Demoted from wife to concubine? Reborn, the mistress of a noble family plots another high-status mar

Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Upon seeing the maid lying in a pool of blood, the princess's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly knelt down, saying, "A traitor has infiltrated the princess's residence, causing the emperor's assassination attempt. I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

“This is not my elder sister’s fault.” Murong Yu stepped forward to help the eldest princess up.

The eldest princess stood up and said, "Then what exactly happened? When did my brother arrive at my residence? Why didn't he tell me beforehand?"

Eunuch Fu hurried over from behind, his forehead covered in sweat, "Your Majesty..."

Catching his breath, he immediately said, "Your Highness, His Majesty wanted to give you a surprise, so he came in through the back door. These are gifts that His Majesty selected and specially sent to your husband."

A dozen or so eunuchs were carrying things in their hands, all of them exquisite and luxurious jewelry, fine silks, jade bracelets, etc., which seemed more like gifts for the princess than for the prince consort.

Murong Yu glanced at the dead maid and glared coldly at Liu Muyuan. "As for this maid, you'll have to ask the Prince Consort. I just arrived at the rockery when I heard her say that she was ordered by the Prince Consort to take Miss Yun's life."

"I would like to ask, why did the Prince Consort send someone to kill her?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess was shocked and turned to look at her consort, "Mu Yuan, did you give the order?"

Liu Muyuan's face turned pale with panic, but he quickly calmed down and stepped forward, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. "Your Majesty, this is pure slander. Why would I kill Miss Yun when I have no grudge against her? Moreover, this person is in the Princess's residence, and it is very suspicious that he would so openly attempt to assassinate Miss Yun."

"It's a pity that she's dead, and there's no way to verify it... If Your Majesty believes that I was the one who tried to assassinate Miss Yun, then I have nothing to say."

Murong Yu sneered, "It's a pity that the prince consort's mouth isn't that of an imperial censor."

“Those who become imperial sons-in-law are not allowed to serve as officials in the court. My family has been merchants for generations. I have no talent to be an official and cannot share the Emperor’s burdens. I am terrified!” Liu Muyuan said solemnly as he kowtowed.

The eldest princess felt sorry for her husband, "Royal brother, this must be a misunderstanding. Someone is trying to harm Mu Yuan and me."

"Mu Yuan is right, the maid is dead, so there's no way to verify anything!"

Murong Yu snorted, "So you mean I, as a witness, am slandering you?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was so frightened that they all knelt down and begged the Emperor to calm down.

"emperor."

Yun Xiyue stepped forward and said, "The maid's behavior is suspicious and audacious. Using the consort to assassinate me is indeed highly suspicious. Perhaps someone is really slandering Consort Liu, or perhaps it is not aimed at me, but someone knows the emperor's whereabouts and takes the opportunity to sneak into the princess's residence to assassinate the emperor. It would be better to hand it over to the Dali Temple and the Jingzhao Prefecture for a thorough investigation."

Murong Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. "That makes sense. Granted."

"The Princess's residence and the entire Liu family must cooperate with the investigation."

The eldest princess and Liu Muyuan's expressions changed slightly at the same time.

The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Zhou Yan and Pei Heng, the two junior officials, also stepped forward, saying, "Your subject receives the decree!"

"The banquet continues."

If the princess's residence wasn't feeling guilty, they would have to continue the banquet.

Murong Yu glanced back at Yun Xiyue, "Miss Yun, please follow my lead."

Yun Xiyue frowned slightly. "Yes."

Countless eyes were fixed on him from behind.

It felt like I was sitting on pins and needles.

The banquet continued as scheduled.

It wasn't until Murong Yu got up and said he wanted to return to the palace that things continued.

Yun Xiyue was invited to board the Emperor's carriage.

"Tell me! Why did Liu Muyuan want to kill you?" Murong Yu, slightly drunk from drinking, leaned back on the cushions and closed his eyes to rest. His eyes looked as if they were tinted with rouge, making them exceptionally bright.

Yun Xiyue had been thinking for a long time about whether or not to tell him.

"Because I know the secret of Prince Consort Liu."

"What secret?"

Yun Xiyue said, "I caught the Prince Consort Liu cheating on me."

Murong Yu suddenly opened his eyes. "Who is that woman?"

"The second young mistress of the Pei family is pregnant. The father of the child is still unknown, but judging from the expression on the second young mistress's face today, it is the son-in-law of Prince Consort Liu."

Murong Yu's face instantly turned ashen and ugly.

Pei Jia was his maternal grandfather.

Pei Heng is his cousin.

The eldest princess was his own sister.

The Xu and Liu families are incredibly audacious!

"How could you know such a secret thing?"

Yun Xiyue truthfully recounted what happened that day.