The princess regretted it.

Chapter 91 Interrogation

"You are so stupid, how many heads do you have? You, do you want the entire Shangshu Mansion to be destroyed by you?" A roar of angry curses faintly came from the tightly closed door of a courtyard in the inner courtyard of the Shangshu Mansion, interspersed with the suppressed low cry of a woman.

The courtyard was deserted, with the housekeeper and several servants standing at the gate. It seemed the owner had dismissed the others. Inside, Minister Lin's face flushed with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. He glared at his wife, Madam Guo, who sat weeping on the couch, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

After returning home, Guo had changed into her usual clothes, but now she was weeping profusely, her face filled with panic. She trembled slightly, not daring to look Minister Lin in the eye. "Master, I know I was confused for a moment, but when I think of Qian'er, I feel so uneasy..." Guo choked back tears.

Minister Lin snorted angrily, "A moment of confusion? Your moment of confusion could bring disaster to the entire Shangshu Mansion! Do you know how big a mistake you've made? You feel sorry for Qian'er, but I don't feel sorry for her, right? She's the apple of the Emperor's eye, how dare you! Not to mention the Emperor, even the Prime Minister's Mansion is no pushover."

Guo sobbed, unsure how to respond. Minister Lin paced back and forth, his heart pounding with anxiety. Ever since his wife had returned from the Princess's banquet in such a state of disgrace, and since then, she'd stayed inside, he'd sensed something was amiss. He forcefully questioned Guo and learned of her actions, his eyes turning black with rage.

Minister Lin stopped and glared at Guo with his eyes wide open. "Tell me, why did you do such a rash thing at the eldest princess's banquet? You have offended two princesses in one go. Can our Shangshu Mansion have a good life in the future? Just wait and see! It is still unknown whether I can come back safely from tomorrow's morning court!" The more Minister Lin spoke, the more frightened he became.

Hearing this, Guo looked up and said with a sob, "But, but today the Grand Princess and Princess Jin'an both said they would not pursue this matter any further!"

"If they don't pursue the matter, will the others keep quiet when they get home? How could those who have long wanted to bring me down miss this golden opportunity?" Minister Lin growled indignantly. "I've repeatedly warned you at home to think twice before you speak or act. Even I have to be careful what I say in the mansion, wary of anyone listening. Before you left for the banquet today, I specifically warned you not to cause trouble! But you ignored my advice!"

When Guo heard what Minister Lin said, she cried even harder, probably because she was frightened. She regretted it even more at this moment. She grabbed her husband's sleeve and said tearfully, "Master, I didn't disobey you. It's just that when I went there today, Commander Zhang's wife, Mrs. Tian, asked me about Qian'er's recent situation. Later, she said that the Imperial Concubine had to suffer grievances from Princess Jin'an in the palace. I was even more angry. I was so angry that I lost my mind. I wanted to teach Princess Jin'an a lesson at the banquet to let her know that we are not easy to bully. But, but I didn't expect things to be so serious. Master, I really know I was wrong. You must think of a way."

Minister Lin listened to Guo's sobbing, his heart growing even more irritated. He fiercely shook off Guo's hand and continued pacing, pondering a response. Finally, he sighed, "We can't wait until tomorrow morning. The only option left is for me to enter the palace now and apologize to His Majesty, making our Shangshu Mansion's stance clear. Perhaps there's a glimmer of hope. But how His Majesty will handle this is up to fate."

Guo's face was filled with horror, "Master..."

Minister Lin glared at her and said, "From now on, you will listen to the punishment of the Grand Princess. Stay in the mansion honestly and don't go anywhere. Reflect on your mistakes. If there is a next time, you will go back to the Guo family!" After that, Minister Lin flicked his sleeves and walked out of the yard. He had to prepare to go to the palace to apologize.

When Guo heard what Minister Lin said, she was struck by lightning and cried alone in her room in regret.

Minister Lin was preparing to go to the palace to plead guilty; Wang Siqing from the Dali Temple was also preparing to go to the palace. After Qi Kui was arrested, Lord Wang immediately interrogated him. Qi Kui was really stubborn. Even after being tortured, he kept his mouth shut and refused to utter a word. Lord Wang was also in a state of great headache. At this time, Jia Wen came in dressed as a yamen runner and whispered a few words in Lord Wang's ear. As soon as he appeared in front of Qi Kui, Qi Kui lost control instantly. Curses kept pouring out of his mouth, and he struggled hard, as if he wanted to break free and kill Jia Wen.

Jia Wen slowly stepped forward and smiled coldly, "Qi Kui, do you think you'll be alright if you don't tell me? I'm telling you, you've been arrested today. Whether you confess or not, we have a way to make the person behind you show up."

Qi Kui spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed sarcastically, "Humph, if you had the guts you wouldn't say that! Why should I trust you, a villain who doesn't even dare to reveal his real name?"

"You don't need to know who I am. You just need to know that we just need to spread the news that Lord Wang has interrogated you. Then Lord Wang will immediately come to the palace to meet you. What do you think your master will think? Will he think you have confessed? Then do you think he will let you live?" Jia Wen said calmly.

"You! You despicable villain!" Qi Kui's face changed, and he cursed with gnashing teeth in anger, struggling in vain. Then he calmed down again, "You are trying to trick me! I won't be fooled. As long as I don't plead guilty, you can't do anything to me. Do you think anyone will easily believe your lies?"

Jia Wen's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a mocking smile. "Humph, you really won't cry until you see the coffin. Do you think we can do nothing if you don't confess? We have plenty of time and ways to make you talk. Besides, do you think your master will always trust you? Once he becomes suspicious, you will become a discarded pawn. By then, you will really be helpless."

"Whatever you say, I just don't know. I won't believe you." Qi Kui said calmly, but there was a trace of imperceptible panic in his eyes.

"Are you touched by your own loyalty? But do you know how much your loyalty is worth in the face of interests? Your master will not ignore his own safety because of your loyalty. Once he feels that you are a threat, he will get rid of you without hesitation." Jia Wen continued to attack his mind.

Qi Kui's face grew darker, and he began to waver. But he still said stubbornly, "Don't bother! I don't know, I don't know anything!" Then he closed his eyes.

Seeing this, Jia Wen felt that the situation was about right and didn't expect to be defeated immediately. He bowed to Lord Wang and withdrew. Lord Wang said calmly, "You will soon know whether it is true or not. I must go to the palace to see you. Someone, take him away and keep him under strict supervision! No one is allowed to visit!"

After saying this, the bailiffs came forward and took Qi Kui away. Qi Kui continued to struggle, but he became increasingly anxious. He was caught in a fierce struggle. He knew what Jia Wen said made sense, but he didn't dare betray his master easily. After all, if he betrayed him, he might face an even more tragic fate. He was filled with hesitation and entanglement.

No one paid attention to his hesitation and entanglement. Lord Wang had already written the memorial and was ready to go to the palace for an audience.