20demayo Chapter 473
Chapter 473
These past few days, the emperor had been investigating the matter and had finally made some progress. He was so exhausted that he nearly collapsed.@@@@
After saying this, the steady sound of breathing rose above Jiang Xinyue's head.
The emperor had already fallen asleep.
The room was dimly lit by an oil lamp. Since Shuang Jiang was injured, Xi Que was the one sleeping outside to keep watch.
She had also overheard the conversation between the emperor and empress. Her not-so-bright little mind couldn't figure out how to answer the question her mistress had posed.
Why had the culprit specifically targeted Shuang Jiang?
Why not Xi Que?
Jiang Xinyue thought that as long as she connected this to the mysterious person who could change faces—the one they hadn't found yet—the answer would become clear.
Shuang Jiang was introverted and low-key. Aside from the people in Kunning Palace, she hardly interacted with anyone from other palaces.
She didn’t have particularly close friends, nor did she have any serious enemies. It seemed like she was on casual terms with everyone.
Someone like her, even if there were slight differences in her personality or speech, would hardly be noticed by others.
Xi Que, on the other hand, was different...
Not only had Xi Que grown up with Jiang Xinyue and knew her personality inside out, understanding her with just a glance, but her bold, outspoken, and decisive nature was also something that couldn’t easily be imitated.
Which palace maid or eunuch didn’t know Xi Que?
If someone targeted Xi Que, they would not only have to deal with everyone in the palace who knew her but also Jiang Xinyue herself. That would be incredibly difficult. And let’s not forget, Xi Que also had Meng Qingyu, her fiancé!
In short, targeting Xi Que would make it far too easy to get exposed.
That person wanted to replace Shuang Jiang’s face and infiltrate Jiang Xinyue’s inner circle.
Once that was done, killing the crown prince or the seventh prince would be as easy as lifting a finger.
The next day, the emperor left early for court, and Jiang Xinyue, with her mind preoccupied, also rose early.
After Xi Que finished helping her wash up, she called Shuang Jiang over.
In the main hall, Shuang Jiang had medicine applied to her forehead, which Jiang Chuan and Xiao Xiangzi had found to reduce swelling and prevent scarring.
“Traitor! Ungrateful wretch! How dare you sit with us?”
“That’s right! You’ve betrayed Her Majesty, so from now on, you’re our enemy. Xi Que said you won’t be allowed to leave Kunning Palace, but we’ll make sure you’re driven out.”
“You should know your place. Her Majesty is too kind-hearted to punish you, but you should be grateful and leave on your own. Stop leeching off Kunning Palace. Do you think Xi Que is going to let this slide?”
“Bang!”
“It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!”
Shuang Jiang flipped the table over and screamed hysterically: “I told you it wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! Her Majesty believes me, so why won’t you?”
She roared: “What revenge for the young princes? Xi Que is just jealous! Jealous that Her Majesty values me more, so she’s using this chance to get rid of me! She’s always hated me—don’t think I don’t know!”
The maids and eunuchs of Kunning Palace were stunned. Was Sister Shuang Jiang really angry?
Weren’t they just acting? Why did she suddenly explode like this?
Was it part of the act, or was she genuinely furious?
They were too scared to continue.
“Y-you... why are you shouting? You’re the one who did wrong!”
One of Xi Que’s maids, though trembling with fear, mustered the courage to retort, allowing Shuang Jiang to continue her performance.
“What did I do? I told you it wasn’t me! Why won’t you believe me? Why won’t you believe me?”
She screamed like a madwoman beside the overturned table, her mental state crumbling—exactly what certain people wanted to see.
If you want to destroy someone, first drive them to madness.
A plain-colored robe disappeared around the corner, carrying news of what had just happened.
Mu Tan had just finished speaking when Consort Liang gasped, covering her mouth: “Xi Que always seemed so sweet and adorable, but when she gets ruthless, she really doesn’t hold back!”
Before this incident, she and Shuang Jiang had been so close!
Even real sisters argue and fight, let alone Shuang Jiang and Xi Que, who were technically rivals.
In front of Her Majesty, there was only room for one head maid.
Everyone was watching Shuang Jiang’s downfall, and no one stepped forward to help her. It was clear that Xi Que’s reputation was not to be underestimated.