However, her momentary uneasiness was clearly caught by Tang Youyou, who was sitting on the upper seat.
Tang Youyou casually glanced at Wen Ruxue below the stage and Su Nian'e beside her, wearing a mischievous smile. A sudden sense of vigilance welled up in her heart.
She had originally thought these two wouldn't stir up much trouble, but unexpectedly, this time the matter had even cost a life.
Finally, the eunuch Yin, who had been grinning wickedly in front of her, spoke up.
"Empress, have you been frequently visiting the Lotus Dock in the imperial garden these days?"
Hearing this, Tang Youyou sensed the man's ill - will and no longer kept silent. Instead, she took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Yes, I have."
Eunuch Yin rolled his eyes slightly and said calmly, "That's right. A few days ago, someone told this humble servant that they saw the Empress personally kill someone in the Lotus Dock."
Her? Kill someone? How was that possible? Could she have committed the murder while sleep - walking?
Hearing this, Tang Youyou's face stiffened. It was obvious that they were trying to frame her. Considering all the previous incidents, she feared that Wen Ruxue was determined to get rid of her this time.
After hearing what Eunuch Yin said, Tang Youyou remained silent, waiting for his next question.
"So, Empress, you should understand that you're highly involved in this matter."
After he finished speaking, Tang Youyou sneered and then said, "Your words really confuse this palace. How could a visit to the imperial garden make this palace a murderer? If other random people in the garden go there, would they also be falsely accused?"
After she finished speaking, she leisurely sat back on the high seat. When looking at Eunuch Yin, her eyes were filled with arrogance.
Not long after, there was another commotion at the door. Along with the screams, two eunuchs were walking step by step into the main hall.
On the stretcher they were carrying, there was a motionless maid. The maid was soaking wet all over, with a very pale face, seemingly already dead.
And in the maid's left hand, she was tightly clutching a hairpin.
This thing seemed familiar. It seemed to be the phoenix gold hairpin that Tang Youyou had worn a few days ago.
So, Eunuch Yin walked around to the maid, and with some effort, managed to take out the hairpin tightly held in her hand.
He turned around and looked at Tang Youyou again. His face was full of wrinkled smiles, looking extremely greasy.
"Empress, this humble servant dares to ask, is this phoenix gold hairpin yours?"
As the question was raised, Su Nian'e, who was originally in the crowd, suddenly squeezed out. She said angrily and excitedly,
"Eunuch Yin, you can see clearly. This is a phoenix gold hairpin. Who else but the Empress can use it? Isn't this a sure - fire case?"
As soon as her voice fell, the on - looking crowd began to gossip again. For a moment, there were all kinds of opinions, and everyone was blaming Tang Youyou.
Some even said that she was jealous of the maid's beauty, and out of jealousy, she had developed hatred and then the intention to kill.
The maid on the stretcher who had already passed away was Concubine An, a concubine who had been introduced into the harem during the previous recruitment.
Concubine An was usually a timid person who always behaved herself. She never even thought about competing for the emperor's favor.
But even such a well - behaved girl couldn't escape others' schemes in the end. It could only be said that this was her fate.
Tang Youyou watched these two people in tandem expressionlessly. She could basically conclude that this incident was orchestrated by these three people.
The next moment, Eunuch Yin spoke again, "Empress, since both the criminal and the evidence have been found, please accompany this humble servant to the Shensi Office. Your Majesty can rest assured. The chairs in the Shensi Office are comfortable, and this humble servant will definitely not let Your Majesty suffer."
If he hadn't said the second half of the sentence, Tang Youyou might not have thought much about it. But since he added this, she silently made a plan in her heart.
Just when everyone thought that this all - powerful Empress was about to be brought down and was about to cry dejectedly, she actually showed a smile.
Tang Youyou called Yue Fusheng beside her, whispered a few words to him, and then saw him leave the Qingliang Hall with Kang Fuhai.
In the eyes of everyone, her behavior was nothing more than a desperate attempt in a hurry, so no one took it seriously.
Finally getting hold of Tang Youyou's weakness, Wen Ruxue couldn't contain her excitement. Although her face remained calm, her words were full of insincerity.
She walked forward weakly, looking as sickly as Xi Shi, and slowly said, "Empress, since things have developed to this point, please accompany Eunuch Yin to the Shensi Office.
I'm sure Eunuch Yin is a reasonable person. He will definitely clear Your Majesty's name."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou glanced at Wen Ruxue. Her long phoenix eyes revealed a domineering look. She still remained silent, as if waiting for someone to return.
Not long after, a girl with a fierce aura walked in at the door. This girl had a delicate face, and there seemed to be a wind following her as she walked.
When she walked in, she didn't forget to glare at Su Nian'e, who was secretly delighted. Then she snorted and turned to look at Eunuch Yin, saying half - smilingly,
"Eunuch Yin..."
Before he could speak, Yan Zhihua's original smile instantly disappeared. She spoke again,
"How dare you!"
These words stunned everyone present. There was only one thought in their minds: Where did this girl come from?
Not long after, she stood beside Tang Youyou. Ignoring everyone present, she loudly sneered, "This concubine remembers that on the day of the emperor's enthronement, he said that no one should handle affairs beyond their rank. Moreover, this is a matter in the harem. Eunuch Yin, have you taken the emperor's words as a passing wind?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place fell silent.
No one dared to say a word at this moment because what Yan Zhihua said was true. According to the rules, all matters in the harem, big or small, were to be handled by the Empress. But the tricky part was that this incident happened to involve Tang Youyou.
Unexpectedly, Eunuch Yin sneered coldly, "Your Majesty is wrong. This humble servant is just acting on orders. After all, the emperor is busy with state affairs. As the head of the Shensi Office appointed by the emperor, this humble servant naturally has the right to handle this matter."
"And Your Majesty has repeatedly tried to stop this old servant, which makes this old servant can't help but suspect that the Empress might really have a guilty conscience..."
As soon as Eunuch Yin's voice fell, Yan Zhihua immediately roared, "Presumptuous!"