Chapter 725 Suspicion
The emperor sent all the people who might have come into contact with the concubine's clothes to the Ministry of Punishment, even Chen Sizheng, who was in charge of the Ministry of Clothing, was no exception.
After an overnight interrogation, the suspect surfaced.
Cao Nuo knelt on the ground and answered truthfully.
"The Imperial Concubine's clothes were made by twelve embroiderers.
After the clothes were made, they were locked in boxes and no one touched them.
The next day, Chen Sizheng personally led people to deliver the clothes to Yunxiu Palace.
They happened to meet Shao Liangren on the road.
But Shao Liangren just chatted with Chen Sizheng for a few words and did not touch his clothes.
There are several people who testified in this matter, so Shao Liangren should have nothing to do with this case.
After the clothes were sent to Yunxiu Palace, they were received by Zhezhi.
Zhezhi said that when she examined the clothes, two palace maids unfolded them and she touched the clothes.
Zhezhi put the clothes into the closet, locked it, and kept the key with her.
The wardrobe and the lock have been checked and there are no signs of having been pried open.
After delivering the clothes to Yunxiu Palace, Chen Si led two palace maids back to the Shangfu Department.
Not long after they returned, the two palace maids asked for leave to rest because they were not feeling well.
The Ministry of Punishment interrogated one of the palace maids last night.
She confessed that her hands began to turn red and itchy after she delivered the clothes and returned to the clothing department.
She suspected that she had a skin disease and was afraid that she would lose her job at the Shangfu Department, so she concealed the fact.
Doctor Fang had already diagnosed her and found that she was indeed suffering from the symptoms of poisoning from the mixture of Yihua and raw millet sprouts.
The whereabouts of the other maid is still unknown."
After listening to him, Luo Qinghan asked in a cold voice: "What is the name of the other palace maid?"
Cao Nuo: "Her name is Huachun."
Luo Qinghan thought the name sounded familiar at first.
He looked at Eunuch Chang who was standing next to him.
Eunuch Chang immediately said, "Hualchun used to work in the Pepper Palace. She was a second-class maid beside Queen Qin. Not long ago, Yunxiu Palace was selecting maids, and Huachun was also among the candidates."
Luo Qinghan immediately remembered that there was indeed such a palace maid. She was upset because she was not selected, and questioned Baoqin on the spot why she did not choose her.
At that time, Xiao Xixi said that she was narrow-minded and petty.
She didn't dare to refute at the time, but looking at her eyes, she must have been very unconvinced.
Cao Nuo continued, "There was a female doctor at the Imperial Hospital who confessed that Huachun had recently had a stomachache, so she prescribed two doses of medicine for her, and one of those medicines contained Yihua."
Luo Qinghan: "So, Huachun is probably the real culprit who poisoned the imperial concubine's clothes?"
Cao Nuo: “Yes.”
Luo Qinghan: "How long has she been missing?"
Cao Nuo: "It's been two days."
The palace is neither small nor big. It is almost impossible for a living person to hide in it without being discovered by anyone, unless there is someone covering for her or she is already dead.
Luo Qinghan informed Xiao Xixi of the news.
"I have already sent out orders to the Imperial Guards to pay close attention to Huachun's whereabouts when they patrol."
In theory, the simplest and most effective way is to search the palace one by one. Even if Huachun has wings, she will not be able to escape.
But that would be too much of a fuss, and it's really not worth it just for a little palace maid.
The Empress Dowager would not allow things to get to this point.
For now, we can only search secretly.
Xiao Xixi had also learned from Xiyu that Huachun had secretly asked the people in the imperial kitchen for some raw grain sprouts, so she was mentally prepared for this result.
After hearing what Luo Qinghan said, she was not surprised and just asked.
"Do you have Huachun's birth date? I'll calculate it for her and I should be able to find her whereabouts."
