Chapter 321 Inquiring
After the Director of the Observatory spread rumors of divine punishment, he was hunted down by the Emperor. Fortunately, he had taken precautions in advance and escaped beforehand, thus avoiding disaster.
After the Emperor's death, the Director of the Imperial Observatory returned to the capital. His statement was confirmed, and the officials held him in even higher esteem. Wen Zhiming gave the Director of the Imperial Observatory two choices: either be reinstated and never see Consort Qin again, or take Consort Qin away and never return to the capital.
After careful consideration, the Director of the Imperial Observatory could not bear to see his lover suffer in prison, so he chose to take Consort Qin away.
Before leaving, the astronomical bureau performed a final divination for Wen Zhiming, predicting that three days later would be an auspicious day for his ascension to the throne, when the sun and moon would shine again and the country would be forever secure.
Wen Zhiming plans to hold his coronation and empress appointment together in three days. At that time, Meng Lingge will be the Empress, the mother of the nation, and it will be less convenient for her to leave the palace than it is now.
After the emperor's death, all of the emperor's relatives were taken to prison, and Princess Qiongxiao's residence was also within the scope of the arrests.
However, when the officials arrived, they found that Princess Qiongxiao had disappeared. Her favorite male concubines were still there, but Princess Qiongxiao, a maid named Hancui, and an elderly female doctor had all mysteriously disappeared from the entire mansion.
Princess Qiongxiao was not good at factional struggles and had an old grudge against the emperor. Moreover, she had the favor of having informed the Meng family in the past. Even though she was captured by the soldiers, Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge did not intend to make things difficult for her.
But Princess Qiongxiao, whether out of excessive fear or with other plans, fled when she realized something was wrong.
When Jiang Lin returned yesterday and told her that the two guards escorting Zheng Qingshan had been killed and that Zheng Qingshan's whereabouts were unknown, Meng Lingge took the initiative to ask about Princess Qiongxiao's situation, and only then did she learn about this matter.
She had originally planned to go to Princess Qiongxiao to ask about Guan Yi'an and Zheng Qingshan, but now that Princess Qiongxiao had run away, the male concubines in the mansion were still there, so she had to find out the truth before they were dismissed.
When she left the Meng residence, Chunhong and Xia Zi, who had served her before, left with her. In addition to Lushui, who was taken out today, there were three head maids in total. They were followed by a lot of guards, making a grand procession.
Upon arriving at Princess Qiongxiao's residence, the guards, upon hearing her identity, personally came out to greet her.
"Your Highness, I have come to pay my respects. May I ask what brings you here?"
This is the future Empress of the Golden Moon Kingdom. If she can say a good word for us to the King of the Northern Frontier, our future will be limitless.
"Are Princess Qiongxiao's male lovers still around? I'd like to ask them some questions." Meng Lingge asked gently.
The official raised his hand and said, "They are all still here. The King of Northern Frontier ordered that they be imprisoned for a month. If Princess Qiongxiao is not found by then, they will be released. This way, Your Highness."
The officials assumed that Meng Lingge wanted to find out Princess Qiongxiao's whereabouts through her male favorites, so they respectfully led Meng Lingge into the mansion and sent their men to bring all the male favorites to the front hall.
"They're all here. There are sixty-eight left. If you need any questions or torture, just tell me, and I'll have ways to make them talk."
At a glance, Meng Lingge saw only handsome men wearing white semi-transparent inner shirts, but their faces were dull and lifeless, and their eyes were unfocused, showing signs of excessive indulgence.
Now, after hearing the official's words, these people felt even more fearful and uneasy.
Meng Lingge waved her hand and said to the official, "They are not criminals, there is no need to torture them. I will ask them a few questions privately. You may leave now."
"But..." the official was about to say more, but seeing Meng Lingge's impatient expression, he immediately nodded and said, "Then this subordinate will take his leave first."
After speaking, the official closed the door and left.
Meng Lingge gave Chunhong and Xia Zi a wink, and the two maids went down to carefully examine the male concubines.
The male concubines, unaware of the situation, and some with impure thoughts, who were oblivious to the outside world, thought that Princess Qiongxiao had encountered trouble and that a beautiful woman had come along who was interested in them and wanted to choose a male concubine from among them. They kept sending flirtatious glances to Meng Lingge and striking seductive poses.
Meng Lingge frowned slightly and made a note of these people.
Chunhong and Xiazi checked twice before returning, shaking their heads at Meng Lingge.
Meng Lingge singled out those few people with ulterior motives from earlier and asked them, "Do you want to leave here?"
The group nodded vigorously, looking at Meng Lingge with expectant expressions.
Princess Qiongxiao escaped, leaving them alone to face the soldiers. After their decadent lifestyle, all that remained was fear and anxiety. Their greatest dream now was to save their lives and gain their freedom.
If I am chosen by a benefactor, I will surely be able to save my life.
Meng Lingge looked at them and said, "I want to ask you something. Just answer truthfully. As long as what you say is true, I can have someone let you leave as soon as possible, and I can also allow you to take away the rewards you have received over the years."
These words surprised the others even more.
Being able to save their lives was a pleasant surprise, and this benefactor was even willing to grant them their freedom and let them take away the jewels bestowed upon them by Princess Qiongxiao over the years.
They had all accumulated some possessions, and if they could take them all with them, they wouldn't live too poorly after leaving home.
These two sentences made the group realize that this important person only wanted to inquire about information and had no intention of dealing with them. They all straightened their expressions and said seriously, "As long as it is something we know, we will tell you everything we know."
The remaining male concubines panicked upon hearing this and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "We are also willing to speak, please give us a chance too."
"Yes, I've been with the princess the longest and know the most information. Please save us."
Judging from the officials' previous attitude towards Meng Lingge, this important person must be of extraordinary status, and might actually be able to save them. Even if she can't, they haven't suffered any loss.
This is a rare opportunity that should not be missed.
Meng Lingge looked at them and said, "As long as you tell me everything you know, you can all leave safely. About six months ago, a man named Guan Yi'an was brought here by Princess Qiongxiao. Where is he now? When did he leave?"
Among the men in front, one of them lowered his head and thought for a moment before replying, "We only have code names in the princess's residence, not real names. But six months ago, the princess did bring a man back. This man was not the princess's male favorite, and he didn't have a code name. The princess called him, called him... I remember now, the princess called him Anlang. He should be the person you're looking for."
"Yes, I remember him too. Although he wasn't a male concubine, the princess trusted him a lot and let him live in the palace to learn various musical instruments. He was also very good at pleasing the princess."
"Not only the princess, but also Han Cui, the princess's first maid, was very close to him. However, this person is long dead."
"Dead?" Meng Lingge asked in surprise, "How did he die? Where is he buried?"
Guan Yi'an had an extremely strong ability to survive, and Princess Qiongxiao valued him highly, so how could he have died suddenly?
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