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Originally, Gu Chengfeng and Gu Jiao thought that if they caught the real assassin who tried to kill Tang Ming, they would be able to find out who was behind the fake Fei Shuang that day and clear the truth behind Gu Changqing's escape from prison.
Who would have thought that the other party was so cunning that he didn't make use of his own men, but let First Master Tang move his hand instead.
They would like to remind Tang Yueshan: Hey, your eldest brother is not only going to kill that vile spawn, but also conspiring with others to harm you.
But what position could they use to say it?
Gu Changqing's younger brother and sister, or the assassins who had been "executed" by the Empress Dowager?
Neither of these were identities that could be trusted by Tang Yueshan.
Such a thing must be said by someone Tang Yueshan believed in.
Tang Yueshan was quite a suspicious individual, which was evident from the fact that he even suspected First Madame Tang of trying to kill Tang Ming.
The next day, Eunuch Qin made a trip to the Supreme Commander Estate.
"Empress Dowager summons Lord Tang, may Lord Tang come into the palace with me immediately."
Tang Yueshan entered the palace with Eunuch Qin.
Being a male outsider, he wasn’t allowed into the imperial harem. Empress Dowager Zhuang met him in the side hall of the emperor’s audience hall.
Empress Dowager Zhuang sat on the phoenix chair made of huanghuali wood atop the steps, wearing a dark black embroidered phoenix robe with a calm and imposing look on her face.
Tang Yueshan knelt down and performed a grand salute, "This official greets the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager, a thousand times, a thousand years!"
"Rise." Empress Dowager Zhuang said.
"Thanking the Empress Dowager." Tang Yueshan stood up without glancing sideways.
"Give the guest a seat." Empress Dowager Zhuang instructed Eunuch Qin.
Eunuch Qin, with a junior eunuch, brought an official hat chair for Tang Yueshan and placed it in the center of the side hall, facing Empress Dowager.
The atmosphere was a bit weird sitting face to face with the Empress Dowager, but it was an honor after all, so Tang Yueshan was still quite happy about it.
Empress Dowager Zhuang said without a trace of anger, "You are a very important official to Aijia. Aijia trusts you, so I won't beat around the bush with you. Aijia summoned you here today to talk about Commandant Gu’s matter."
Hearing what was said, Tang Yueshan’s expression froze.
The incident involving Gu Changqing had become a very big deal, so much so that the palace should have already heard about it. Nevertheless, he didn't expect the Empress Dowager to ask about it.
Empress Dowager Zhuang cast a meaningful glance at Eunuch Qin.
Eunuch Qin, who got her message, went forward with a tray with a carved dagger on it, "Lord Tang, please have a look."
Tang Yueshan picked up the dagger and examined it. There was nothing special about the scabbard, but when he pulled out the blade, he saw a word engraved on the place where the handle and blade meet: Qing.
He vaguely guessed whose dagger it was, but he didn't understand why it was in Empress Dowager's hand. He frowned oddly, "This is…"
Empress Dowager Zhuang said with a straight face, "It was found on those two assassins after disposing of them last night."
Tang Yueshan replied, "Are they Gu Changqing's people? I knew it!" contemporary romance
Empress Dowager Zhuang said in a cold voice, "What a waste of years of marching and fighting in battle! You can't even see through such a clumsy frame-up?! If they were really Gu Changqing's people, would they commit crimes with Gu Changqing's stuff?"
Tang Yueshan felt choked.
If Gu Changqing himself went to assassinate Tang Ming, he still might accidentally drop something at the scene, but if someone else used his things to do evil, what else could it mean apart from framing him up?
Empress Dowager Zhuang continued, "No need to investigate, Aijia has already checked with the people at the Marquis Ding'an Estate. This is indeed Commandant Gu's dagger. Also, Aijia heard that last night, the torture chamber of the military camp had caught fire and almost burned Commandant Gu to death."
Tang Yueshan put the dagger back in the tray. Eunuch Qin stepped aside, taking the tray away.
Tang Yueshan replied, "Yes, but he hid in the Eighteen Arhats Array and was unscathed."
Empress Dowager Zhuang wore a cold yet elegant countenance, "Is a mere fire worth hiding in the array? As Aijia sees it, someone clearly wants to force him outside of the military camp."
"If that’s the case, why didn't he just capture the other party?" Tang Yueshan asked.
There was also a reason why he was so suspicious.
If Gu Changqing could beat the other party, then there was no need to hide.
But if Gu Changqing was no match for the other party, that meant the other party was also capable of breaking through the same level of the array, and still forced him out in the end.
