Chapter 370 – The Matters Behind

Chapter 370 - The Matters Behind

"Yes, that's why it doesn't make sense to target only one person. I was thinking that the Ninth Prince might be involved in this matter. So, am I right to be worried, sister?"

Jiang Concubine smiled. "Your Majesty, where are you going with this? I was merely voicing my thoughts."

Yu Concubine harrumphed. "They say that children should not speak of strange phenomena and superstitions. What use is there in using such things to harm others? But the intention behind it is indeed malicious. The palace cannot tolerate the presence of charms and curses. Once the truth is uncovered, His Majesty will surely mete out punishment. He won't let this slide!"

"Indeed, such matters cannot be taken lightly. It takes quite some audacity," Empress Min frowned.

"Let's start the investigation with those around the Sixth Prince," said He Jinli with a gloomy mood.

He couldn't possibly feel good about this situation.

The Sixth Prince could only claim ignorance, and it was the truth – he genuinely knew nothing.

Once His Majesty started investigating, it would no longer be a trivial matter.

After they returned, everyone waited for the results. The next day, when they came to the Fengyi Palace to pay their respects, preliminary findings were presented.

A palace maid from Prince Liuyi's quarters, Minghua, who assisted the prince with his attire, insisted that it was Lady Xian who had instructed her.

She divulged that since last year, Lady Xian had been giving her monthly stipends. Her father was ill and her younger brother deaf-mute; both dependent solely on her mother's care.

Thus, due to their financial scarcity, she agreed to the arrangement.

Receiving two taels of silver each month from Lady Xian, she kept Prince Liuyi's affairs confidential and shared them with her.

This year, the incident was orchestrated by Lady Xian, with the items provided by someone in her service.

Minghua claimed to have received a one-hundred-tael banknote, which she had sewn into the pillow in her chamber.

Upon investigation, a banknote of that value and some silver coins were indeed found, amounting to over twenty taels in total. Palace maids were allowed only one visit with their families per year, so these savings represented almost a year's worth of earnings.

The person Minghua implicated was a third-class servant maid from Yunli's quarters named Miaojiu.

According to Miaojiu's account, in Jade Channel Palace, the maidservants of Lady Xian all had floral aliases, all beginning with the character 'grass'.

When Lady Miao met her, she mentioned it was a coincidence, that your name also starts with a "Grass" character or a "Flower."

And thus, their conversation began...

After Meng Chang recounted these events, there was a moment of silence in Feng Yi Palace.

After a while, the Empress said, "Consort Xian, do you have anything to say?"

Yun Li rose to her feet. "In this concubine's palace, there is indeed a maid named Miao Ju. I was unaware of this matter, but whether or not she has betrayed, it must be verified. Since she has been implicated, send her to the Internal Punishment Bureau. But I implore Her Majesty the Empress to be fair. My people should not be ruined based on someone else's words alone. If she truly did it, then she deserves to be punished. If she didn't, I will protect her."

"Empress, the way Consort Xian puts it... The person serving Sixth Prince was sent away without a second thought. No one knows if they were harmed. Why is it that when it comes to you, such meticulous calculations are made?" asked Hui Mei Ren.

"Because the item was on him, and he was the one who got into trouble. As for me, I was dragged into this," Yun Li replied coolly.

"Empress, I cannot agree with Consort Xian's words. Without harsh torture, there's no guarantee she'll confess. This is no trivial matter," Concubine Shu said with a somber tone.

"Very well, send her to the Internal Punishment Bureau first. Tell them not to break her arms or legs, but beyond that, we can't intervene," the Empress instructed.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty the Empress."

"If there's something suspicious about this Miao Ju, it doesn't mean others are innocent. Why send only one?" Concubine Hui Mei continued.

Yun Li shot her a cold glance. "Should I make the trip myself?"

"I didn't mean that," Hui Mei said hastily, lowering her head in fear.

Yun Li harrumphed. "No one can pin anything on me for what I haven't done. Unless they can kill me, whoever it is had better be prepared."

With that, she stood up. "Empress, forgive me, but I'll take my leave first."

The Empress nodded without objection.

In truth, it was inappropriate for her to leave at this time. But she insisted on going.

Who would dare stop her if the Empress didn't say anything?

Exiting Fengyi Palace, Juyu whispered, "Your Highness, what should we do about this?"

"Return home," Yun Li replied simply.

When she returned, it happened to be the Internal Affairs Bureau officers coming to take Miao Ju away. It wouldn't do for her not to exchange a word with her.

Yet Yun Li didn't make an appearance, only instructing Zhu Ding to step out and deliver a message: "Her Majesty says to proceed with the interrogation."

The incoming person agreed and led the others away.

Miaojui departed with a pale countenance, her gaze continually flickering toward the main hall. It would be a wonder if she weren't up to something.

The reeds and red sorrel at the gate seemed to mock her with their silent laughter.

Inside the room, Yun Li had changed into a new attire. "Where are Zhu Ding and Zhu Niao?"

"At your service, Your Majesty," Zhu Niao answered from the entrance.

Before long, both Zhu Ding and Zhu Niao entered the room.

"Your Majesty."

"What's the matter?" Yun Li inquired.

"Replying to Your Highness, Seventh Prince mentioned previously that he has found the child. Have no fear, everything will be fine. However, at the start, you might have to endure some indignity," Zhu Ding said.

Yun Li nodded.

Zhu Niao commented, "Now that we look back, it's uncertain who bribed her, but how could they be so sure she wouldn't reveal the truth after being tortured?"

Yun Li smiled. "Never underestimate a mother's love."

Miao Ju had given birth before entering the palace. However, she was not married.

It was not uncommon for maidservants in the Grand Jin's harem to have borne children beforehand.

Nonetheless, many masters disliked employing such servants, so they kept their secret hidden.

As long as they weren't pregnant when entering the palace, it didn't matter if the concubines were virgins or not. The same applied to the maidservants.

No one conducted strict investigations either.

Thus, to break through Yun Li's defenses, Miao Ju, who concealed her status as a mother, presented a valuable opportunity.

Labeling her as disloyal was merely a tactic of coercion and enticement. A mother is truly willing to sacrifice for her child.

This child was being raised in Miaoju's elder brother's home, seemingly with great care. Since it wasn't coercion, it must be temptation.

Initially, Yun Li didn't have any connection with Huayu, but Bai Lu and the others found it peculiar later on.

They seemed to be committed actors, as she had been leaving the house every month since last year.

Going out wasn't unusual, but doing so on fixed dates every month was peculiar.

Gradually, she came under scrutiny. Once someone is watched, an investigation follows. And an investigation always uncovers clues.

Yun Li had been patient until now, observing who might have bribed Miaoju. With the recent incident, she had a good idea of what was going on.

He Jinli didn't believe that Yun Li was behind this matter.

In his opinion, with Yun Li's capabilities, if she intended to do something, it wouldn't be so crude.

But at this stage, an investigation was necessary regardless of his disbelief. He couldn't simply ignore it because he didn't believe it was her.

Thus, the confinement must proceed as planned.

Upon hearing the word "confinement," Yun Li felt no particular emotion. After expressing her gratitude, she lay down to rest.

Princess Jiuzi, on the other hand, was somewhat anxious. If not for Yun Li having previously mentioned Mingju to him, he would have already sought an audience with his father at this moment.

"As for the next book, I'm unsure of its specific plot; this one is roughly a million characters. If you all genuinely wish to see a story where the female lead and her child are doted on, I have no objections. I believe there are plenty of such novels in the book city. Reading should primarily bring joy to oneself. Respect, blessings, and not leaving readers in the lurch are my guiding principles."