Chapter 34 Soapberry Thorn
Fengyang Palace.
He Yanchen arrived late only after sending Yueli back to Zhuoyu Palace.
The concubines had been waiting in the palace for a long time. When they saw him come in, the queen hurriedly stood up and led everyone in greeting: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"Get up."
He Yanchen was too lazy to talk nonsense with them, so he just sat at the top and cast a look at Chu Yi.
Chu Yi had already recorded what Judge Xiao and the coroner had found in the file and submitted it.
"Your Majesty, I have discovered soapberry thorns on the horse's back and neck."
"The foal was wearing a bridle that went from its neck to its back. When the groom pulled the reins, the soapberry thorns would dig into the foal's skin, causing unbearable pain. That's why the foal went crazy on the way."
The queen understood. Soapberry is a plant with small thorns on its branches, which is very common in deep forests. These small thorns are not conspicuous, and when they first enter the flesh, they are tolerable. However, the journey is long, and the groom must have pulled the reins many times. The small thorns are almost completely immersed in the flesh, and the foal can no longer bear it and goes crazy.
She said, "These foals are all cared for by dedicated people, how could such a big mistake happen?"
Chu Yi said, "Your Majesty, the grooms who were in charge of guarding the horses in the enclosure have been escorted back to the palace and are waiting outside."
"Put it in."
The imperial guards brought in several horsemen. As soon as they entered the hall, they knelt down, trembling, and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, please calm down. We have been guarding the stables day and night, not daring to let outsiders approach. Every horse was carefully inspected before departure. We really don't know why there was a soapberry on the bridle."
"Don't you know, did the soapberry fly away on its own?" The Queen looked worried and knelt before the man to apologize. "Your Majesty, I was unable to accompany you this time. I didn't know such a big mistake had occurred in the enclosure. It was my fault."
"The Empress didn't even go to the hunting grounds, how can you be blamed?" De Fei changed the subject, "Among the accompanying concubines, Concubine Jin has the highest rank, so you should be in charge of the affairs of the accompanying concubines."
Concubine Jin's face turned cold. "What do you mean, Concubine De? I'm busy taking care of the eldest prince. How could I care about such a trivial matter as a pony?"
Concubine De smiled apologetically, "Please forgive me, Concubine Jin. I am asking too much. I am too busy taking care of the eldest prince, and it seems that I am not suitable for managing the concubines."
Concubine Jin's eyes suddenly changed. If He Yanchen really felt that he was incapable of managing the concubines because of this matter, then wouldn't she have no chance of having any power in the palace in the future?
"His Majesty..."
"Shut up, everyone." The man's face was cold, his eyes dark and hard to read. "Where did the soapberry come from? Has anyone come near the stables during the few days we've been in the enclosure?"
The groom nervously searched his mind, recalling many people intermittently. "On the day we first arrived at the stables, except for Consort Jin and Lady Zheng, all the other ladies came to the stables to select foals. Then there was the day of the polo match, when Consort Shen and Concubine Rong also came. After that, no one else came."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Rong said, "I chose a black horse and placed it in the stable for them to take care of. I have only touched that horse in the two times I have been to the stable, and everyone in the stable can testify to this."
Jiang Ronghua said on behalf of Shen Zhaoyi: "The same is true for this concubine and Sister Zhaoyi."
Chu Yi looked at the colt and asked, "So, no one has ever touched a horse?"
The groom shook his head, but then suddenly raised his head and said, "Sir, the day before returning to the palace, because His Majesty and Yu Ronghua were lost, Commander Zhang had the servants search everywhere. At that time, there was only one person left guarding the stable..."
"But the servants have been guarding diligently and haven't let anyone get close!"
Commander Zhang was the commander of the guards at the stables. With His Majesty and Yu Ronghua missing, the stables were in a state of panic, a perfect opportunity to fish in troubled waters. Furthermore, the stables were large, usually guarded by four men. With only one guard, it would be difficult to keep track of every corner.
"So, you're all right?"
He Yanchen's tone was indifferent. He lowered his eyes and looked at the ring in his hand, rubbing his fingertips gently.
Suddenly, he threw the white jade ring to the ground. The sound of the jade breaking was mixed with the man's cold and cruel voice:
"All horses and harnesses are under your control. If someone sneaks into the stable, an unskilled person won't be able to bridle the colts quickly."
"If you don't tell me, I'll drag you out and beat you."
"If no one comes forward to confess, all the men guarding the stables will be punished with the same crime and will be beaten to death."
Nearly ten grooms knelt below, their faces pale with fear at hearing this: "Your Majesty, please spare me! I really don't know anything!"
He Yanchen waved his hand impatiently, and Chu Yi immediately called the imperial guards, dragged these people out, and executed them in the yard.
"The Queen."
The queen shuddered when her name was suddenly called. She swallowed and said, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"You are responsible for arranging the entourage for the concubines' travels. If you cannot find the person behind the scenes, you don't have to manage the harem anymore."
The Queen subconsciously took a few steps on her knees. "Your Majesty, please give me some time. I will definitely find this vicious person!"
He Yanchen did not respond to her, and Fengyang Palace fell silent in an instant, with only the muffled sound of boards hitting flesh outside the palace.
A quarter of an hour later, Chu Yi came in and said, "Your Majesty, the palace servant Xiao Tianzi at the stables said that he saw a guard wearing a flying fish uniform come to the enclosure yesterday afternoon. Xiao Tianzi was guarding the stables alone at the time. Xiao Tianzi asked a few questions, and the guard said he was on patrol, so he didn't take it seriously."
"Bring Xiao Tianzi in."
Xiao Tianzi was tortured and could only lie prone on the ground. He said in a trembling voice, "Yesterday afternoon, when I was guarding the stables, I saw a man wearing a flying fish suit coming out of the woods behind. Because the stables were patrolled at all times, I didn't pay much attention to it. I just remembered it now."
Chu Yi asked, "Is he the only one here?"
"Yes, he's the only one..."
"Your Majesty, guards patrol in groups of at least four. No one can act alone," Chu Yi said. "Also, guards of different ranks in the palace wear different uniforms. The one with flying fish embroidery is a third-class guard."
Chu Yi took Xiao Tianzi away and asked him to identify all the third-class guards who had been on duty in the enclosure.
Inside the palace, Li Jieyu suddenly clenched her fingertips when she heard the word Feiyufu.
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