Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 292: Capturing the Guards Near Changchun Palace

Shen Zhinian said, "When I first discovered this, I was afraid that the treasures in the palace would be stolen, but Concubine Liang was kept in the dark by her subordinates, so I asked people to pay attention to the things they took out of the palace. Seeing that they were all handicrafts, I didn't pay any more attention to it."

"After so many things happened today, I just vaguely remembered... I seemed to have heard Xiao Mingzi say before that there were a few very good silk threads among those handicrafts. He specifically asked about it and it turned out that they were the work of a palace maid named Dong in the imperial kitchen."

"The unique shape of the silk net left a deep impression on Xiao Mingzi. Later, he saw it on... the body of the guards who were responsible for guarding Changchun Palace..."

As soon as Shen Zhinian finished speaking, Xiao Mingzi stepped forward and knelt on the ground: "This servant also suddenly remembered this matter. It is of great importance. I dare not fail to report it to Concubine Rou."

"If I have said anything wrong, please forgive me, Your Majesty and Concubine Liang!"

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on Concubine Liang!

Originally, guards were not allowed to enter the harem.

But during the reign of your majesty's grandfather, during the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, a group of extremely powerful assassins sneaked into the harem. Since the guards were all on duty outside the Qianqing Gate, by the time they arrived at the harem, many concubines and heirs had already died at the hands of the assassins.

Since then, the palace has changed its rules.

Guards patrol outside each palace regularly, but they are not allowed to enter the places where concubines live.

When Jiang Wange saw this rule in the book, she understood it immediately.

Each palace in the harem is equivalent to a residential area, and the concubines are equivalent to the owners living in it. The guards are security guards who can patrol outside the residential area but cannot enter the owner's house without reason.

Although these guards are nominally under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guards, there is one thing that everyone in the palace knows tacitly.

The guards responsible for protecting a palace usually have a close relationship with the master of that palace, and may even be his confidants.

Concubine Liu looked at Concubine Liang coldly: "So the lover of that slave girl Dong Yan is not Xiao Weizi at all, but a guard near Changchun Palace?!"

Concubine Liang was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said aggrievedly: "My Lady, I do know that the eunuchs who go out of the palace to buy goods will occasionally help the palace maids bring embroidery and other items out to sell."

"But just like what Sister Roupin said, it's not easy for palace maids to survive. Besides, if the water is too clear, there will be no fish, so I usually don't pursue some things."

"It's completely nonsense to say that Dongyan has a connection with the guards patrolling near Changchun Palace!"

The image of Concubine Liang as a good person is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and many palace concubines spoke up for her: "I also think that there must be a misunderstanding in this matter!"

Nangong Xuanyu looked at Concubine Liang, his eyes as deep as the sea: "Investigate!"

"Yes!"

The people from the Ministry of Punishment had already found out that Dong Yan was good at sewing. It was just that it was very common for palace maids to make handicrafts and sell them in the harem. Following this line, they did not find anything, so they gave up.

Now that there was a new clue, Su Quanye immediately took people to check the guards patrolling near Changchun Palace!

Shen Zhinian lowered his head, the corners of his lips slightly raised.

Once something is done, it will definitely leave traces. She believed that she didn't need to mention Zhang Yuanqing's name deliberately, because the people from the Ministry of Punishment would go to Changchun Palace to investigate and they would definitely be able to find him.

Even if she can't find it...she still has a trick up her sleeve!

Concubine Liang sat upright on the chair the whole time, looking calm, as if she had done nothing wrong and was not afraid of ghosts knocking on her door.

Even Shen Zhinian couldn't find any clues from her face.

After a long time, Su Quanye finally came back. After paying his respects, he said, "Your Majesty, what Concubine Rou said is true. There is a guard named Zhang Yuanqing near Changchun Palace. I found a silk thread in his residence. The maid who is familiar with Dongyan identified it and it was indeed from Dongyan's hand."

Concubine Liang frowned slightly.

Jiang Wange looked at her in surprise.

As expected of someone who could become the queen in the book, could it be that the real culprit behind the scenes was Concubine Liang? This series of plots was too terrifying!

Concubine Liu glared at Concubine Liang: "We've caught you red-handed, what else do you have to say now?!"

"I used to think you were such a good person!"

Even at this point, Concubine Liang remained calm, looking at the emperor and said slowly: "I have served Your Majesty for many years. I believe that no one knows what kind of person I am better than Your Majesty."

"I don't know Dongyan and have never ordered her to do anything. Even if there is something going on between her and Zhang Yuanqing, it doesn't mean that these things have anything to do with me."

Xuepin had been watching the show till now, with a hint of sneer in her eyes.

This is where Concubine Liang’s brilliance lies.

If she kept defending herself and shouting that she was innocent, she would be considered suspicious. But when she spoke softly, she gave people a sense of openness.

Xuepin was too lazy to get involved in these matters, and even if she had some opinions in her mind, she never said a word.

In the past, the emperor would have believed in Concubine Liang's character. But after the rumors spread by Meng Shuren, his trust in Concubine Liang was no longer as strong as before.

But this does not mean that Nangong Xuanyu will convict Concubine Liang just because of a few words: "Bring Zhang Yuanqing up."

"Yes!"

Although the guards of the palace were all from prominent families, the truly noble sons of noble families served His Majesty in person. In comparison, the ordinary guards patrolling around did not have such prominent family backgrounds.

When Zhang Yuanqing came in, his face was a little pale and he knelt down to salute, trembling.

Su Quanye threw the silk net she had found in his residence at his feet: "Zhang Yuanqing, please explain what this is!"

Seeing the necklace, Zhang Yuanqing's face turned even paler: "I... this is the necklace I bought on the street. Is there any problem..."

Concubine Liu was furious and scolded, "You are about to die, and you still don't tell the truth!"

"Everyone knows what you did with Dong Yan. You still refuse to admit it. Do you want His Majesty to confiscate your property and exterminate your clan?!"

Concubine Liu had been in power for a long time, and her aura was beyond the reach of a small guard. In addition, Zhang Yuanqing was already very frightened, and his psychological defenses were almost broken!

He hurriedly looked at Concubine Liang, then he didn't know what he thought of, and kept shaking his head: "I don't know... I don't know anything..."

"I don't know who Dong Yan is. I beg Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to understand!"

The emperor said coldly: "Su Quanye!"

"Slave, you obey!"

The punishment of the Ministry of Punishment is no joke. It depends on whether Zhang Yuanqing is tough in words or their torture instruments are hard enough!

Zhang Yuanqing subconsciously looked at Concubine Liang, as if he wanted to ask for help, but in the end he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.

At this point, many people's eyes on Concubine Liang changed.