328 Intent
Xiao Juan’s suggestion to open the coffin to examine the little prince’s remains was equivalent to digging up Imperial Concubine Yue’s grave.
This kind of behavior was simply treasonous!
Ordinary people could not think of such a method at all. Only a lunatic like Xiao Juan would dare to do so.
The old emperor also found the idea too unorthodox, and his grizzled eyebrows drew together.
“Concubine Yue has been dead for many years. If we rashly dig up her grave, we will disturb her. This is very inappropriate.”
Xiao Juan had already thought of an excuse and said unhurriedly, “As a victim, Imperial Concubine Yue definitely wants to find out more than anyone who murdered her and her child. If she’s in heaven, she’ll probably understand us.”
The old emperor was still very hesitant.
“Disturbing the undead of the dead is no joke.”
Xiao Juan said solemnly, “No one thinks that this is a joke. If Imperial Concubine Yue’s undead feels wronged, she can come and take revenge on me. I have a clear conscience and am not afraid of anything!”
Wei Huai’en sighed ambiguously.
“Prince Lang is really the most upright person in the Dayan Dynasty. We feel ashamed.”
The old emperor said, “This matter is very important. Let me think about it again. All of you, leave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After leaving Zhengde Hall, Wei Liao glanced at Xiao Juan and said with a faint smile.
“As expected of Duke Lang. You even thought of digging graves. I’m impressed!”
Xiao Juan ignored his sarcasm and walked down the steps.
Wei Liao followed behind him slowly and continued.
“I heard that the Sixth Prince went to the Justice Department early this morning. Could he have gone to look for you?”
Xiao Juan still ignored him.
Wei Liao deliberately put on an exaggerated expression. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. It’s a big taboo for a prince to interact with the court officials in private!”
Xiao Juan replied without changing his expression.
“You can report me to the emperor.”
Wei Liao laughed. “I don’t have any real evidence. How can I report you? Don’t get me into trouble in the end.”
Xiao Juan said, “Since you know it in your heart, shut up and get lost.”
Wei Liao said, “This road isn’t specially opened for you. You can walk on it, and so can I. What right do you have to tell me to get lost?”
Xiao Juan could not be bothered to argue with him. He increased his speed and walked towards the palace gate without looking sideways.
The distance between them was quickly widened.
Wei Liao looked at Xiao Juan’s gradually disappearing back, and the smile on his face faded.
He turned on his heel and retraced his steps back to the vicinity of Zhengde Hall.
He didn’t have to wait long to see Wei Huai’en walk out of Zhengde Hall.
Wei Liao stepped forward to greet him. “Father.”
Wei Huai’en was not in the mood to exchange pleasantries with him.
“Prince Lang is not someone who speaks without thinking. If he dares to suggest opening the coffin, he must have other motives. Keep an eye on him and see what he wants.”
Wei Liao nodded. “Okay.”
Wei Huai En frowned.
“I thought that we could find the real culprit before Duke Lang this time and let you make a contribution to the emperor.”I
“Unexpectedly, there was a complication. Now that this case was getting more and more complicated, I felt vaguely uneasy. I hope nothing else happens.”
Wei Liao comforted him. “Father, don’t worry. I’ll definitely get to the bottom of this case before Duke Lang does and not disappoint you.”
Wei Huai’en’s brows relaxed slightly. “I hope so.”
Wei Liao hesitated for a moment, but he couldn’t help but ask the question in his heart.
“Knowing the emperor, will he agree to Duke Lang’s suggestion?”
Wei Huai’en’s expression was complicated. “It’s hard to predict a ruler’s heart. I’m not sure.”
… .
Today, Yu Niaoniao received her first dividend after the book was published.
There were more than 200 taels of silver!
She put away the silver as her private money. In the future, when she regained her freedom, she would use this money to hire a troupe and let them arrange the scenes according to her request.
She had prepared the script for the show.
It was the sketchbook describing the trip to Liaodong County.
Although the comic had failed the review, Yu Niaoniao did not intend to give it up. Later on, she would write a play and have the troupe go on a tour everywhere.
She wanted everyone in the world to know that he was actually a good person!
Meng Xizhou said, “Other than asking me to transfer this money to you, those booksellers also asked when you plan to publish a second book.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “The second book is still brewing. I’ll inform them when I’m done.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After Meng Xizhou left, Yu Niaoniao immediately took out her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and began to conceptualize the plot of the next comic book.
The previous Seven Treasures Record told a melodramatic love story.
This time, she decided to change her train of thought. She planned to draw a story of a chivalrous immortal who killed demons.
The story began with the female lead going down the mountain to train.
Through the female lead’s perspective, Yu Niaoniao displayed the various wonders of the Xianxia world. The female lead made many friends during the training process, and she became stronger.
She was engrossed in painting when Xiao Juan returned.
Yu Niaoniao immediately put down her pen and asked curiously.
“How’s it going in the palace?”
Xiao Juan said, “The emperor plans to continue investigating Imperial Concubine Yue’s case. So I proposed to open the coffin and perform an autopsy.”
Yu Niaoniao’s eyes widened.
“You really said it? Didn’t the emperor fly into a rage?”
Xiao Juan said, “I didn’t say directly that I wanted to examine Imperial Concubine Yue’s body. I just said I suspected that the remains of the baby dug out of the Glazed Jade Palace are Imperial Concubine Yue’s child. I hope to open the coffin and see if Imperial Concubine Yue’s child is still around. I guess the emperor actually has some doubts. He wasn’t angry after hearing my suggestion and said that he would consider it.”
Yu Niaoniao understood Xiao Juan’s thoughts.
He said that he only wanted to see if Imperial Concubine Yue’s child was still in the coffin. But when the coffin was really opened, they would have a chance to investigate Imperial Concubine Yue’s body.
This was what it meant to mask one’s intent!
Yu Niaoniao gave him a thumbs up. “You’re so smart!”
Xiao Juan said, “Actually, I wasn’t lying. I do suspect the identity of the baby’s remains. Although he was dug out of the Glazed Jade Palace, it doesn’t mean that he must be Imperial Concubine Yue’s child.”
Yu Niaoniao asked, “What if he’s really not Imperial Concubine Yue’s child?”
Xiao Juan’s gaze darkened. “That way, things will become even more complicated.”
Imperial Concubine Yue’s death was already suspicious. If they added an unknown dead baby, it would be no different from adding salt to injury. Their workload would increase greatly.
Yu Niaoniao clasped her hands together.
“Now, we can only pray to the heavens that it’s Imperial Concubine Yue’s child and not make it harder for us to solve the case.”
Xiao Juan asked, “You still believe in the heavens?”
Yu Niaoniao said seriously, “That depends on the situation. If everything is in control, then I believe that humans will triumph over the heavens. If there’s really no other way, then I believe that the heavens have their own arrangements.”
Xiao Juan said helplessly, “You’re quite good at judging the situation.”