Chapter 1192: Chapter 1189: By Luck
Chapter 1192: Chapter 1189: By Luck
Although Empress Lin had always been vigilant against the opponent making a move, she hadn’t expected them to be so bold.
Her complexion changed immediately, “Noble Consort, watch your words!”
“It has not yet been confirmed whether this belt belongs to Lord Chu. How can you make such a rash statement?”
“Close the palace doors, no one is to leave Kunning Palace,” commanded Empress Lin decisively. She knew well Noble Consort Qi’s sinister intentions to frame her, along with Chu Heng.
At this moment, she no longer cared about saving face for anyone else.
The palace doors were immediately shut, and the palace ladies and eunuchs in Kunning Palace obeyed Empress Lin’s orders to detain the people around Noble Consort Qi.
Meanwhile, the nanny by Empress Lin’s side took the belt away.
“What are you trying to do, Empress Sister?” Noble Consort Qi saw Empress Lin’s people approaching, her face changed immediately, and she scolded angrily.
Yet, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes as she took pleasure in Empress Lin’s predicament.
“Is Sister trying to silence me?” Noble Consort Qi’s attitude was assertive. The people in the Empress’s palace dared not come closer, they subconsciously glanced at Empress Lin and followed her command.
Noble Consort Qi said with a laugh, “It’s a pity that in the palace, I cannot linger long in your Kunning Palace, Empress Sister.”
“I assume that sooner or later, Sister won’t be able to conceal it.”
This statement was an overt threat, seeming more like she enjoyed watching Empress Lin’s debacle.
In the palace, there are no secrets; news of Kunning Palace being suddenly shut will eventually leak out, what’s more, there might be spies from others in the palace.
Empress Lin was well aware of this; she looked deep into Noble Consort Qi’s eyes: “Sister, you worry too much. This chamber is merely ensuring that those involved today do not escape.”
“Everyone inside Kunning Palace must not leave, I have already sent someone to report to the Emperor.”
Noble Consort Qi saw that she was not at all afraid and couldn’t help but narrow her eyes, pondering whether Empress Lin had any other strategies. With today’s set-up, she was very confident that she would not make any mistakes, and Empress Lin would definitely be damaged reputation-wise, no matter the punishment, ultimately, she would gain from it.
“Since that is the case, Sister, I will naturally cooperate. However, I hope that the people in Sister’s palace will also stay here with those from my palace to avoid causing any chaos later on and giving anyone a chance to exploit the situation,” Noble Consort Qi flicked her sleeves and huffed angrily.
Empress Lin instructed the other palace ladies to stand together.
Noble Consort Qi entered the hall to rest.
Empress Lin looked towards Ye Muyu and motioned her over.
Ye Muyu followed her to the side, where both faced the withered flowers in the palace’s flowerpots. Empress Lin spoke first, “Lady Chu, did you get a clear look at that belt?”
“I saw it clearly.” Ye Muyu’s gaze had been fixed on the person serving beside Noble Consort Qi. When the belt was taken away, she shifted her attention and took a closer look.
She couldn’t help but harbor a sliver of hope that the belt wasn’t Chu Heng’s, just a replica.
But once she saw it clearly, she completely abandoned that idea. The belt was indeed Chu Heng’s, even embroidered with a pattern she had once stitched for him.
Her last bit of hope dashed, she understood that Noble Consort Qi wouldn’t set up such a scenario with fake evidence.
However, when Chu Heng had come over in the morning, he wore a different belt with his official uniform.
But this was in the palace; Noble Consort Qi wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake for no reason.
There must be some piece of information in this discrepancy that she was unaware of.