"So you're planning to search my place as usual, right?"
She didn't seem angry at all, which made Ji Huang heave a sigh of relief. He always cared a great deal about his image in the Queen Mother's heart.
"I hope the Queen Mother will calm down. After I confirm there's nothing amiss, I'll naturally lead my men away."
After saying that, he waved to the guards behind him. Upon receiving their master's order, the guards headed towards the house.
However, they were stopped when they reached the door.
Looking at the maids blocking the doorway, his face darkened.
The young girl put down the chess piece in her hand and gave a casual smile.
"Who sent you here to search my place? Or do you simply not trust the Queen Mother at all?"
She seemed completely unfazed, but Ji Huang could tell from her tone that she was actually seething with anger.
Even though he was already a grown - up man, the awe he felt towards the Queen Mother from his childhood still lingered.
"If the Queen Mother is reluctant, then I'll take my leave now. I know the Queen Mother would never do such a thing."
"Yes, it's not that I'm preventing you from investigating. It's just that I've been feeling unwell these days, and this is not a place where ordinary men can enter."
Hearing this, Ji Huang felt remorseful. He thought of the Queen Mother's status and regretted forgetting such an important matter.
"I've been thoughtless. Please forgive me, Queen Mother. It's just that Rou'er's identity is extremely important. She's an innocent woman, and I don't want anything bad to happen to her."
Shi Muyuan didn't even glance at him. Instead, she turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window.
"I understand your concerns. Even an innocent life shouldn't be ignored like this. But I'm sure the person you're looking for isn't here. Maybe someone has hidden her somewhere you don't know. However, since the person has gone missing, you should prepare for the worst."
"You're right, Queen Mother. I'll go back right away and order another search."
Just as the man turned around to leave, someone came towards him.
He Hui was in a hurry. She knew the man wouldn't be able to enter so easily.
Qing Bai had already sent people to keep an eye on this place, and no one had left within such a short period. So the body must still be in the same place. She had to nail this matter down today.
Otherwise, when her father came, all her little tricks would be exposed under his discerning eyes. By then, she would be doomed.
But if she could deal with the Queen Mother before her father arrived, even if her father found out that her younger sister's death was at her hands, he wouldn't blame her.
She blocked the man's way as soon as she came up.
"Since the Prince has come to the Queen Mother's courtyard, why not conduct a search like you did in other places? Are you planning to make an exception? Or are you so certain that there's nothing wrong here with the Queen Mother?"
The man was annoyed by her aggressiveness.
"It's not up to you to decide what to do. The Queen Mother has never harmed innocent lives. Do you think everyone is like you?"
The last sentence immediately reminded He Hui of all the things she had done for the man. She had stained her hands with blood for him. Even though she had an affair, she always thought she had paved the way for him. But now he said such things to her. Did he think she was cruel?
Thinking of this, a sarcastic smile appeared on her face.
"Humph, so the Prince is going to blame this on me? I just hope the Prince will treat everyone fairly. What's wrong with that? You doubt my loyalty to you because of the Queen Mother? Now you think my methods are cruel and that I've harmed innocent people. But when I was killing for you back then, you didn't stop me. You're really something. You've opened my eyes."
"Stop. What's the point of bringing up the past? I won't forget all the contributions your He family has made. If you have something to say, go somewhere else. Don't disturb the Queen Mother's rest here."
"No. Today I insist that you search the Queen Mother's courtyard. Why suspect everyone else but not the Queen Mother? We all live in this mansion. Shouldn't we be treated equally when something like this happens?"
He Hui wasn't the only one being searched. All the servants in the mansion were also included. When He Hui came here just now, she naturally brought many servants with her.
Now everyone was standing around the courtyard. Although they didn't say anything, their dissatisfaction was clearly written in their eyes.
The man was pushed into a corner and had no choice but to turn to his mother for help.
"Queen Mother, how about I go in with a few trusted men? You know I've searched every corner of the mansion. If I don't search here, it'll be hard for me to explain to others later."
The usually easy - going young girl refused to make any concessions on this matter.
With a cold face, she remained sitting beside Ji Junlin without any intention of moving.
"I've already said that I've been feeling unwell these days, and my room is in a complete mess. Moreover, given my status, how can I allow a man to come in and search? If this gets out, what will happen to my reputation?"
Since she had said so much, if they continued arguing, it would only make things awkward for everyone.
Shi Muyuan refused to back down. At first, Ji Huang thought what she said made sense and was well - considered.
But gradually, it seemed to go awry, especially with someone fanning the flames beside him.
"The Queen Mother has always been reluctant to let anyone in and even sent several maids to block the door. Is it really for the sake of her reputation, or is she just guilty? Could it be that my younger sister really met her end in the Queen Mother's hands? If so, even though you and my sister didn't get along, I will surely seek justice for her today."
The young girl gave a subtle look, which seemed harmless on the surface but actually carried a great deal of menace.
"I haven't even seen Miss He today. Where does this so - called 'guilty conscience' come from? And at this point, you still haven't found the person, right? Why are you so certain that your sister met her end in my hands? Do you know something you're not telling us?"
This light - hearted deduction sent a chill down He Hui's spine.
She was almost certain that the Queen Mother must have discovered He Rou's body.
The fact that she was reluctant to let anyone in for a search now must mean she hadn't come up with a countermeasure yet. But when she saw the strange looks from the people around because of the Queen Mother's words, especially Ji Huang's scrutinizing gaze, she felt flustered.
She staggered and it took her a while to steady herself.
"What are you talking about, Queen Mother? Of course I hope my younger sister is safe and sound, but I won't let go of anyone who might have harmed her."