Haoyue smiled.
The emperor looked at her and said, "What are you laughing at? A woman can do this, even if I don't like her, I have to admit that she has some ability."
"I don't disagree with you." Haoyue picked up the cup and stroked the lid in circles. "I just think this matter might not be that simple. Think about it, as soon as the incident happened, including you, everyone thought that the princes were suspicious. To say that they were suspicious is still a polite way of saying it. I'm afraid that some people have already made such a conclusion. If it was really a prince who did it, wouldn't he have thought of the consequences? Anyway, I think this matter is out of the question."
The emperor looked thoughtful, and after a moment he asked, "Do you think this is a play put on by Hua Zhi? To clear obstacles for Xiao Liu?"
"You think that's impossible?"
The emperor shook his head slightly. "If she was healthy, it would make sense to think so, but her body can't stand this. Doctor Liu said that if she doesn't take good care of herself, her life will be shortened. No one will not cherish their lives. Even if she wants to help Xiaoliu, she won't use her life to do this. She has to live so that people will remember her contributions."
Seeing that this approach was a dead end, Haoyue immediately agreed, "You are right, I am short-sighted."
"You stay in this palace every day, so it's normal that you don't know the inside story, but your suspicion is also reasonable." The emperor stood up and walked around, "The pointer is too obvious, it seems fake."
"Now, there are rumors that the person behind this is the Fourth Prince?"
"You know this?"
Haoyue smiled and said, "I guessed that the position of Queen is vacant. The person with the highest position in the harem is Concubine Xu. In the eyes of some people, the Fourth Prince is the one with the best chance. A person standing there in such a blatant position is naturally the best target."
The emperor looked over and asked, "You think it's not him?"
"I dare not say such things carelessly, and I am not allowed to make such a guess."
The emperor pointed at her from a distance with his index finger, then turned and walked out.
"Farewell, Your Majesty."
The hall fell silent, and Haoyue's smile gradually faded, thinking about the effect of his words. Sometimes it is too obvious that he is a rake, but isn't there a saying that the most dangerous place is the safest place? Everyone says he is, but he may not be. Everyone suspects that he is not, but it may be true.
After leaving Rulan Palace, the emperor ordered: "Check the movements of the third, fourth, and fifth brothers."
"yes."
The rumor spread wider and wider. When Hua Zhi learned that the Fourth Prince was almost identified as the murderer, she knew that things were bad. It was not just her who was muddying the waters, there were others too.
"It is my fault." As soon as Chen Qing arrived, he knelt down and apologized.
"I'm not Yan Xi, you don't have to kneel to me, get up." Hua Zhi didn't even look at him, wiping the dagger again and again, and said: "Have you caught the first abandoned child?"
"Yes, he has been caught."
"The second one bit you?"
"yes."
"Very good, spread the word that the murderer has confessed and throw out the first abandoned pawn."
Chen Qing agreed, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Do you want to lead this matter to the Fourth Prince?"
"No need. We know exactly what happened. We have someone in our hands. Even if the whole world says that the Fourth Prince is innocent, he knows that he is not innocent. In one hour, no matter if the Fourth Prince makes any move or not, you must release the news that the murderer has identified the Third Prince as the man behind the scenes."
"You want to drag the Third Prince into this mess?"
Hua Zhi looked at the ancient, dull dagger and said calmly, "I am just a commoner now, so of course I have to fight the princes. The Third Prince may not be innocent in this matter."
"Yes, I know what to do."
Hua Zhi was not in a very good mood. Although her injuries were not serious, she had lost a lot of blood. She felt sleepy from time to time and spent most of the day sleeping.
She didn't know how her grandmother comforted the people in the backyard. Except for her mother and fourth aunt who came over, everyone else was safe and sound. She guessed that her grandmother didn't tell them about her injury.
This is the best. It's not that she looks down on people, but women of this era are the most tearful. The thought of being surrounded by a group of women crying makes her feel cold.
After thinking about some random things, Hua Zhi fell asleep again.
The temperature in the capital has risen in the past two days, and the rumors have also risen by several degrees with the rising temperature. Groups of people gathered together to talk about recent events with a secret excitement on their faces.
The affairs of the royal family have always been high and mighty, and although the discord among the princes has never been a secret, it has never been exposed to the public as blatantly as it is now between the third and fourth princes.
"The latest news is that the two have taken the case to the emperor." A man hurriedly walked into Yunlai Restaurant and sat down at his friend's table, not caring how much attention his words would attract.
"Really? Is your information accurate?"
"Of course. Today, during the imperial court, the dispute between the two princes caused the emperor to be furious. It is said that both of them were punished. Just wait, the news will spread soon."
"That's true. I don't know who the emperor favors."
"… "
Inside the private room on the second floor, Shen Qi closed the door. After going through so many things, his young face now looked much calmer.
Jiang Huanran couldn't help but stab him, "If you want to know about the young lady's situation, why don't you just send a note and pay her a visit? How many of the rumors are true?"
Shen Qi ignored him and said calmly, "I will take part in the lock-up exam this April."
In addition to Jiang Huanran, there were four other people in the box. Their family background was comparable to Shen Qi's, and they were closely related to the Shen family, and even the Jiang family was the same. It was just that Jiang Huanran and Shen Qi could not play together in the past. After all, one was the eldest grandson and the other was the youngest son, so they had different paths. Later, when they had the same crush on someone, they inexplicably became close.
But I was still surprised to hear his decision at this time, after all, he was just over 15 years old.
Several people looked at each other, and the young master of the Chu family asked, "Isn't it too early?"
"The eldest girl is only sixteen years old. The salt tax and the transport department are all from her. We are a few years older than her. What can we show for it?" Shen Qi took a sip of tea. "This is my decision after careful consideration."
"Who wants to compete with her?" The young master of the Zheng family grumbled helplessly, dragging a stool to sit closer to Shen Qi, "Are you stimulated?"
Shen Qi was silent for a moment. "I was chatting with my grandfather a few days ago. He talked about the current situation in the court. What impressed me most was his words about the lack of successors, both in the military and civil service."
"There is no shortage of people in any position now..."
"Shut up now. No matter how many vacancies there are, they can all be filled." Master Chu interrupted him, "Shen Qi is talking about people who can get things done."
Shen Qi smiled and said, "Military officers cannot fight, and civil officials cannot govern the country. Isn't that a lack of successors? I am interested in a career in government, but if I don't get in early to hone my skills, I will be one of the incompetent ones when the time comes to hire people."
He is the eldest grandson who is highly regarded by his grandfather, and the disciple who is carefully taught by his teacher. He is not even qualified to be incompetent. Moreover, if he is more capable, maybe he can help the eldest girl when she needs to do something one day