As the words faded, a long silence descended upon the surroundings.
Even the servants in the mansion who had been sobbing stopped and craned their necks to look at Feng Linche, waiting for his response.
Feng Linche's face turned ashen. He stared at Princess Yunxi without any reaction, neither nodding nor shaking his head.
Concubine Yi knew that Feng Linche was scared. He was deeply afraid that the murderer was Feng Jingye, which was why he remained silent for so long.
They were both his sons. Her Xuan'er had always been more outstanding. It was just because he was born of a different mother that he had such a different fate.
At this thought, grief welled up in her heart. The sobs that had finally stopped started again and were completely uncontrollable.
"Xuan'er, my son! You died so miserably! On the happy day of your betrothal, you were brutally murdered, and not even a complete body was left! What a vicious heart the person who harmed you must have to treat you like this!
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Xuan'er... It's all Mother Concubine's fault. Mother Concubine is useless. I couldn't give you the status of a legitimate son, and I couldn't find you a father who would cherish you.
What's the use of being an emperor? The all - powerful emperor, what's the use! He still knows who the murderer is but doesn't dare to avenge you. Trash, all trash! Hehe, hehe, haha..."
As Concubine Yi spoke, she seemed to fall into madness and refused to be dissuaded.
Everyone turned pale with fright. Her personal maids rushed forward and tried their best to soothe her, making her stop talking nonsense.
Feng Linche's face turned even more ashen.
Concubine Yi's words made the people of the Western Liang Kingdom eye them menacingly.
Now, Feng Jingxuan's status was different. He was betrothed to Princess Yunxi of the Western Liang Kingdom and was the rightful son - in - law of the Western Liang.
Now, the honorable son - in - law of the Western Liang died an unexplained death. If he, the emperor, didn't stand up for his son, the whole Western Liang Kingdom would surely not agree.
Zhuo Yi watched the scene coldly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
Although Feng Jingxuan's death was not the result he wanted, if he could take this opportunity to pull down Feng Jingye, the crown prince, and cause complete internal chaos in the Great Zhou, then Feng Jingxuan's death would not be in vain.
With this in mind, he stepped forward, bowed to Feng Linche, and said loudly,
"Your Majesty, Yunxi has just been betrothed, but her husband has died a tragic death. A woman who has to keep a widow's chastity is always said to be a jinx to her husband. If the truth is not found out, we don't know how the people of your Eastern Zhou will talk about her.
You know that our emperor has always doted on Yunxi, his youngest daughter. Usually, he doesn't ask for much from her, only hoping that she can have a good marriage.
But now, the husband she carefully chose is gone. How can she live the rest of her life? And how can our emperor feel at ease?
Originally, the matter of the Third Prince is purely an internal affair of the Eastern Zhou. We of the Western Liang have no right to interfere. But now that it concerns the son - in - law of our Princess Yunxi, this king must, in any case, ask Your Majesty for an explanation on her behalf."
Zhuo Yi's words were full of grief and sincerity. He looked like an elder who cared about the younger generation and mourned the loss of his son - in - law.
His words put Feng Linche in a dilemma.
Just as Concubine Yi had guessed, he was afraid that Feng Jingye was the murderer, which was why he refused to conduct a thorough investigation.
He had no capable sons by his side anymore. The eldest son had died early. Now the third son was dead, the fourth son had gone crazy, the fifth son was cowardly, the sixth son was disabled in both legs, the seventh son had died in infancy, and the eighth and ninth sons were still too young...
Only the second son, Feng Jingye, was barely useful. Moreover, he was the crown prince appointed by Feng Linche himself. He had been performing better and better recently and was a worthy heir.
How could he be burdened with the murder of his brother and become a heart - less crown prince in everyone's eyes?
Even if Feng Linche could override all objections and insist on making Feng Jingye the crown prince, would the Western Liang Kingdom agree?
Feng Linche's heart sank to the bottom. A chill suddenly rose from his back.
It's over... All is over...
Feng Jingye was completely scared and shivered, not knowing how to respond.
Although the Empress Chu managed to stay calm and was trying hard to think of a countermeasure, she couldn't come up with anything for the moment.
It was Princess Yunxi, who was kneeling on the ground, who spoke out firmly, "Your Majesty, if you don't agree, Yunxi will kneel here forever, guarding the Third Prince, until you agree!"
"You! Are you threatening me?" Feng Linche was extremely angry.
Princess Yunxi lowered her eyes. Her face was calm. At some point, she had changed her way of addressing Feng Linche, the former "father - emperor". She said neither over - boldly nor over - humbly, "Yunxi doesn't dare. Yunxi just hopes that Your Majesty can keep your promise."
"Good... Good... You're all very good!"
Feng Linche pointed at Princess Yunxi and Concubine Yi, who was still sobbing, with a trembling finger for a long time.
"Your Majesty, this king also represents the Western Liang and sincerely requests Your Majesty to find out the real murderer of the Third Prince and severely punish the murderer!" Zhuo Yi spoke up at the right moment, his eyes fixed on Feng Linche.
Feng Linche was stunned for a moment, then laughed out of anger.
It seemed that, at this point, he had to give an explanation no matter what.
"Good, good, good!" Feng Linche said three "good" words in a row.
Unable to vent his anger, he scolded Concubine Yi, "Concubine Yi! I only thought that you were temporarily unable to bear the pain of losing your son and lost your mind, which was why you spoke rashly.
I won't argue with you, a crazy woman! But I also clearly tell you, and you, Yunxi, I keep my word!
My son died a tragic death. I will find out the truth no matter what! I will personally conduct a thorough investigation. No matter who it is, once found out, they will surely be severely punished!"
These words made Feng Jingye, the Empress Chu, and even Zhuo Lingxiao's hearts skip a beat.
But they quickly adjusted their mentality and knelt down with the others.
"Your Majesty is wise. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
The voice was so loud that it pierced through the clouds and spread to the far - off sky.
The lonely souls in the distance seemed to have heard it too.
A gentle breeze blew, lifting the white cloth on Feng Jingxuan's body and making it flutter in the wind, as if thanking his father.
Just overnight, the mansion of the Third Prince had undergone a huge change. The happy event had turned into a funeral.
Only in a quiet corner of the mansion, Wang Lin and Bai Yinan still had no idea what had happened in the front hall. They stood outside the door, looking worried, stretching their necks and waiting for news from inside the room.
"Creak—" The door opened.
Bai Yinan rushed forward first and grabbed Uncle Zhu, who had just come out, asking, "How is it?"
Uncle Zhu was in a hurry to write a prescription and decoct the medicine. He didn't have time to explain. He glanced at Bai Yinan and only said in a hurry, "The marquis is awake, and the madam is also fine." Then he left.
Only then did their hearts fall back into their stomachs, and they rushed in.
The room was not very big, but two beds were placed along the walls. One bed was empty, and the thin blanket was half - lifted.
On the other bed, Bai Zheng still had her eyes tightly closed and was in a coma, not yet awake. And Feng Linyuan was sitting on the edge of the bed, carefully wiping the dust off Bai Zheng's cheek.