Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 262

“Your Majesty, Consort Jin is right. This person was able to infiltrate the camp, obtain these clothes, and even know Consort Jin's whereabouts. He must have someone helping him behind the scenes. He is merely a tool in someone else's hands. There is probably someone else who wants to harm Consort Jin. If this person is not found, I am indeed afraid that she will develop treacherous intentions towards Your Majesty!”

Guo Cairen spoke up in support at the opportune moment.

She has a very accurate understanding of her own position now, and for the time being, she is definitely on the same side as Xie Jiu.

Whether the Empress disliked her or the Empress Dowager disliked her, it didn't matter. In the inner palace, the important thing was to seize the Emperor's favor.

Zhao Xingjin's gloomy face, reflected in the candlelight, revealed an even deeper sense of oppression and anger.

"Yang Zhian, take this man away and interrogate him thoroughly!"

"Yes!"

Yang Zhian felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the Emperor was about to get serious.

They hurriedly took the person away for interrogation.

It was at this moment that the Empress hurriedly arrived at the scene.

Before entering Xie Jiu's tent, he happened to see Wu Que being dragged out and brush past him.

The Empress glanced at the disheveled Wu Que out of the corner of her eye and cursed him inwardly as a good-for-nothing.

They've paved the way for him like this, yet he still hasn't succeeded.

"Eunuch Yang, who is this person?" The Empress frowned and asked deliberately.

"Your Majesty, it is the person who assassinated Consort Jin," Yang Zhian replied. "This servant is acting on His Majesty's orders to take him away for questioning."

Upon hearing this, the Empress showed surprise and immediately leaned forward slightly, as if trying to see the assassin's face clearly.

Tingyun immediately went over, reached out and pinched Wu Que's chin, forcing him to raise his head.

"Marquis Weiyuan?!" Upon seeing him clearly, the Empress immediately looked frightened and hurriedly took a few steps back. "This... take him away quickly! How did this person end up here?"

Yang Zhian nodded, then ordered his men to take Wu Que away.

Then the empress entered the tent.

"Your Majesty, how is Consort Jin? I drank a calming soup before bed and slept too soundly, which is why this happened and I only found out now." She seemed very remorseful.

Zhao Xingjin glanced at her and said, "She's bandaging her wound; it's nothing serious."

"Then I am relieved."

As she spoke, the Empress prepared to go in and take a look, but was stopped by Qingfang.

"Your Majesty, Consort Jin is too frightened and should not see anyone at this time, lest she offend the Empress. Your Majesty should not go in."

The Empress frowned, feeling very unhappy, but she couldn't show it in front of Zhao Xingjin, so she had to suppress her anger and pretend to be understanding.

“Indeed, then I will not go in. However, I heard that the assassins entered by damaging Consort Jin’s tent. With such a strong wind and rain tonight, how can we stay in a damaged tent?”

Then she turned to Zhao Xingjin and said, “Your Majesty, why don’t you let Consort Jin move to the tent next to mine for the time being? It was originally my place for receiving guests. It’s a bit small, but at least it doesn’t let in any wind or rain. After tonight, we can have the tent repaired tomorrow and then let Consort Jin move back. Is that alright?”

Zhao Xingjin did not immediately agree, his sharp eyes fixed on the Empress, revealing a hint of distrust.

He's not stupid; the Empress is highly suspected.

In this hunting ground, besides him, the Queen has the most authority, and such conveniences are needed to make such a plan.

The Empress felt uneasy under Zhao Xingjin's gaze, and her hands, hidden in her sleeves, tightened as she forced herself to remain calm.

"Your Majesty," Consort Guo suggested, "I think that since Consort Jin is injured and shouldn't be moved, we could have someone cover the damaged tent with another tarpaulin to cover the tear, and then we can repair it more carefully tomorrow." This directly contradicted the Empress's suggestion.

Just then, Chunrong, who was guarding Xie Jiu inside, came out and bowed to Zhao Xingjin.

"Your Majesty, our Empress says we should do as Consort Guo says."

Actually, this is a bit improper; it sounds like giving an order.

However, Xie Jiu was still angry with the Empress at the moment, and her bad mood made her a bit irritable towards everyone, so she let Chunrong say what she had said.

Zhao Xingjin understood Xie Jiu's personality and knew that she was unhappy.

Being attacked and injured in the middle of the night, and the assassin is none other than her ex-husband, who would be in a good mood?

Zhao Xingjin nodded, "In that case, let's do as Consort Jin says."

In front of everyone, the Empress felt humiliated and became furious, wishing she could go in now and kill Xie Jiu directly.

If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to seize it again next time.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Suddenly, Qing Dong's panicked voice came from outside.

Zhao Xingjin looked up, his brows furrowing. "What's wrong? Let's talk this out."

"Your Majesty, the assassin has committed suicide by poisoning himself!" Qingdong knelt down with a thud. "When we found him, there was no time to dislocate his jaw. He had poison hidden in his mouth. It was highly toxic. He died in an instant. We didn't even have time to interrogate him."

"presumptuous!"

No sooner had Qing Dong finished speaking than Zhao Xingjin swept the teacup off the table with a flick of his sleeve and stood up angrily.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Qingdong knew he had failed in his duty and immediately kowtowed deeply.

The Empress, Consort Guo, and everyone else present immediately knelt down, not daring to face the Emperor's wrath.

"What a ridiculous suicide by poison! Before he was taken away, the Imperial Guards had already checked him. There was no poison in his mouth. So where did the poison come from!" Zhao Xingjin's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "They are truly audacious! How dare they use such tricks in front of me! Whoever came into contact with the assassin, arrest them all and interrogate them one by one!"

When he said this, the empress, who was kneeling on the ground, visibly trembled.

Sure enough, Yang Zhian rushed back and told Zhao Xingjin that the Empress had also met Wu Que, and that her head maid Tingyun had had physical contact with Wu Que.

"Take them all away and interrogate them." Zhao Xingjin's eyes flashed with cold light, and he didn't even glance at the Empress.

Tingyun's face instantly drained of color, and she hurriedly moved closer to the Empress, "Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, Tingyun is my dowry maid, unlike the others. If she is taken away for questioning, how can I save face?" the Empress immediately pleaded.

"Your Majesty is mistaken. It is precisely because Tingyun is Your Majesty's confidante and has been in contact with the assassin that she should be investigated more thoroughly. After all, Your Majesty dislikes Consort Jin, a fact known even to someone like me who has only recently entered the palace, let alone others. If we do not investigate thoroughly and clear Your Majesty's name, it will easily give others something to talk about. Moreover, this matter involves the safety of the entire hunting ground, which is no small matter."

Guo Cairen spoke in a low voice.

She had barely finished speaking when she heard a noise behind her.

Turning around, I saw Xie Jiu being helped out.

"emperor."

She uttered a soft cry, her face ashen from pain and blood loss. She was wearing a loose outer robe, which billowed in the wind, making her appear as if she were swaying inside, thin and frail.

"Why did you come out?" Zhao Xingjin unconsciously suppressed his anger and stepped forward to help Xie Jiu up. "I will take care of everything."

Xie Jiu looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Your Majesty, all I want is to live. Why do they all want to push me into hell? What wrong have I done?"