Chapter 288 Keep it up
When Qiu Heng arrived at the government office, she encountered many familiar faces.
These people were all women, gathered together, and questioned.
The person asking the question was an official from the Court of Judicial Review, and he was very polite.
Those present were all exceptionally talented women, unlikely to be involved with the assassin. However, the death of the Imperial Concubine was a matter of great importance, and those who needed to be involved had to be involved.
“Princess Suiyun, please describe in as much detail as possible what happened after you ascended Lehua Tower.”
As the official spoke, the two clerks standing beside him prepared to take notes.
The scrolls in their hands already contained a considerable amount of writing, which was recorded after consulting with others.
"Princess Rongning and I went up to Lehua Tower together, chatted for a while, and then the Imperial Concubine summoned me over..."
The official's expression grew increasingly serious.
The only outsider who spoke with the Imperial Concubine last night was probably this Princess Suiyun, so he had to take her seriously.
"The Imperial Concubine wants me to come to the palace in a few days to teach her straw weaving, and then I will take my leave..."
"I heard that the county princess and Princess Rongning went downstairs."
"Yes, Princess Rongning's sachet fell down. Thinking it wouldn't be good for someone to pick up the sachet we always carried with us, we went downstairs to retrieve it. We were back upstairs in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea..."
Princess Rongning arrived at this moment.
After asking Qiu Heng, the official politely inquired about Princess Rong Ning.
Princess Rongning and Qiu Heng's accounts matched perfectly: "...After going upstairs, we chatted and admired the lanterns, and nothing unusual happened...Who were we closest to?"
Princess Rongning thought about the question for a moment and then named a few people.
The other ladies were also questioned in a similar manner: where they stood after going upstairs, who was on their left and right, and whether anything noteworthy happened...
The records were filled in volume after volume. After being sorted out and compared with each other, if there were any discrepancies in the testimonies, or if no one noticed them after they went upstairs, then they were suspected.
While waiting, a noblewoman exclaimed, "So this is how investigations are done; it's so thorough."
"That's right. Luckily, none of us were alone, otherwise things would have been complicated."
"I wonder if we can find the assassin?"
“I think it’s difficult. Didn’t Miss Zhu see a man in black jump off Lehua Tower? Last night, the Imperial Street was packed with people. Where are we supposed to look? We can only hope to find out how the assassin infiltrated Lehua Tower and then follow that lead…”
"It's unbelievable, really. Before His Majesty ascended the tower, Lehua Tower was thoroughly searched inside and out multiple times, and there were so many guards on duty. How did the assassin manage to sneak in beforehand without being detected?"
Hearing the noblewoman's question, Qiu Heng and Princess Rong Ning exchanged a glance, both with a smile in their eyes.
Infiltrating beforehand is out of the question; the only option is to use a substitute.
There is another risk involved: the disappearance of the palace maids. But these noble ladies might notice where the princesses, county princesses, and county princesses are, and who would linger on a lowly maid?
Only Princess Suiyun had to remain in the sight of others throughout the entire process.
"Thank you all for your cooperation. You can go back now."
The women left one after another.
"Aheng, ride in my car, I'll give you a ride."
Qiu Heng politely declined Princess Rongning's offer to see her off, saying, "My father came with me and is waiting outside."
"Alright then, let's get together again sometime."
As they approached the government office, they encountered Xue Han.
Princess Rongning nudged Qiuheng: "You two chat, I'll go first."
After greeting Princess Rongning, Xue Han walked to Qiu Heng's side.
The bloodshot eyes and his unchanging clothes were all signs of the busy night before.
"Didn't you sleep all night?" Qiu Heng asked first.
Xue Han silently took a step back: "Last night, the whole city was searched, and many people didn't even have time to sleep."
"If we can't catch the assassin, we'll have to eat our words, won't we?"
Xue Han smiled and said, "If the assassin is hiding in Lehua Tower, the Palace Guard will be the first to be punished. Don't worry."
"Um."
"Aheng," Xue Han called softly, knowing that it wasn't appropriate to say much in this place, "You've worked hard."
Qiu Heng reached out and picked off the red paper scraps that had fallen on Xue Han's head; they were the red residue from firecrackers.
"I'm fine, so don't work too hard."
Seeing the relaxed smile in her eyes, Xue Han's mood also relaxed.
He was always worried that Aheng would feel pain and guilt for killing Consort Yu.
"I'm leaving now, my father is getting impatient."
When Master Qiu saw the noble ladies coming out one by one, he was indeed a little anxious. He finally saw Qiu Heng and was about to wave when he saw his daughter stop and start chatting with a man.
Take a closer look.
Oh, it's that Xue guy, whom everyone in the capital knows is in love but has been slow to propose.
What is Heng'er doing? Touching that kid's head?
While Master Qiu was still in shock, Qiu Heng walked over.
"Father, you've kept me waiting."
Master Qiu instantly forgot his dissatisfaction with Xue Han, his eyes only on his daughter: "Heng'er must be tired, get in the carriage. You were so frightened last night, and then you were summoned to the yamen early this morning. Who would have thought something like this could happen on the Imperial Street? Has the world become so chaotic...?"
When Qiu Heng returned to the Marquis's residence, she knew that the old lady was waiting for her. She went directly to Qiansong Hall and found that Marquis Yongqing was also there.
"Grandpa, grandma."
Upon seeing her granddaughter's calm face, the old lady subconsciously picked up her teacup, took a sip, then put it down, picked it up again, and took another sip.
The Earl of Yongqing was oblivious to the old lady's strange behavior and eagerly inquired about Qiuheng's situation after she went to the yamen.
Qiu Heng spoke with great patience.
The Earl of Yongqing stroked his beard and clicked his tongue: "After such thorough questioning, you haven't found anyone to be a suspect?"
Qiu Heng smiled: "Not yet."
"Heng'er has been frightened, so please rest well." Seeing that he could not get any more information, Uncle Yongqing left with his hands behind his back.
The old lady stared at Qiu Heng without saying a word.
"Grandmother, are you tired? Then I won't disturb you any longer. I'll head back to Lengxiang Residence first."
Seeing Qiu Heng get up to leave, the old lady blurted out, "Consort Yu—"
Qiu Heng stopped and looked at the old lady calmly.
The old lady moved her lips, but suppressed the question she really wanted to ask: "Was Consort Yu really assassinated?"
You can't very well ask Consort Yu if you were the one who caused her death.
Trouble comes from the mouth.
"It's true, of course. Many people were called in for questioning today."
"Heng'er," the old lady patted Qiu Heng's hand and earnestly advised, "Just be yourself, that's good enough."
It's not a problem to offend evil people, as long as you maintain the evil spirit that brings death to whoever you offend, like the Bekber Mansion.
Qiu Heng left Qian Song Tang completely bewildered.
Many government offices were overwhelmed with work due to the death of Consort Yu, and the atmosphere in the palace was even more somber and oppressive.
Emperor Jingping smashed countless treasures and wept bitterly for countless times.
"My beloved concubine, my beloved concubine, how could you leave me like this!"
Xue Quan, standing nearby, tried to comfort him: "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences. If the Imperial Concubine were alive, she would be worried knowing how grieved you are..."
Emperor Jingping ignored him completely and walked unsteadily to the side hall where Consort Yu's coffin was placed.
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