Chapter 76 The Self-Awareness of Symbols
Xiao Qing thought about it and still felt that she couldn't just ignore it.
Let's just call her weak, but she couldn't bear to watch Mei Shu suffer, even though she knew exactly how Mei Shu would be treated.
There are certain things in this world that she probably can't accept, even if she tries to ignore them.
Moreover, Mei Shu was the one who saved her.
Based on all the information available, even if the gray cloth was used by her to pass messages to someone, and even if the packet of poison was given to someone by her or given to her by someone, it ultimately did not truly harm her.
"Is there a gentler way to find out who is passing the message to her?" Xiao Qing avoided answering.
Zhao Youchen had a feeling of "I knew it."
Even though His Majesty is intelligent and sensible, he is still a bit soft-hearted.
As a ruler of a country, decisive action is essential to avoid many troubles. If one acts like the late emperor…
Zhao Youchen quickly banished any inappropriate thoughts and said, "I will give it a try."
Zhao Youchen accepted the order and went, but just as he had expected, gentle methods were completely ineffective against Mei Shu.
Worse still, because the small note was taken away, Mei Shu, who had struggled fiercely but still failed to stop it all, became even more silent and indifferent when facing Zhao Youchen after calming down.
Zhao Youchen personally interrogated the suspects, which took almost two more hours. He knew that continuing like this would not yield any results.
Moreover, Mei Shu must know that the fact that he has only questioned her and has not actually tortured her must be the young emperor's intention.
Zhao Youchen gave a cold laugh. "You know very well what the crime of plotting against His Majesty is and what the consequences are. Right now, His Majesty is being benevolent and remembering some old friendships. If you still refuse to be honest and courteous, I, Zhao Youchen, can't do anything to you. But according to palace rules, you'll probably have to go to the palace prison. You should weigh the consequences yourself, whether the person you refuse to talk about is worth the trip."
After saying that, Zhao Youchen turned and left, deciding to try to persuade the young emperor again.
But a dark current seemed to surge deep within Mei Shu's eyes, before returning to calm after a brief pause.
After taking the medicine and resting for a while, Xiao Xiao regained some energy and blinked as she tried to slip into Xiao Qing's hand.
Xiao Qing comforted it for a while, and then saw the few people beside her who hadn't said a word. She thought that Mei Shu was someone they knew, and that they must be feeling bad about what had happened. Just as she was about to say something, Zhao Youchen's voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty, I am incompetent."
Xiao Qing's heart sank.
"Ask her one more time, and if she still refuses to say anything, then..."
"I request that the matter be handled in accordance with palace regulations, and the truth of the matter will be judged fairly."
Xiao Qing frowned.
"Your Majesty, I am not a man of great talent, nor can I be as learned and wise as the Grand Tutor. I have only been fortunate enough to lead troops for a few years, commanding advances and retreats, and conquering cities and territories. Leading troops in battle requires strict military discipline and law, with orders being obeyed without exception. Any exceptions will inevitably shake the morale of the army and hinder the offensive. In particular, the commander-in-chief bears a heavy responsibility. If the commander-in-chief shows favoritism, it is tantamount to testing the law himself, which is a serious offense."
Xiao Qingxin was startled.
She was considering certain rules of the world that she could not accept. Even if Mei Shu had made such a mistake, she was thinking about the whole thing from a personal perspective and was unwilling to think too badly of people.
However, Zhao Youchen offered a different perspective.
Besides being Xiao Qing, she is also a symbol, or a principle.
As symbols and standards, they cannot be influenced by personal feelings.
"How should this be handled according to palace regulations?"
After a moment of silence, Ma Hong said, "The palace servants are all under the management of the Inner Palace Service Bureau. If a palace servant breaks the law, he or she shall be sent to the palace prison, where he or she shall be punished according to the law after interrogation and sentencing."
As expected, it was another palace prison.
