The emperor's words reached Cui Zhengping's ears. Unable to hide his excitement, he blurted out his true feelings, "It's fake! It's all fake!"
"Your Majesty, you can't do this. That last words letter written in a copied handwriting is false. If that letter exists, won't I be doomed? No, it can't be like this!"
Under the effect of the truth - revealing talisman, Cui Zhengping spoke his mind. He knew clearly that this last words letter was his life - saving amulet. It was because of this letter that he had managed to stay alive. Now that the emperor was forging such a letter, what would become of him?
The emperor had nothing more to say to Cui Zhengping. He turned around coldly.
The chief eunuch timely pushed Ping Hai forward. Ping Hai said shrewdly, "What do you mean it's fake? Did you just lie and not tell the content of the last words letter?"
Cui Zhengping instinctively shook his head. It must have been the content of the last words letter. He hadn't lied.
Ping Hai clapped his hands, "There you go. The most important thing about the last words letter is its content. As long as the content is the same, the letter is real."
"Lord Cui, this lowly one advises you to confess honestly so that you can at least keep a whole body."
Cui Zhengping was highly emotional and was about to speak when suddenly he thought of something. He tentatively shut his mouth and ignored everyone. This method worked well. As long as he endured the discomfort, that uncontrollable force wouldn't appear.
Just as Cui Zhengping was trying to control himself like this, several eunuchs stepped forward and forcibly pried open his mouth.
Once his mouth was open, Cui Zhengping couldn't control his words, "Everyone is dead. What's the use of a whole body? I might as well take this opportunity to strive for something for Her Highness the Consort and His Highness the Third Prince."
The consort Cui Zhengping referred to was Consort Cui.
The news in the palace was tightly kept. Cui Zhengping didn't know that Consort Cui had already committed suicide. To let him know this news, the chief eunuch said in a shrill voice, "I wonder which consort Lord Cui is referring to? If it's Consort Cui, Lord Cui's hopes will be dashed. Consort Cui committed suicide a few days ago."
"What? This can't be true!" Cui Zhengping struggled desperately but was firmly held down.
The emperor wrote down what he wanted to know on a piece of paper and asked Ping Hai to read it out.
Ping Hai held the paper and asked, "Where did Shen Qingshan sell the disaster - relief supplies?"
"I don't know. I only heard Shen Qingshan mention confidently once that no one could find that place." Cui Zhengping answered uncontrollably again. A tear slid down the corner of his eye. He felt regretful in his heart. If he had known that the matter would be exposed and that the emperor wouldn't show mercy because of the Fourth Prince, he should have killed the Fourth Prince back then!
Carelessly, Cui Zhengping blurted out his inner thoughts. Instantly, the hall fell into complete silence.
The chief eunuch and Ping Hai both lowered their heads, not daring to look at the emperor's expression.
The emperor said in a cold tone, "Continue asking!"
Cui Zhengping knew that he was finished, the Cui family was finished, and the Third Prince would also be finished. All was lost.
With a pale face, he answered one question after another from Ping Hai.
Meanwhile, at the Princess Mansion.
The Fourth Prince sat by the table, staring at the food in front of him in silence.
Seeing his state, Shen Haiyan asked worriedly, "Why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your taste?"
"What do you mean it's not to his taste? He'll eat anything. It's just that Baozhu isn't here today, so he doesn't want to eat." Yan Mingli, who knew the Fourth Prince very well, immediately saw through his mind.
The Fourth Prince held the pancake in the small bag and said with difficulty, "I'm waiting for Baozhu."
Afraid that Shen Haiyan would misunderstand his meaning, he added, "I want to eat."
Prince Rui watched from the side, surprised in his heart. After getting along for these few days, he also noticed that the Fourth Prince liked to stay by Shen Baozhu's side. He just didn't expect that the Fourth Prince liked Shen Baozhu so much.
Shen Haiyan had the same thought as Prince Rui.
The two of them tried to persuade the Fourth Prince, but he insisted on waiting for Shen Baozhu to come back.
It wasn't until Yan Mingli finished drinking the seven - treasure congee in the bowl and said leisurely, "No wonder Qiuqiu is Baozhu's best friend. Every time Baozhu goes out, she waits obediently, doesn't throw a tantrum, and doesn't skip meals."
The Fourth Prince didn't say a word. There were many best friends, but Shen Baozhu was his savior. This was different.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince didn't respond, Yan Mingli added another sentence, "Maybe Baozhu likes Qiuqiu the most just because of this."
Like Qiuqiu the most?
The Fourth Prince looked at Yan Mingli, as if thinking about the truth of his words. Thinking of the close relationship between Shen Baozhu and Qiuqiu, he believed Yan Mingli's words. He picked up his chopsticks and started to eat.
...
In the side hall of the Qianqing Palace.
The snacks chosen by Princess Jingning were all Shen Baozhu's favorites. Soon, they were all eaten up.
Shen Baozhu obediently raised her face and let her mother wipe her mouth, "Mother, when will big brother come back? Baozhu misses big brother."
Princess Jingning's hand paused for a moment. She sighed softly, "Mother doesn't know either. Maybe he'll be back soon."
"I see. Mother, can I play with Qiuqiu these days? I won't be able to play once big brother comes back." Shen Baozhu shook Princess Jingning's arm and said coquettishly.
Princess Jingning poked Shen Baozhu's head with her finger, "You, you only think about playing all day long. Be careful that Qiuqiu will dislike you for being so playful."
Shen Baozhu disagreed, "Mother is wrong. We're best friends. Qiuqiu won't dislike Baozhu."
Hearing the words "best friends", Princess Jingning was a bit in a daze. Before she left the capital to study under a master, she also had a good friend. She was the daughter of General Mu's subordinate. They were of similar age and had agreed to be good friends for a lifetime.
When Princess Jingning returned to the capital, that friend had already left the capital to get married far away. Until now, the two of them had never met again.
Although many years had passed, when thinking about this, Princess Jingning felt a sense of melancholy in her heart. She lowered her head and stroked Shen Baozhu's soft cheek, "Baozhu, you're best friends now, but no one can predict the future. Maybe you'll separate and go your own ways, get married and have children... What am I saying to you? You won't understand anyway."
Dragon King: [There's a story here.]
Dragon King: [The cute girl's mother also had a best friend. They were best friends when they were little, but separated when they grew up.]
Shen Baozhu was just about to say that her mother was lying and that best friends should always be together when she saw the subtitles. She thought for a while and pulled Princess Jingning's hand, "Mother, don't be sad. Baozhu will help you find your good friend."
"Baozhu can ask the Dragon King to help. He's very powerful and likes this kind of thing."
Dragon King: [This king is indeed very powerful, but what do you mean this king likes this kind of thing?]
Lin Yu: [Then will you help? If not, I'll ask Yuanqiu to help.]
Dragon King: [Of course I'll help. I've decided to help with this matter. You can't steal it!]
Immortal Qingyun: [Do you have a fruit for finding people?]
Dragon King: [No, but there's a clone. I can order the emperor around.]
Princess Jingning shook her head and seriously explained to Shen Baozhu, "Baozhu, mother doesn't want you to help. I just want to tell you that even the best of friends will part ways one day."
"What does separation mean? Where is Qiuqiu going? Can Baozhu find Qiuqiu with the teleportation talisman?" Shen Baozhu was a bit scared and tried hard to think of a way to solve the problem.
Princess Jingning didn't know how to explain it either. So she simply took Shen Baozhu to the Fengyi Palace to find the queen.