The third young master Liu Yan covered his lips and coughed several times.
Originally, he didn't take what Liu Zhao said seriously.
He was in poor health, and the imperial physician advised him to rest well and not to think too much or move too much.
He had been ill for a long time and became lazy. He was unwilling to think and had a headache.
It's a real headache, not a metaphor.
Every time he thought too deeply, he would have a headache all night long, making him feel worse than death.
This time, Prince Ning was appointed as the crown prince, and the status of the princes in Prince Ning's mansion also rose accordingly.
When Prince Ning ascends the throne in the future, they will no longer be princes of the palace, but princes.
The third young master was no exception and couldn't help but think about some random things.
This thought brought back the sad things in my heart. It is really frustrating to have such a bad body.
It didn't matter that he was annoyed, the words Liu Zhao said to him last time came to his mind again.
Yes, if their disease is contagious, why did the imperial physician never say for sure that it was an infectious disease, and the maids and servants who served them were all fine?
He looked at his third wife, Mrs. Cai, and said, "Most of the servants in this courtyard are your dowry. Before your marriage, you were in good health. Not to mention me, I never even had a headache or fever on a normal day.
Why did everything change after we got married? If so, the maids around you are all fine, but only you and I are getting worse and worse.
So I'm a little curious, is there something that only you and I touch often, and the maids don't even touch it?"
The Third Madam, Madam Cai, lowered her head, and her appearance could not be seen clearly. "Sir, are you suspecting that there is something wrong with my dowry and deliberately trying to harm them? They are all my dowry and are dependent on me. If anything happens to me, they will not have a good ending either."
The Third Young Master smiled and said, "That's not necessarily true."
Without waiting for Third Madam Cai to object, he continued, "I've thought carefully. There are some things we touch frequently, but the maids never touch. One is the bed you and I sleep on, and the other is the soft couch and the cushion where we often rest. The maids only wipe these three places, unlike us who lie on them every day."
Third Madam Cai sat up abruptly. "These pieces of furniture are my dowry. Sir, are you saying that our Cai family deliberately made and sent these large pieces of furniture with problems? Sir, don't forget that my condition is more serious than yours."
"There's no point in saying more. Let's get someone to check it out."
The third young master clapped his hands, and soon a steward came in with a dozen servants and old women.
The third wife, Mrs. Cai, was horrified. "What are you doing? Ahem...are you trying to kill me...ahem..."
The Third Young Master covered his face and coughed twice, "Go, take apart the bed, the couch, and the ottoman, and inspect them carefully."
"Sir, are you sure you want to demolish everything?"
"Yes, they've all been demolished. It doesn't matter if they're smashed."
"It can't be taken apart. These are my dowry and can't be taken apart." The third wife, Mrs. Cai, objected.
The Third Young Master was determined this time to give him an explanation. "I smashed your dowry furniture, and I will repay you tenfold. What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and do it."
"I'm sorry, Third Madam." The old woman stepped forward and dragged Third Madam away.
The servants entered the bedroom and began to dismantle the bed.
The maids and old women in the yard were all shocked and confused.
What's going on? Are they going to demolish the house?
"Quick, report to the Princess. The Third Young Master wants to dismantle the Third Madam's dowry furniture and even demolish the house. I'm afraid life will be unbearable."
The two big maids turned around and ran to Chunhe Hall to complain.
Pei has been in a good mood these days and has no worries, so she likes everyone.
Unexpectedly, there would be trouble in the third room.
"Is the third brother sick and confused? Why would he tear down his wife's furniture?"
"The young master suspected that there was something wrong with the lady's dowry furniture, which caused him to become ill."
"He really said that?"
The maid nodded frequently.
Pei pondered the matter, "Come here, take this invitation and ask the imperial physician to come to the house. The rest of you, follow me to the third room. He's been messing around all day long."
…
Xiao Cui is a gossiper.
How could she not know about the big commotion in the third room?
After knowing this, he hurried back to the East Courtyard and said, "Madam, the Third Young Master wants to tear down the house and the furniture, and he's making a big fuss."
Gu Jiu was affected. His hand trembled and a drop of ink fell on the page of calligraphy. The whole page was ruined.
She crumpled the copybook into a ball and threw it into the trash can.
"We're living a good life, why is the Third Young Master demolishing the house?"
"I heard that the Third Young Master dislikes the Third Madam, so he wants to dismantle her dowry furniture."
What are you talking about?
It was obvious that Xiao Cui had not found out the news clearly, so she ran over to report it.
"Qingmei, go and see for me what's going on."
"Sister Qingmei, you don't have to go. I know the reason." Xu Yousi came in from outside. "I just came from the third house. I heard that the third young master suspected that there was something wrong with the third lady's dowry furniture. It made him sick, so he had the furniture dismantled to check."
"Ah? Why would the Third Madam harm herself? Isn't she sick too?"
"That's hard to say."
Gu Jiu was surprised.
