The palace maid tried hard to recall what had happened that day, starting from when she got up in the morning, and recounted the events of the day in fits and starts.
Xie Zhaoxun was straightforward and kind to the palace maids around her. Besides Cuiya, her head maid, she had four other maids. However, Xie Zhaoxun usually didn't order them around much, only asking them to do some rough work. She and Cuiya were the ones who took care of everything in the house.
At dawn, Cuiya, accompanied by two young palace maids, helped Xie Zhaoxun wash up and have her meal. Afterwards, Xie Zhaoxun would sit in the room in a daze, not doing any embroidery, but just fiddling with the jewelry on her dressing table.
Cuiya was very busy and didn't spend time with her.
After lunch, someone from Renshou Palace summoned Consort Xi. Xie Zhaoxun disliked the lunch and asked Cuiya to take a piece of silver to the small kitchen to make some extra money. She also ordered two dishes that required considerable effort to prepare.
When Cuiya returned, it was the hottest time of the afternoon, and there was no one in the front or back yards; everyone had gone to seek shelter from the heat. But she saw Xie Zhaoxun talking to a young eunuch at the side gate.
Upon seeing Cuiya appear, Xie Zhaoxun simply said he was getting impatient and pulled aside a young eunuch to inquire. Cuiya didn't think much of it.
After returning to his room, Xie Zhaoxun made an excuse that he was tired and wanted to take a nap, so he sent Cuiya out and closed the doors and windows.
After that, Cuiya knew nothing more.
After listening, the prince remained silent for a while, then walked to the dressing table and opened the makeup box.
But inside the dressing case, there were only seven or eight simple pieces of jewelry.
The crown prince frowned.
Although he didn't particularly like Xie Zhaoxun and hadn't entered her room for several years, he still gave her many gifts during festivals and treated all the women in the back courtyard equally.
The Crown Princess never withheld her monthly allowance, which was a good thing, as it prevented anyone from finding fault with her.
The palace servants in the Eastern Palace were strictly managed, including the small kitchen. There was very little need to bribe the servants. Occasionally, if you ordered a dish, giving them two or three taels of silver would be enough.
Xie Zhaoxun was originally a palace maid; her family was gone, and she had no close relatives after entering the palace. Where did all her jewelry and silver go over the years?
The Crown Prince turned and glanced at Cuiya, then waved for the eunuch at the door to take her away, while ordering, "Interrogate her thoroughly."
Then, he turned and went to Wu Zhaoxun's place.
For Wu Zhaoxun, this was truly an undeserved disaster. She and Xie Zhaoxun were indeed close, but that was only because they had come to the Crown Prince's side at the same time, had known each other for a long time, and were both out of favor, so they could talk to each other.
Wu Zhaoxun was puzzled by Xie Zhaoxun's death and was startled by Jin Xiang and the others who suddenly barged in.
Jin Xiang made a few threatening remarks, and Wu Zhaoxun turned pale with fright, unable to stand up, and hurriedly tried to clear himself of the blame.
Jin Xiang didn't dare to threaten him, and the stalemate continued until the Crown Prince entered.
As soon as the Crown Prince entered, Jin Xiang and Wu Zhaoxun both breathed a sigh of relief.
Faced with the Crown Prince's questions, Wu Zhaoxun dared not hide anything and basically answered whatever was asked.
Cuiya was confused, but Wu Zhaoxun was clever and understood the Crown Prince's meaning. She had also paid attention to Xie Zhaoxun before, and after thinking for a long time, she brought up an old story.
"When Xie Zhaoxun was a palace maid, she had a godson who was very close to her, just like a real brother and sister. However, after Xie Zhaoxun entered the Eastern Palace, she broke off all contact with her godson."
Things that happen in the palace can't be discussed openly; there has to be a respectable way to explain them.
Take, for example, the adoption of godparents. God-sisters and godbrothers—are they really siblings? It's nothing more than a fig leaf to cover things up.
Wu Zhaoxun, having served as a palace maid for over a decade, naturally understood this point.
The crown prince, however, did not understand.
"Where is that eunuch currently working?"
Wu Zhaoxun actually knows this.
"It should be in Shanglin Garden."
Before the Crown Prince could even speak, Jin Xiang jumped up.
"I'll take men and capture that brat right away!"
The crown prince did not linger any longer and went to the west side hall.
The room was completely quiet. The pool of blood on the floor, the messy footprints, and the blood-stained bedding had all been cleaned up.
When the Crown Prince entered, he only saw two young palace maids guarding the bedside. Turning his head, he saw Song Siyuan and Wei Hong searching for something in front of the dressing table.
Is this it?
"It doesn't look like it."
Is that it?
No, not exactly.
The crown prince stepped forward and asked, "What are you looking for?"
Wei Hong turned around and bowed.
"It was Master who said to have me and Physician Song carefully examine the things in Consort Rou's room. Master originally wanted to come over, but Physician Song and Miss Dingxiang persuaded him not to."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's heart began to race.
Thankfully, Qingqing didn't come!
The Crown Prince then bowed to Song Siyuan and said, "Thank you, Physician Song."
Physician Song didn't say much, since there were outsiders present! So he politely returned the greeting and got down to business.
"Rou Liangyuan is fine, but the excessive blood on the ground earlier frightened people. She herself didn't bleed much," Physician Song said in a low voice. "The medicine she was given was very strong, but it wasn't poison."
"No one will die?"
"That's not entirely true. If the bleeding continues unabated, it can be life-threatening," Physician Song stroked his beard. "However, I have already stopped the bleeding, and she is out of danger now."
The crown prince nodded slightly, glanced at the bed, and asked, "Then why hasn't she woken up yet?"
To find out what really happened, just ask Yoshihime herself.
Upon hearing the Crown Prince's question, Imperial Physician Song also sensed something was amiss. His brows furrowed tightly, and he stroked his beard even faster.
"Indeed, logically speaking, she should have woken up by now!"
The more Song Siyuan thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He quickly walked to the bedside and carefully took Rou Liangyuan's pulse.
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