Yan Huisheng quickly finished his meal, then picked up a dozen or so transcripts and began to examine each one.
Su Rong sat leisurely, sipping her tea while waiting for Yan Huisheng.
After about the time of two or three cups of tea, Yan Huisheng, having finished reviewing all the transcripts, pointed to one of them, Monk Wang Su’s testimony, and asked Su Rong, "Is everything he said true? How did you get him to reveal all this?"
If the person in the palace truly was Wang Su’s biological sister, they had certainly managed to keep it well hidden for years, without letting out a single hint.
Su Rong said, "I’ve met Wang Su, and I’ve also met the person in question within the palace."
Seeing Yan Huisheng’s confusion, she smiled and said, "Your Highness, have I not told you before that I can read faces? When I was a child, I used to stare at myself in the mirror, comparing my features to my mother’s. Later, Uncle Xie noticed my keen interest in the face-reading books I read during my studies. He introduced me to an eccentric person who taught me face-reading."
She then recounted the first time they met in Jiangning County, "Back then, I read your face and saw marks of nobility, which indicated you were no ordinary person. Do you think I saved your life only to accept a dagger as repayment? Given my nature of always wanting things in my favor, I would certainly have blackmailed you with the debt of saving your life, demanding a large amount of silver instead."
Yan Huisheng chuckled, finding her words quite reasonable, "If you put it that way, I truly was unaware."
"As for Monk Wang Su and the woman in the palace, they do look somewhat similar. But of course, no one would ever think they are related because one is a bald-headed, large-eared monk, and the other is a beautiful and elegant Imperial Concubine. However, the fact is, a face-reader like me who enjoys studying people’s facial features, would naturally connect the two instantly."
Yan Huisheng carefully thought back to Wang Su and the Imperial Concubine, and shook his head, "Now that you mention it, they do resemble each other to some extent. But it’s common to find people who look alike, this alone doesn’t prove their relationship."
"But some people with skeletons in their closets can’t stand being tricked. The moment I started tricking him, Wang Su confessed." Su Rong remarked slyly, "You can’t blame me for this."
Yan Huisheng nodded in agreement, "Indeed, your argument is quite reasonable."
If this was true, everything would make sense!
Su Rong held her tea cup to her lips without taking a sip, squinting her eyes at Yan Huisheng, "When I was in Jiangning County, I had heard that the Emperor greatly favored the Imperial Concubine. Her favoritism surpassed all others in the Imperial Harem. Even the Empress has to step back in her presence. Now that the Imperial Concubine is involved, Your Highness, do you think the Emperor will protect her?"
"Do you suspect that the Imperial Concubine is behind all of these incidents?" Yan Huisheng asked.
Su Rong shook her head, "Not necessarily. After all, we’re going to continue our investigation tomorrow. Whether she’s a good person or a bad person depends on what we find."
"The Imperial Concubine was selected into the palace from a beauty selection in Nanping. She was given by the governor of Nanping. Since entering the palace, she has been favored by the Emperor until now. The Emperor gave her the name ’Zhen’, signifying his love for her. After all, your mother, Princess Zhenmin, holds an extremely important place in the Emperor’s heart. The Emperor chose the character ’Zhen’ from your mother’s name, which shows his regard for her," Yan Huisheng said, "In the past, it was hard to say, but now that you’re involved, perhaps the Emperor won’t necessarily protect her."
"Shall we continue the investigation?" Su Rong asked.
"Of course, we have to investigate," Yan Huisheng nodded.
Su Rong nodded, "Alright, then I’ll proceed with the investigation in the palace tomorrow."
Entering the palace tomorrow did not mean going directly to the Imperial Concubine. Instead, she would investigate through the Empress and the other concubines. If the Imperial Concubine really did have something to hide, she wouldn’t be able to remain calm. Su Rong would wait for her to reveal herself.
Su Rong stayed in the Eastern Palace for about an hour. It was completely dark outside by the time she got up to leave.