This was clearly her judgment.
Since the illness of the third wife and her husband was not contagious, it must have been caused by contact with something problematic in their daily lives. She only told Liu Zhao about this speculation, so how could the third master know about it?
Did Liu Zhao tell the Third Young Master about her guess?
But why did it take so long for the Third Young Master to think of checking the daily necessities?
Gu Jiu said, "If the Third Young Master finds out something, things will get out of hand. Come with me to the Third House to check out the situation. If necessary, we have to stop them."
When Gu Jiu brought his men to the third room, Pei had already arrived for a while.
The third young master insisted on dismantling the furniture and no one could persuade him.
He coughed for a moment, "Mother, my son is so sick that he's almost dead. Let him die knowingly, okay?"
Pei frowned, "Are you sure there's something wrong with the furniture your wife brought as a dowry?"
"We'll know if we check it out."
Pei sighed, "Forget it. Since it's already been demolished, let's demolish it completely. If there really is something wrong with the dowry furniture given by the Cai family, I must have a good talk with the Cai family about this. What exactly are they up to? Are they marrying off their daughter, or are they trying to kill someone?"
As soon as the words fell, no one dared to breathe.
Third Madam Cai's face turned pale and she was about to collapse. "Mother, please understand. Your daughter-in-law has absolutely no intention of harming anyone."
"Whether you have any intention of harming anyone, wait until you have thoroughly checked the furniture in this room. Come, take the Third Madam's dowry maids and servants, as well as the other concubines outside, and detain them all and await their fate."
Pei was also very straightforward. Since they had already suspected someone, they couldn't let anyone get away. Regardless of whether they were guilty or not, they would be detained first.
Third Madam Cai's face turned pale. "Mother, why don't you imprison your daughter-in-law as well?"
Pei Shi didn't buy her tricks. "If anything goes wrong, you'll be the first to bear the brunt of the consequences, and you won't be able to escape. You and the Cai family will be charged with the crime of murdering the emperor's grandson. Just wait and see. You will definitely pay the price."
Although the Third Young Master was not born to the Pei family, at this time, the reputation and honor of the palace were at stake, so the Pei family naturally had to stand up for the Third Young Master and not allow him to be bullied.
The third wife, Mrs. Cai, cried and wailed, "How could our Cai family harm the young master? Besides, I'm sick too. Am I even harming myself?"
"Who knows what you Cai family members are up to?"
Third Madam Cai looked at Third Young Master Liu Yan, "My husband, are you so suspicious of me? Do you think I'm a vicious woman who would kill people?"
The Third Young Master lowered his eyes and said, "Don't worry, there will be results soon. Perhaps you have also been deceived."
Gu Jiu stood beside Pei and asked Xu Yousi to go into the room and keep an eye on things.
Xu Yousi quietly entered the bedroom and watched the servants dismantle the furniture.
"The imperial physician is here!"
Pei invited the imperial physician just in case, worried that the third young master and his wife would fall ill.
In addition to the imperial physician, the steward also cleverly invited a medical officer from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The medical officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were of average skill in treating illnesses, but they were top-notch experts in investigating cases, especially poisoning cases.
The steward secretly reported the medical officer's identity to Pei.
Pei nodded secretly, "You are very thoughtful. Bring the medical officer in and check carefully to see if there is any problem."
Pei thought that the imperial physician was only responsible for treating illnesses, so it was inevitable that he would overlook some things.
The medical officers have been cooperating with the Embroidered Uniform Guards in investigating cases for a long time. If there are any problems with the furniture, the medical officers will definitely be able to see it.
Gu Jiu was listening on the side and looked up to the manager who took the initiative to invite the medical officer. He thought it was very thoughtful.
This steward seems to be working in the outer courtyard. I'll ask him tomorrow if he's willing to work under her.
Yes, ever since Prince Ning was appointed as the crown prince, Gu Jiu started to set his sights on the servants in the prince's mansion.
The stewards, servants and attendants who had been trained in the palace were all excellent when they were sent out, and one could do the work of seven or eight people.
When Prince Ning ascends the throne and becomes emperor, all the servants except the eunuchs will definitely be sent to the Shaofu, or to work in the imperial farm, or released to be low-ranking civil officials or military generals.
Gu Jiu coveted these talents and planned to wait until King Ning ascended the throne, then recruit all the capable people among them to her own side to solve her talent shortage.
The steward was unaware that he was being watched by Madam Zhao. He was accompanying the medical officer, examining the dismantled furniture.
The medical officer took a handkerchief and examined each item.
The medical officer stayed for a long time while checking the bed frame.
"How is it? Is there a problem?"
The medical officer said, "Call all the servants who can enter and leave this bedroom. I need to confirm it again."
"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
The manager was inexplicably excited. He hadn't expected the medical officer to actually find the problem.
Could it be that it was really the Third Madam Cai who poisoned and murdered the Third Young Master?
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