Of course there are birth data, but Luo Qinghan doesn't want Xixi to interfere in this matter. Every time she finishes calculating for someone, she will feel physically uncomfortable because of the empathy reaction.
Luo Qinghan: "I will have someone follow up on this matter. When I can't find anyone, I will let you take action."
Xiao Xixi had no choice but to listen to him.
That afternoon, Zhezhi was sent back to Yunxiu Palace.
She looked very haggard, her face was pale, her lips were dry and chapped, and she walked with a limp.
She fell to her knees, her voice hoarse beyond belief.
"Your servant greets the Imperial Concubine."
Xiao Xixi asked her to stand up.
When Zhezhi stood up, she swayed due to the pain from the wound. Fortunately, she steadied her body in time and did not fall to the ground.
Xiao Xixi didn't ask her about what happened in the Ministry of Punishment, but only asked: "Where are you hurt?"
Zhezhi answered truthfully: "It was just a few lashes on my back, it's nothing serious."
Xiao Xixi asked Baoqin to get her a box of ointment.
"This is a medicine for external injuries. Take it and apply it. Be careful these two days and try not to leave scars."
Zhezhi took the ointment with both hands, her eyes reddened: "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty. I will remember the lesson this time and will not be careless next time."
Although the poisoning incident had nothing to do with her, if she had checked the clothes carefully, the imperial concubine would not have discovered something wrong with the clothes just before leaving.
She is held responsible for failing to perform her duties properly.
She originally thought that after she came out of the Ministry of Punishment, the imperial concubine would no longer use her.
However, she didn't expect that the imperial concubine had no intention of sending her away. She even gave her some ointment and asked her to rest well.
Zhezhi was deeply moved by the imperial concubine's tolerance and kindness, but had no way to repay her. He could only swear secretly that he would be more cautious and careful in the future and never make any mistakes again.
He folded the branch and returned to his own residence.
Because her injury was on her back and it was difficult to apply medicine, Baoqin took the initiative to help her apply the medicine and asked about her experience in the Ministry of Punishment.
Because eunuch Cao Nuo had warned her, the Ministry of Punishment did not take any harsh measures against Zhezhi. They just whipped her a few times and asked her a few questions, and then did nothing else.
But being in a place like the Ministry of Punishment made Zhezhi feel intense fear and tension even if he did nothing.
She suddenly regretted why she had not been more careful when she did it.
Suddenly I felt anxious about my future direction.
She didn't close her eyes for two whole days.
Baoqin saw that she was really frightened, so she comforted her gently and asked someone to help make a bowl of calming tea.
After Zhezhi drank the calming tea, he gradually relaxed.
An intense fatigue overwhelmed her and she soon fell into a deep sleep.
In the past two days, Xiao Xixi was dragged by Luo Qinghan to exercise every morning.
Luo Qinghan practiced swordplay while she jogged around the ridge of the field.
Today is an exception.
Because there was a heavy rain last night, the fields in the backyard were soaked by the rain and became soft and slippery, making it inconvenient to walk on.
So today Xiao Xixi can sleep in with peace of mind.
Luo Qinghan got up at dawn as usual.
He dressed neatly and clocked in for work on time.
Eunuch Chang reminded.
"Your Majesty, General Zhao has arrived and said he wants to see you for something important."
The General Zhao he mentioned is Zhao Xian.
Since Luo Qinghan ascended the throne, Zhao Xian, the former commander of the Yulin Guard, was transferred to the Imperial Guards and took over the position of commander of the Imperial Guards.
Shang Kui, the former deputy commander of Yulin Guard, was promoted to the chief commander.
As for the former commander of the imperial guards, Xiao Lingfeng, he was transferred to the Patrol Department and became the Left Patrol Department, while the Right Patrol Department was none other than King Ying Luo Yechen.
…
Good night everyone~
It’s the last two days. If you don’t use the monthly ticket, it will expire.
The salted fish opens its mouth and waits for the monthly ticket to be fed~
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
