It was unexpected that this matter actually involved the Prince of Nan'an. But was the Prince of Nan'an truly involved, or was Ji Xue framing him?
If it was a frame-up, one could only hope she would stick to her story.
Changsun Zhu laughed charmingly, looking with keen interest at Emperor Xian on the high seat.
Mu Rong Liu Zun's chiseled features, carved by a divine axe, were now overlaid with frost. A fleeting glint of sharp light flashed in his ink-black eyes, eerily cold and strange. His long, slender hand clenched into a fist, gripping the golden dragon-shaped armrest of the imperial throne, ready to lash out.
Mu Qingyao's figure moved, her delicate hand pressing down on Emperor Xian's about-to-move form. She nodded slightly, signaling for him to let her handle this matter.
Mu Rong Liu Zun forcefully suppressed his anger. His icy, sinister eyes cleared. He let out a deep breath, no longer exhibiting his previous ferocity.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the tacit understanding between Emperor Xian and the Empress was laid bare. A glance, a gesture, and everything was perfectly understood. Should one say they were deeply in love, or exceptionally intelligent?
Everyone thought this simultaneously.
Mu Qingyao had already withdrawn her hand and turned, scanning the people in the grand hall.
Her gaze, neither angry nor displeased, seemed to possess an infinite magical power, instantly stunning the joyously expectant hearts of the crowd. With the Empress making a move, could Ji Xue possibly withstand it?
"Ji Xue, you say the person who colluded with you was the Prince of Nan'an, is that correct?"
Ji Xue looked towards the head of the hall, at the woman seated high above, dressed in pure and elegant attire, radiating brilliance and possessing wise eyes, gazing intently at her.
"Yes," Ji Xue said in a deep voice, secretly thinking, If I can't have a good time, then neither will your Xianyue. You want Prince Nan'an to be released without guilt, but I will not let you have your way.
A sharp glint flashed in Mu Qingyao's eyes.
Judging from Ji Xue's steady demeanor, she intended to firmly implicate the Prince of Nan'an, making it difficult for them to act. If this were a personal feud, Ji Xue would undoubtedly be clever.
However, this was now a dispute between two nations. Her insistence on involving the Prince of Nan'an would only lead to a stalemate between the two countries, which would benefit other nations.
"Ji Xue, why did the Prince of Nan'an conspire with you to kill the Crown Princess?"
"He first helped me gain the throne, and then I would help him gain the throne. Mutual assistance," Ji Xue said with a calm face, her expression serious and as if everything were factual.
A clamor arose in the grand hall. The Right Chancellor, Chu Fengyu, stood up with a dark and extremely displeased expression.
"Absurd, absurd! The Prince of Nan'an has gone too far. Your Majesty, the Prince of Nan'an has betrayed Your Majesty's trust."
Mu Rong Liu Zun's expression was dark and unreadable. His eyebrows slightly raised; he did not make a move. He had absolute faith in the Prince of Nan'an. One does not employ those they doubt, and one trusts those they employ.
Mu Qingyao let out a cold laugh, looking at the agitated Right Chancellor. Why was he so agitated? The throne did not belong to the Chu family; it belonged to the Mu Rong family. If the Mu Rong family was not in a hurry, why should he be?
Mu Qingyao calmly waved her hand. "Right Chancellor, please sit down. The interrogation is not yet complete."
Chu Fengyu was stunned. He hadn't expected the Empress to show him no respect. He was somewhat indignant, his old face flushing, and he awkwardly sat down, secretly seething. Yue Xian was finished, allowing a woman to interfere in state affairs; it was absurd, truly absurd.
The envoys from the five nations continued to watch the show. Mu Qingyao was not anxious, her expression consistently calm and unhurried. It was Prince Ji who was becoming impatient, his eyebrows raised, speaking coldly.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask? I have said all that needs to be said. It was a trap set by Prince Nan'an of Xianyue and myself."
"Nonsense, Ji Xue! The Crown Princess had Prince Nan'an's jade pendant in her hand. Tell me, who would kill someone and then place the jade pendant in the victim's hand, allowing others to investigate them?"
Mu Qingyao suddenly shouted, calling it utter nonsense. Ji Xue was simply trying to clear herself; her intentions were truly malicious.
"That was my plan to kill two birds with one stone. It could eliminate my Imperial Elder Sister and also eliminate Prince Nan'an. Why not? I secretly took the jade pendant from him and placed it in Imperial Elder Sister's hand."
Ji Xue spoke with conviction, her explanation seamless and difficult to refute. However, anyone with a brain understood that Prince Nan'an would not stoop to colluding with Ji Xue. But now, Ji Xue was adamantly insisting that Prince Nan'an was her accomplice.
The envoys from the five nations all wore smiles, observing everything in the grand hall. The Empress considered herself exceptionally intelligent; now, let's see what method she had to resolve this crisis.
Mu Qingyao's expression darkened, and a murderous aura emanated from her. Her cool voice suddenly rang out.
"Ji Xue, does the Prince of Nan'an's consort know about the actions of the Prince of Nan'an?"
Everyone was startled. The Prince of Nan'an had not yet taken a wife; how could a Princess of Nan'an have appeared? Before their thoughts could catch up, Ji Xue's voice rang out.
"No, this is a matter between Prince Nan'an and myself. He kept it from the Princess of Nan'an."
As soon as Ji Xue uttered these words, Mu Rong Liu Zun's handsome face softened in the grand hall. His thin lips curved slightly, forming a beautiful arc.
The Right Chancellor, Mu Hen, and the Minister of Justice, among others, breathed a sigh of relief. Only at this moment did they understand the Empress's intention.
So, the Empress was trying to trick Ji Xue into a confession. Ji Xue had indeed fallen into the trap. If she had truly conspired with the Prince of Nan'an, why would she be unaware that the Prince of Nan'an had no consort?
The Prince of Nan'an's manor did not even have a concubine. It was estimated that in that vast manor, even the flies were male; where would a Princess of Nan'an come from?
The Left Chancellor, Chu Fengyu, also realized what had happened. He couldn't help but feel disappointed but could not show it. He inwardly cursed Prince Ji for being so brainless.
The envoys from the five nations did not expect the situation to change so drastically. They originally thought Ji Xue would remain firm in her accusations, but unexpectedly, the Empress had used a trick. It seemed there was someone else involved. Who could it be?
"Ji Xue, the Prince of Nan'an is not married, so there is no Princess of Nan'an at all. You colluded with him, and you don't even know this?"
Mu Qingyao looked at Ji Xue with mockery. The woman's face instantly turned pale. A flicker of jealousy and hatred flashed in her eyes as she glared fiercely at Mu Qingyao.
This woman's mind was too sharp; she couldn't possibly contend with her. Since they already knew, why continue asking her? Ji Xue pursed her lips and remained silent.
"Ji Xue, if you continue to speak nonsense, do you believe I won't order my men to lock you up in the Ministry of Justice's prison and have the Ministry of Justice handle this case? Furthermore, if you don't confess clearly, I'll have you carried back."
As Mu Qingyao's words finished, Ji Xue's eyes widened in disbelief. Her face turned deathly pale, and her body couldn't help but tremble twice.
"How dare you! I am a Prince of the Danfeng Kingdom. You have no right to punish me."
"Do you want to try? If Xianyue punishes you, although your Empress Mother will be resentful, don't forget that this grand hall is not only Xianyue's. The five nations are all present, meaning all six nations will punish you. What can your Empress Mother do against six nations?"
When Mu Qingyao finished speaking, the other five nations were furious. This woman was too insidious to say something like that.
They had originally intended to sow discord, but now they had inadvertently become witnesses.