After the fire at Funing Palace yesterday, all the palace gates were closed.
At this time, people outside the palace only knew that the palace was on fire and the Funing Hall had been burned down. They were unaware that Emperor Cheng'an had also lost an extremely important item.
Emperor Cheng'an stayed outside the Funing Palace until midnight. Once the fire was extinguished, he ordered people to search the ruins of the Funing Palace, but they found nothing.
The object was locked in a mechanism box and hidden in a secret compartment by his bedside.
Last night's fire burned his bedroom to the ground, and the dragon bed he slept on was reduced to a few charred remnants. It was only natural that the hidden mechanism box in the secret compartment by the bed was also burned away.
But for some reason, after learning that his bedchamber had been doused with kerosene and deliberately set on fire, Emperor Cheng'an's eyelids kept twitching.
Especially since yesterday was the Ghost Festival, a very special day.
No one else would think of taking the items inside the contraption; the only one with a motive would be the King of Qin.
Emperor Cheng'an coldly scrutinized Prince Qin for a moment before speaking, "You also know about the fire in the palace last night?"
Both Xue Shen and King Chen said "yes".
With such a commotion, and considering that the Prince Chen's residence and the Prince Qin's residence are not far from the palace, it's impossible that they didn't hear about it.
Prince Chen asked, "Is there any trace of the arsonists?"
Emperor Cheng'an sighed, suppressing his anger, and said, "We haven't caught him yet. Although the thief is cunning, he has left some clues. Zhou Qing is already investigating, and I will catch him sooner or later!"
Xue Shen said, "Are all the city gates sealed off and checks intensified? If it was arson intentional and the Imperial Guards didn't catch the person on the spot, they might have already escaped outside the city. Once they're out of the city, it will be difficult to find them again."
Emperor Cheng'an nodded: "Yuan Jin is right. I ordered the city gates to be sealed last night, and the Imperial Guards have strengthened their checks in the city."
"However, there is still one problem that I cannot understand. I summoned you two here today for two reasons: first, to gather our wisdom, and second, because I fear that the thief may also harm you."
"I am willing to share the burdens of the government."
"I am willing to share my father's burdens."
Xue Shen and the Prince of Chen spoke in unison.
Emperor Cheng'an showed a look of relief before slowly expressing his doubts: "If we judge by common sense, the thief's night attack on Funing Palace was most likely to assassinate me. But last night I stayed at Daxiangguo Temple and was not in Funing Palace. If the thief really wanted to assassinate me, he wouldn't have alerted them like this."
“That doesn’t make sense,” said King Chen.
"If it wasn't an assassination attempt, then it was for money." Xue Shen frowned in thought: "Has any valuable item been stolen from Funing Palace?"
Prince Chen looked at him mockingly: "Most of the Funing Palace has been burned down, leaving only broken walls and ruins. Even if something was stolen, it would be impossible to count it."
Xue Shen retorted sarcastically, "If it wasn't for assassination or for money, could it be that the thief broke into the palace and burned down the Funing Hall just for fun?"
King Chen was speechless, and frowned in deep thought.
Seeing that the two could not reach a conclusion, Emperor Cheng'an sighed softly, "Speaking of theft, quite a few important things are indeed missing." He casually mentioned, "The edict by which the late emperor passed the throne to me was the last handwritten document of the late emperor. I would occasionally take it out to look at it when I missed my brother, but who would have thought that it would also be stolen this time... Alas."
He seemed unable to continue, and let out another deep sigh.
Xue Shen comforted him, saying, "The imperial edict is important, but it is nothing compared to His Majesty's health."
Emperor Cheng'an nodded, seemingly tired. After chatting for a while longer, he dismissed the two men.
After everyone left, Emperor Cheng'an's fatigue vanished, and he narrowed his eyes, staring at Xue Shen's retreating figure with an inscrutable expression.
*
Meanwhile, Shen Youying was talking to Empress Zhou Ji in Ciyuan Hall.
Zhou Jihou was clearly frightened by yesterday's fire, and looked lingeringly fearful whenever the fire was mentioned.
"You should also be careful outside. It's dry and windy today, and fires are more likely to occur. Especially for you and Yuanjin." Zhou Jihou held Shen Youying's hand and said earnestly, "I heard that Yuanjin invited the Fire Cave Master to set up a ritual in the mansion yesterday, and even released sky lanterns afterwards? Ritual performances inevitably involve fire, so you must be careful."
Shen Youying was not surprised that Zhou Jihou knew about the affairs of the mansion. Upon hearing this, she obediently replied, "Yes, I heard that in previous years they would invite Master Huodong to perform rituals. Now that it concerns the health of the Prince, I dare not say anything more."
Empress Zhou sighed softly, "Indeed, Yuan Jin has been weak ever since he fell from his horse. If it weren't for those pills, he probably wouldn't be so healthy. No wonder he's so convinced of this. I heard he even forced you to dance in public yesterday?"
Shen Youying looked up at her and gently shook her head: "It can't be called coercion, I did it voluntarily."
"Master Huodong said that the blessing dance can ward off evil and bring good fortune, but it is only effective if the person praying for the blessing cooperates in the formation. However, Your Highness's legs are not good for walking, and I cannot bear to see Your Highness suffer from pain, so I agreed."
"You child, you are truly devoted to Yuanjin." Empress Zhou said with satisfaction, "Yuanjin is blessed to have married such a caring princess like you."
Shen Youying lowered her eyes shyly, concealing the doubt in them.
She felt that the Empress's words were a test, both overt and covert. But what was she testing?
Could it be that they suspect the arson attack on Funing Palace is related to the Prince of Qin?
As soon as the idea popped into her head, Shen Youying shook her head and rejected it in her heart.
Putting aside the fact that the King of Qin had no reason to do so, even if he did, he was with him all day yesterday, so there was no way he could have had the opportunity to set fire to the place.
Thinking of this, Shen Youying was slightly taken aback. Something flashed through her mind, but she didn't have time to grasp it.
After speaking with Shen Youying for a while, Empress Zhou bestowed some rewards upon her and sent her back.
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