Chapter 1420: Smoke of War Rises (Part 241)
know my wife's identity. Since my wife's identity has been revealed, and you still dare to disrespect her, a slap across the face is considered giving Master Ye some face."Xiao Li sternly rebuked, lo...Nan Gong Hua Shuang just wanted to speak, but the prime minister's gaze stopped her. The words she had on her lips were swallowed back down.
"Please sit down, Your Highness, the Crown Princess."
Feng Lingxi walked aside and sat down. Her gaze inadvertently fell on Nangong Huashuang's body. Seeing him staring at her, their eyes met. Nangong Huashuang smiled politely at Feng Lingxi and nodded. Feng Lingxi also nodded in return and broke the eye contact.
"Your Highness, the Princess Consort, please have some tea."
The maid served tea, and the Chancellor spoke, his attitude towards Feng Lingxi was quite polite. This person no longer had the sadness from that day, their speech was also clearer, it seemed they were about to start asking questions.
"Prime Minister, you summoned me today. Is there something you wish to ask"
The chancellor picked up a small notebook from the table beside him and handed it to Feng Lingxi, "This is an imperial edict given to me by the court. The emperor asks me to thoroughly investigate the truth behind your wife and son Hua Yun's deaths, apprehend the culprits, and bring the case to a swift resolution before returning to the capital."
Feng Lingxi seriously finished reading the paper fan, Feng Aotien walked in and sat beside her. Looking at Feng Lingxi's focused expression as she read the paper fan, he felt a mix of annoyance and helplessness, not knowing how to tell her.
"Your Excellency, everything I've said is the truth. You can investigate it yourself; I haven't lied." Feng Lingxi closed the scroll and spoke slowly. The Prime Minister had summoned her, and she had said everything she needed to say. She didn't know how else to defend herself.
"Your Majesty, Queen of the Chen Dynasty, think carefully about all those present that day. Could there be anyone else still alive"
The prime minister's words caused Feng Lingxi's expression to soften. Everyone present that day, all from Nan Gong Huayun's people, had already been killed. Besides her, the only other person remaining was Xiao Li, who was now resting in bed at the mansion and couldn't be involved.
"Premier, are you suspecting me"
Feng Ling Xi's gaze was unwavering, her eyes cold and clear.
“My Lord Chancellor, you should know that your wife has been ill for many years, her body is already gravely ill. Even if she had not died from the poison this time, she wouldn't have lived much longer. If your wife’s body were still present, I could perform an autopsy for the Chancellor to prove my innocence. But now, your wife's body has been stolen, and I am unable to prove it. I can only ask you to help me retrieve your wife's body so that I can perform an autopsy and clear my name.”
"Autopsy"
The Chancellor, hearing Feng Lingxi's words, was clearly taken aback. Seeing Feng Lingxi nod, he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness the Princess Consort of Chen, the body of the madam has been stolen for so long, this official has never stopped searching for her remains. You now propose an autopsy, this official is curious to know, what do you mean"
Feng Lingxi suddenly laughed, hearing this, she understood.
"The Chancellor thinks I hid the Chancellor's wife's body" What a foolish question. If she had hidden the Chancellor's wife's body, she would have cleared her name long ago.
"Your Highness, the Duke didn't mean it that way. How could Your Highness possibly hide your mother's body Hua Shuang believes Your Highness wouldn't do such a thing."
"Nan Gong Hua Shuang, what do you mean by that"
Feng Aotien's voice was cold and sharp, his face filled with displeasure.
Of course, the Crown Princess wouldn't do such a stupid thing. If she knew where the deceased wife of the Prime Minister was buried, she could have cleared her name long ago. It's this murderer who, for whatever reason, stole the Prime Minister's wife's body and killed everyone present, probably wanting to frame the Crown Princess.
Feng Aotien stepped forward for Feng Lingxi, and his words hit the nail on the head. This kind of support was truly unexpected for Feng Lingxi.
"General Zhen Guo, please calm your anger." Nan Gong Hua Shuang bowed apologetically. "Hua Shuang meant no disrespect, if my words were inappropriate, I ask for the forgiveness of Princess Chen and General Zhen Guo."
