Long Xiyuan's brows furrowed slightly, and he said, "Fine, I will ask."
Yet the former Empress knew him well.
She looked at his expression and suddenly smiled sadly.
The smile carried a sense of desolation.
"The Emperor will not ask, you simply do not trust me."
She had already seen the word 'suspicion' in Long Xiyuan's gaze.
Long Xiyuan, realizing she had noticed, no longer concealed it.
"You are closely associated with Prince Li Zheng, and as Empress, you hold great significance to the harem and even the entire realm."
"How can I be certain that you are not colluding with Prince Li Zheng?"
"Princess Consort Liang can manipulate matters within the Imperial Affairs Bureau; wouldn't you have the concubines change their statements to defame Princess Consort Liang?"
"I need to investigate, give me time."
Long Xiyuan felt that he would never forget the look in the former Empress's eyes at that moment.
