The fact that Concubine Lian had been framed was now an established truth. After a few days, the rumors in the palace about this incident gradually died down. And this was the perfect opportunity for Dongfang Yi and the others.
They thought that the person who had schemed so deliberately to harm others should now believe that everything was over and be gloating with lowered guard. This was the right time to carry out their plan without any flaw.
Dongfang Yi was almost certain that the culprit was Yaoji. It was she who had flattered Concubine Lian, designed a plot to make it seem like Concubine Lian had tried to kill her, and then framed Concubine Chu. Now, seeing that her scheme was about to be exposed, she had killed Concubine Lian.
Just a few days ago, Yaoji had stolen the night pearl to frame her. Now she was so eager to kill her. Dongfang Yi couldn't help but let out a cold snort. She thought that she had underestimated that woman before and failed to obtain any evidence in the end. This time, she must be extremely cautious and never let that woman go.
Thinking of this, a smile curved her lips. Then she called Donghua, and the two of them were about to rush to the Qianqing Palace to ask how things were going.
Helian Qi had sent out secret guards a few days ago to investigate Yaoji. Dongfang Yi didn't know what they had found out.
As soon as they reached the gate of the Qianqing Palace, they saw Ru Yi standing guard there as if he had been doing for decades. Seeing them coming, he quickly ran over, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your servant pays respects to the Empress. The Emperor is discussing matters with the Minister of the Ministry of Works. Please wait for a moment, Your Highness."
Dongfang Yi nodded after hearing this. She understood that the Emperor was busy with state affairs, so she wasn't surprised.
Then she asked the man in front of her, "Is there any major event about to happen?"
Ru Yi scratched his head and thought for a while. Then he replied with a smile, "It's almost the New Year. What major event could there be? The markets in the capital are very lively now. Everyone is buying things to prepare for the Little New Year!"
After hearing this, Dongfang Yi was a little yearning. The last time she went out of the palace, there had been an assassination attempt, and she hadn't been able to relax properly. Now she was even more eager to go out of the palace and take a look. If only she had the chance to go to the market in the capital...
Just as she was thinking, the palace gate in front of her opened, and an old man with a gray beard walked out. It was the Minister of the Ministry of Works. Seeing the Empress not far away, he bowed respectfully and then turned towards the outside of the palace.
So Dongfang Yi entered the Qianqing Palace. As soon as she entered, she saw Helian Qi looking out. When he saw her coming, the corners of his mouth curved up, and his eyes also curved.
"You're here, Dong'er," he said.
Dongfang Yi immediately walked over and sat down beside him. Then she asked, "Was there something important to discuss just now?"
"As the New Year is approaching, there are more and more affairs both inside and outside the court," Helian Qi replied.
As soon as Dongfang Yi heard the words "New Year", she couldn't help but think of what she had been thinking about outside the palace. So she didn't hesitate to ask, "Actually, I... also want to go out of the palace and take a look. The last time I went out for a hunting trip, I didn't have a good time... But if you don't agree, I won't force it!"
She stammered, a little unsure whether the man in front of her would agree to her request. After all, she had gone out of the palace several times and got injured several times. How could anyone feel at ease letting her go out?
Then she looked up at him with a guilty conscience.
Helian Qi looked at the cautious but cute look of the woman in front of him. His heart was about to melt. How could he not agree to what she said? So he reached out and scraped the bridge of her nose and replied, "Okay! I agree for you to go out of the palace, but I'll accompany you."
Just now, the Minister of the Ministry of Works had come to talk about the matter of the Little New Year. Now there were rumors spreading among the people, and many ignorant commoners were blaming the Emperor for being unjust.
This matter could be traced back to the renovation of the imperial mausoleum half a year ago. Now that it was the New Year, the conscripted laborers couldn't return to the capital, and their families would inevitably complain. So Helian Qi must go and deal with this matter. After all, as their sovereign, he should forgive the ignorance of the commoners and find a way to comfort them.
Since his Dong'er also wanted to go out of the palace and take a look, it would be good for the two of them to go together. Anyway, with him accompanying her, there would naturally be no other accidents.
Thinking of this, the smile on his lips deepened.
And the woman in front of him couldn't believe what she had heard. She started to dance with joy.
"Really! I can go out of the palace! And you'll accompany me. That's great!" she cheered. She didn't expect Helian Qi to agree to her so readily and decide to go with her.
Helian Qi watched her jumping for joy. He was also very happy. He couldn't help but love the woman in front of him more and more. He could only smile more brightly.
The two of them decided to hold a grain distribution on the city tower half a month before the Little New Year in the name of relieving the commoners during the New Year. They would also take the opportunity to comfort the women whose husbands had been conscripted.
They only needed to show up in front of the commoners at the beginning of the grain distribution. Then he could accompany Dongfang Yi to stroll around and relax, sweeping away all the unhappiness of these days.
After they had settled this matter, Dongfang Yi remembered the purpose of her visit today. So she asked, "I wonder if the secret guards you sent out have found anything?"
She was still very concerned about the matter of Yaoji. After all, as long as she was in the palace, she was like an uncontrollable time bomb. She might explode at any time and endanger people's lives.
Helian Qi pondered for a while after hearing this. Then he replied, "Maybe after experiencing some things, she has become extremely cautious. She hasn't done anything out of line, and even that Western Region glass rattlesnake has disappeared."
Dongfang Yi frowned after hearing this. She didn't expect that woman to be so cautious. She really couldn't be underestimated.
But now, even if they wanted to find out the truth quickly, they couldn't act forcefully, because that would only alert the enemy. So now they could only let things take their course and act according to the situation.
The two of them talked about some more opinions on this matter. Then there came a cry from outside the palace. Dongfang Yi didn't know which minister had come to report the situation.
Dongfang Yi knew that it was not convenient for her to stay any longer. And she had already known what she wanted to know. So she turned around and left the Qianqing Palace. Helian Qi stared at the back of the woman in front of him gradually disappearing from his sight. Then he received the minister waiting outside.