"That is not what I meant. Then why was there a maid outside just now shouting that this Palace committed murder?"
Li Xuanyue had no intention of letting the matter drop so easily.
"Guards, drag that maid who was screaming outside the hall right into this Palace."
Having prepared well in advance, how could Li Xuanyue let Li Qinghe's people escape so easily among all the maids and guards?
From the moment the other party shouted out, her hidden guards had already locked their eyes on her.
Therefore, the moment Li Xuanyue gave the order, the personnel she dispatched grabbed the maid who had just attempted to confuse the situation and escape outside the hall.
Not only that, even the maid who had risked her life to speak up before Li Feng was brought in by Li Xuanyue's people.
Li Qinghe frowned slightly.
Clearly, she was dissatisfied with this turn of events.
However, under Li Feng's coercive suppression, she found it difficult to act out and could only force herself to endure it.
"Speak, who ordered you to do this?"
It was precisely because she saw this that Li Xuanyue dared to question them so uninhibitedly.
Since Li Qinghe liked to put on a sensible and obedient act in front of Her Imperial Majesty, how could she let her down?
The two maids knelt on the ground, trembling and pale-faced, their eyes dodging slightly when they looked at Li Qinghe.
How could Li Qinghe let them speak? She took the initiative to step forward and said, "Elder Sister, these two maids must have been too worried about you, which led to a misunderstanding. Why not send them to the laundry room as a minor punishment to deter others?"
After all, they were her people; as a Princess, if she did not step forward to rescue them, there was no telling what nonsense they might blurt out next.
How could Li Xuanyue not guess Li Qinghe's little schemes?
Would she ever agree to such a thing?
"Hmph! To slander and frame this Palace—it would not be going too far even if this Palace sentenced them to death."
Li Xuanyue said sternly, "When did Younger Sister become so soft-hearted? Or could it be that all of this was arranged by Younger Sister in the first place?"
Li Qinghe was startled inwardly and hurriedly dropped to her knees. "Qinghe would not dare. I beg Imperial Mother to investigate clearly."
Li Qinghe could not understand why Li Xuanyue, who had always been straightforward and easygoing, would suddenly suspect her of this matter today.
Could it be that she had discovered something?
Cold sweat broke out along Li Qinghe's spine.
Yet upon careful reflection, she still felt it was unlikely.
Every single thing she did and every step she took was done with extreme caution.
It was impossible for Li Xuanyue to have found out.
Yet since nothing was discovered, why would she think this matter was her doing?
Could someone have betrayed her?
The more she thought about it, the more Li Qinghe felt this possibility was very high.
She cast her gaze straight at the two maids before her.
"Guards, drag these two death-defying wretches down and beat them to death with clubs."
Li Feng commanded loudly, "Second Princess Li Qinghe harbors impure motives; she is hereby ordered to confine herself in Chaoren Hall for three months to reflect on her actions."
"Imperial Mother!"
Li Qinghe raised her head, her face ashen as she looked at Li Feng.
She could not understand why she was being so partial.
Clearly, there was not a shred of evidence to prove that she had done this.
Yet she was still punishing her publicly in front of everyone.
Did this daughter truly mean so little in her heart?
Naturally, Li Feng heard Li Qinghe's cries.
Yet she had no intention of paying them any mind, turning her gaze instead toward Li Xuanyue.
"Very well, since the matter is settled, you and your Imperial Consorts should get some proper rest and stop making a fuss. I am going to your Imperial Father Consort's quarters now so he doesn't worry."
Li Xuanyue lowered her head respectfully. "This daughter respectfully sees off Imperial Mother."
At this moment, feeling deeply humiliated under the gazes of everyone present, Li Qinghe harbored a surging hatred in her heart, wishing she could tear apart everyone who had witnessed her punishment today. Yet, to maintain her image of sisterly affection in front of Li Xuanyue, she ultimately curled her fingertips and forced herself to endure it.
"Elder Sister, I am sorry. This whole matter is Younger Sister's fault."
After a long while, she finally spoke to Li Xuanyue with an apologetic look.
"It is all the fault of those two maids for shouting and screaming randomly outside the hall. Younger Sister was simply too worried about you, which is why I... sent someone to inform Imperial Mother."
"You won't blame Younger Sister, will you?"
In truth, ever since Li Qinghe arranged all of this and sent someone to notify Li Feng, she had prepared herself to pull Li Xuanyue down from the position of First Princess.
Yet now... all her plans had fallen through.
Instead, she had aroused Li Xuanyue's suspicion.
It would be a lie to say Li Qinghe did not regret it.
Had she known, she would not have shown her face personally; sending someone secretly would have yielded the same result.
"It's fine."
Li Xuanyue acted as carefree as ever, waving her hand as she said, "This wasn't your fault anyway. You and I are own sisters; it's all the fault of those two maids for making such a fuss over nothing."
Hearing Li Xuanyue's mindless words, the heart that Li Qinghe had been suspending in mid-air finally settled completely.
She had not expected this elder sister of hers to remain as foolish as she had always been.
The corners of her lips curved into an imperceptible smile.
"It is best that Elder Sister can see it this way."
Having suffered such a heavy secret blow, Li Qinghe no longer had the mood to linger here any longer.
"Then Younger Sister will not stay here to disturb the rest of you and the five Imperial Consorts; I shall take my leave first."
Watching Li Qinghe depart, Fenghe Hall was instantly left with only Li Xuanyue and her five Imperial Consorts.
They exchanged glances with one another.
Then, they simultaneously cast their gazes upon Li Xuanyue.
"This Palace knows what you want to ask."
Facing the inquiring gazes of the five Imperial Consorts, Li Xuanyue naturally could not pretend she had seen nothing.
She smoothed her sleeves slightly and then, under the watchful eyes of the five men, sat down beside the bed.
"Thank you for your help tonight. In time, this Palace will explain everything to you slowly."
"The hour is late now. Let Yinxin lead you down to rest first. Tomorrow morning, this Palace will still need your help to explain things to the five envoys."
Li Xuanyue knew very well that although the rumor of assassinating the ruler on her wedding night had just been proven to be a groundless rumor framed by someone else, deep down she knew the matter was far from completely resolved.
Take, for instance, the envoys sent by the Five Clans to escort the brides.
They were still within the territory of the Phoenix Clan.
Upon hearing this news, they would undoubtedly fly into a rage and refuse to leave easily.
Sure enough, the next day, before the sky had even brightened, the envoys of the Five Clans came one after another to petition Li Feng for an audience to bid farewell to the five Imperial Consorts.
As to whether this was a genuine farewell or a pretext to verify whether last night's event was a mere fabrication or a stark reality, everyone was perfectly clear in their hearts.
Li Feng did not expose them.
"The Phoenix Emperor remains silent; could it be that you wish to shield Princess Xuanyue?"