After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

With a "clang," a long sword was drawn, its blade pressed directly against the neck of the imperial guard who was delivering the message.

"Who did you say died?!" Gongsun Yi shouted sternly.

"Your Highness, it was Consort Zhu. She died in childbirth!"

"Nonsense, how could that be?! The Imperial Hospital said she wasn't due to give birth until the end of the month!!"

Enraged, Gongsun Yi's hair and beard bristled, and a cold glint flashed in his hand as he brandished his sword. The imperial guard kneeling on the ground trembled with fear, burying his head deep in his hands and prostrating himself on the ground.

"The Imperial Concubine was startled and her pregnancy was threatened, causing her to go into labor prematurely. She then experienced persistent bleeding..."

"The Empress Dowager requests that Your Majesty and the Empress return to the palace immediately."

"Prepare a fast horse; I will return to the palace immediately," Gongsun Rui said.

Before Gongsun Rui's fast horse could be ready, Gongsun Yi had already led a team of elite guards away from the camp at lightning speed, heading straight for the capital city.

"Your Majesty, you're in too much of a hurry," Gongsun Rui sighed softly, gazing at the billowing dust.

"Heh, this is what they call 'concern leads to confusion,' isn't it?" Yao Ji's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of sarcasm playing on his lips.

"Zitong, we must hurry back," Gongsun Rui said.

Yao Ji pursed her lips and remained silent, her fingertips pinching a small purse hanging from her waist, her face clearly showing her reluctance.

Seeing this, Gongsun Rui understood. He put his arm around her shoulder and gently advised, "You've been watching for ten days and haven't had enough? You'll have plenty of time to watch after he returns to the palace."

“‘A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan,’ so please be patient for now.”

Yao Ji sighed and slowly released the purse from her hand.

Finally, Gongsun Rui and Yao Ji abandoned the main force and traveled light, taking only a troop of imperial guards, riding fast horses back to the palace.

The death of Consort Zhu caused a great shock both inside and outside the court.

It's important to understand that this pregnancy was Gongsun Rui's first since he ascended the throne. This pregnancy was not only about adding another prince or princess to the Great Yong Dynasty, but also about the dynasty's survival.

Two lives lost in one pregnancy might be a common occurrence in ordinary families, but in the imperial palace, it seemed inherently fraught with intrigue. Throughout the streets and alleys of Kyoto, all sorts of rumors and speculations circulated.

The imperial court also ordered the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, and the Imperial Household Department to jointly investigate the case, vowing to thoroughly find out the truth. For a time, the palace was filled with a climate of fear and unease.

Logically, with the joint investigation by the three courts and the assistance of the Imperial Household Department, the truth should have been revealed quickly. However, the joint investigation by several departments lasted for three whole months, but they still couldn't find any results.

As a result, various speculations and rumors among the public became even more rampant.

That day, in the accounting office of Caiyun Pavilion, Gan Cai'er was engrossed in looking at the account books. Suddenly, Xiao Hong ran over from a distance, approached her mysteriously, and whispered, "Miss, I heard on the street today that the death of Consort Zhu was orchestrated by Her Majesty the Empress."

Gan Cai'er raised her head, glanced at her, and said expressionlessly, "Yesterday you said the Empress Dowager killed Consort Zhu, the day before yesterday you said Consort Wang poisoned Consort Zhu, and the day before that you even said Consort Zhu fell due to fright, leading to a difficult childbirth..."

"Xiao Hong, are you going to talk about everyone in the harem?"

"If you really have nothing better to do, come and help me organize the accounts."

"Oh dear, these numbers give me a headache. I'd better not trouble you, Miss." Xiao Hong shook her head faster than a rattle drum when she heard that she was to look at the account books.

"Miss, think about it again. Who was responsible for Consort Zhu's death in your past life?" Xiao Hong whispered, pulling Gan Cai'er's hand, her face full of gossip.

Gan Cai'er rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. She thought that Xiao Hong's interrogation tactics, with her interrogating her every three days and every two days, were so intense that she could easily be a servant in the Dali Temple.

“Xiao Hong, I’ve told you countless times. Your young lady wasn’t well-liked in the aristocratic circles of Kyoto in her previous life. How could she possibly know any royal relatives or secrets?” Gan Cai’er sighed helplessly.

“In my previous life, I had never even heard of Consort Zhu. Moreover, there was no such thing as Consort Zhu having a difficult childbirth back then, or even if there was, it wouldn’t have caused such a sensation as it is now, with the news spreading everywhere.”

"So how am I supposed to know who killed her? I'm waiting to see the outcome of the joint trial."

"You don't know, but I do. If you want to know, why don't you ask me?" A familiar, languid voice sounded from outside the window.

With a "clatter," the pen in Gan Cai'er's hand fell to the ground. She looked up in alarm and saw a familiar figure leaning against the window frame.

If it's not Meng Yu, then who is it?