Consort Rong narrowed her eyes and looked back at Zhong Li, "What does Assistant Minister Zhong mean by that? This consort does not understand."
"You don't understand?" Zhong Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Your Highness, do you know that even the most meticulous plans can have loopholes? Even someone as clever as you can encounter unforeseen circumstances."
As she spoke, she bowed to Lu Jing'an, "Your Majesty may not know, but Consort Nangong made new requests for all dishes and utensils to prepare for the Little Prince's birthday banquet.
Three days ago, a new batch of glazed cups was introduced into the palace, about two hundred in total. Your Majesty also knows that these glazed cups are extremely valuable. If anyone in the harem requires them, a record must be kept.
I have already reviewed the ledgers of the Sipinku, and it is recorded that Consort Nangong requisitioned one hundred and fifty-six of them for the Little Prince's birthday banquet. As for these remaining two..."
Zhong Li turned to the woman behind her, "Does Consort Rong not intend to offer an explanation?"
Consort Rong was stunned and said, "That's right, this consort did take two glazed cups from the Sipinku. But what does that have to do with the Little Prince's death? Moreover, how can you be so sure that those two extra glazed cups belong to this consort? What if someone stole my belongings..."
Zhong Li narrowed her eyes at Consort Rong. She hadn't expected this woman to be so stubborn.
She sneered and spread her hands towards Hua Yao.
Hua Yao took a glazed cup from her embrace and placed it in Zhong Li's palm.
Zhong Li held up the glazed cup and said loudly, "The cases of Consort Shu and Consort Xian have been conducted secretly at Dali Temple, and their causes of death have never been disclosed. It is this insect, it is the culprit..."
After she finished explaining the characteristics of the corrupt firefly, her gaze fell upon Consort Rong again. "Consort Rong, although Dali Temple has kept the details of this case confidential, it doesn't mean you can speak such nonsense here. You say you brought these glazed cups to the Little Prince's birthday banquet, were you perhaps there to pack things up?"
Consort Rong swallowed several times, wanting to refute, but unsure how to proceed.
"Furthermore, I know you are still harboring some hope. If I tell you that several noble ladies in the harem know about the new glazed cups, and no one has requested them in the past few days, but you, an outsider, unwilling to interact with others and unaware of the situation, privately requisitioned these glazed cups. What makes you think I cannot suspect that these items are yours, and that you confined the corrupt fireflies in this bottle, waiting for the opportune moment to burn the Little Prince to death?
Now that the evidence is clear, Your Highness, what more can you deny?
Don't say it was Granny Dou. She was entangled with me in the Imperial Garden at the time!" Zhong Li glared at Consort Rong, her expression serious.
"You!" Consort Rong pointed at Zhong Li, her face turning ashen.
Lu Jing'an looked up at Consort Rong, his gaze filled with anger. "Guards! Take Consort Rong away."
As he spoke, two imperial guards approached from either side and escorted Consort Rong away.
Lu Jing'an rubbed his temples, his elegant face covered with fatigue.
He waved his hand to rise and leave, but Zhong Li quickly stepped in front of him, "Your Majesty, this case is not yet over."
Lu Jing'an paused, somewhat confused.
Zhong Li glanced at the small remains lying on the ground and took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten what I explained? To make the corrupt fireflies quickly head towards their target, the bloodthirst they most favor is indispensable."
Lu Jing'an listened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the hundred-plus people before him.
After Zhong Li bowed to Lu Jing'an, she walked step by step towards Wanrong, who had been standing in the corner.
"Wanrong!"
Wanrong trembled when her name was called.
Zhong Li seized her hand and searched her sleeve, finding a blood-stained dagger. "Wanrong, you used this dagger to cut the Little Prince, leading the corrupt fireflies to swarm him, didn't you?"
Wanrong shook her head, her eyes wide with fear as she scanned the surroundings. She threw off Zhong Li's hand and rushed towards the palace gate.
"Seize her!" Lu Jing'an, his veins bulging with anger, roared.
