Chapter 294 - 294 Murder

294 Murder

Empress Dowager Deng was clearly suspecting Yu Niaoniao.

Almost everyone felt that Yu Niaoniao was doomed but Yu Niaoniao was still very calm.

“That’s right. I also think that the incident of the poisonous snake is strange, so I suggest investigating thoroughly. We have to investigate everyone who had come into contact with the sedan chair.

“We also have to investigate the people who had entered and left the palace these few days. If we can’t get to the bottom of this matter, how can the Emperor and you sleep peacefully?”

Empress Dowager Deng could not help but ask, “If that’s the case, you’ll have to be questioned too. Aren’t you afraid?”

Yu Niaoniao said righteously, “As long as I can ensure your and His Majesty’s safety, I’m willing to do anything! In any case, I’m upright and not afraid of being investigated!”

Empress Dowager Deng was speechless. She really did not expect Yu Niaoniao to say such words.

Even Empress Wen looked at Yu Niaoniao twice, as if she was surprised by her response.

Noble Consort Shu secretly clutched the silk handkerchief, feeling very nervous. If Empress Dowager Deng really wanted to investigate thoroughly, she might be the one to take the blame.

At that time, her tricks would be exposed.

Empress Dowager Deng looked thoughtful as if she was thinking about whether Yu Niaoniao’s suggestion was feasible.

Noble Consort Shu was afraid that Empress Dowager Deng would agree to a thorough investigation, so she hurriedly spoke, “Today is the first day of the new year. There are many people in the palace. It’s really not easy to investigate. Besides, it would be inauspicious if word got out that something like this had happened on the first day of the new year.”

“In my opinion, why don’t we turn a big matter into a small one?”

Empress Dowager Deng had lived in the harem for most of her life. She had experienced far more schemes and plots than Noble Consort Shu.

Noble Consort Shu’s words sounded fine at first glance, but Empress Dowager Deng immediately sensed her nervousness.

Coupled with what she had just said and Yu Niaoniao’s reaction, Empress Dowager Deng quickly guessed the general situation.

She let go of Noble Consort Shu’s hand. “You’re right. Since the poisonous snake didn’t hurt anyone, let’s forget about this matter. I don’t want to make everyone unhappy on the first day of the new year over such a small matter.”

Noble Consort Shu keenly noticed the change in Empress Dowager Deng’s mood. She felt a little uneasy, but she did not say anything, afraid that she would say too much and make too many mistakes.

Empress Dowager Deng looked at Yu Niaoniao again. This time, her gaze became much kinder.

“You’re a good child. It’s his blessing that Mo Zhu married you.”

Yu Niaoniao said obediently, “Your Highness, you flatter me.”

Empress Dowager Deng said warmly.

“Your hand has just caught a poisonous snake. It’s indeed not clean. What if you get poisoned? This is no joke. Someone, bring the Princess Consort of Lang County down to change her clothes and wash up.”

Yu Niaoniao could only stand up to thank her and leave the main hall with a palace maid.

As soon as they left, Princess Tao Ran slipped out.

In any case, Princess Tao Ran usually did not receive much attention. Now that everyone was focused on Empress Dowager Deng, not many people would pay attention to her whereabouts.

However, Noble Consort Shu had been secretly paying attention to Princess Tao Ran. She saw Princess Tao Ran follow Yu Niaoniao out and her red lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile.

She would let the two women fight it out. She just needed to sit back and reap the benefits.

… .

Yu Niaoniao followed the palace maid for a while.

At first, Yu Niaoniao did not think anything of it, but later on, when she realized that they were walking further and further away, she could not help but be vigilant.

She deliberately slowed down. “Where are we going?”

The palace maid walked in front and turned around to look at her.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. We’ll be there soon.”

Yu Niaoniao looked forward. It was a deep path to the bamboo forest. It was very quiet. Other than them, there was no one else.

Her intuition told her that there was definitely a hidden danger ahead. She stopped, refusing to go any further.

“We’ve walked so far and still haven’t arrived. Did you lead us the wrong way?”

Seeing this, the palace maid also stopped.

As she stared at Yu Niaoniao coldly, her tone was filled with threat.

“I advise you to walk forward obediently. Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit.”

Yu Niaoniao stepped back. “Who the hell are you? What do you want to do to me?”

She lowered her hands and quietly pressed the small crossbow hidden in her wide sleeve with her right hand.

This small crossbow was specially made for her by Xiao Juan to protect herself. She had always carried it with her. She did not expect it to really come in handy today.

There were only three small arrows in the small crossbow. They could not be used recklessly.

Yu Niaoniao held her breath and stared at the palace maid’s every move, secretly looking for a suitable opportunity to attack.

The palace maid clearly felt that victory was in her grasp. She could not be bothered to pretend anymore and smiled sinisterly.

“I’m a reaper sent by the King of Hell to take your life!”

With that, she took out a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed it straight at Yu Niaoniao!

Yu Niaoniao dodged sideways. At the same time, she took this opportunity to raise her right hand and press the expansion button.

Whoosh!

The small crossbow shot an arrow and hit the palace maid’s heart! The palace maid screamed in pain as blood flowed out of her wound. She stumbled and fell to the ground.

Yu Niaoniao immediately turned around and prepared to return the way she had come.

Unexpectedly, she had just run two steps when she bumped into Princess Tao Ran, who was following her.

Princess Tao Ran originally wanted to find an opportunity to attack Yu Niaoniao, but she happened to see Yu Niaoniao shoot the palace maid.

She immediately shouted, “Help! The Princess Consort of Lang County has killed someone!”

Yu Niaoniao retorted, “She attacked first. I was just protecting myself!”

However, Princess Tao Ran did not listen to her explanation at all. She only kept shouting that the Princess Consort of Lang County had killed someone. It seemed that she was determined to pin the crime of murder on Yu Niaoniao.

Now that there were witnesses and evidence, it was difficult for Yu Niaoniao to clear her name.

Yu Niaoniao cursed her bad luck. She turned around and ran, planning to find Xiao Juan.

Xiao Juan was very familiar with the palace. He should know what to do to escape.

Seeing that she was about to run, Princess Tao Ran chased after her.

“Stop! You’ve killed someone. Don’t even think about escaping!”

Yu Niaoniao did not turn around and increased her speed.

As she turned a corner, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, grabbed her arm, and pulled.

Caught off guard, she was pulled into a room.

The door was quickly closed.

Yu Niaoniao raised the small crossbow and aimed it at the person beside her, ready to attack at any moment.

“Don’t shoot. It’s me.”

When Yu Niaoniao heard this familiar voice, her eyes widened.

Under the faint light, she could see the man’s face clearly. It was Shen Junzhi, whom she had not seen for a long time!

Yu Niaoniao was about to ask why he was there when Shen Junzhi covered her mouth and gestured for her to keep quiet.

There were hurried footsteps outside the door.

At the same time, there was Princess Tao Ran’s shout.

“Help! The Princess Consort of Lang County has killed someone!”