Chapter 157: Yun Zui is Dead

The officials from the Court of Judicial Review originally wanted to resolve this matter as quickly as possible, but they never expected that Chi Nie would insist on pursuing it further. Thus, they had no choice but to wait patiently on the side.

Before long, Yun Shang walked in, accompanied by a maidservant.

With her head lowered, the maidservant followed closely behind Yun Shang, looking as though she did not even dare to draw a full breath.

"Greetings to Prince Nie and all the lords." Not daring to raise her head, the maidservant bowed directly toward the front, her voice sounding timid.

Without offering any pleasantries such as exempting her from the bow, Chi Nie went straight to the point and asked, "I ask you, why were you so certain that the arrival of the Court of Judicial Review meant something had happened to the Dowager Consort?"

This was a loophole in Dou Saiqi's previous statement, and Chi Nie had seized upon it.

Hearing this, the maidservant immediately dropped to her knees with a thud, and then answered in a panic, "This humble maid initially only thought that the Court of Judicial Review was investigating matters concerning the Dowager Consort. Upon seeing the officials from the Court outside the estate just now, I immediately associated them with the Dowager Consort. As for something having happened, this humble maid was merely guessing. I serve my mistress with the utmost care and dare not be negligent in the slightest; the moment there was even the slightest possibility of an accident, I had to treat the matter with extreme caution. However, since I could not enter the Prince Nie's Estate, I had no choice but to go to the Prime Minister's Estate and report it to the Madam."

After all, she was a quick-witted maidservant favored by Dou Saiqi, and it seemed she was no fool. Her answers were watertight, leaving no apparent points of suspicion.

Moreover, the time of Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang's arrival did indeed fall after the arrival of the Court of Judicial Review.

However, no matter how methodical their explanations sounded, it did not mean Chi Nie would necessarily believe them!

"You truly are a clever maidservant who serves her mistress capably. But wouldn't it be far too much of a waste for such a good servant to remain a mere maid? Someone—"

Chi Nie raised his voice, and someone immediately stepped forward.

At this, the maidservant, along with Yun Shang and Dou Saiqi, could not help but change their expressions. What was Chi Nie planning to do?

A servant immediately asked respectfully behind Chi Nie, "What are the Prince's instructions?"

Gazing coldly at the maidservant, Chi Nie said, "My estate is in great need of such capable servants. Take her down and hand her over to the steward, and tell him to arrange a better post for her."

The servant immediately complied and walked toward the maidservant.

The maidservant was still somewhat dazed, unable to tell how much truth and how much falsehood there was in Chi Nie's words.

Yet she had no capital to refuse and could only allow herself to be led away.

Meanwhile, the expressions of Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang turned somewhat unsightly, though it was difficult for them to voice any objection. Surely they could not claim they were unwilling to part with a mere maidservant?

Since Prince Nie had personally spoken to request a person, it was not their place to dampen his mood. Yet they had no way of knowing whether Chi Nie truly intended to treat the maidservant generously or if he harbored ulterior motives.

Their hearts could not help but flutter with anxiety over this unexpected move by Chi Nie.

Remaining utterly calm, Chi Nie turned his gaze to the officials from the Court of Judicial Review and asked, "Do you gentlemen have any insights?"

Hearing this, the officials from the Court of Judicial Review replied with utmost apprehension, "Prince Nie is discerning in every detail, but this humble official has yet to discover anything."

They certainly did not dare to offer casual opinions. Who knew if they might carelessly step onto a minefield?

Therefore, the less said, the better.

Chi Nie raised an eyebrow, and then addressed Yun Shang and Dou Saiqi, "Are you certain the Dowager Consort mentioned any specific deadline to you?"

Not expecting Chi Nie to bring this up again, Dou Saiqi immediately replied, "She most certainly did mention it."

They had been operating under the assumption that Yun Zui was already dead, meaning they could say whatever they pleased!

The dead could not rise to refute them, so Chi Nie would naturally have no choice but to listen to their unilateral claims.