Afternoon.
Wei Shuyi went to Shoukang Palace. After Yin Zhu learned about this, her brows knitted tightly together. "How is it going? How's the investigation going? I've said a lot of good things to the Queen Mother, but... but after all, her grandson was stillborn, so I can't offer too much comfort."
"It's okay, just serve as usual." She looked over at the bonsai in the courtyard. "I came here today because I want you to do me a favor."
"you say!"
"Will you accompany me to see the Supervisor of Shanglin Garden? You are now a second-class maid in Shoukang Palace. He will probably think you have the Queen Mother's permission and will not interfere. This way, I can greatly reduce the time I have to question you. After all, the deadline will be up tomorrow."
Yin Zhu quickly nodded and agreed: "Okay, okay, let's go now!"
The Supervisor was in charge of the records of all plants, insects, fish, etc. in the Yonghua Palace. There were corresponding records of how many pots of flowers were sent to which palace and how many pots were returned due to quality or other issues.
He Changzai had the flowerpot removed, presumably because it would be inconvenient to dispose of it within Heshun Hall, and even less so to simply throw it outside the palace. The only possibility was that it had found a way to return it here.
"He Jianzheng—" Yin Zhu called him politely from a distance, "Didn't you take a nap? Why are you here tending to the flowers so early?"
Wei Shuyi couldn't help but look at the woman next to him: Once upon a time, she always remained cold and taciturn, and basically wouldn't say a word except for necessary interactions.
But now, she has changed a lot.
She is friendly and has a cute dimple when she smiles. She has also made connections in the palace, which is great.
"Miss Yinzhu? Did the Empress Dowager give any instructions?"
"No, I just brought Lady Min here to see the flowers you planted!" Yin Zhu hinted, intentionally or unintentionally, "She used to serve the Queen Mother, and the Queen really liked her. Now she's jumped the rank and become a Lady, a first in Shoukang Palace!"
He Jianzheng rubbed his eyes and saluted respectfully: "That's because I didn't recognize Mount Tai. Now I pay my respects to Miss Min!"
"You're welcome! Actually, I came here today to trouble the Supervisor with something."
"My lord, please speak."
Wei Shuyi lied, "The Flower Festival is approaching, and the Empress Dowager wants to prepare some treats for the ladies of each palace. So she sent me here to look over the records and make a note of what flowers they like. I wonder if the Supervisor would…"
"The Queen Mother is so kind! I admire her deeply!"
The other party didn't ask any more questions and turned to go into the house to look for the booklet.
Yin Zhu breathed a sigh of relief: "The Queen Mother didn't tell you about this. If the matter is exposed, you must think of a countermeasure!"
"If there are no clues after this investigation, I will admit my guilt even if it is aggravated."
"Pfft! Don't say such discouraging words! You'll be fine! Promise me!"
Just then, He Jianzheng came back.
He handed a thick stack of record books to Wei Shuyi. "These are from the past six months. The front ones are with my disciple. If you need them, my lady..."
"That's enough, thank you, Supervisor!"
She sat on a nearby stone bench with Yinzhu, concentrating on looking through the records of Heshun Hall, and sure enough, she found a clue!
Every few days, one or two of the bonsai I sent would be returned, and the reasons for their return were often bizarre.
It was pushed to the ground by a cat and broke into pieces.
The palace servants under him did not work properly and the piece broke.
It is difficult to maintain and withers quickly.
…
Yin Zhu also noticed something unusual: "He Jianzheng, there's a lot going on in Heshun Hall."
"Well, that young lady likes to grow flowers and plants, so her requirements are a bit higher than others, which is normal. I'm used to it. At most, I'll see her off later."
"Thank you for your hard work!"
After sitting for a while, Wei Shuyi stood up, said goodbye, and left Shanglin Garden.
Yin Zhu followed worriedly: "Are you suspicious of Chang Zai?"
"I have no idea yet."
"The bond between you and me is incomparable to that of those cunning people! If you have any suspicions, you should tell me immediately. I'm by the Queen Mother's side, so I can at least find a way to help you."
Wei Shuyi understood her good intentions, but he couldn't drag innocent people into his own purgatory.
"It's enough that you can tell me this. I have to go to the laundry department next. You should hurry back to Shoukang Palace and don't let the Empress Dowager get suspicious."
"What are you going there for?"
"Promise me, don't ask anything and don't get involved until the truth comes out." She held Yin Zhu's hand and squeezed it hard. "The harem is full of tricky things. You must protect yourself."
This time, Yin Zhu did not ask any further questions.
The two of them walked in opposite directions, just like the many palace maids passing by in the corridor, seemingly having nothing to do with each other.
When she stepped into the laundry again, she could still vaguely feel the pain of the housekeeper's whip hitting her arms.
However, the little girl who once gritted her teeth and endured it has now become a guest of honor.
The group of people who flattered the powerful and looked down on the weak groveled at her feet, their faces full of flattery: "My lady, why did you come here today? What do you want to tell me?"
"Who are the people responsible for cleaning the clothes in Lin'an Palace?" Wei Shuyi said with a gloomy face, pretending to be annoyed. "Song Wanyi's Liuxian skirt was ruined by the washing. If we can't find the person who did it, then the person in charge will have to bear full responsibility!"
As soon as the words fell, the people below panicked.
After all, Song Wanyi had a bad reputation, and rumors of torturing and punishing palace maids were often spread. In order to distance herself from the matter, the housekeeper hurried to the backyard and shouted to grab a few maids!
"My lady, it's them, but it's none of my business!"
"Okay, got it." Wei Shuyi waved his hand, signaling the irrelevant people to leave, and then looked at the group of pale-faced girls, "Are you responsible for cleaning the clothes in Lin'an Palace?"
“Yes, yes…”
"Who's in charge of Heshuntang's portion?"
Two of the girls looked at each other and raised their hands in fear.
"My lady, are He Changzai's clothes also damaged by washing?"
"It's not that it's broken, it's just that it wasn't cleaned properly. I'm here to ask for clarification." Wei Shuyi leaned in close to their ears and whispered, emphasizing, "You couldn't even handle the underwear you were wearing next to your body! Thank goodness my sister is kind and didn't criticize too much. If it were someone else, would they still be able to do it?!"
"My lady, please calm down! I dare not!" The frail girl knelt on the ground in fear. "It's been a while since Heshun Hall has only sent outer robes here for cleaning. I haven't handled them at all!"
"robe?"
"That's right!" another echoed, "Miss Qiulian said that since Concubine He is pregnant with the royal heir, her underwear can't be washed by outsiders. From then on, it was handed over to the maids of Heshun Hall. There's no way this servant would wash it!"
All these signs invisibly deepened her suspicions.
What secrets are hidden in the frequently replaced bonsai? Is it really a precaution to not take clothes to the laundry?
Wei Shuyi personally helped the two girls up and said in a gentle voice, "Alright, don't be afraid. Come with me to Heshun Hall and explain everything, and the matter will be over."
"Really?"
"That's because nature and Changzai are the most gentle. How could they embarrass everyone?"
Seeing them both nodding in unison, Wei Shuyi knew in his heart: it was time to go to the Changsheng Palace and borrow the emperor's power.
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