Chapter 288 Keep It Up

Chapter 288 Keep It Up

When Qiu Heng arrived at the government office, she encountered many familiar faces.

These were all women, gathered together to cooperate with the questioning.

The interrogator was an official from the Court of Judicial Review, who was very courteous.

Those present were all noble ladies, unlikely to have any connection with assassins. However, the death of the Honored Consort was a matter of great importance, and the necessary inquiries had to be made.

"County Princess Suiyun, please describe in as much detail as possible what happened after you ascended the Lehua Tower."

As the official spoke, two scribes standing by got ready to take notes.

They already had many pages filled with records from questioning others.

"I ascended the Lehua Tower together with Princess Rongning, chatted for a while, and then the Honored Consort called for me..."

The official's expression grew more serious.

This County Princess Suiyun was probably the only outsider who had spoken with the Honored Consort last night. He had to take this seriously.

"The Honored Consort asked me to come to the palace in a few days to teach her straw weaving. After that, I took my leave..."

"I heard that the County Princess and Princess Rongning went downstairs once."

"Yes, Princess Rongning’s sachet had fallen down. Thinking that a sachet you wear on you shouldn't be picked up by someone else, we went downstairs to retrieve it. It took less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before we went back upstairs..."

At this point, Commandery Princess Rongning arrived.

After finishing with Qiu Heng, the official politely questioned Commandery Princess Rongning.

Commandery Princess Rongning’s account matched Qiu Heng’s completely: "...After going upstairs, we chatted and watched the lanterns. Nothing special happened... Who were you near?"

Commandery Princess Rongning thought about this question for a moment and named a few people.

Other noble ladies also received similar questioning: where they stood after going upstairs, who was around them, whether anything noteworthy happened...

One volume of records after another was filled, then collated and cross-referenced. If any statements did not match, or if someone was not noticed by anyone after going upstairs, they'd be considered suspects.

As they waited, one of the noble ladies exclaimed, "So this is what investigating a case is like, huh? So thorough."

"Good thing none of us were alone, or we'd be in trouble."

"I wonder if they can find the assassin?"

"I think it’s difficult. Didn’t Miss Zhu see someone in black jump from the Lehua Tower? Last night, the Imperial Avenue was packed with people. Where would you even look? We can only hope they find out how the assassin got into the Lehua Tower and trace the clues from there..."

"Speaking of which, it’s really incredible. Before His Majesty ascended the tower, the Lehua Tower was checked inside and out multiple times, and there were so many guards stationed there. How did the assassin manage to sneak in undetected in advance?"

At a noble lady’s question, Qiu Heng exchanged a glance with Commandery Princess Rongning, both with a hint of amusement in their eyes.

Sneaking in beforehand was naturally impossible; it had to be a swap.

There was also the risk of the palace maid disappearing. But to these high-born ladies, who would pay attention to a mere maid when they were focused on where the princesses and county princesses were?

Only County Princess Suiyun had to be in everyone’s sight at all times.

"Thank you all for your cooperation, ladies. You can go now."

The women left one after another.

"A Heng, take my carriage. I'll give you a ride."

Qiu Heng declined Commandery Princess Rongning’s offer to escort her: "My dad came with me; he's waiting outside."

"Alright then. We’ll meet up again later."

Walking to the entrance of the government office, they bumped into Xue Han.

Commandery Princess Rongning nudged Qiu Heng: "You two talk; I’ll go on ahead."

After greeting Commandery Princess Rongning, Xue Han walked over to Qiu Heng.

His bloodshot eyes and unchanged clothes showed how busy he'd been the night before.

"Up all night?" Qiu Heng asked first.

Xue Han silently stepped back: "The whole city was searched last night; many didn't get a chance to sleep."

"If the assassin isn’t caught, will you be punished?"

Xue Han smiled: "The assassin hid in the Lehua Tower. If anyone is to be punished, the Palace Command will bear the brunt of it. Don’t worry."

"Mm."

"A Heng," Xue Han said softly. "This isn't the place for many words. You've been through a lot."

Qiu Heng raised her hand and plucked off a red paper scrap that had fallen on Xue Han’s head—leftover from the fireworks.

"I'm okay. Don't push yourself too hard either."

When Xue Han saw the relaxed smile in her eyes, his own mood relaxed as well.

He had been worried that A Heng would feel guilty and blame herself for killing Honored Consort Yu.

"Let's go. Dad's waiting."

Third Master Qiu saw the noble ladies coming out one by one and was getting a bit anxious. As soon as he spotted Qiu Heng, he was about to wave, but then saw her stop and start talking with a man.

He took a closer look.

Oh, it was that Xue guy—the one everyone in the capital knew was in love with his daughter, but who still hadn't proposed.

What was Heng'er doing? Touching that guy's head?

Third Master Qiu was dumbfounded. Qiu Heng walked over.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Dad."

Third Master Qiu immediately brushed aside his dissatisfaction with Xue Han, focusing only on his daughter: "Heng'er, you must be tired. Get in the carriage. You had such a fright last night, and now being called to the office this morning—who would have thought something could go wrong on Imperial Avenue? Has the world gotten so chaotic?"

Qiu Heng returned to the Earl’s residence, knew the Old Madam was waiting, so she went directly to Qiansong Hall, where she found Earl Yongqing also present.

"Grandfather, Grandmother."

The Old Madam saw her granddaughter’s calm face, instinctively took a sip of tea, set the cup down, then picked it up and took another sip.

Earl Yongqing didn’t notice, and didn't pay attention to the Old Madam’s unusual demeanor. He eagerly asked Qiu Heng about what happened at the government office.

Qiu Heng said patiently.

Earl Yongqing stroked his beard and tsk-tsked. "With such a thorough interrogation, no suspects were found?"

Qiu Heng smiled. "Not at the moment."

"You've had a fright, Heng'er. Rest well." Seeing that nothing more could be learned, Earl Yongqing clasped his hands behind his back and left.

The Old Madam stared intently at Qiu Heng in silence.

"Are you tired, Grandmother? Then I won't disturb your rest. I'll head back to Lengxiang Residence."

Seeing Qiu Heng rise to leave, the Old Madam blurted out, "Honored Consort Yu—"

Qiu Heng stopped and looked at the Old Madam calmly.

The Old Madam opened her mouth as if to speak, holding back the question she really wanted to ask. "Is Honored Consort Yu really dead from the assassination?"

She certainly couldn't ask whether Heng'er had jinxed Honored Consort Yu to death.

Trouble comes from careless talk.

"Of course it's true. Many people were called in for questioning today."

"Heng'er." The Old Madam patted Qiu Heng's hand and earnestly advised, "You're fine just being yourself."

There's no fear in offending the wicked—just make sure you keep your uncanny knack for causing the death of anyone you offend. Just don't bring misfortune to the earl's estate.

Completely baffled, Qiu Heng left Qiansong Hall.

Multiple government offices were frantically busy over Honored Consort Yu's death, and the palace atmosphere grew even more somber and oppressive.

Emperor Jingping had smashed countless treasures, weeping bitterly for the umpteenth time.

"Beloved Consort, Beloved Consort, how could you leave me like this!"

Xue Quan consoled him at his side: "Your Majesty, please restrain your grief. Honored Consort Yu's spirit in heaven would worry if she knew how grieved you are..."

Emperor Jingping was completely deaf to his words, staggering toward the side hall where Honored Consort Yu's bier was laid.