Chapter 100 Breaking (1/2)

After Que'er fell to the ground, Yun Xi also fell beside her.

”Are they dead?” Prince Jing frowned and bent over the two maids. After confirming that they were dead, he examined them again. This time he found two silver needles embedded into their necks. He laughed, ”These needles are poisonous. This is a poor strategy. Shift the blame on others and then kill them?”

The Empress squinted but didn't say anything. Yun Shang glanced at the Empress casually before smiling and speaking, ”The maids were killed, apparently at the point of identifying the real murderer. From the position of the needles, the killer must have been behind the maids. So the range of suspects is narrowed down.”

No one spoke for a while. Suddenly a eunuch rushed in and broke the silence. He cried, ”Your Majesty, Changchun Palace was burglarized, and the Empress's seal has been stolen.”

Emperor Ning raised his eyes. Inside, a storm brewed. He ordered, ”Seal the Palaces, and search them all, one by one.”

”What an eventful day. In that case, father, please keep the men standing behind Que'er and Yun Xi in custody. The Empress's seal is of vital importance. I'll go see Lady Yingying now.” Yun Shang said to the Emperor. Then she turned and looked at the faces of all the guests in the Hall before walking toward the door.

”You can't go! You're still a suspect. Why are you going to see Yingying? What is your intention?” Hua Jing's voice came from behind. Yun Shang turned to look at Hua Jing. While Hua Jing looked cruel, Yun Shang smiled. ”Princess Hua Jing, are you concerned about the Lady Yingying?” Yun Shang asked.

Hua Jing gritted her teeth and forced a smile, ”Of course, Yingying is my cousin. I do care about her.” Then she brushed past Yun Shang as she headed for the side Hall.

As soon as Hua Jing got the door, a eunuch collided into her. Her body shook violently, and subconsciously, she protected her belly. No one noticed her movement except Yun Shang.

”What's wrong with you?” Hua Jing rebuked him furiously.

The eunuch quickly held the Princess so that she wouldn't fall. Once she had regained her balance, he dropped to his knees before Hua Jing. ”I'm sorry, Your Highness, please forgive me. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Hua Jing gritted her teeth to hold back her anger. After all, she was in the Palace and there were so many guests. ”It's okay. Get up.” With that, she continued on her way to the side Hall.

Yun Shang lowered her head and said, ”Now that sister is visiting Lady Yingying, I'll go later.” Her eyes reflected the hurt she felt.

Everybody present had seen the situation clearly. Princess Yun Shang was obviously being framed, and Princess Hua Jing was very aggressive towards her. To the guests, it seemed apparent that Princess Hua Jing didn't like her sister. Princess Yun Shang's mother was Lady Jin. Although the Emperor favored Lady Jin, she was only a concubine. The status of a concubine's daughter was quite low in the homes of ordinary people. It wouldn't be any different in the Palace.

Emperor Ning was a little touched. He looked at Lady Jin only to find that she looked somewhat dejected and that her eyes focused on Yun Shang. Emperor Ning was now, even more displeased with Hua Jing. People say that children are the meat separated from their mothers. Lady Jin may have had little contact with her daughter since her birth, but a mother's and her child's hearts were linked. Lady Jin must have been heartbroken to see her daughter wronged.

At this time, several maids and eunuchs entered the Hall and saluted Emperor Ning. Emperor Ning nodded and said, ”The Empress's seal was lost. I'm afraid it was deliberately done by someone who wanted to take it out of the Palace tonight. They probably planned on taking advantage of the comings and goings of the ministers and their families. The consequences arising from the loss of the Empress's seal will be catastrophic. All guests need to allow a body search.”

No one dared to object. All the guests in the Hall formed queues and followed the maid and eunuch to the side Hall where they would be searched. The search did not yield the Empress's seal.

Just then, Hua Jing returned.

”Hua Jing, get yourself frisked.” Emperor Ning looked at Hua Jing with indifference.

Hua Jing frowned and said, ”Father, the Empress's seal is useless to me. I don't have to be frisked, do I?”