Empress Dowager Zhuang said firmly, "What if the other party bit back and told you that he was there to save him and he was his accomplice? Would you believe him or the assassin?"
Naturally… He would believe the assassin.
Hatred had already blinded Tang Yueshan's vision. He wouldn’t believe any evidence favorable to Gu Changqing.
Tang Yueshan was choked to death.
Empress Dowager Zhuang sighed slowly, "Aijia knows that you really want to put Commandant Gu to death."
Tang Yueshan clenched his fists, "Doesn't he deserve to die? He hurt Ming’er!"
Empress Dowager Zhuang’s gaze turned cold and she slapped the table, "But your Ming’er has hurt others too!"
The powerful aura came overwhelmingly, and even a top expert like Tang Yueshan almost succumbed to Empress Dowager's fearsome phoenix might!
Tang Yueshan's aura became a little weaker, but he was still full of reluctance, "What does the Empress Dowager mean by this?"
"Bring it up!"
As soon as Empress Dowager Zhuang's voice fell, two powerful eunuchs came into the room with a disheveled-looking young man.
It took Tang Yueshan a long time to recognize the other party, "Aren't you... Aren't you Ming’er's personal servant? The one named... Deng Ge?"
Deng Ge plopped down on his knees, "Begging Empress Dowager to spare this lowly one’s life, begging my Lord to spare this lowly one’s life!”
Tang Yueshan asked calmly, "Where have you been these days? This commander has been looking for you everywhere!"
Deng Ge cried in fear, "This servant... This servant... this servant heard that Young Lord’s arm was cut off by Commandant Gu... so this servant ran away..."
Tang Yueshan frowned and said, "Why did you run away? It wasn’t you who hurt people!"
"This servant... this servant..." Deng Ge shivered all over and dared not say anything, "This servant... is afraid that Commandant Gu will also come find me for revenge..."
The more Tang Yueshan listened, the more confused he became. "What do you count as? Why would he seek revenge on you?"
Deng Ge hugged his head and curled up in fear, "It was this servant... this servant drugged Young Master Gu and brought him out of the carriage... but this servant only listened to Young Lord’s orders... It wasn’t this servant’s fault..."
Tang Yueshan grumpily said, "Drugged Young Master Gu? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Deng Ge weeped, "Young... Young Lord has taken Young Master Gu captive... and tried to do unspeakable deeds to Young Master Gu... but ...Commandant Gu arrived in time..."
Boom—
Tang Yueshan only felt a bolt of lightning striking his heart!
He froze in disbelief for a long time, then suddenly raised his foot and kicked Deng Ge away violently, "Scoundrel! Who told you to slander Ming’er!"
Empress Dowager Zhuang frowned.
Eunuch Qin said, "Lord Tang, don't be presumptuous in front of Empress Dowager!"
Clenching his fists, Tang Yueshan resisted the urge to walk over and stomp his brains out.
Empress Dowager Zhuang waved her hand.
Two junior eunuchs dragged Deng Ge away.
Tang Yueshan trembled and his eyes were red, "It’s not true... Ming’er won't... How could such an upright man... do such a nasty thing?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang didn't hold back from rolling her eyes. Soon, she coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "Do you know that that young master of the Marquis Ding'an Estate has a heart disease? After he was kidnapped and abused by Ming’er, he was stimulated and suffered a heart attack. He hasn't woken up yet! Your Ming’er just lost an arm, and you already want the assassin’s life. On the other hand, his younger brother is currently half dead, so how could he not want to kill Tang Ming?! Tang Yueshan, you are a man. If it were you, would you be able to swallow this hatred?!"
Tang Yueshan's heart received a severe blow, and his body stumbled.
The matter had progressed to this point, in fact, it was enough to exonerate Gu Changqing. However, this matter would always become a thorn in Tang Yueshan's heart.
He would be angry at Tang Ming, but he would still blame Gu Changqing in his heart.
Empress Dowager Zhuang pressed her eyebrows and added, "Do you know what else Aijia found in the assassin's clothes last night?"
"What is it?" Tang Yueshan asked in a daze.
Obviously, the blow was so great that he no longer had much interest in the assassins.
Empress Dowager Zhuang took out the medicine powder that Gu Jiao had prepared in advance, and said with a straight face, "Aijia has discovered a drug that can disturb people's minds and make people do things that go against their normal actions. Aijia believes that Ming’er may have been set up."
Tang Yueshan jerked his head up!
When it came to duping people, Empress Dowager was a professional.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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