The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 1)

Chapter 150 - Suicide

Liu Zhi had clearly suffered torture; her body bore whip marks, and her ten fingers were bloodied from being pricked with silver needles.

The eunuchs from the Shenzheng Division dragged her in and threw her to the ground like a piece of torn cloth.

"Jieyu... Jieyu, please save me! Save me!"

Upon seeing Ye Yun, Liu Zhi scrambled over like she had found a lifeline, clinging to Ye Yun's leg.

Her hands were covered in blood, making the light-colored hem of Ye Yun's dress look particularly glaring.

"The Emperor and Empress are here. If you can speak honestly about what you know, you will not be wronged," Wen De Fei said, eagerly watching the maid, hoping she would reveal something.

Liu Zhi swallowed hard, a flicker of conflict in her eyes. She bit her lip and said, "I'll tell you everything. Ming Jieyu was jealous that Yi Jieyu was pregnant and instructed me to find a way to poison her. The Qiong Hua by Yi Jieyu's side is from my hometown. When Yi Jieyu felt unwell during her pregnancy, she was sometimes scolded. Qiong Hua felt aggrieved and mentioned it to me a few times, so I found a way to add... to add musk into Yi Jieyu's incense burner."

"Ming Jieyu, you should confess. Conspiring to harm the imperial heir is a death sentence. I truly cannot hide this for you any longer!" Liu Zhi cried on the ground, not knowing whether she was more afraid or guilty.

Wen De Fei clutched her handkerchief, her heart racing slightly. She spoke to Ning Chen in a restrained tone.

"Your Majesty, we have witnesses here. Ever since Ye Yun entered the palace, she has been unruly and arrogant. Now that she is favored again, she may be even more unrestrained. Jealous of Yi Jieyu's pregnancy, it is not impossible for her to take action."

"Your Majesty, you cannot hastily convict me based on just this maid's one-sided words," Ye Yun coldly replied. "Or should I say, my death will conveniently take the blame for someone else?"

"Ye Yun, don't slander me!"

"Enough! Everyone be quiet!"

Ning Chen shouted angrily, causing Wen De Fei to shrink back in fear, suppressing her anger as she lowered her head.

The Empress watched nearby, feeling quite pleased.

This was the first time Wen De Fei had been yelled at by the Emperor.

"Ming Jieyu, the person has been brought here. If you wish to confront her, go ahead and ask."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Ye Yun slightly bowed.

At this moment, she had roughly pieced together some clues in her mind. Without hesitation, she spoke.

"Since you say I instructed you, then tell me, where did this musk come from? When did I give it to you, and how much was there?"

"I don't know where it came from. This was given to me when you had just been restricted for two or three days. I don't remember how much it was, just a small packet. I gave it all to Qiong Hua, telling her to add some to Yi Jieyu's incense burner every day."

"Your Majesty, I ask you to send someone to call this maid Qiong Hua and to search her living quarters," Ye Yun stated decisively.

At this moment, Yuan Jiu stepped forward with a troubled expression, saying that the maid named Qiong Hua had already died.

She had been beaten before entering the Shenzheng Division and, having not received proper medical attention for her injuries, had not been able to withstand the subsequent torture.