Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 282 The Unexpected Intruder

"Your Majesty, I just sent someone to invite Granny Cui from the Imperial Clothing Bureau. When we handed her over, we both checked her and there were no problems. After leaving the Imperial Clothing Bureau, I escorted her to Linde Hall and handed her over to Eunuch Yu (Xiao Nianzi, Yu Jingnian)."

"This servant believes that it must have been Suqin, who was in charge of transporting the palace attire, who did this. Only she would have had the opportunity."

I just don't know why she's so stupid. Although many people handled the palace costumes, there are always traces of them.

Xiao Nianzi's face flushed and paled in turns. If he had checked in front of Aunt Minrong, he probably would have discovered the embroidery needle hidden in his clothes long ago. He knelt on the ground, overwhelmed with shame. He added, "Aunt Minrong sent someone to find Suqin before she arrived."

Min Rong's eyes revealed deep self-reproach and guilt. "This servant has failed in her duty. I beg Your Majesty for punishment."

“Although the jewelry has been inspected, no problems were found. Moreover, these boxes of jewelry have been under my nose since they were handed over. I believe that the hairpins were tampered with before the handover.”

These words were spoken very frankly, and he directly separated himself from the situation.

“Aunt Minrong is a senior member of the palace, and I believe she would not do such a thing,” Jingming said suddenly after a pause.

Hua Yan smiled gently and personally stepped forward to help Min Rong up from the ground.

"Her Majesty has never suspected Aunt Min Rong. She summoned her here because this matter is of great importance. The relevant palace servants must be 'questioned' according to regulations. Her Majesty has ordered Lu Sizhen to investigate on her own, and we should have news soon."

There's no way to tamper with the hairpin in a short time, and Hua Yan has already recognized the powder inside—it must be a product unique to Jiangzhou Prefecture... We really have to thank Physician Zhen; he was forced to study medical books and poisons back in the manor, and he's encountered this twice since entering the Prince's residence...

Min Rong's expression softened slightly, her guilt tinged with gratitude: "This servant has indeed failed in her duty. Once this matter is investigated, this servant will request to go to Lord Tong to receive punishment."

Jingming asked, "Your Majesty, should we have the Imperial Clothing Bureau and the Jewelry Bureau prepare the palace attire and jewelry as soon as possible?"

Consort Chun said calmly, "No need. Just present these things to the Imperial Household Department. I will bring them back before the banquet tomorrow."

Jingming and Minrong exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of admiration in each other's eyes.

Consort Chun, who assists in managing the six palaces, doesn't normally need to do everything herself. Although there were some oversights, remedial measures were already in place. In fact, it's as if she knew in advance that the preparations would go wrong...

After the carpet in the main hall was re-laid and inspected, Jingming sent people to temporarily seal off Linde Hall. Xiao Nianzi volunteered to stay and guard it, almost patting his chest to guarantee it.

Before leaving, Ruizhu glared at him again, "Aunt Mei will definitely not let you off this time!"

-

Before 5 PM, Jian Zhi arrived at Huining Hall.

As usual, first take the pulses of Consort Chun and Hua Yan, then listen to Hua Yan's instructions.

Hua Yan: "Doctor Jian, is there any chance you'll have to see Consort Mei's medical records?"

Jian Zhi hesitated and said, "Consort Mei is usually examined by Physician He, and no other imperial physicians have ever been summoned. Physician He writes the pulse records and seals them separately. They are not recorded in the archives."

Consort Chun asked, "When Physician He was in the Imperial Hospital, did he mention Consort Mei's condition to his colleagues?"

Jian Zhi recalled for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "No."

"However, every time Physician He returned from examining patients at Zhaoqing Palace, his complexion was normal, which was completely different from his reaction when taking the Empress's pulse. Physician He went to Renming Palace every seven days to take the Empress's pulse, and each time he returned, he seemed somewhat absent-minded."

Consort Chun and Hua Yan looked up at each other in tacit understanding, both feeling increasingly certain that Consort Mei's health was not in any serious condition.

