The next day.
The news that Prime Minister Zhang had suffocated to death in his private chamber spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys.
Xue Zhan had long known that Mo Liandi would take action. So he took Xiao Heyuan to the prime minister's mansion for a cursory look and quickly closed the case.
As for Zhang Yan, who had ultimately done something wrong, out of their long - standing friendship, Xue Zhan finally allowed him to return to his hometown.
When Liu Rumei heard this news from Hengniang, she was inevitably startled. With a complex look on her face, she turned to Mo Liandi. Was this the explanation he had promised?
A smile played on Mo Liandi's lips, and his eyes were filled with tenderness. He spoke softly, "Liu Liu, are you satisfied now?"
Liu Rumei's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Prime Minister Zhang's death was an explanation for the more than twenty innocent girls who had been victimized and the six who had died. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Mo Liandi's expression paused. "Liu Liu, you don't need to be so polite with me!"
Since it was her wish, he would do his best to fulfill it! Moreover, Prime Minister Zhang's death was also beneficial to him. With the position of prime minister vacant, it was an opportunity for him.
Hengniang, standing beside them, let out a cold snort. She had clearly contributed the most to this matter, but this hypocrite had reaped the benefits. It was truly infuriating.
A Nan had worried all night but still couldn't find a suitable way to send these two people away.
He slumped and said dejectedly, "When are you leaving?"
Mo Liandi's eyes also fell on Liu Rumei. He pursed his lips and said, "Come back with me?"
Although these two people were here and he didn't need to worry about Liu Rumei's safety, just thinking about the intimate way Liu Rumei and Hengniang got along made him feel unhappy.
Hengniang let out a cold snort again. She hung limply on Liu Rumei's body, her eyes full of rippling waves and a hint of amorousness. "Liu Liu, don't go back with him. Stay here with me, okay?"
Liu Rumei really didn't know how to get along with Mo Liandi at the moment and didn't want to return to the Prince Guo'an's mansion. So she nodded immediately. "Your Highness, you'd better return to the mansion early. I'm fine here."
Mo Liandi's eyes darkened. He looked up and met Hengniang's provocative gaze, feeling even more depressed.
Then he shifted his gaze back to Liu Rumei and said softly, "I'll give you three days. I'll come to pick you up then."
Liu Rumei frowned and was about to refuse, but seeing the unyielding look in Mo Liandi's eyes, she sighed.
Seeing Liu Rumei fall silent, Mo Liandi thought she had agreed. A smile curled up on his lips. He left Ye Zhe behind and then turned to leave.
Prime Minister Zhang was dead. Mo Yun would surely be suspicious. He needed to make preparations in advance.
After Mo Liandi left, Hengniang's smile grew even wider, while A Nan felt a sense of triumph. This man had finally left!
However, about half an hour later, Xue Zhan and Sixi came, followed by Mo Litian, who had not been seen for several days.
Seeing Liu Rumei safe and sound, Sixi was overjoyed, but there was also a hint of dissatisfaction on his face. He pouted his cheeks, and his little face turned slightly red, looking oddly festive.
A rare smile flashed across Ye Zhe's usually cold face, which made A Nan and Hengniang, who had suffered a lot at his hands yesterday, marvel.
Xue Zhan was quite in awe of Hengniang and the other. He subconsciously chose to remain silent.
Mo Litian saw Liu Rumei with a rosy complexion and felt relieved. His gentle voice slowly flowed out, "Miss Liu, are you feeling better?"
Liu Rumei nodded with a faint smile. "I'm fine."
Mo Litian nodded. Suddenly, he took something out of his bosom and handed it to Liu Rumei. There was a hint of confusion in his gentle voice. "Miss Liu, just as I was leaving the palace, a maid of Concubine Zhang asked me to give this to you."
Liu Rumei frowned and took it. Looking at the red invitation card, her eyes were also full of confusion. "A chrysanthemum - viewing banquet?"
Mo Litian frowned and asked softly, "Miss Liu, do you know this Concubine Zhang?"
Liu Rumei couldn't help but look at Hengniang and said indifferently, "Yesterday, I happened to meet her when I went to listen to Chinese opera with Hengniang."
Hengniang propped her chin and thought for a moment. "Liu Liu, people don't go to the temple for no reason. You should be careful!"
This was exactly what Mo Litian wanted to say, but as he was in the harem, he was afraid that Liu Rumei would think he had ulterior motives if he said so.
Xue Zhan couldn't help but sigh. He waved the folding fan in his hand, looking elegant, but there was a hint of melancholy between his eyebrows. "Why didn't I have such good luck?"
Concubine Zhang was extremely beautiful, the most beautiful in the capital. The last time he saw her, he had been completely infatuated. If he had known, he should have gone to Fulou Restaurant to listen to Chinese opera yesterday.
Hengniang couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Her tone was full of disdain. "Sooner or later, you'll die in a woman's bed!"
Xue Zhan gave a lecherous smile. "As the saying goes, it's worth dying under the peony flower. If that's really the case, I'll be content!"
Seeing his appearance, everyone looked at him with disdain!
Sixi also couldn't help but move away from him in disgust!
Mo Litian ignored him and said softly to Liu Rumei, "Miss Liu, I'll come to pick you up tomorrow."
Liu Rumei wanted to refuse without thinking. "There's no need to trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Seeing Liu Rumei like this, Mo Litian pursed his lips and nodded, but still couldn't help but remind her, "These days, the palace has been restless. You should be more careful."
Liu Rumei frowned. "Has something happened?"
She wondered if this was the reason why Mo Litian hadn't appeared for several days.
Xue Zhan said with great interest, "Not long ago, someone sneaked into the harem just to catch a glimpse of Concubine Zhang's beauty. After seeing her, he had evil intentions. The Emperor was furious. Now he's been thrown into the dungeon and will be executed by dismemberment in three days!"
In the harem, everyone knew that Concubine Zhang was Mo Yun's favorite woman. He would stay in Concubine Zhang's palace for more than twenty days a month. This man was so bold. It was really astonishing. Thinking about himself, although Xue Zhan never refused beautiful women, he knew which women he could and couldn't touch.
This guy was just asking for death!
Mo Litian gave him a disdainful look. His gentle voice came out. "The Imperial Hospital suddenly caught fire the night before last. These two things are a bit strange. I haven't found any clues yet. You should be careful and don't wander around casually."
Concubine Zhang was extremely beautiful, but that man wasn't stupid. Why would he suddenly be disrespectful to Concubine Zhang and just be caught by the Emperor?
Liu Rumei didn't know that so many things had happened in the palace. She nodded immediately. "I'll be careful!"