Little Quanzi held a white fox fur cloak in front of Su Rong, "Miss Seven, this is your cloak. It will look great on you. This kind of white fox piel is rare. Our prince has only been able to accumulate this one piece over so many years."
Of course, Su Rong knew the rarity of such fine quality. She took it and wrapped it around herself immediately, nodding continuously, "Indeed, it’s very warm."
Seeing that she liked it, Little Quanzi was happy and grinned, "Shall I have someone pack up the cloak you came in and deliver it to your carriage?"
"Sure, I can’t get rid of this one. It was made by Shen’s mother for me, and it’s also made of good material." Su Rong valued the care from Mrs Shen.
Little Quanzi nodded repeatedly.
Yan Huisheng opened the umbrella, "I will see you off."
"No need, there’s no need for you to personally see me off!" Su Rong grabbed the umbrella from his hand, "I can go by myself."
Yan Huisheng could only sigh, "Be careful then."
Su Rong waved her hand, walking swiftly away. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
Little Quanzi hurriedly grabbed a lantern and her cloak, scurrying after her to send her off from the Eastern Palace.
The carriage smoothly returned to the Shen Residence, coincidentally bumping into Shen Xian’s returning carriage.
After Su Rong got off the carriage, she greeted Shen Xian, "Uncle, what a coincidence, how come you’re returning so late today?"
Shen Xian looked weary, "The official’s assessment has kept me busy till now."
Su Rong understood, the triennial assessment was a significant matter, she murmured: "Shouldn’t things become easier now that the Crown Prince and his wife are done for?"
After all, with the fall of the Crown Prince, the officials from his faction had scattered, no longer daring to stir up trouble.
Shen Xian shook his head, "It’s not as simple as you think."
Seeing Su Rong’s confusion, he explained, "Many officials exaggerate their achievements, or seek undue advantages at this time. Some even take bribes. The governance office, the inspectors, and the like do not consult on public affairs. The system is in chaos. To truly monitor the assessment for the Imperial Court, it takes a lot of effort."
Su Rong understood, "I see, it must be really tough for you."
No wonder at that time Crown Prince Yan Li hated Zhou Gu so much and wanted to strike at him through her elder brother. Once Shen Xian intervened in her brother’s matters, Yan Li didn’t dare to proceed. Uncle Shen was indeed holding a powerful position.
The two of them, while talking, went to Lady Shen’s quarters.
No matter how early or late Su Rong came back each day, she would always show her face to Lady Shen.
Lady Shen had already asked the servants to serve dinner, waiting for her husband. Su Xingze too was seated. Seeing the two return, Lady Shen exclaimed, "Where did you get this white fox fur cloak from? It looks quite rare and beautiful."
Su Rong smiled and answered her, "The Crown Prince gave it to me."
Su Xingze frowned upon hearing this, "The Crown Prince gave it and you accepted?"
"Why shouldn’t I?" Su Rong looked at him, "I worked for him, solved his problems, went through all the trouble, can’t I accept a cloak from him?"
Su Xingze was at a loss for words.
Lady Shen, on the other hand, started laughing, "Of course, you can accept it. Since the Crown Prince gave it to you, his gift can’t be declined. What’s the issue with accepting it?"
Shen Xian at first was not aware of where Su Rong got the cloak from, nor did he pay too much attention to what she was wearing. However, after hearing everyone’s discussion, he took another glance at the white fox fur cloak that Su Rong was wearing, stroked his beard, and said, "Little Seventh is right, it can be accepted."
Su Xingze was helpless, it seemed he was just being overly sensitive.
He didn’t say anything more, but warned Su Rong, "White fox fur is rare, especially for making such an expensive cloak, make sure you don’t wear it while climbing walls, getting into fights, or practicing swordplay, so as to not ruin it. Take good care of it."
"I know. I’m not dumb," Su Rong felt that her big brother was overly worried about her.
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