrels surrounding him. People inside can't get out, and no one outside can get in.
Hearing that the third concubine had confessed, and that the emperor was going to interrogate the three of them today, he asked to attend.
This time, the emperor agreed to his request.
This relieved him.
It can be seen that the emperor still cares about him to some extent, otherwise he would not be allowed to attend. With him here, if he wants to convict Mu Xue, the emperor still has to care about his face.
When he saw that there were no conspicuous injuries on Mu Xue's body, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Mu Xue had not suffered anything in the Criminal Department.
Zhao Ling was different. She was carried in because her foot was injured and it hurt so much that she couldn't walk.
Not long after, other people involved in the case were also taken in.
Dugu Liancheng first looked at Zhao Ling: "Concubine De, I have your confession in my hand. Please explain the incident in detail in front of everyone."
Zhao Ling knelt down in front of the emperor, never daring to raise his head and look directly into the emperor's eyes.
She took a deep breath.
At this point, she had to put all the blame on Muxue, otherwise it would be difficult for her to escape this time.
"I was unjustly accused. Concubine Shu said that she could not tolerate the Queen Mother, and wanted to kill the Queen Mother, but I just received the news. Concubine Chen went to Concubine Shu to argue, but Concubine Shu refused to realize it-"
"Absurd! The Queen Mother and Concubine Shu are sisters. How could Concubine Shu deal with the Queen Mother?" Mu Zhi interrupted Zhao Ling as soon as he heard Zhao Ling speak.
He looked at Dugu Liancheng again: "Concubine De is lying and wants to frame Concubine Shu. The emperor must clearly distinguish right from wrong..."
"Qing Mu Ai, if you still want to listen, just sit quietly. If you can't be quiet, then leave Yanfu Palace!" Dugu Liancheng looked at Mu Zhi, his tone of voice was not serious, but his momentum was awe-inspiring.
Under the emperor's gaze, Mu Zhi showed his timidity and kept silent.
"Your Majesty, everything I say is true. I was unwilling at first, but Concubine Shu said that she was now the head of the four concubines and had to obey her in everything. In order to stabilize Concubine Shu, I could only pretend to obey.
I was thinking of finding an opportunity to warn the Queen Mother during the Ten Thousand Flowers Festival." Zhao Ling continued what he had just finished.
Mu Xue was not in a hurry. After Zhao Ling finished speaking, she did not refute.
After listening to Zhao Ling's confession, Dugu Liancheng looked at Muxue and asked, "Concubine Shu, what did you say?"
"I'm scared. I don't know about this. I don't even know that Concubine De is evil-hearted and actually set a trap to harm people at the Ten Thousand Flowers Festival. If I know about it, I will stop Concubine De from committing the crime as soon as possible."
Such a treasonous crime." Mu Xue said calmly.
The trap was set by Zhao Ling, and the people were sent by Zhao Ling. She had nothing to do with it.
She had already thought about how to shirk all the blame if the incident came to light.
"Shu Fei, you lied. You clearly dominated the whole situation, but now you want to shirk everything?!" Zhao Ling looked at Mu Xue coldly, speaking righteously.
She suddenly figured out one thing. Muxue had already thought of a way out, because she had always been the one taking the lead, and the people were also on her side. Muxue had never made any sacrifices, nor had she contributed any effort.
It's funny that she didn't understand this until now. She is really confused.
"Concubine De is surprised by what she said. If I have done it, I will definitely admit it. If I have not done it, I will not suffer this injustice in vain." Muxue looked indifferent.
Compared to Zhao Ling's eagerness and panic, Mu Xue was too calm.
After Dugu Liancheng listened to the two people's confessions, he looked at Hua Chang, who had been quiet all this time: "Xianfei, this is your confession. Please repeat the facts."
This is the first time Hua Chang has faced Concubine De and Concubine Shu. If she had known the progress of the situation before, she would have stood on the same front as Mu Xue and testified against Zhao Ling together.
But now, she cannot go back on her promise, because the confession she signed is in the hands of the emperor.
Now I can only bite the bullet and continue to repeat what she said in the Ministry of Justice.
She tried her best to remain calm and maintained her original confession, saying that Mu Xue and Zhao Ling planned everything. She had no idea that these two people were setting up a trap to murder Mu Ci.
"Xian Fei, I have no grudge against you on weekdays, why did you frame me?!" Mu Xue was the first to attack, pointing at Hua Shang, and shouted angrily.
Hua Chang looked back calmly: "I am just telling the truth. I know what you and Concubine De have done."
Zhao Ling said angrily: "You lied, I..."
"Emperor, please bring up the witnesses. They are making a lot of noise and making the Ai family have a headache." Mu Ci said impatiently.
She didn't want to hear Zhao Ling speak at all. No matter which of the three women suffered this time, she would be very satisfied.
It would be great if these three women could be eradicated at once. But she also knew that this was not realistic.
After all, they are currently the most important concubines in the harem, especially Muxue. With Mu Zhi's support, it is not easy to unseat Muxue now.
Dugu Liancheng felt that Mu Ci's words were reasonable and asked someone to bring Xi'er and Li'er up.
The confessions of Xi'er and Li'er were also underwritten. They told everything they knew, including the trap in the flower shed, which they set out to solve.
And these two people were the secret stakes that Zhao Ling placed in the harem. As soon as the two of them confessed, Zhao Ling's heart went cold.
Soon Zhao Ling became the target of public criticism, and even Hua Shang was secretly thinking about whether to focus all the firepower on Zhao Ling later.
"Bring up Jin Qiu, the eldest maid of Wuyou Palace." Mu Ci said in a loud voice.
Jin Qiu was quickly brought in and knelt down in front of Mu Ci and Dugu Liancheng.
"Now all the evidence points to Concubine De. As Concubine De's most trusted palace servant, what do you have to say?" Mu Ci's eyes were fixed on Jin Qiu's head.
