In front of all the officials, Zhao Zhiyan promised to investigate the matter thoroughly as soon as possible and to send someone to settle Zhang Xiaozi in a safe place.
For several days in a row, Zhao Zhiyan didn't even set foot in his own home.
They searched almost the entire Xingshan Village, trying to find out the truth.
Xingshan Village has a total of 100 people, and nearly a thousand statements were recorded. He roughly pieced together how Aunt Zhang died.
“The man was killed by Su Jing, who was a servant of the Eighth Prince’s mansion. I also have a responsibility to compensate him.” Zhao Zhiyan compensated Zhang Xiaozi with a manor and fifty taels of silver.
To quell the anger of Xingshan Village.
This matter is temporarily concluded.
Before leaving, a charred manor caught his eye. A guard said, "Your Highness, that's the manor of the Duke of Jingguo's manor, and it's also where the Third Miss once lived."
Zhao Zhiyan narrowed his eyes; no wonder he looked so familiar.
The village was mostly burned down, with black char marks still visible on the exposed wood. The remaining half did not collapse, and it appears that people still lived there.
"This manor has been abandoned by the Duke of Jingguo's mansion and occupied by villagers," the guard said. "Three years ago, a great fire killed many people, but fortunately, the Third Miss was lucky and escaped the calamity."
Zhao Zhiyan naturally remembered this matter. It was Princess Jiahua who sent someone to deliver a letter to him, asking him to help take care of things.
He rushed over without stopping, only to find it engulfed in flames.
Looking at the manor surrounded by mountains, Zhao Zhiyan fell silent. He clearly remembered the little girl saying that she had escaped the fire when it broke out on the manor because she knew how to use water magic.
However, there were no rivers or water sources around Zhuangzi.
Some things, once questioned, simply cannot withstand scrutiny.
How did a spoiled little girl come to know medicine?
They were never well-fed or clothed, yet they were skilled in reading and writing.
She can even kill!
Zhao Zhiyan turned and instructed the guards: "Go and check the nearby villagers to see if anyone remembers this manor, and see if any of them escaped."
He is now eager to know something.
After waiting for several days without seeing anyone, Xu Lingqing became restless, and her eyelids were twitching badly today, as if something was about to happen.
Sitting in front of the bronze mirror, gazing at her own face, she had put in a lot of effort to restore her appearance. Since returning to the capital, her face had become noticeably thinner.
This was completely different from what she had imagined married life to be like.
"Your Highness, do you... really want to drink it again?" Hua Mei walked in carrying a bowl of brown medicine, her eyes filled with worry.
Xu Lingqing hesitated for only a moment before picking up the bottle and drinking it all in one gulp. The bitterness in her mouth made her furrow her brows instantly.
Seeing this, Huamei knew better than to try to persuade her further: "Your Highness, rest assured, this servant will handle things perfectly."
The bitterness dissipated, and finally, an opportunity arrived for her.
Lingxi is strolling in the back garden.
Xu Lingqing stood up and said, "Let's go!"
Half an hour later, Xu Lingqing collapsed in the back garden, barely breathing, like a broken kite with its string cut. Huamei screamed, "Aunt Ling, how dare you insult my princess! Someone, help!"
Lingxi panicked: "I...I didn't do anything."
The doctor arrived quickly and diagnosed Xu Lingqing with poisoning. The poison was extremely potent, damaging her internal organs and leaving her half-dead.
When Lingxi heard how serious it was, her legs went weak with fear.
"You must have been instructed by someone to deliberately poison my princess!" Huamei shouted angrily.
Xu Lingqing grabbed Huamei's hand: "That's enough. Don't pursue Aunt Ling's matter. Take me back."
"Your Highness!" Huamei was taken aback.
The next instant, Xu Lingqing coughed up a mouthful of blood and slumped into the darkness.
When she woke up again, it was already dark. In her dazed state, she felt someone holding her hand tightly and heard crying in her ear.
The warmth of her palm was enough for her to confirm that it was Zhao Zhiyan!
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