Looking back now, I realize that heart disease is actually very easy to fake. Even doctors can use various methods to deceive patients during a pulse diagnosis; for example, Hua Yan knows of methods such as taking ephedra soup or binding the chest beforehand.

The same applies to those who are weak and afraid of cold.

Consort Mei seems to be shrouded in mystery, and the matter of the hairpin is most likely her doing.

Hua Yan unfolded the handkerchief and handed it to Jian Zhi. "Be careful not to touch it. Look at the powder on this handkerchief. Doesn't it look like the powder made from the dried sap of the lacquer tree?"

The hairpin had been handed to Jingming, and a little powder still clung to the handkerchief.

Jian Zhi took it and examined it carefully. She then carefully dipped a small amount into it with her little finger and smelled it.

"It's lacquer tree sap, and a little bit of orpiment powder."

Orpiment has an eerie fluorescence under candlelight, but it is not noticeable under sunlight. Both are similar in that they are extremely irritating to the skin, causing a feeling of ants biting upon contact, and in more severe cases, they can cause rashes.

Jianzhi reminded: "Where did the Empress come from? Do not touch her directly."

Hua Yan had no intention of explaining, and was eager to find evidence to support her speculation: "According to geographical records, the lacquer tree is unique to the Jiangzhou Prefecture area, is that correct?"

Jian Zhi nodded, his serious and methodical manner resembling that of his master, Physician Zhen.

"Indeed, Jiangzhou Prefecture has high skies and dense forests, which is suitable for the growth of lacquer trees."

Orpiment is both a mineral and a medicinal herb. It can improve pale skin and complexion, remove dead skin cells, and even dispel delirium and evil spirits, and counteract bee and snake venom. However, direct contact causes burning pain and intense itching, which can be relieved by washing with rice water.

Upon hearing Hua Yan mention Consort Mei, Jian Zhi suddenly had a flash of inspiration and cleverly added, "Consort Meng may not know, but the orpiment from the Guangyang Prefecture area is the most famous."

He instructed Jian Zhi to keep an eye on Consort Mei's medical records. Jian Zhi dared not delay any longer, bowed, and took his leave.

Consort Chun said, "It was Consort Mei who sent someone to tamper with the hairpins!"

She was the only one who had lived in Guangyang Prefecture for ten years, and Lady Qing's family was from Jiangzhou.

"Unfortunately, even so, we cannot convict her based on the place of origin." Hua Yan sighed. Although Jing Ming and Lord Tong had already conducted a thorough investigation, Hua Yan did not have high expectations. She guessed that the palace servants who handled the matter had probably already been dealt with.

As a concubine, Hua Yan was unable to personally interrogate and investigate, which truly restricted her actions within the palace.

I suddenly miss Madam Yun. If she were here, I would feel inexplicably at ease.

"Your Majesty, after the banquet tomorrow, please allow Aunt Mei to leave the palace and return to the Marquis's residence."

Consort Chun didn't react for a moment. She said, "Aunt Mei hasn't been back for several months. It would be good for her to go back and visit her family."

While ordinary concubines' palace servants could not freely enter and leave, Consort Chun, as she assisted in managing the six palaces, still had this much power.

Hua Yan explained, "I remember that Madam planted a few spies in the Duke of Qing's mansion. I was thinking of having Aunt Mei remind Madam to investigate Consort Mei's time in the capital... and also investigate the cause of Consort Mei's sister's death. It would be best to send someone to Guangyang Prefecture as well. Consort Mei's family lived there for ten years, and the traces they left behind cannot be erased in a short time."

......

Aunt Mei and Donggua entered the study. After Hua Yan looked at the newly compiled meal plan, she finally nodded in approval.

Consort Chun urged Hua Yan to have dinner together. Just as the two sat down, the Emperor arrived at Huining Palace, bringing a chill with him and a hint of restlessness between his brows.

The two rose and bowed. The Emperor found it particularly pleasing to watch as the two beautiful and talented concubines moved in unison and with remarkable tacit understanding.

But for some reason, the phrase "as inseparable as glue" popped into his mind, making him feel like an "outsider" who had suddenly intruded.