Chapter 1397: War Smoke Rises (218)

to the market.Everything she did was now under scrutiny. She wasn't sure if it was the Empress's people, but whoever they were, all she could do now was remain calm, just like before, keeping a certa..."Bring him in."

The Prime Minister hurriedly spoke, no longer caring whether Du Gu Cheng agreed or not.

Dugu Cheng and Feng Aotian looked at each other. Since they returned, they had searched for a long time without finding any witnesses. How could someone suddenly appear now Dugu Cheng suddenly had a bad premonition.

A young servant, dressed as a houseboy, came in and knelt hurriedly. "I, Zhang Wang, pay my respects to you esteemed masters."

Dugu Cheng looked at this servant named Zhang Wang, he didn't know if he was the son of the Chen King

My lords, you are disregarding the lord of Linxi County.

Zhang Wang, you say you know how the wife of Ben Xiang died, is this true

The Chancellor urgently questioned, his eager eyes desperate to glean the murderer's identity from the little servant's lips.

Zhang Wang knelt on the ground, raising his head tremblingly to meet the chancellor's gaze. The eager look in his eyes made him clench his clothes tightly and nod.

"Then you should say something! What are you standing there for"

Feng Aotian was also getting anxious. Zhang Wang glanced at Du Gucheng, his expression panicked and dodging.

Dugu Cheng narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhang Wang without a word. He had to find out this man's identity thoroughly; there might be some clues here.

"Master, the day when the Honorable Chancellor's wife had an accident, this servant was sweeping in the outer courtyard. The eldest son of the Chancellor came in with the Princess Consort of Chen, and after a while, this servant heard news that the Honorable Chancellor's wife had died from poisoning."

After Wan finished speaking, Dugu City's handsome face suddenly turned cold.

"Are you serious"

"The servant wouldn't dare to lie."

Zhang Wang lowered his head, not daring to look at Dugu City. However, the slight tremble of his body had already betrayed him.

“Zhang Wang, do you mean that my mother died from poisoning only after the Crown Princess and my elder brother came in”

Nan Gong Hua Shuang's uncertain question, watching Dugu Cheng's sudden coldness, glanced toward the Prime Minister.

"Zhang Wang, is everything you said true"

Feng Aotien was also frightened. This warrant clearly pinned the crime of poisoning the wife of the prime minister on Xi'er. He could understand it, so how could Du Gucheng not

Only Dugucheng didn't explain, and he didn't know how to say it. It wasn't easy to talk about this, because if he said the wrong thing, things could become a big problem, just like what he had just said. This would involve Xier.

"The servant dares not lie. These are all things the servant saw with his own eyes, experienced firsthand that day."

Zhang Wang, seeing that Dugu City hadn't mentioned him, gathered his courage and spoke up.

Dugu Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly and turned to look at Nangong Huashuang and the Prime Minister. The expressions in both of their eyes had changed. They were planning to blame Xi'er for this. This person must be involved with them somehow.

"Is the innkeeper of this place still alive"

Dugu Cheng suddenly spoke, before the chancellor could reply, he said softly, “This king heard from Xi’er that when she and Hua Yun Gongzi went to the post house that day, they ran into a servant who was reporting to Hua Yun Gongzi that his wife had been poisoned at the door. It can be presumed that the manager of the post house knew about this at the time.”

"Just ask the butler, and you'll know."

Feng Aotien spoke, and soon the innkeeper was brought before everyone, kneeling at their feet. Although he was the innkeeper, this was the first time he had ever seen such a grand spectacle.

"Butler, I ask you this: On the day when the Chancellor's wife died from poisoning, were you in the mansion"

The steward hurriedly replied, “Your Royal Highness, that day the servant was in the mansion.”

