Chapter 158: Consort Yun Arrives

Turning his gaze, Chi Nie asked Yun Shang, "Then are you also certain that the Dowager Consort actually said that, rather than the Prime Minister's wife being advanced in age and confusing her dreams with reality?"

At these words, both Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang were stunned.

Why would Chi Nie ask such a question?

However, since Dou Saiqi had already made that claim, she had no choice but to stick to her story and see it through to the end.

"Yes, I remember correctly, and my mother remembers correctly too. The Dowager Consort did say that at the time," Yun Shang replied, her tone growing even more resolute.

Chi Nie nodded with certainty, then immediately asked, "Then what did the Dowager Consort eat when she dined with you?"

Not expecting Chi Nie's line of questioning to loop back around, Dou Saiqi was momentarily dazed before quickly answering, "Steamed buns, pastries, thin porridge, pickled vegetables, two meat dishes, and three vegetarian dishes."

She was referring to what they had eaten that morning.

Naturally, Yun Zui was not included.

"Yet you were all completely fine while the Dowager Consort was poisoned." As Chi Nie spoke, his finger tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair, making Dou Saiqi's heart skip a beat.

Of course, they knew Chi Nie was no fool; he wouldn't ask such a tedious question without a specific reason.

But what could it possibly be? Had they been caught in some trap?

Dou Saiqi could not help feeling a growing sense of panic and unease.

"That was simply because the Dowager Consort's time had come... it had nothing much to do with poison..." Yun Shang emphasized.

Chi Nie raised his gaze to the sunlight overhead, having roughly gauged the hour.

He then asked again, "I will give you one more chance. Is what you just said true or false?"

Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang had originally been brimming with confidence, but under Chi Nie's repeated questioning, their hearts began to waver.

What on earth did this mean? Why persist in digging so deeply into this?

They had already stated it clearly from the very beginning—they were certain!

Even though they were growing somewhat impatient since Chi Nie was asking again, they still answered respectfully, "Every word is true."

As the voices of Yun Shang and Dou Saiqi faded, Chi Nie pressed no further. Instead, he picked up his teacup once more and said nonchalantly, "Someone come."

This command was not shouted, but spoken in a low tone.

A servant immediately stepped to Chi Nie's side and asked respectfully, "What are your orders, Prince Nie?"

This time, Dou Saiqi, Yun Shang, and the officials from the Grand Court of Revision could not help wondering what Chi Nie was up to next.

His method of conducting an interrogation was truly unorthodox.

However, before Chi Nie could voice his instructions, an announcement suddenly rang out:

"Consort Yun has arrived!"

Chi Nie's phoenix-like eyes lifted slightly to glance at Yun Yao, who had come uninvited.

Although Yun Yao had arrived with a grand retinue, servants were not permitted inside the Prince Nie's Manor, so she entered entirely alone.

Even without attendants to accompany her, she was a imperial concubine, and her attire was naturally the most luxurious.

She wore a goose-yellow court dress intricately patterned with complex embroidery, a silk ribbon tied around her waist to accentuate her slender figure, and a long train trailing behind her on the ground. She took dainty steps like a lotus, adorned with a golden hair-pendant and heavy gold earrings that made her look overwhelmingly regal and luxuriously magnificent.

Her appearance instantly brought a dazzling brilliance to the courtyard.

Dou Saiqi, Yun Shang, and the people from the Grand Court of Revision immediately rose and bowed to Yun Yao, saying, "Greetings, Consort Yun."

Maintaining a graceful and proper demeanor, Consort Yun slowly raised her head, parted her dainty red lips, and uttered two words: "Rise."

Yet, among all present, only Chi Nie remained seated.