CHAPTER 1646: CHAPTER 1653 WANYAN JINGCHEN’S PROMISE (5)

Cai Wei was a bit puzzled, "When you had discord with the Empress Dowager, Bai Zhi didn’t take action. But when I clashed with the Empress Dowager, she acted immediately. This shows she deliberately targeted me. But, she and I have no grievances, so why target me?"

In a flash of lightning, she thought of Zhao Yue’s death. At that time, various signs indicated that Zhao Yue was killed by Fei’er. Back then, Cai Wei couldn’t understand why the murderer framed her, as Fei’er was just a maiden detached from worldly affairs. Now, she finally figured it out; the murderer did so to create discord between her and Nangong Yi.

Zhao Yue was Nangong Yi’s younger sister, and Fei’er was her younger sister. They became mortal enemies, which would inevitably form a rift between her and Nangong Yi. Just like with Empress Dowager’s death, the murderer’s goal was never to kill the Empress Dowager but to seize the opportunity to frame her. As long as she was deemed Angry to Death by the Empress Dowager, men would naturally have rifts with her!

Nangong Yi also realized the murderer’s intentions and said coldly, "If I am not mistaken, surely it is that treacherous Ning Caichen who wants to kill the Empress Dowager to create a rift between us and then push his daughter on me!"

On the surface, the man’s speculation seemed somewhat reasonable. Ning Huaixiu had always wished to marry Nangong Yi but hadn’t succeeded. Ning Caichen, who adored his daughter deeply and coveted the honor of being a nation’s father-in-law, relied on his abilities to commit this treacherous act: killing the Empress Dowager and the Princess, creating discord between the Emperor and the Empress, and then pulling the Empress down to promote his daughter to power...

However, Cai Wei felt it wasn’t that simple. When she sent Ning Huaixiu out of the palace, Ning Huaixiu was evidently overjoyed and jubilant. She had probed her, and she seemed to have given up on the Emperor entirely. She shouldn’t have such thoughts anymore. So, either Nangong Yi’s judgment was wrong, or Ning Huaixiu concealed her true intentions well!

If Ning Huaixiu had hidden her intentions deeply, and Nangong Yi’s reasoning turned out to be correct, it would be fine. However, if it wasn’t as Nangong Yi speculated, then who was orchestrating all these behind the scenes? Why would they want to create discord between her and Nangong Yi? How did they have such great ability to extend their hand into the palace?

Cai Wei thought till her head hurt, yet she couldn’t figure out any clue.

Seeing her furrowed brows in deep thought, Nangong Yi, fearing she might overthink, advised, "Don’t think about it anymore. Once I leave, I’ll decree to intensify the interrogations and make Ning Caichen confess his intentions!"

Cai Wei said without hesitation, "What if it’s not Ning Caichen? Wouldn’t you be wronging him!"

The man paused for a moment, then said, "Even if it’s not him, by this offense against you alone, he deserves death. Therefore, even if it’s not him, I won’t spare him."

After a moment, Nangong Yi said, "Wei’er, are you suggesting that Ning Caichen might not be the mastermind?"

Cai Wei said, "I’m not sure if it’s him. I just feel that the possibility is not high, but I can’t rule it out either. Anyway, Ning Caichen has been detained. After a thorough interrogation, we should have a clue in a couple of days! If it’s him, it’s easy to deal with. If not, we have to continue our investigation!"

...

After Nangong Yi took a bath, the exhaustion and fatigue in his body were greatly relieved. Taking advantage of his break to coax the children, Cai Wei considerately cooked him a pot of thick millet porridge and boiled two wild chicken eggs. He had been hungry for two days, and his belly was empty, not suitable for greasy and rich foods. This natural fare was perfect for him.

Once the porridge was ready, Cai Wei served it, handing it to him. Nangong Yi ate with relish. After two days of hunger and an empty stomach, the rice-scented porridge and freshly boiled wild chicken eggs greatly comforted his belly, and his body felt significantly revitalized.