Sima Min could tell that Princess Nanning was not simple. Indeed, a princess who had been favored for many years would not be ordinary.
"I think it's fine. At least I don't have to worry about anything. As for Princess Nanning, this way of living is ultimately not a solution."
Princess Nanning chuckled, "This way of living is quite good for me. At least I don't have to deal with the deceit and treachery of the imperial palace in the Northern Yuan Dynasty. It's much more relaxed here."
Her topic suddenly shifted, "I advise Miss Sima, don't think about what you shouldn't, lest you harm yourself."
After speaking, without waiting for Sima Min to say anything else, Princess Nanning left with her maid.
Leaving behind a displeased Sima Min, she cast a gloomy glance at the courtyard and walked away with a flick of her sleeve.
...
The Imperial Palace, the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
As soon as Tao Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi entered, they saw Zicheng, who was seated at the head and looked displeased, and several palace servants kneeling on the ground, trembling.
"Uncle, Aunt!"
Zicheng invited the two to sit down and lowered his voice, "His Majesty suddenly died! I've suppressed this matter, but it can't be kept hidden for long. The key is that this matter points to me and Uncle. I know someone is playing tricks, but I haven't found conclusive evidence. This is very disadvantageous to me and Uncle."
Tao Lengshuang was shocked. She really didn't expect such a serious matter. His Majesty was fine yesterday, and who would have thought that today His Majesty would suddenly die, and the matter would point to Mo Lingxi and the Crown Prince.
This was troublesome.
Mo Lingxi's brows furrowed, and he calmly asked, "Zicheng, tell me in detail what happened."
Zicheng nodded and explained the situation in detail.
After His Majesty was sent back yesterday, he was fine. He had drunk quite a lot of wine and had several palace maids accompany him. These were things he usually enjoyed, and no one paid much attention to them.
It wasn't until this morning that the palace maids who served him woke up to find His Majesty's body stiff. Only then did they learn that His Majesty had died suddenly at some unknown time.
"I had the imperial physicians examine him. The imperial physicians said that His Majesty died as if he had seen something terrifying. But all those who served him last night said they didn't hear a single sound, and even the imperial guards said they didn't discover any abnormalities."
Zicheng was very puzzled, "What I find most strange is this. Logically, there shouldn't be no sound at all, yet there are clues pointing to me and Uncle. Uncle, how should we handle this matter?"
Mo Lingxi did not answer him. Instead, led by Zicheng, he and Tao Lengshuang went to see the remains of Emperor Ming.
Emperor Ming's remains had been properly prepared and placed in a special coffin, guarded by imperial guards. Unnecessary personnel were not allowed to approach.
Mo Lingxi examined Emperor Ming's remains and found no abnormalities. However, Tao Lengshuang said something.
"Could it be something like incense?"
Seeing Mo Lingxi and Zicheng look at her, Tao Lengshuang explained, "You both have the habit of using incense. If something were done to the incense, or if several things were combined, it would be possible to kill someone silently."
"Didn't I give the Crown Prince some special medicine? Those medicines have similar effects. They can cause a person to die silently, depending on the dosage."
Zicheng remembered this matter. He immediately ordered people to thoroughly investigate the incense and all other items in Emperor Ming's palace, and to find out who was responsible for the incense Emperor Ming used.
"Uncle, Aunt, you will have to stay in the palace for now to prevent the situation from escalating, and also as a precaution."
He paused and then said, "If Uncle and Aunt are worried about Madam Sheng and Xiao Feng, I can send people to bring them here."
Mo Lingxi did not speak and looked at Tao Lengshuang.
Tao Lengshuang also knew the gravity of the matter. After thinking for a while, she said, "The palace is even less safe. There's no need to bring my godmother and Xiao Feng in for now. Moreover, the most important thing now is whether to publicly announce His Majesty's sudden death. This matter cannot be hidden for long."
Mo Lingxi and Zicheng also knew very well that this matter could not be hidden for long.
"Zicheng, announce His Majesty's sudden death now and see who makes a move," Mo Lingxi said.
Zicheng nodded in understanding, immediately ordered the imperial guards to impose martial law on the entire Eastern Capital, and then sent people to strike the bell to inform everyone of Emperor Ming's demise. He then became busy.
Mo Lingxi also had many things to do, but he first sent Tao Lengshuang to the temporary palace where she was staying, ordered people to protect her, and gave her some instructions before going about his own business.
Tao Lengshuang paced back and forth with unease, constantly thinking about who could have silently killed His Majesty and framed Mo Lingxi and Zicheng.
Mo Lingxi and Zicheng, one a god of war who deterred other countries, and the other the crown prince, were both very important.
If something happened to these two, the Eastern Jin Dynasty would inevitably fall into internal strife, and then other countries would attack the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
Was it the trick of other countries? Or the methods of some people in the Eastern Jin Dynasty?
Tao Lengshuang couldn't figure it out after thinking for a long time. She heard the clamor and crying again, which gave her a headache, so she had to stop thinking about it for now.
She stood at the entrance of the hall and saw groups of palace maids dressed in simple attire crying and walking forward. Hearing the still-ringing bell, her brows furrowed into a deep frown. The next events were the most troublesome.
The entire Eastern Capital was under martial law by the imperial guards. When they heard the bell ringing from the palace, everyone stopped and looked towards the imperial palace.
After confirming that the bell had not stopped ringing, households hurriedly hid all festive items and changed into plain white clothes, decorating their homes in a simple and elegant manner, not daring to even laugh.
The court officials also changed into their court robes and rushed to the palace as quickly as possible.
Upon arriving at the palace and confirming Emperor Ming's demise, the court officials, each with their own thoughts, knelt before the coffin. They dared not ask any questions, even if they had any.
The princes and grandsons also had many doubts. Most of them did not dare to ask at this time, but a few dared to question.
"Crown Prince, Father Emperor's health has always been robust. How could he have died so suddenly? You must give an explanation for this matter!"
"I heard that Father Emperor was wandering around the palace yesterday, which means Father Emperor's health was excellent. Why did Father Emperor die in just one night? Is it possible that you and Prince Ming Rui were involved in this?"
Zicheng stood on the steps and looked down coldly at the questioning prince, "Do I and Prince Ming Rui need to resort to such tactics? Moreover, are Uncle and Prince Ming Rui fools to make such a foolish mistake?"
The princes were not willing to back down. They knew very well that this was the best opportunity to bring down the Crown Prince and Prince Ming Rui. They strongly demanded that the cause of Emperor Ming's death be made public and that the imperial physicians thoroughly examine Emperor Ming's remains to prevent the Crown Prince and Prince Ming Rui from tampering with them.
Zicheng and Mo Lingxi naturally understood the calculations of these princes, and they had long been prepared for the storm.
"Do you want me to give the position of Crown Prince to one of you, and then you can slowly investigate the cause of Father Emperor's death?" Zicheng narrowed his eyes, and the majesty of the Crown Prince spread out.