Xiao Qing tightened her grip inside her sleeve as images of the two palace maids, Ying Ying, and Mei Shu flashed rapidly before her eyes.
Zhao Youchen kept a straight face, determined that this time he absolutely could not let His Majesty soften his heart.
If secretly sending messages and poisoning the emperor can be easily forgiven, then no matter how well he trains the Imperial Guards, he cannot guarantee the safety of the young emperor before the Grand Tutor returns.
How many eyes are watching inside and outside the palace? The young emperor's momentary leniency will only allow those with ulterior motives to continue to look for opportunities to exploit.
"His Majesty……"
Xiao Qing lowered his eyes. "Yes. But, could I be allowed to supervise the interrogation?"
Zhao Youchen wanted to say something more.
“I can go somewhere where I won’t be discovered. Ma Hong and Liu Yi can come with me.” She turned to look at Ma Hong and Liu Yi.
"Your subject obeys."
"Your servant obeys."
Xiao Qing has begun to realize that her approach to handling the situation after it happened was perhaps extremely inexperienced.
After Zhao Youchen went again, he returned with a dark expression.
Xiao Qing quickly asked, "Still won't you tell me?"
Zhao Youchen had no choice but to shake his head.
Xiao Qing looked at the small note beside her and knew that she couldn't give Mei Shu another chance.
"Your Majesty," Zhao Youchen said, looking at Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing composed herself and said, "Then let's do it the way we agreed before."
She picked up the baby, and as she was about to hand the baby to Ying Ying, she said, "General Zhao has made the arrangements..."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt dizzy, and the scenery in the hall before her blurred as if she had been displaced for a moment.
What happened?
"Your Majesty!" Mingxiu, who was closest, watched in alarm as Xiao Qing slumped back into her seat, and Xiao Xiao fell from her loosened arms.
"His Majesty!"
"Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
"Physician He! Quickly, summon Physician He!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Ying Ying grabbed Xiao Xiao, who was about to fall to the ground, and Ma Hong, Liu Yi, Ming Xiu, and Dan Ying all rushed over.
Zhao Youchen loudly ordered someone to find Physician He.
He remembered what the Grand Tutor had said before he left: "If His Majesty is unwell, you must only consult Physician He."
It is just the right time.
Zhao Youchen regretted letting Physician He go back then.
If he were still under house arrest in the palace, it would be so much faster to find him.
Zhao Youchen pondered for a moment, "You all take good care of His Majesty. Since I have obeyed His Majesty's orders, I will be right back."
He left eight guards behind in case of unforeseen circumstances, and hurriedly led his men to escort the silent Mei Shu to the palace prison.
Today, the only person on duty at the palace prison is still the former Chief Eunuch Huang Rui.
Zhao Youchen clasped his hands and said, "Chief Eunuch Huang, you know His Majesty's temperament. Although Attendant Mei has committed a crime, the situation has not yet been clarified, and there is no concrete evidence of the ins and outs. Chief Eunuch Huang, please be careful when questioning him, as His Majesty is coming to visit."
Huang Rui repeatedly agreed.
"However, the questions that need to be asked must still be asked; His Majesty also needs to know the truth."
Mei Shu's expression was cold and resolute. She saw Zhao Youchen looking at her, but refused to turn her head away.
Zhao Youchen was annoyed by her stubbornness, thinking to himself that he hadn't realized Mei Shu was so capable.
He figured he had said what needed to be said, and he would have an explanation if His Majesty asked. He figured Huang Rui wouldn't be as disrespectful to those around His Majesty as he was to those two palace servants, so he turned and left.
He needed to go see His Majesty as soon as possible.
Inside the palace prison, Huang Rui sat outside the iron bars watching Mei Shu being wheeled in. His slanted eyes were half-closed, and his gaze was as cold as a snake flicking its tongue in the darkness, ready to devour its prey.
"Attendant Mei, it's really not easy to see you."
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