Regarding the job of keeping secrets...
Bai Junjun blinked her eyes and decided to irresponsibly agree for now and discuss it later.
When Yuwen Luanfei saw Bai Junjun nod, she immediately opened the floodgates of conversation.
"Consort Baoxian was a woman brought back by the Emperor during his tour, possessing the reputation of being the most beautiful woman in the world. Her entry into the palace coincided with the conception of my ninth brother, creating quite a sensation for a time.
However, Consort Baoxian prematurely gave birth to my ninth brother, and at the same time, rumors leaked—that my ninth brother was not the Emperor’s son.
Of course, later investigations proved this to be false, and the rumors turned out to be spread by a petty concubine who was jealous of Consort Baoxian. Despite the clarification, both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor developed a sense of misgiving towards my ninth brother."
Bai Junjun hadn’t expected that there were such secret histories within the Imperial Palace.
"That’s all ancient history now. The Emperor ordered a gag order back then. Those involved are mostly gone, and people are deeply taboo about it, so much so that perhaps no one even remembers anymore.
Moreover, the Imperial Grandmother and my ninth brother didn’t even see each other yesterday, so, although they are not close, they wouldn’t become enemies over it. It’s impossible that this deed was done by my ninth brother."
Bai Junjun didn’t speak.
Yuwen Luanfei and Yuwen Jun were ultimately different, one had always lived in luxury, while the other faced neglect everywhere.
Never use the sunshine to measure the darkness; the revealed truth might be too much for some to accept.
And Yuwen Jun had a body double. If he used the double in his room while he himself secretly slipped out to commit murder, it wasn’t impossible, after all, in ancient times there were no cameras. As long as he could deceive the watchers, he could do whatever he wanted.
Seeing Bai Junjun’s grave expression, Yuwen Luanfei couldn’t help feeling uneasy, "Could it really be related to my ninth brother?"
Bai Junjun came to her senses and shook her head, "I don’t know, let’s wait for the coroner or the Imperial Physician to examine and see."
Even if it was Yuwen Jun, without evidence, you can’t just arrest someone—and he also had an alibi.
Furthermore, before, didn’t they say that Yuwen Jun’s mother was forced into a burial sacrifice? If it’s said that Consort Baoxian wasn’t voluntary but was forced, then Yuwen Jun’s actions are entirely an act of filial vengeance.
Childhood abuse plus filial vengeance...
Bai Junjun suddenly understood Yuwen Jun’s motive for his crimes.
Life for a life is the natural order of justice, it seems... there’s nothing wrong with that.
Bai Junjun touched her nose, not planning to get involved in this vengeance drama.
However, as the temporarily hired security by Yuwen Luanfei, she still kindly reminded him.
"Your Highness could seize the lead on the Corpse-Dissolving Liquid. Lock down the city and search—anyone with Corpse-Dissolving Liquid could be a suspect."
After all, having given the hint, what followed was up to the individuals’ fate.
Yuwen Luanfei was taken aback, then nodded, "That, that makes sense."
But after a while, he deflated again, "The Empress Dowager’s death is tragic enough without a complete body. If we stir up a search in the city, it’s feared it would only cause public panic."
The Royal Family had already lost the people’s favor with their internal divisions over the past few years. If news of the Empress Dowager’s body being lost spread, the last vestiges of The Celestial Family’s dignity would be gone. What should be done?
Should the affair be gently glossed over to preserve the last vestiges of Royal Family’s dignity, or should the murderer be pursued to the end to give the Empress Dowager her due...
For a moment, Yuwen Luanfei found himself in a dilemma.
"The decision is up to you."
Finding the conversation sufficiently advanced, Bai Junjun stood up to take her leave, and Wenren Pingting, as the hostess, personally saw her out.
At this time, in the courtyard of the Prince’s Mansion, the wives and concubines of Yuwen Luanfei stood, all appearing terrified and uneasy.