Children of Loulan

Chapter 288 It’s still not too late to make amends

At this moment, in the solemn and majestic Xuanwang Mansion, Bai Xi, dressed in a plain long gown, was standing respectfully in front of Keremu, reporting in detail the recent situation in the palace. Bai Xi bowed slightly and said solemnly: "Your Highness, now the investigation into the murder of the prince by Concubine Xian has gradually surfaced with a lot of evidence. All pointing to Concubine Xian!"

Hearing this, Keremu, who was sitting on the armchair, frowned slightly, his eyes were sharp, and he said in a deep voice: "Humph, so much evidence was found out so quickly, is it true evidence that was found out, or was it someone who did it deliberately?"

Bai Xi hurriedly cupped his hands and responded, "Your Highness, according to reliable information from the palace, this matter seems to be closely related to Concubine Ru and Prince Xin!"

Keremu nodded slowly and murmured to himself thoughtfully: "Prince Xin...it seems that my younger brother is going to completely abandon his adoptive mother." His words showed contempt for Aidil and a hint of indescribable complex emotions.

At this time, Bai Xi hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "Your Highness, in fact, it is not just Concubine Ru and Prince Xin who are involved. In my opinion, there seems to be another person who has been secretly controlling the direction of the whole thing behind the scenes."

Upon hearing this, Keremu raised his lips slightly, revealing a barely perceptible sneer, and said confidently: "If my guess is correct, this person should be the so-called victim - and his wife."

Bai Xi couldn't help but show a look of astonishment, and asked in a lost voice: "Madam He? Your Highness, do you mean that this incident was carefully planned by Madam He?" Obviously, Bai Xi found this astonishing inference hard to believe for a moment.

Keremu narrowed his eyes slightly and said solemnly, "How can a person who can cause her stepmother and sister to meet with misfortune without making a sound and yet no one can find any suspicion on her be an ordinary person? What's more amazing is that she has such means to make Prince Xin obsessed with her and even guide him to find out the truth about his biological mother's death. How can such a scheming and intelligent woman be easily tricked by others and fall into the lake? There must be another hidden story behind this."

Bai Xi nodded thoughtfully and continued, "According to this, could it be that her real goal is to get rid of Concubine Xian?"

Keremu sneered and said in a deep voice: "I'm afraid it's not just Concubine Xian. In my opinion, even the Prime Minister may have been included in her carefully planned chess game. This woman's mind and strategy are really unfathomable."

Bai Xi frowned, looking worried, and asked, "Then should we present the evidence of the Xianfei's crimes directly to the king?"

Keremu shook his head slowly and said firmly: "No, now that someone has taken advantage of the situation to make things worse, we just need to stay in the mansion and recover from our injuries. As for the evidence, you can deal with it properly, but remember not to reveal any clues, whether it is for Concubine Ru or Prince Xin, you must not leave any clues to avoid trouble."

At this moment, the powerful prime minister was sitting in the Summer Palace, enjoying wine and food with his lovely daughter, Concubine Xian. The two of them were talking in low voices about the current situation.

The virtuous concubine raised her head slightly and said to the prime minister in a coquettish tone: "Father, my daughter has fallen into such a state now. You must say a few good words for her in front of the king!"

The Prime Minister nodded gently, looked at Concubine Xian with a gentle gaze, and comforted her: "My daughter, you should rest and recuperate in the Summer Palace for the next two days, and don't worry about other things..."

However, when she heard her father asking her to rest and not to interfere too much in the matter, Concubine Xian couldn't help but show dissatisfaction. She looked at the Prime Minister with a little complaint and said angrily: "Father, if you hadn't transferred most of the spies in the palace away, how could your daughter be in such a predicament today?" As she spoke, she bit her red lips lightly, and a trace of grievance flashed in her eyes.

The Prime Minister said softly, "Don't be afraid, my dear daughter. Before I came to visit you, I had already met with the king. The king promised me personally that he would investigate this matter carefully and give you justice!"

However, after hearing this, Concubine Xian did not show any joy on her face. Instead, she frowned and said worriedly: "But, father, the palace maids and eunuchs who served me have now been taken away. If the king tortures them to extract confessions, I am really worried... I am afraid that they will not be able to endure the physical pain and will confess everything I have done over the years." At this point, Concubine Xian could not help but shudder, her eyes full of fear and anxiety.

After hearing this, the Prime Minister was calm and composed, and responded calmly: "Don't worry too much. I will make proper arrangements after returning to the mansion today. Those who should remain silent, I have ways to make them shut up obediently, and will never let them say a word of nonsense. Besides, you have been wronged in this incident. Why should you be afraid of your own shadow when you are upright?"

Despite the Prime Minister's comfort, Concubine Xian's worries were still not dissipated. She still asked anxiously, "I just don't know if the king can really trust my daughter?"

The prime minister answered confidently: "Hmph, your father has been diligently handling many affairs for the king for so many years. Without your assistance, how could he sit on the throne so securely? If he dares to have doubts about you and refuses to believe in your innocence, your father will naturally have a clever plan to deal with it and will definitely find a way to make him release you without charge." After saying this, a shrewd and decisive look flashed in the prime minister's eyes.

After hearing this, Concubine Xian finally felt relieved, but she was still feeling sullen. She raised her eyebrows and complained coquettishly, "Father, look, I have been locked up here for several days! How come you didn't think of coming to the palace to see me until today?"

The Prime Minister hurriedly apologized with a smile, looked at the virtuous concubine with a guilty look on his face, and sighed and explained: "Oh, my dear daughter, I was indeed wrong in this matter. Over the years, I have put most of my energy over there, and I am really unable to do anything else. These days, I have been busy dealing with some affairs over there, so I didn't know about your injustice until last night. So, early this morning, I hurried to the palace. If I had known about this earlier, I would have helped you deal with those troubles. But at present, apart from the accusation of the palace maid, no other solid evidence has been found. Fortunately, it is not too late to remedy it now!"

As he was talking, the Prime Minister seemed to suddenly remember something important and asked quickly, "By the way, has Prince Xin come to visit you since you were confined?"

The virtuous concubine, however, looked indifferent and answered nonchalantly, "Ever since my daughter was confined, she has lost contact with people outside the palace walls. I have not received any news as to whether he has ever come to the palace."