All of them were very surprised, and at the same time faintly anxious. They couldn’t head out of the palace that easily. Once they head out, they must ensure that the task given by their master was completed. They could do things easily since Prince Qiyang wasn’t awake yet, and it would be too late once the god of war awakens.
The imperial physicians were helpless with Xie Xuanchen’s illness, they could not accurately predict when he would wake up. Xun, the imperial assistant was so anxious that her mouth even blistered, she could only instruct someone to add some ingredients that would induce sleep into his medicine, and speed up her questioning on Mu Mingtang.
Xun, the imperial assistant, decided to be cruel, and not deliver any meals to Mu Mingtang anymore. She thought to herself, Mu Mingtang was just a kid from the countryside, and that she was stupid and ignorant. Her being a Mama that was in charge of the Emperor Dowager’s palace, wouldn’t it just be a piece of cake for her to deal with this little girl? She knew that Mu Mingtang had been starving for one day and two nights. Only on the second night, she unlocked the gate.
The lights shined in the door, Mu Mingtang stretched out her hands to cover her eyes, then slowly adapted to the lights. Xun expected to see a person that was having a tough time and was at the verge of collapsing. However, when she pushed open the door, Mu Mingtang’s face was pale but she looked fine.
As if she just changed a bed and slept for two days. Otherwise, it didn’t affect her at all.
Xun, the imperial assistant was in disbelief, she intentionally talked ruthlessly to scare Mu Mingtang, she said: “The Emperor was informed about everything this morning, today is your last chance. If you confess the truth, the Emperor would forgive you because of your honesty. However, if you still insist on lying, no one can save you. According to the laws and regulations, anyone that disobeys the former emperor’s order would be killed immediately.”
Mu Mingtang remained still, she wasn’t swayed. If it was true that the Emperor had obtained evidence, she wouldn’t be talking nonsense here with her, she would have been drinking down the poisonous wine a long time ago. Yet, Xun still insisted on imprisoning her in this temple. As days passed, she naturally couldn’t stay calm anymore and became frustrated.
Hence, it could be seen that the Emperor was merely guessing. He needed evidence that could continue to lock up Xie Xuanchen. Xie Yi did actually instruct them to lock up Xie Xuanchen, and even said that without his order, no one could release him. However, that was just moments of angry words, after Xie Yi cooled down, he for sure wouldn’t treat his own son like this.
But who knew, Xie Yi died out of a sudden. The death was bizzare and abrupt, he even left an inexplicable imperial decree, which stated that the throne will not be passed to his son, but to his brother. After Xie Yi died, Xie Xuanchen’s chain had become an unsolvable case. Xie Rui continuously kept Xie Xuanchen in confinement with the excuse that the former emperor’s last will could not be changed, and through secretly feeding him medicines that made him fall into deep sleep everyday.
And finally one day, Xie Xuanchen would die in his sleep.
The entire royal family thought they could cover the truth at first. However, Mu Mingtang revealed it. Xie Xuanchen chain was unlocked, the Emperor would be criticised by the people if he locked him up again. They couldn’t just leave him like that either, hence, they changed their target and tried to get information from Mu Mingtang.
As long as Mu Mingtang said something, the Emperor could make up an accusation, and find a way to lock up Xie Xuanchen once again. But, Mu Mingtang didn’t grow up in the capital, nor was she one of those innocent and ignorant ladies. She remained silent and was determined to not answer anything no matter how they ask.
Thanks to the Emperor’s good son, Xie Xuanji, who invited Mu Mingtang to his wedding that day. Everyone in the wedding ceremony had seen Mu Mingtang, and it proved that she was not in the Qiyang Manor. What if someone else sneaked into the Qiyang Manor during that time period when Mu Mingtang was away from the manor, and unlocked the chain?
They couldn’t completely exclude this possibility. Anyway, Mu Mingtang would insist that she knew nothing about it, although it meant that she would starve to death. Yet, Mu Mingtang dared to believe the emperor wouldn’t do so.