Li Xianyun said, "Mother Consort, the evidence is compelling, and the truth will come out if an investigation is conducted. Please, Mother Consort, order an investigation to clear my name."
Upon hearing this, Guli's expression changed.
The evidence on top exposed her and the Ninth Prince's embezzlement of public funds. How could she investigate?
Who would be foolish enough to shoot themselves in the foot?
Guli said coldly, "Guards, take this insolent, lying slave out and feed him to the dogs!"
Aman wanted to plead for mercy, but the palace attendants stuffed his mouth, leaving him unable to utter a word as he was dragged away, emitting muffled sounds.
Li Xianyun had seen such things in Houtang. These palace attendants were quite skillful, and if they didn't want someone to speak, they had a thousand ways to ensure silence.
Guli looked at Li Xianyun with a benevolent smile and said, "Princess Consort, today you upheld the reputation of this palace; I am deeply moved. Rong Ge, go and bring the Hetian Jade Jewelry from the Western Regions tribute."
Rong Ge hurriedly said, "Grand Imperial Consort, that is your favorite jewelry, and you are reluctant to wear it yourself."
Guli said displeased, "I told you to get it, so just get it."
Rong Ge had no choice but to go inside and bring out an exquisitely beautiful jewelry box, walking reluctantly over to Li Xianyun, and opened it.
Youlan and Zhuo Ma took one look and held their breath.
Inside the jewelry box was a set of Hetian Jade Jewelry, including a bracelet, a thumb ring, a necklace, and a hairpin, with the jade appearing green and lustrous, clear and bright, quite beautiful.
Li Xianyun bowed to Guli and said, "Thank you, Mother Consort, for your immense kindness."
Upon hearing this, Youlan closed the box and took it, feeling very pleased at Rong Ge's aggrieved expression.
Guli leaned lazily against the armrest of her chair and said, "This palace is tired, you may all withdraw."
Youlan said, "The accounts..."
Li Xianyun gave Youlan a glance to stop her from continuing, then bowed to Guli and said, "I take my leave."
Once outside the palace gate, Zhuo Ma still couldn't quite believe it and said, "Princess Consort, the Grand Imperial Consort actually gave you such expensive jewelry, why?"
"Guilt," Li Xianyun said.
Youlan asked, "Master, how did you know that the Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was corrupt?"
Li Xianyun smiled, "Very few can withstand scrutiny in such a lucrative position as Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The behavior of Aman being harsh and deceitful clearly shows he is not loyal or trustworthy."
"So that's why you had us check her accounts?" Youlan smiled, "Then how did you know where the real accounts were hidden?"
Li Xianyun smiled, "Families of wealth and influence often create secret compartments, especially in the palace where this is common. The desk used by Aman was large with small drawers, indicating it had secret compartments."
Zhuo Ma said, "But the switches for secret compartments are so hidden, how did you find it?"
"Once you've dealt with mechanisms often enough, you'll naturally find the way," Li Xianyun said with a smile.
Zhuo Ma sincerely said, "I see."
Her admiration for Li Xianyun grew a little more.
After Li Xianyun left, Guli erupted in rage, sweeping all the teacups and utensils from the table onto the floor, her chest heaving with anger.
Rong Ge quickly instructed a maid to clean up the shattered teacups and said, "Master, please calm down."
Guli said viciously, "That wretch, I completely misjudged her, nurturing an ungrateful wolf! She has such gall and dares to set me and Qiqi up together!"
Rong Ge said, "Master, what about Aman?"
"Handle it as I said, feed her to the dogs!"
Rong Ge said, "Yes!"
As Rong Ge was about to leave, Guli spoke up, "Wait."
Rong Ge immediately stopped in his tracks.
"Send someone reliable to ensure, before she dies, that no one else knows the contents of those accounts."
Rong Ge said, "Yes."
Guli had someone bring a fire basin and tossed the two account books into it, the flames immediately consuming them.
When Rong Ge came in, he saw the account books had already been burned to ashes, with white smoke rising.
She walked over to her master and said, "Master, it has been arranged."
Guli looked at the fire basin and said, "That woman is truly my nemesis; with her around, I cannot prevail. As things stand, she holds leverage over me. I can do nothing to her now."
Rong Ge said, "Grand Imperial Consort, you need not be troubled. Today I went to the Khan's bedchamber and discovered that the Princess Consort and the Khan sleep apart, contrary to appearances."
Guli looked at Rong Ge with surprise.
Rong Ge nodded and said, "It's true."
Guli said, "Without the Khan's involvement, this will be easier to handle."
Li Xianyun returned to the Khan Palace, where the maids had already arranged the gauze curtains as she instructed, and the western fields had been replanted.
The palace attendants of the Khan Palace were indeed efficient.
Li Xianyun dismissed everyone to rest while she went to the kitchen to make iced porridge to help everyone cool down.
During this, Youlan spoke when Zhuo Ma was not around, "Master, it's a pity we didn't retrieve the account book; otherwise, we could have used it to blackmail the Grand Imperial Consort."
Li Xianyun said, "I have memorized the general contents of the account book. At my leisure, I will write it down."
Her memory was excellent, but the contents of the account book were so extensive that it was impossible to remember everything in a short time.
Therefore, Li Xianyun made a choice, remembering only a few significant amounts and the people involved, and that was more than enough to leverage against the Grand Imperial Consort.
Youlan looked at her master with surprise and delight.
Li Xianyun smiled, "Stop staring, hurry and help, wash the grapes, peel them, and remove the seeds."
"Yes!" Youlan smiled.