Chapter 102 Painstaking Investigation (Part One)

When Empress Yuan Zhen reached the well where the murder happened, Emperor Ning and Yun Shang were already there. The dead body had been covered with a plain white cloth. The Empress glanced at the dead body before she greeted the Emperor and said, "Good morning, Your Majesty."

Emperor Ning nodded and replied, "Good morning. Get up, please."

The Empress stood and waved her sleeves with a disgusted look, "Why was a murder committed here in the Spring Festival? You Majesty, in which Palace did this dead maid work?

Emperor Ning squinted as he replied, "Changchun Palace."

"Changchun Palace? Isn't that Lady Ming's Palace?" The Empress was puzzled. She had this nagging feeling that something was wrong. After the Emperor ordered servants to carry the dead body away, the Empress bid the Emperor farewell and returned to Qiwu Palace.

"Xiu Xin, go to Changchun Palace. Something doesn't seem right. Find some information about the dead maid." The Empress frowned as she spoke.

Xiu Xin said after a moment's silence, "Your Majesty, I think we should not be involved with the affairs of Changchun Palace. We have already made many enemies. The ban upon you has just been lifted. Lady Jin had a miscarriage and Princess Hua Jing has been imprisoned. We had better wait and see what really happened at Changchun Palace."

The Empress knew Xiu Xin told the truth, but the ominous feelings worried her. After a long time, she sighed, "I should seek an opportunity to visit the Grand Councilor's mansion. Hua Jing must be innocent and framed by Yun Shang. Unfortunately, Hua Jing is now imprisoned in the Dali Temple. But, something horrible just happened at the Palace. At this moment I, as the Empress, can't leave. But I'm still worried about Hua Jing.

Xiu Xin said in a hurry, "Your Majesty, you should be patient. After all, Princess Yun Shang is a woman and hasn't been in the Palace for a long time. Thus, she lacks the time needed to set so many traps. Yesterday, it was Prince Jing who intervened at Jinluan Hall. I'm sure that eunuch from Meiying Hall must have received direct orders from Prince Jing.

"Ha-ha. Shu Jin is a bitch. I have no idea how she's always lucky. The Emperor favors her, and her daughter has the protection of Prince Jing. No, I won't allow it. Yun Shang can't be with Prince Jing. If Prince Jing protects her all the time, we won't be able to hurt her." The Empress clenched her hands into fists. She was quiet for a moment before adding, "If Yun Shang's reputation is compromised, she will lose Prince Jing's favor."

"Your Majesty, what will we do?" Xiu Xin was shocked and also curious.

The Empress smiled slightly, "Father always asks me to wait and see. But, now, I can't wait anymore."

"Atishoo..." Yun Shang sneezed at Qingxin Palace, "Who is cursing me?"

Qian Yin hastily said, "Who dares to curse the Princess? I will skin her, take out her bones, a

sing. The maid's name was Bi Luo and she was responsible for fetching water at Changchun Palace."

Qian Yin responded and left quickly. Then, Yun Shang took off her cloak and shouted, "Bring me some hot water and suet cream."

Some maids fetched a basin of hot water. Yun Shang soaked her hands in the water for a while before drying them carefully and putting on the suet cream. At last, she relaxed. In her previous life and in this life, she had never touched a dead body. Recalling the horrible experience a moment ago, she found herself covered in a cold sweat.

Yun Shang was leaning against the cushion and reading a book when Qian Yin entered. She said, "Your Highness, when the Empress lost her seal, Bi Luo was at Changchun Palace. She didn't leave the Palace."

Yun Shang nodded. Her expression did not reflect surprise at the maid's report. When she found the green threads under the maid's fingernails, she understood that the maid was a scapegoat. Yesterday morning, when she paid her respects to the Empress, Yun Shang had deliberately mentioned the moss and the well. This was well-heard by a collaborator present among the ladies. The moss issue was not fabricated, but she wasn't certain about the well. Even so, the murderer must have felt alarmed and confused.

The murderer killed the maid just to offer a scapegoat.

"In the past two days, did anybody visit Hua Jiang at Dali Temple?" Yun Shang couldn't help smiling when she thought of Hua Jing. It's said that the jails at Dali Temple were guarded heavily. She desperately wanted to know whether Princess Hua Jing, who had always been spoiled, could live there comfortably.

Qian Yin replied, "Lady Yingying, the Grand Councilor's granddaughter went to visit her once. Rumor goes that Lady Yingying was filled with remorse and cried heavily, although Princess Hua Jing looked well. She scolded Lady Yingying severely for nearly half an hour."

"Uh? Yingying?