0p0 Chapter 270: Shocking Waves and Undercurrents
Chapter 270: Shocking Waves and Undercurrents
On her way back to the palace, Zhen Huan's face was solemn: "Lord Li has a complex network of connections within the court, and the Queen is full of schemes. If we expose them this time, I'm afraid it will affect many interests. We must be extremely careful."
An Lingrong nodded slightly. "Huan'er is absolutely right. I'm worried they'll become desperate and resort to extreme measures."
Concubine Hua raised her eyebrows, her eyes wide with anger: "How dare they! If they really do this, I will make them regret it!"
Back at the palace, Zhen Huan spoke first, "Let's first take stock of our own forces to see how much help we can get. Lingrong, is there anyone reliable in your spice shop who can gather information for us?"
An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Huan'er, I have a distant cousin who is clever and loyal. I can send him to keep an eye on Lord Li's residence and report any disturbances."
Zhen Huan praised, "That's very good. Sister Hua Fei, are all the guards in your palace loyal and devoted?"
Concubine Hua said proudly, "Of course! The people I have trained will never say anything wrong! They must guard the palace to prevent any bad guys from sneaking in."
While they were discussing, Xiao Yunzi came running in: "Your Majesty, this is terrible! Concubine Kang has died suddenly!"
Zhen Huan was horrified: "What?! How could this be? The Queen and Lord Li must have silenced us!"
An Lingrong trembled and said, "Then our previous plan is..."
Concubine Hua gnashed her teeth and said, "What a vicious bunch! We must think of a new way without delay."
Zhen Huan forced herself to remain calm: "Don't panic yet. Xiao Yunzi, go check on the maids and eunuchs around Concubine Kang and see if you can find any clues."
Xiao Yunzi took the order and left. Zhen Huan then said to An Lingrong and Hua Fei, "Since the Queen has already taken action against Concubine Kang, it means she is afraid that we will find the key clues by following the clues. We can start from Concubine Kang's death and work our way back."
An Lingrong's eyes lit up: "Huan'er, I remember Kang Changzai once said that the Queen promised her family safety. Perhaps we can find out something from her family."
Zhen Huan nodded: "That makes sense. Sister Hua Fei, look..."
Hua Fei immediately said, "I will send someone to find out where Concubine Kang's family is. They must be protected and questioned in detail."
Not long after, Hua Fei's men returned to report, "Your Majesty, Concubine Kang's family has disappeared. It seems they were moved away in advance."
Zhen Huan frowned. "It seems the Queen had this planned long ago. But they acted so quickly, there must have been some oversight. Let's go to Concubine Kang's residence and check again."
The three of them went to Kang Changzai's palace and looked around. Zhen Huan found a handkerchief under the bed with a strange pattern embroidered on it.
An Lingrong leaned closer: "Huan'er, I've never seen this pattern before. Could it be some kind of hint?"
Zhen Huan pondered and said, "Put it away first and study it carefully when I get back."
At this time, in the Queen's palace, Jianqiu whispered, "Your Majesty, Concubine Kang has been eliminated, and the clues are gone. I'm afraid Zhen Huan and the others will have no way to investigate."
The Queen sneered, "Humph! They won't give up. But I have a trick up my sleeve. Lord Li has already made all the arrangements at court. When the time comes, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong will be doomed."
After Zhen Huan and the others returned to the palace, they pondered over the handkerchief. Suddenly, Zhen Huan said, "This pattern looks like an ancient family mark. I've seen something similar in ancient books. Lingrong, you're quite knowledgeable about ancient books on spices. Does this have any impression?"
An Lingrong studied it carefully for a long time. "Huan'er, I seem to have seen this in a book about a family with a long history of spices. Could it be that a family related to spices is colluding with the Queen?"
Hua Fei said impatiently: "Who cares what family it is? As long as they are related to the Queen, we will eliminate them all!"
Zhen Huan shook her head. "Sister, don't be reckless. We need to understand the situation first. If we act rashly, we might fall into greater danger."
So, Zhen Huan sent people to the palace library to look for relevant ancient books, and at the same time asked An Lingrong's cousin to explore outside the palace whether there was any family related to this mark.
A few days later, the maid who had been sent to the library returned and said, "Your Majesty, we found an ancient book that records a spice-making family named Shen. The family's mark is very similar to the one on the handkerchief, but the family declined many years ago."
An Lingrong asked in confusion, "A declining family? Then why is it involved with the Queen?"
Zhen Huan pondered, "There must be something hidden. Perhaps the descendants of this family want to use the Queen's influence to revive the family, or perhaps the Queen is using their incense-making skills to achieve her own conspiracy."
Hua Fei said, "Then let's go find the descendants of the Shen family and ask them for the truth."
Zhen Huan said, "Sister, this family has declined, and it may be difficult to find their descendants. But we can start from the location of their former property, and perhaps we can find some clues."
The three of them began a new round of exploration. In this harem full of conspiracies and intrigues, they struggled to pursue the truth step by step. Although there were dangers everywhere, they never backed down. They relied on each other, firmly guarding the peace of each other and the harem, and bravely moved forward towards an unknown destiny. Every step was full of hardships and challenges, but their beliefs were as firm as a rock and they would never give up.