Chapter 161: Now Comes the Main Course

"Then, whose corpse is that?" The official from the Court of Judicial Review looked somewhat bewildered, unable to process the situation.

Yun Zui frowned and walked over to the corpse. Reaching out, she lifted the veil covering the dead woman's face. It was indeed the maid who had been meant to die in her stead!

It appeared she had died of poisoning?

Yet, why would someone from the Prime Minister's Estate end up in the Prince Nie's Manor? Furthermore, having exchanged clothes with her, the maid must have entered the manor under her identity. As for the expressions of shock and horror they had worn earlier, they must have mistaken this corpse for her, Yun Zui! And seeing her appear alive and well just now, they had assumed it was a ghost sighting?

Yun Zui's mind was exceptionally sharp; in a fraction of a second, she grasped the whole picture.

Besides, with Dou Saiqi, Yun Yao, and Yun Shang all present, this matter was undoubtedly tied to them!

This was a play—a rather spectacular and farcical performance.

Yun Zui's gaze shifted to Chi Nie. She arched an eyebrow slightly and asked, "Prince Nie, I don't quite understand this play. Care to explain it to me?"

The icy look in Chi Nie's eyes instantly softened the moment they landed on Yun Zui. The corners of his lips curved upward in a genuine, unfeigned smile. With a tone carrying a hint of indulgence, he replied, "The play is not over yet. I think if you keep watching, you will understand."

Meanwhile, the complexions of Dou Saiqi, Yun Shang, and Yun Yao had already turned pale.

It seemed that everything was under Chi Nie's control!

Their plot had been exposed long ago!

Yet they had thought everything was proceeding swimmingly, continuing to act like fools and playing the part of clowns!

They had lost right from the start!

Moreover, after Yun Zui lifted the veil, that face clearly belonged to the maid who had delivered her meals!

It seemed that maid had been manipulated by Chi Nie all along!

A single chess piece of theirs had defected, causing their entire game to collapse in total defeat!

"Hmm." Yun Zui nodded, still looking somewhat lazy and indifferent.

Subduing those beggars earlier had cost her quite a bit of energy, and after reviewing numerous account books, her eyes felt a bit strained.

Seeing that Yun Zui's interest was not particularly deep, Chi Nie instructed a servant, "Bring a chair."

Everyone present was startled upon hearing this. The officials from the Court of Judicial Review, along with Yun Shang the General's Wife, the Prime Minister's Wife, and Yun Consort—the emperor's favorite in the imperial palace—had none of them been offered a seat, yet Yun Zui was granted such special treatment. This clearly showed how deeply Chi Nie favored and doted on her!

Yun Zui, however, felt nothing of it and sat down quite casually, showing no trace of being overwhelmed by the favor.

Once seated, she noticed the terribly pale complexions of the three women from the Yun family. She couldn't help raising an eyebrow and said, "Since I'm already here, the show shouldn't just stop. Go on! I'm still waiting to watch!"

"I would like to ask you, did the Dowager Consort dine with these three women today?" Chi Nie posed the question to Yun Zui, though his eyes remained fixed on Dou Saiqi, Yun Yao, and Yun Shang.

Yun Zui's gaze flickered slightly, and she stated without the slightest reservation, "I have bad blood with them. If we dined together, wouldn't we end up overturning the table?"

The smile on Chi Nie's lips deepened. This damned woman certainly had an amusing way of speaking.

The faces of the three women turned even paler.

"Very well, let me ask you another question: did your resurrection have any time limit? If so, did you ever mention it to these three?" Chi Nie continued.

Yun Zui pressed her lips together and answered with utter confusion, "A time limit? I can only say my life has a certain span! A time limit of just a few hours? That would be far too short! I despise them to the core, so why on earth would I talk to them about some incomprehensible nonsense like a time limit?!"

The complexions of the three women could now rival a sheet of blank white paper.

They finally understood completely. They had been utterly and thoroughly played by this black-bellied, demonic, and wicked Prince Nie! This time, it seemed they had no escape from disaster!

Meanwhile, the officials from the Court of Judicial Review perked up. No wonder Chi Nie had asked such seemingly insignificant questions earlier—it turned out he was laying the groundwork!

Now, the main act was finally beginning!