"This Wang said that on the day the Chancellor's wife died from poison, he was sweeping in the courtyard where the Chancellor's wife lived. He claimed that after Princess Chen and Master Hua Yun went into the Chancellor's wife's room, the Chancellor's wife fell ill from poisoning. Do you know about this"

"Zhang Wang"

The steward raised his head and looked at Zhang Wang kneeling beside him. Seeing him bowing his head, he leaned forward to get a closer look, but Zhang Wang lowered his head even further.

"Zhang Wang, look up."

When Zhang Wang heard this, his body suddenly twitched, he suddenly fell to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, scaring everyone. Ye Xi rushed forward to check, her expression changed drastically, "Your Highness, Zhang Wang committed suicide by biting his tongue."

"My lord, he is not Zhang Wang. I know Zhang Wang, and he doesn't look like this."

The steward pointed at Zhang Wang and hurriedly said, “This man is someone the servants have never seen in the mansion before. It can be confirmed that he isn’t from our household.”

“That’s interesting. How could someone who isn’t from the inn impersonate its servants and say such things Could it be the work of someone pulling the strings behind the scenes”

Dugu City looked at the Prime Minister, seeing him silent, he frowned and asked, "What do you think, Prime Minister Who do you think is behind this"

"This person impersonating a stablehand spoke in such a way that it raises suspicion. Moreover, what they said clearly targets the Crown Princess."

The chancellor glanced at Dugu City, his expression turning solemn.

"This old man feels that it's still best to hear what Consort Chen has to say, so she can make things clear about that day and prevent further misunderstandings."

Dugu Cheng now understood. This prime minister just wanted Xi'er and him to clarify things in front of everyone. This fake Zhang Wang said that Xi'er and Nangong Huayun went into the Prime Minister's wife's room and were poisoned after, which was clearly untrue. If he didn't let Xi'er come, it would give others a chance to speak falsely.

"Ye Xi, please bring the Princess here."

Feng Aotian heard that Dugu Cheng wanted to invite Feng Lingxi, wanting to stop it, but he didn't know how to say it. This prime minister obviously wanted to let Xi'er confront him. Now, the body of the Prime Minister's wife couldn't be found. Even if Xi'er told the truth, she would probably still be suspected.

"Father, the mastermind behind Zhang Wang's words must be trying to slander Crown Princess Chen and incite conflict between the Prime Minister's residence and Prince Chen."

Nan Gong Hua's expression was serious as she looked into Dugu Cheng's eyes, clearly filled with coldness. She continued, "My son doesn't believe what Zhang Wang said. Everyone knows the Empress Dowager's medical skills are unparalleled. Even the late Emperor praised her highly. Perhaps Big Brother brought the Empress Dowager here to see Mother because he arrived too late. Father shouldn't be misunderstood and have his relationship with the Crown Prince strained."

"Second Young Master, perhaps it's because I arrived late, and I just missed it. Your words make people doubt the true meaning behind them."

Feng Aotien questioned this, greatly dissatisfied with Nangong Huashuang's words. He didn't like Xi'er before, but now they were in the same boat. Nangong Huashuang saying this clearly implied that Madam Prime Minister's death might have been caused by Xi'er.

How could he allow him to so slander her innocence

"Lord Zhen Guo, please calm yourself. Young Master Hua's words do not imply any suspicion towards Xi’er. He is merely uncertain whether Xi’er and Young Master Huayun truly arrived in time when the Lady of the State Minister fell ill."

Dugu Cheng looked at Nan Gong Hua, his voice calm. "Is this what I meant"

"Hua Shuang's words were inappropriate, please forgive him, General Zhen Guo and His Royal Highness Prince Chen. Hua Shuang did not doubt Madam Chen."

"Since this matter happened within the scope of this King's jurisdiction, this King will naturally investigate it thoroughly. Please rest assured, Prime Minister and Second Young Master, this King will not allow the perpetrator to go unpunished."nd that Feng Lingxi was the key to opening the Yao Clan's treasure.It wasn't going to be easy protecting her.But Feng Lingxi didn't know all this."My Lord, actually…"Xiao Li bit her lip, wanting to te...