The bottom of the food box under the plate was empty. Hongxiu put the plate back to its original place and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I didn't find anything unusual."
Concubine Liang glanced at Concubine Shu with disdain and said coldly, "Madame Li, please return to the palace quickly. Don't keep the Empress Dowager waiting too long."
"Yes, your Majesty." Nanny Li responded and then hurriedly left Chuxiu Palace.
Her steps were extremely quick, almost jogging, and she arrived at a hidden corner.
Carefully open the food box, take out all five warm green dumplings in a circle on the plate, and place them on a brocade handkerchief.
Her movements were hurried and flustered. She didn't care at all that the soft and glutinous green dumplings were deformed by being kneaded, and stuffed them into her arms without hesitation.
However, only a green ball of mugwort was left in the center of the plate.
Then she quickly closed the lunch box and quickened her pace to rush to the Cining Palace.
After about an incense stick of time, the entire Chuxiu Palace had been searched, but still nothing was found.
Concubine Shu couldn't wait to ask, "How is it? Have you found anything suspicious?"
Commander Ma replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I haven't noticed anything unusual."
Concubine Shu frowned and looked at Hongxiu, as if asking: What's going on? Didn't you finish it? Why didn't you find it?
Hongxiu took people to squat inside the courtyard wall and search carefully, but still found nothing.
Concubine Liang laughed sarcastically and said, "Sister, why don't you stay and enjoy a midnight snack with me? However, I know you are very busy and have no time to take care of these things, so I won't see you off!"
After saying that, Heimian flicked his sleeves and walked into the main hall.
"Let's go to other palaces and have a look." Concubine Shu gritted her teeth and gave the order without giving up.
The next place to search was the Kun Palace, where Concubine Jia was engrossed in reading a picture album on the flower bed.
Hongye ran in in a panic, "Your Majesty, something bad has happened! Concubine Shu has brought the imperial guards to search the palace!"
At this time, Concubine Jia was immersed in the erotic pictures and couldn't extricate herself, so she didn't hear what she said at all.
Hongye had no choice but to draw aside the curtain and said anxiously, "My Lady, will that matter..."
Concubine Jia then closed the erotic painting and asked lazily, "What's wrong? What's all the commotion outside?"
Hongye knelt down and grabbed her hand, saying timidly: "
"My Lady, you must protect me. I took all the risks for you. I grew up with you. When I was ten, I tried to save you from a pond, but water got into my brain and I nearly died, my Lady."
As he spoke, he began to sob.
Concubine Jia pinched the back of her hand impatiently and scolded her, "Can you please stop howling and tell me what happened?"
Hongye leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Shufei has brought people to search for the items used in the arson."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Jia was so shocked that she jumped up from the couch and dropped the erotic picture in her hand to the ground.
Her face was filled with fear, and she said in a panic, "It's over, what should I do?"
Seeing her panic-stricken, Hongye quickly held her back and comforted her softly, "Your Highness, don't panic. Huozhezi and I have already handled it properly. They will definitely not find any evidence.
As long as Your Majesty remains calm at all times and never mentions me, nothing will happen."
At the same time, Qiulin was trying hard to deal with Concubine Shu outside, and was very anxious.
She didn't know whether Hongye had explained everything clearly to Concubine Jia, and was afraid that Concubine Jia would lose her patience and reveal her flaws.
Concubine Shu was eager to enter the main hall to search, but Qiu Lin hurriedly stopped her, saying respectfully and firmly, "Your Majesty, our mistress is resting, and she hates being woken the most."
At this time, Hongxiu pulled Qiulin aside. Knowing that she was close to the empress dowager, she explained with a smile, "Sister Qiulin, this is the emperor's order. If we don't search, what if someone spreads rumors that Concubine Jia is uncooperative? How will the emperor view this matter? Don't you agree?"
Qiulin had no reason to stop them and could only let Concubine Shu lead people into the main hall.
"Search every corner, don't leave any corner untouched."
"Yes, Madam Shufei."
The guards started searching from the flower hall, carefully checking every corner, even lifting up the bottom of the palace carpet to check, leaving no place where someone might be hiding.
He also moved the table away and carefully checked if there was anything unusual under it.
Concubine Shu walked through the flower hall and came to the inner hall.
I saw Concubine Jia and Hongxiu, who was kneeling beside the bed, huddled together, lowering their heads and whispering something to each other.
Hongxiu gently lifted the pearl and jade curtain, and Concubine Shu walked into the room with a sneer on her lips, "Sister Jiafei, aren't you asleep?"
Concubine Jia leaned against the edge of the carved mahogany bed, a hint of arrogance and complacency on her face. She raised her chin, looked down on Concubine Shu, and asked arrogantly, "Concubine Shu, I want to ask you, who is the leader of the four concubines?"
When Concubine Shu heard this, the corners of her lips twitched slightly.
If Qi Yan hadn't died in battle, not only would she have been the head of the Four Concubines, but even the position of Imperial Concubine would have been hers. How could it be the turn of this little bitch in front of me?
He suppressed his dissatisfaction and replied, "Of course it's Consort Jiaxian—my sister."
After hearing this, Concubine Jia nodded with satisfaction, raised her chin, and said proudly, "That's good to know. Then how dare you be so presumptuous in my place? Who gave you the courage?"
Shufei did not respond directly to Jiafei's words, but walked to the gold-threaded rosewood dressing table and gently stroked the table surface.
She noticed that the jewelry box on the table was very valuable. She remembered that it was a precious tribute and had seen it in the Imperial Household Department before, but she didn't expect it to appear in Concubine Jia's place.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
