The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 3)

Chapter 459 - Investigating the Truth

"I won't speak of my intentions for now, but I ran into the Emperor when delivering the dishes. I knew the Emperor was going to have a meal with Guifei, so how could I be so bold as to conspire against the Emperor as well?"

Qi Fei forcefully retorted, her gaze suddenly sweeping over to the Third Prince in the crowd, and she continued,

"If the Emperor and Guifei were in danger, it would be most beneficial for the Third Prince, wouldn't it? With Enhejin as your father-in-law to support you, what couldn't you do?"

Yi Fei was taken aback for a moment, wanting to say something further, but she was pulled back by the Third Prince's grip on her sleeve.

Yi Fei did not know that he truly had a hand in this matter; if she spoke carelessly, it would only bring trouble upon herself.

Stopping her mother, the Third Prince then respectfully knelt before Ning Chen.

"Father, I assure you that I do not share the intentions that Qi Fei mentioned. Please discern clearly, Father."

"Although I do not wish to suspect my elders, if Qi Fei were to take such risky actions and succeed today, without Father, we would be like a scattered sand pile. Conversely, in the capital, the Qi family is the foremost among the literary officials, holding considerable influence in the court."

"It's not impossible for the Fifth Brother to take advantage of this situation to rise to power. Meanwhile, we are far away in Zasake, unable to intervene. In just a month of returning to the capital, there's been plenty of time to get things done."

Looking at his son in front of him, a flicker of darkness crossed Ning Chen's eyes.

Qi Fei was about to defend herself but was stopped by a raise of his hand.

"I will thoroughly investigate this matter. Without solid proof, I won't let this go. The corrupt practices in this palace have long needed to be straightened out, and now it's finally time."

"Qi Fei will be confined for now. Once the case is clear, we'll come to a conclusion. As for the maid who delivered the soup, make sure you find her and arrest her. Everyone else, disperse and don't disturb Guifei's rest."

Even though she felt extremely wronged, under the current circumstances, Qi Fei had no choice but to swallow her anger and leave.

Once the others had left, the Fourth Prince stood before Ning Chen, lips pressed together. His phoenix-shaped eyes were full of determination and a coldness unbefitting his age.

"Father, today I was originally supposed to dine with Mother. If you hadn't come, I would have eaten those two dishes with her. By now, what you would have seen would have been two cold corpses."

Ning Chen stared at him and asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I suspect Third Brother," the Fourth Prince replied without hesitation.

As he said this, he looked Ning Chen straight in the eyes. That gaze was straightforward and easy to understand—it fully revealed his thoughts.

Ning Chen's heart trembled slightly.

Such straightforwardness was something Ye Yun had once displayed.

He turned his head toward the inner room. Although a screen separated them, he could still feel the woman on the bed's weakness.

In truth, he didn't need the Fourth Prince to say anything. He would still investigate the Third Prince. But now that the Fourth Prince had spoken, Ning Chen became even more aware that trust between his children had vanished.