Chapter 159: Evisceration

Chi Nie possessed a most extraordinary status; even if the Emperor himself were to arrive, he could remain seated without moving, let alone a mere imperial concubine.

"I wonder what brings Consort Yun here?" Chi Nie set down his teacup and asked indifferently.

Maintaining her poise and showing no signs of displeasure at Chi Nie's cold reception, Yun瑶 replied, "A maidservant of the Dowager Consort from the Prime Minister's Manor came to report that the Dowager Consort seemed to be unwell. At first, I was merely concerned, but since both the Prime Minister's wife and the General's wife had hurried over, I decided to wait at the Prime Minister's Manor. However, after waiting for a long time without seeing them return, my heart grew increasingly anxious, so I came to take a look."

Yun瑶 spoke at a measured, unhurried pace, her red lips parting slightly, rarely showing her teeth. She possessed a graceful, aristocratic demeanor—truly befitting someone who had entered the imperial palace.

"It is admirable that you care so deeply for the Dowager Consort. Moreover, having stayed at the Prime Minister's Manor for merely two days, you have already grown close enough to her maidservant to visit. It is clear that you are on very intimate terms with the Dowager Consort. I wonder if you have ever heard the Dowager Consort mention anything about a time limit?"

Chi Nie steered the conversation back to this point, as if setting a trap for someone to walk right into.

Yun瑶 was momentarily stunned. She had never heard of any time limit, but when her gaze swept over Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang and saw them nodding secretly, she understood that she should claim she knew.

Although none of them had discussed any time limit while staying at the Prime Minister's Manor, since Dou Saiqi and Yun Shang had both claimed to know of it, she naturally had to help cover the lie.

"Yes, I am aware of these matters as well." As she spoke, Yun瑶 acted as if she had only just noticed the corpse lying on the ground, instantly feigning a look of shock as she asked, "That is..."

A clear note of uncertainty could be heard in her voice.

Seeing Yun瑶's reaction, a cold sneer appeared at the corner of Chi Nie's mouth. He then looked toward the corpse on the ground and said, "That is the Dowager Consort."

Looking as though she had been struck by lightning and found it utterly unacceptable, Yun瑶 trembled and asked, "The Dowager Consort... what happened to her?"

Chi Nie's gaze grew even colder as he answered with great patience, "She was poisoned to death!"

Acting as if she were only just learning of this, Yun瑶 widened her eyes in disbelief, then retreated several steps with practiced skill, wearing the expression of someone shattered by news too heavy to bear.

"How could this be... The Dowager Consort, she was dining with us today... and none of us fell ill!"

As those words fell from Yun瑶's lips, the chill in Chi Nie's eyes deepened into frost.

Curving his lips, he said coldly, "It seems those dining with the Dowager Consort included yourself, the Prime Minister's wife, and the General's wife. I wonder if there was anyone else?"

Startled, Yun瑶 glanced at Yun Shang and Dou Saiqi. Seeing no trace of anxiety on their faces, her heart immediately settled. It seemed everything was flawless and proceeding smoothly. Therefore, she answered immediately, "There were only the four of us with the Dowager Consort; there was no fifth person."

She deliberately omitted Yun Xi, Yun Mo, and Yun Qi because she feared their simple minds and loose tongues might slip up later, so she decided to leave them out entirely.

Yet she could never have imagined that this split-second hesitation would alter the final outcome.

"Since Consort Yun is giving her guarantee, it seems this Prince has no choice but to believe it?" Chi Nie's phoenix eyes grew profound, flashing with a bloodthirsty light.

Everyone had fallen into his trap. It was time for him to openly and righteously punish those vicious women who had bullied Yun Zui!

"Heh, it is my great honor to earn the trust of Prince Nie." Consort Yun replied without a trace of servility or arrogance.

Ceasing all idle talk with Yun瑶, Chi Nie commanded a subordinate, "Consort Yun guarantees that the Dowager Consort dined with the Prime Minister's wife and the General's wife this morning. Therefore, to verify whether the Dowager Consort was poisoned by something she ate, slice open the Dowager Consort's stomach for this Prince! I want to see with my own eyes what food the Dowager Consort consumed!"