At the same time, several imperial guards raised their crossbows and aimed at Wanrong.
"Don't kill her!"
*Whoosh!*
As Zhong Li's warning left her lips, an arrow pierced Wanrong's body.
Wanrong, like a drifting duckweed, stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground.
Zhong Li turned and glared furiously at the imperial guards surrounding the Emperor.
-------------------------------------
The next day.
It was drizzling in Jincheng.
Zhong Li alighted from the carriage and looked up at the sky. Tiny droplets of water landed on her nose, and the smell of grass filled her lungs.
"Assistant Minister Zhong, His Majesty has ordered that you may enter the palace now." Eunuch Hua emerged from the palace gate and stood beside her.
Zhong Li nodded and followed Eunuch Hua inside.
"Yesterday, His Majesty was greatly angered by Consort Rong's matter and did not sleep well all night. He even had imperial physicians examine him early this morning," Eunuch Hua said as they walked.
Zhong Li replied, "The Little Prince was the Emperor's most beloved. With him gone, it is understandable for the Emperor to be heartbroken."
"Sigh!" Eunuch Hua sighed, "Consort Rong has been with His Majesty for twenty years, and to think she would be such a person."
Zhong Li shook her head, "One can know a person's face but not their heart. Consort Rong has committed a grave offense, and His Majesty has only ordered her confinement to the cold palace, forbidding her from ever leaving. This can be considered fulfilling his duty to the Shu Rong kingdom."
"Indeed!" Eunuch Hua said, "No matter what, the Shu Rong kingdom did help His Majesty back then. His Majesty's actions are truly out of necessity."
"What about Consort Nangong? How is she?" Zhong Li asked.
"His Majesty prepared to promote Consort Nangong to the rank of Consort to comfort her. However, since the Little Prince is no longer here, she has not eaten anything," Eunuch Hua replied.
As they spoke, they reached their destination.
Zhong Li looked up at the mottled palace buildings before her, her gaze sweeping over the plaque above that read 'Cold Solitude Palace'. "Eunuch Hua, please stop here. I will leave after speaking with her."
"Alright, Assistant Minister Zhong. This old servant shall take his leave." Eunuch Hua quickly departed.
Zhong Li watched him disappear, then pushed open the door and entered the courtyard.
The wind swept fallen leaves, cobwebs were everywhere, ancient trees were covered in withered vines, and a chill permeated the air.
Before entering the palace, she had heard of this Cold Solitude Palace. It was said that during the previous Emperor's reign, this place was often haunted, and it was subsequently abandoned as a cold palace. For many years, no consort had been imprisoned here. Consort Rong was the first.
*Crackling*
Just as she was about to push open the door to the hall, the sound of breaking porcelain and tiles emanated from within.
"Get out! This consort does not need visitors, all of you, get out!" Consort Rong's hysterical voice echoed from inside.
Zhong Li frowned and entered the hall.
She saw Consort Rong prostrate on the ground in a disheveled state, her black hair cascading over her shoulders, obscuring half her face. Her exposed eyes stared fixedly at the doorway.
"It's you, Zhong Li!"
Zhong Li scanned the iron shackles bound to Consort Rong's feet, casually picked up a chair, and sat opposite her. "Otherwise, who did Consort Rong expect? I won't lie to you, the Emperor has already ordered the execution of all her palace attendants, including Granny Dou, who has always followed her."
"Ah!" Consort Rong roared in anger upon hearing this. "Zhong Li, may you die a terrible death, may you die a terrible death, may you... *muffled*!"
Before Consort Rong could finish her curse, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Unbeknownst to her, Zhong Li had lunged forward and kicked her in the chest.
"Consort Rong!" Zhong Li grabbed Consort Rong by her collar. "I'm telling you, before I came here, I thoroughly searched your chambers. By your bedside, I found a ledger with many names written in it. Those are the people you have harmed, aren't they? So, you are getting off lightly with this fate."