0p0 Chapter 171 Ling Huan explores the secrets and breaks the crisis
Chapter 171 Ling Huan explores the secrets and breaks the crisis
Zhen Huan's eyes were firm as she said resolutely, "Lingrong, the clown's incident was definitely not accidental. There must be a mastermind behind this who has been planning this for a long time. Let's start by investigating the person he mentioned who is related to the Empress."
An Lingrong nodded in agreement: "Huan'er, there are so many concubines in this palace, and the clues are so vague, where should we start?"
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "Let's ask that clown first and see if we can get more information out of him. Perhaps he knows some key details that can help us narrow down the scope."
The two of them then headed to the prison. Zhen Huan said coldly to the jailer, "Open the door. I want to interrogate this prisoner."
The prison door opened, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong walked in. Zhen Huan looked at the clown huddled in the corner and said sternly, "Tell me the truth. Who is the master who ordered you to do this? If you lie, I will make you wish you were dead!"
The clown trembled and stammered, "My Lady, I only know that he was an adult, dressed in gorgeous clothes, and when he came to see me, he was accompanied by several fierce followers. I only heard that he was related to the Empress in the palace, but which Empress specifically, I really don't know!"
An Lingrong stepped forward and spoke more slowly, "Think carefully. Is there anything special about that adult? For example, his accent, his accessories, or even a few words he said?"
The clown tried hard to recall, and suddenly his eyes lit up: "I remember now! That adult had a jade pendant with a strange flower engraved on it. I have never seen it before."
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "This might be an important clue. Lingrong, when we return to the palace, let's have the Imperial Household Department investigate the pattern of this jade pendant and see if they can find any clues."
On the way back to the palace, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I've always felt that this jade pendant is more than just a simple matter. Could it be the symbol of a certain family? If we can find out which family it belongs to, we'll know which Empress it's related to."
Zhen Huan said, "That makes sense. We can't just rely on the Imperial Household Department. We have to have our trusted confidants quietly monitor the various palaces to see if there's any connection between the Empress and this jade pendant."
A few days later, Zhen Huan's maid came to report, "Your Majesty, I haven't found any records of that jade pendant in the Imperial Household Department, but I overheard two young eunuchs chatting in the Imperial Garden. They said they saw Concubine Li's brother wearing a jade pendant engraved with a strange flower when he entered the palace."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "Noble Lady Li? She's always kept a low profile, how could she be involved in something like this? Lingrong, we have to be careful and test her."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I have a plan. We can hold a small flower viewing party in the palace and invite Concubine Li to come. At the party, I can deliberately take out a similar jade pendant and see her reaction."
Zhen Huan nodded: "This is a very good plan. Let's do it this way."
On the day of the flower viewing party, Concubine Li arrived as scheduled. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong greeted her with smiles.
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Lady Li, today's flower viewing party is a rare opportunity for us sisters to get together. Look how gorgeous the flowers are."
Concubine Li bowed and said, "Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty. These flowers are truly breathtakingly beautiful."
An Lingrong then took out a jade pendant and toyed with it casually, saying, "I found this pendant by chance a few days ago. I think the pattern is quite unique. Has Concubine Li ever seen anything like it?"
Concubine Li glanced at the jade pendant and her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Mr. An, this jade pendant is unique. I have never seen it before."
Zhen Huan observed Concubine Li's expression from the side, and her suspicion grew. She smiled and said, "Concubine Li, I heard that your brother recently came to the palace to visit you. Is this true?"
Concubine Li's eyes flickered a little: "Yes, it is true. My brother is just concerned about my life in the palace."
An Lingrong suddenly asked, "Lady Li, is your brother also wearing a jade pendant?"
Concubine Li became nervous: "Why does Miss An ask this? How could I know about my brother's jade pendant?"
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, both feeling that something was amiss with Concubine Li. Zhen Huan asked, "Concubine Li, you seem very nervous. Could it be that you were involved in the assassination attempt?"
Concubine Li fell to her knees with a plop. "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I really didn't know my brother was involved in that incident. If my brother has done anything evil, I am willing to be punished."
An Lingrong said, "Lady Li, if you tell the truth now, perhaps you can get a lighter sentence. Otherwise, if the Emperor finds out, both you and your brother will be doomed."
Concubine Li hesitated for a moment, then cried, "Your Majesty, I will tell you the truth. My brother did have dealings with some people outside the palace. He once said he wanted to secure a better position for me within the palace, but I never imagined he would commit such an assassination. As for that clown, I only heard him mention him. I know nothing else."
Zhen Huan angrily said, "Lady Li, although you were not directly involved, you are also implicated in your brother's actions."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, let's report this matter to the Emperor and let him make the final decision."
Zhen Huan nodded and took An Lingrong to the Emperor's palace. After bowing, Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, Lingrong and I have discovered that the assassination attempt was linked to Concubine Li's brother. Although Concubine Li claims to be unaware of the details, her brother's actions have seriously threatened the peace of the harem."
The emperor frowned. "Is this true? Do you have any evidence?"
An Lingrong presented the clue she had received from the clown regarding the jade pendant: "Your Majesty, this is the clue provided by the clown, and it points to Concubine Li's brother. Concubine Li looked flustered and her words were evasive when I questioned her, which is very suspicious."
The emperor's face was gloomy. "I will investigate. If the situation is true, I will not show mercy."
Coming out of the Emperor's palace, Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Lingrong, although we've uncovered another hidden danger this time, when will the strife in this harem end?"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, as long as we stick to our original intentions and support each other, no matter how many conspiracies and schemes there are, we can resolve them one by one."
However, what they don't know is that in the corner of the harem, a new conspiracy is quietly brewing. A mysterious organization seems to be controlling everything in secret, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong are about to face even more severe challenges.