When they heard that Concubine Lian had visited Concubine Chu in their absence, Dongfang Yi couldn't help but frown tightly. She always felt that the connection between them must be related to her recent assassination attempt.
However, whether it was really Concubine Chu who had intended to kill her this time could only be determined after she went to see the concubine in person.
So she followed Helian Qi to Concubine Chu's tent. From the outside, it was evident how tightly she was guarded. The tent was surrounded by the guards he had dispatched, which showed how much Helian Qi cared about matters related to her.
After entering the tent, they saw Concubine Chu sitting on the couch. Her eyes were slightly closed. When she heard the noise, she suddenly opened them wide. When her gaze fell on the newcomers, it was obvious that her expression froze. Then she immediately stood up and rushed in front of the man, saying, "Your Majesty! Your servant is truly innocent. Your servant has never done such a thing!"
Helian Qi saw her rushing in front of him, and his brows involuntarily frowned. He felt a bit disgusted by her action, so he coldly replied, "Do you have any evidence?!"
Dongfang Yi silently watched everything in front of her without saying a word, as if trying to detect something from the woman's face.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Lian came here just now. It was all her doing. She wanted to frame your servant, Your Majesty. You must seek justice for your servant and clear your servant's name," Concubine Chu continued.
As soon as she lost her balance, she knelt on the ground, and tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably.
Looking at her like this, Dongfang Yi couldn't help but feel annoyed. However, she couldn't ignore what the concubine had just said, so she spoke up, "Everyone in the harem knows that Concubine Lian and you have the best relationship. Now that your scheme has been discovered, do you want to frame her?!"
She said this to crush Concubine Chu's last bit of self - esteem and make her tell everything she knew, because she really felt that there were some clues in this matter.
Hearing the woman in front of her suddenly say such words, Concubine Chu couldn't help but clench her teeth tightly. She had always hated Dongfang Yi. But unfortunately, with the emperor present, she couldn't vent her anger. She could only lower her head, frown, and suppress her displeasure before starting to reply.
"Concubine Lian just tried to curry favor with your servant. We've never really had a good relationship. Now she framed the Empress and tried to shift the blame onto your servant. She's just jealous of your servant's background. Moreover, your servant has heard all her resentment towards the Empress. So... her malicious intentions are obvious!"
Her words seemed to only list Concubine Lian's crimes, but between the lines, she couldn't help but remind Helian Qi to consider the Nangong family behind her and remember Concubine Lian's humble status.
It was a clever move that could deceive an ordinary person.
But how could Helian Qi be deceived by such a trick? Although he felt that there must be something strange about this matter and that he could listen to what the woman in front of him said to some extent, he still suspected her more.
Dongfang Yi felt the same way. After hearing Concubine Chu's words, she squinted her eyes and thought for a while. Then she tugged at the sleeve of the man in front of her, and the two of them left the tent together.
Watching the two of them gradually disappear from her sight, Concubine Chu's hatred deepened, and there was even a bit of grievance in her heart. Although she had done many bad things, this time she really had no intention of killing Dongfang Yi.
She could only blame that damned Concubine Lian. How dare she, relying on her trust, frame her like this? She really underestimated her methods.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but pin all her hopes on the letter she had sent to her adoptive father. She hoped he would come to rescue her. If he dared to stand by and do nothing, then don't blame her for being heartless and exposing all the things she knew.
Thinking of this, she felt a little more at ease, because Nangong Liuyun was not an easy person to deal with.
On the other side, the two had already left the tent.
Helian Qi looked at Dongfang Yi beside him, who was frowning and deep in thought. He couldn't help but smile and ask, "Dong'er, have you thought of something?"
He didn't know when he started to realize that the woman beside him was extraordinary. Her intelligence was no less than his own.
Hearing his question, Dongfang Yi turned her head and frowned, saying, "I think Concubine Chu's words make some sense. With her personality, how could she leave the hairpin at the crime scene? I think someone is trying to frame her."
She had suspected this a long time ago, and now she was even more certain. It wasn't just the fact that Concubine Lian had come to see her. Just considering Concubine Chu's behavior style in the harem, being so domineering, it was normal for someone to bear a grudge against her. Moreover, now that Nangong Liuyun was out on business, it was the best time to harm her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but snort coldly in her heart. Concubine Chu had tried to harm her so many times, but now she couldn't escape the fate of being harmed. This just proved that fortune could change.
What she said exactly matched what Helian Qi was thinking. He also suspected Concubine Lian. After hearing what she said, he was going to question her, but he decided to leave this task to the woman beside him.
"Dong'er, would you like to test Concubine Lian's truth?" Helian Qi asked.
Dongfang Yi nodded heavily after hearing this. It was most appropriate for her to do this.
After they finished discussing, she walked towards Concubine Lian's tent, while Helian Qi returned to his own place to wait for news.
On the other side, Concubine Lian had just recovered from the injury she suffered at Concubine Chu's place. However, there was still a conspicuous red mark on her neck, obviously caused by being strangled.
She kept gasping for breath to relieve her hatred. She didn't expect that even at this moment, she would still be bullied by that woman. Did she really think of her as a dog?!
Thinking of this, the killing intent in her eyes deepened. She wanted to do something that could kill that woman.
She heard that the Empress had returned safely. Although this was not the result she wanted to see, she could still use it to her advantage.
Thinking of this, a sinister smile curled up on her lips, and she was about to go out to find the Empress.
Just as she was thinking like this, there came a cry from outside the tent.
"Her Majesty the Empress is coming—!"
Oh, it really came without any effort. She didn't even need to go out to look for her. She thought like this.
Then Dongfang Yi stepped in. There was no particular emotion in her eyes, but they were extremely sharp, as if hiding some deep feelings.
"Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress!" She bowed slightly and said respectfully.