Chapter 0138 Insight

Chapter 0138 Insight

"Please continue," He Jinli said.

"Before Wei Niang's death, her words were significant. Could it be just to make Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager uncomfortable? Wei Niang and her companions were willing to die for Prince Li. Could there be other motives?" Yunli asked.

"Does Yun'er think they were behind this?" He Jinli smiled and asked.

Yunli shook her head. "That's unlikely. The Empress was shocked and gave birth prematurely; how could they predict that? However, after the palace was cleaned last year, there are still remnants. With this person's son involved, it's understandable. After all, he's a eunuch, and learning his son is alive would be quite moving."

Yunli looked at He Jinli.

He Jinli just nodded lightly, indicating her to continue.

Yunli continued, "With Wei Niang's earlier words and recent actions directly implicating the Empress Dowager, it's likely many believe it."

He Jinli smirked. "Is the beloved consort suggesting that I've been deceived?"

Yunli sneered inwardly. Now she's no longer Yun'er but the beloved consort, right?

"If Your Majesty wants me to speak, I will speak truthfully, even if it displeases you," Yunli gave He Jinli a wry look.

He Jinli remained noncommittal. "Please continue."

He asked her to continue, and she naturally did.

Yunli continued, "Has the Empress's diet been problematic for a while?"

These matters were not explicitly stated, but Yunli speculated. If the issue had not persisted for a while or arose suddenly, the Empress wouldn't have endured it.

He Jinli glanced at her and nodded.

"I'm just speculating logically that the person behind this is associated with Wei Niang and the others. However, it's unclear whether this person acts for Prince Li or for personal motives," Yunli said.

He Jinli's hand gently toyed with the teacup in front of him. "Yun'er, be straightforward."

Yunli sighed. "Don't you find the situation on that day peculiar? Some remarks seemed driven by jealousy, but at the time, we were all together. Even if one had a thousand thoughts, they wouldn't have rushed forward so quickly."

He Jinli paused, his hand stopping. "Is the beloved consort suspecting Zhang Xiuyi?"

Yunli reached out and held He Jinli's hand. "Your Majesty, do you remember what Wei Niang said that day?"

He Jinli frowned, evidently unsure which statement she referred to.

Yunli continued, "When she was held down by the guards, she yelled, 'Twelfth Prince, did you see? These are your people.'"

"On that day, none of them hesitated; they all took poison. They were all resolute. Whom was she referring to with that statement?"

"If not for today's events, I might have forgotten, but aren't today's events suspicious? Dowager Tao has long been deceased, and even if there were one or two loyalists left, Wei Niang and her companions were mostly dealt with when they died. She was desperate then, and the palace maids behind the Empress serve as evidence. Those willing to die for Prince Li should have been exhausted by then."

"It's clear that Master Luo acted only for his son out of necessity. But for Prince Li, Dowager Tao, and Wei Niang, who else could control him?"

He Jinli's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

Actually, he wasn't unaware; it's just that men and women see things from different perspectives.

Plus, with her saving His Majesty's life, most of the women in the harem dare not suspect Zhang Xiuyi.

Without evidence, you can't bring her down, and you'll end up in trouble yourself.

But Yunli has memories from another lifetime after all.

With broader experiences, combined with everything, there are glaring issues with Zhang Xiuyi's character.

Moreover, even when she was Baolin, Zhang Xiuyi's behavior was suspicious.

Right from the start, Yunli sensed something was off about her.

Actually, there's one thing she didn't mention: the first time they went to the Southern Palace, Zhang Xiuyi was fine before they went. When they returned, she was clearly lost in thought.

At the time, they attributed it to the night of the coup scaring her.

But later, considering their position as the Emperor's concubines, and considering his complete victory over Prince Li and Prince Ni, what could they possibly fear?

Even if they were frightened that night, shouldn't they be laughing about it the next day?

How could she still be lost in thought?

So, from a woman's perspective, Zhang Xiuyi is definitely suspicious.

Seeing He Jinli's displeasure, Yunli walked over and said, "Your Majesty."

He Jinli looked up. "Yes?"

Yunli took his hand. "Your Majesty, embrace me."

He Jinli raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Yunli sat in his embrace. "Your Majesty asked me to speak, and I'll always listen to you. If you've investigated and found nothing, can you forgive me?"

He Jinli embraced her. "Consort, lacking confidence?"

"Ah... it's not exactly a lack of confidence. It's just that the women in the harem perhaps desire more than simply being favored by Your Majesty. If I say I only seek this, I fear Your Majesty won't believe me. I'm afraid if I think of something and don't say it, Your Majesty might suffer later. If I do say it, Your Majesty might think I'm too scheming and ignore me."

"Just thinking... Your Majesty's safety is more important than me feeling neglected."

Yunli looked somber. "Your Majesty..."

He Jinli sighed. "Alright, let's pretend today's conversation never happened."

"Your Majesty, after your accession, I know all the things you've done. Like who improved water conservation. The other day during the summer floods, I heard about the dams, embankments, and irrigation channels, which were all very effective. There haven't been many disasters this year."

"Your Majesty also improved military regulations, so there's no more embezzlement. You've accomplished so much, and it's only the sixth year of your reign, surpassing the late Emperor in many ways."

He Jinli raised an eyebrow. "What does Consort want to say?"

Praising his achievements? That's rather novel.

"I just want to say that a true emperor is probably proficient in his own field. Your Majesty may not be very good at dealing with the intrigues and dirtiness of the harem."

Yunli looked into his eyes and reached up to touch his brow. "I spoke out of turn."

He Jinli gazed at her for a while before asking, "Do you like my eyebrows?"

"I do."

Yunli remembered a saying: Your dimples have no wine, yet I'm intoxicated.

So she spoke up, "Your Majesty's eyebrows are like sharp swords. The first time I saw them, they pierced my heart."

He Jinli suddenly tightened his embrace. "If you dare tease me again, I'll have you right here."

Yunli chuckled. "Your Majesty dares; what do I have to fear? In broad daylight, the dragon's secrets are all exposed."

He Jinli chuckled. "You dare say anything."

"Your Majesty, I love you. So regardless of whether I'm right or wrong, can you forgive me because of my love for you?" Yunli coquettishly pleaded.

Naturally, He Jinli wouldn't directly agree, so he just pinched her cheek and left it at that.

Yunli didn't persist either; she just leaned against him and said, "This feels so comfortable, leaning against Your Majesty while admiring the flowers."

He Jinli's lips curled into a smile as he embraced her, not in a hurry to leave.

After some time passed, He Jinli felt his legs numb and asked Yunli to get down.

It was time to return; the sky was nearing dusk.

However, the sunset was truly beautiful.