Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 652

The search took most of the day and continued into the evening.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace was summoned and gathered in the front courtyard, under the guard of the Imperial Guards. Guests who had come to the mansion were also not allowed to leave and could only wait there for the search results.

Ni Xin led the other Imperial Guards and searched every single brick and tile of the entire East Palace.

They pried up and inspected every single piece of the floorboards, and dug up every inch of the soil in the garden. It was a thorough investigation, literally digging three feet into the ground.

As a result, they couldn't find a single weapon, or even a basement.

There is absolutely no underground space in the entire East Palace.

The more Ni Xin searched, the more cold sweat she broke out all over her body, and the more her scalp tingled.

Huo Tingsheng stated very clearly that "Huo Jinghuai" hid the weapons in the underground storeroom of the Eastern Palace, which should be a reliable source of information. But he hasn't found anything yet!

Even if there was just an empty basement, it could be argued that "Huo Jinghuai" had prior knowledge of the situation and moved the evidence out.

But there was no secret room in the Eastern Palace where anything could be hidden, so how could he explain this?

Ni Xin was on the verge of a mental breakdown. She searched again and again, and only when she could no longer delay did she grit her teeth and return to the front yard.

Huo Jinghuai waited for him there with the others, and said coldly, "Well, General Ni, what did you find during the search?"

Ni Xin is now so desperate she feels like she wants to die.

Could it be that His Majesty has truly believed the slander of some unknown person, and the Crown Prince's plot to rebel is nothing but a fabrication?

This was an utterly undeserved disaster for him, a truly unlucky situation!

He was ordered to search the Eastern Palace, but found nothing. His Majesty might not even consider the facts; he'd only blame him for incompetence. Even if His Majesty spared his life, he'd severely offended the Crown Prince, who would most likely retaliate!

Ni Xin was on the verge of tears, stammering, "No...no...this humble general was only acting on His Majesty's orders. His Majesty was certain that His Highness the Crown Prince was plotting a rebellion, which is why he sent this humble general to search the Eastern Palace..."

He couldn't care less about anything else now; he could only try to shift the blame onto Huo Tingsheng.

Huo Jinghuai sneered, "I know you are acting on His Majesty's orders. As a general of the Imperial Guard, you wouldn't dare to do this. But you've been searching all day, and so many distinguished guests are waiting here. You should give us an explanation. Is the Crown Prince still suspected of treason?"

Ni Xin was on the verge of tears: "This... whether there is still suspicion or not, this humble general's opinion is not enough!"

If he were to say now that he is not a suspect and return to the palace to report to His Majesty that nothing was found, then he could forget about keeping his head on his neck any longer.

But it's impossible to keep circling around the East Palace forever; that wouldn't make sense. Besides, there are so many high-ranking officials and nobles here, and he can't afford to offend just one of them!

He really doesn't know what to do!

With the emperor and the crown prince locked in a fierce battle, he, a mere general of the Imperial Guard, was caught in the middle and was destined to become cannon fodder!

Huo Jinghuai said coldly, "General Ni, I know you are in an awkward situation, and I will not make things difficult for you. You will take me to the palace to see the Emperor. I also want to ask the Emperor in person why he fabricated such a serious charge of treason against me without distinguishing right from wrong!"

Then, turning to the crowd, he said loudly, "Jing Huai once again begs you all to come with me to the palace to see my father and testify for me that I have indeed not committed treason. I cannot accept such a great injustice!"

Everyone echoed in agreement.

"Your Highness, rest assured, we will accompany you to the palace to testify before His Majesty!"

“We’ve been at the East Palace all day and watched the Imperial Guards search the place. There’s absolutely no evidence of any crime. His Majesty must have misunderstood!”