As soon as the words of the black - clothed man fell, the court fell silent for a moment, and then a commotion erupted.
"Was the emperor really assassinated?"
"Could it be that the emperor is injured and that's why he couldn't attend court?"
"Oh my god! For so many days, it turns out Prime Minister Dongfang has been lying to us!"
...
All kinds of shocked and accusatory remarks filled the air. Prime Minister Dongfang's veins popped out on his forehead, and his killing - intent filled eyes stared fixedly at the man not far away.
Prime Minister Nangong stared back fearlessly. In this matter, it seemed that he was in the right. After all, as long as everyone went to see the emperor, the truth would come to light. Paper could never wrap up fire.
Prime Minister Dongfang understood all this clearly in his mind, so he didn't dare to speak rashly at this moment.
Instead, General Lian beside him let out an angry roar and then questioned, "Prime Minister Nangong, you should present evidence when you speak. Just bringing this man here and claiming that the emperor was assassinated is simply absurd. Do you have any other evidence?!"
He really couldn't bear to see his old friend Dongfang being wronged. He also knew the Nangong family's ambitious schemes. If he allowed everyone to believe that the emperor was seriously injured and in a bad state, those opportunistic officials would side with Nangong. Once a large - scale faction was formed, it would be very difficult to deal with.
So he chose to retort.
Hearing this, Nangong Liuyun sneered. As if he had anticipated this question, he replied, "I naturally wouldn't make a hasty judgment just by bringing this person here. Although I was out of the capital, the Nangong Mansion was still here, and so were all the noble families. Not only our Nangong family, but some people from the Dong family also witnessed the assassination of the emperor. Am I right, Minister Dong?!"
After saying that, he gave a meaningful look to the man beside him.
Seeing the look, Minister Dong quickly replied, "Yes! Some people in my mansion know about it too!"
"Why didn't you say a single word about the assassination in all these days?"
One of the ministers asked. All the ministers' eyes fell on him. It wasn't strange that the Nangong family just brought this up, as their master had just returned. But Minister Dong came to the Golden Palace every day and hadn't said a word.
Minister Dong pretended to smile bitterly with an aggrieved look and then said, "I'm of low rank and have no influence. I didn't dare to speak casually. Moreover, Prime Minister Dongfang said that the emperor had caught a cold. So I dared not say more."
After saying that, he looked up at the man not far away with a timid look.
His words not only absolved himself but also shifted everyone's attention to Prime Minister Dongfang.
Prime Minister Dongfang's veins popped out on his forehead. He snorted through his nose but didn't say anything else.
The ministers beside him didn't let him off easily. They surrounded him one after another and asked, "Prime Minister Dongfang, is what Prime Minister Nangong said true? Why did you lie to us for so many days?!"
"I..." He stammered but couldn't utter a complete word. His eyes were clearly filled with dissatisfaction, as if he didn't agree with what they said.
Seeing this, Nangong Liuyun threw his head back and laughed wildly. Then he said to the ministers, "Don't make things difficult for Brother Dongfang. Why don't we go to the Qianqing Palace and take a look for ourselves? The emperor is injured. I'm really worried. Aren't you all worried about the emperor?"
"You! The emperor needs to rest in peace!" Prime Minister Dongfang shouted, his eyes wide open and his face full of resistance.
"Oh? What do you mean, Brother Dongfang? Haven't you already visited the emperor? As his ministers, don't we have the right?" Nangong Liuyun said.
Every word was full of accusation, which left the man in front of him speechless.
Even the ministers beside him echoed, "Yes, Prime Minister on the right. It's not too much for us to go and take a look ourselves. After all, we are really worried about the emperor!"
After he finished speaking, others echoed him.
So this group of people left the Golden Palace and rushed towards the Qianqing Palace.
Prime Minister Dongfang, who was still standing there, showed a look of grief on his face. He stamped his foot hard on the ground, and his heart filled with unease.
"Go quickly! Take a shortcut and tell the empress dowager about this!" He ordered a palace servant beside him.
The palace servant knew the importance of this matter and immediately ran out.
He frowned, thinking that it might be impossible to hide the emperor's matter any longer. He just didn't know if the people his daughter sent to look for the antidote had found that Mr. Bai.
The most important thing now was for the emperor to wake up. Nothing else mattered.
Thinking of this, he also rushed towards the Qianqing Palace.
On the other side, in Concubine Chu's palace.
Concubine Chu naturally knew about Nangong Liuyun's return to the capital. After the incident in the Golden Palace, a palace servant immediately came to report it to her.
After hearing this, a smile curled up on her lips. She thought that no one could escape this time. The emperor was on the verge of death, Dongfang Yi had been sent to the cold palace, and after the ministers saw the emperor's state, they would surely side with the Nangong family.
So in the days to come, no one could do anything to her.
Thinking of this, she threw her head back and laughed wildly. She said to the maid beside her, "Go and find me a bright red robe. The most luxurious one!"
She didn't forget that everyone used to think she was unworthy of wearing bright red and even used water - red to insult her.
Now, she was the mistress of the harem. Everyone else was just a nobody. She could wear whatever red she wanted.
Thinking of this, she sat in front of the dressing table, drew her eyebrows on her powdered face, and asked the maid beside her happily, "Do you think I'm beautiful?"
"Your ladyship is naturally beautiful. You're so beautiful that you outshine everyone in the harem!" The maid flattered.
This flattering tone immediately made her laugh. Her joy was evident on her face, and she couldn't help but say, "Well said. Reward!"
On the other side, in the queen's palace.
Dongfang Yi had just heard about the upheaval in the Golden Palace. Her heart skipped a beat. If Nangong Liuyun saw her at this time, he would surely make things difficult for her.
Moreover, there was still no news about the antidote for Helian Qi. What if they...
She didn't dare to think any further, fearing that she would think of something terrible.
So she ran out of the bedroom. Seeing her hasty appearance, Xiaolan couldn't help but say, "Your ladyship, you can't get out now. There are soldiers guarding outside!"