Nan Gong Hua Shuang's apology did not allow Feng Ao Tian to forgive her. He let out a cold snort, staring at the Chancellor.
"Prime Minister, it is true that this general has failed in his duties and was unable to find the body of your wife. However, Prime Minister, shouldn't you be looking beyond just the Crown Princess of Chen She is just a woman. In handling this matter, shouldn't the Crown Prince of Chen also be involved"
Feng Aotiān was indeed very unhappy that Dugu Cheng hadn't come with Feng Lingxi this time. Watching her being questioned by the prime minister, alone and unaided, he knew she was the princess consort, but those who didn't know would think she was a criminal.
The Chancellor stared at Feng Aotiān, their eyes met, sparks flying between them.
"General Zhen Guo, the chancellor summoned me because the court demands a swift resolution to this case. Since I was present the day Mrs. Chancellor met with misfortune, it's natural for the chancellor to have suspicions. But rest assured, General, I am innocent. A clear person has nothing to fear. I trust the chancellor will not wrongly accuse an honest man."
Feng Lingxi finished speaking, a slight smile appeared on her lips, and she gazed intently at the Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister, am I right"
The Prime Minister gave Feng Aotien a cold stare, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Of course, this official is only here to investigate as ordered. I wouldn't smear an innocent person."
"Prime Minister, the body of your wife has been found."
A figure entered and reported, the expression on the Prime Minister's face above suddenly changed, he hurriedly stood up, his eyes full of shock, "Where is it Quickly take this old minister there."
"Just outside the city, in the woods, that's all that remains."
"What are you still standing there for Go and have a look quickly."
Feng Aotian was even more anxious than the prime minister, so he hurriedly pulled Feng Lingxi and followed the prime minister out.
Nangong Huashuang naturally had to follow, but he walked at the end. The confusion in his eyes was unseen by anyone, but in order not to attract attention, he caught up with them and went together to the forest outside the city.
A group of people arrived, only to find the forest surrounded. The coffin had already been unearthed.
"Is this your wife's"
The prime minister trembled and staggered forward. When he saw the coffin, his body shook uncontrollably. Thankfully, Nangong Hua was supporting him with both hands.
"Prime Minister, this is what I've found. It's confirmed to be the body of your wife. However, it has been some time, and the body is likely no longer complete. I apologize for the intrusion, but in order to determine the cause of your wife's death, we must examine the remains."
Dugu City's voice came, looking at Dugu City who walked out from the side, Feng Lingxi was surprised, how is he here
But Du Gucheng seemed not to see Feng Lingxi at all, staring intently at the chancellor.
"This king brought a coroner, who can determine the cause of death right here."
The Prime Minister looked at the coffin, "I traveled thousands of miles to get here, just to find out the cause of my wife's death. Now that we've reached this point, we must definitely determine the cause of her death and open the coffin for an autopsy."
The guards stepped forward, the coffin lid creaked open, and a pungent odor filled the air. Feng Lingxi frowned. Though she wasn't unfamiliar with this smell, it was unavoidable that after a while, it became somewhat unbearable.
"Father, I will go and take a look for you."
Nan Gong Huashuang opened her mouth, seeing the Prime Minister nod. She endured the discomfort and walked over. After seeing clearly, she returned to the Prime Minister's face and nodded. The Prime Minister's eyes were moist, he leaned forward, but after smelling the pungent and overpowering smell, he stopped.
"Coroner, begin."
Feng Lingxi stood beside Feng Aotian, her gaze fixed on Dugu City. However, Dugu City never glanced at Feng Lingxi from beginning to end, as if he didn't recognize her. This indifference chilled Feng Lingxi's heart even further. She blinked, and a wave of dizziness struck her, causing her body to sway.
"My lady, are you alright"
Feng Aotiān discovered that Fēng Língxī was not right, and asked with concern. just how long this illusion of a moon could last."My lord, please let go of Yue'er."Huan Yue pried open Dugu City's fingers, her tears falling even harder. She turned to face him, her eyes filled wit...