The morgue was located in a small corner in the far northwest, consisting of some dilapidated wooden sheds used for storing waste. Occasionally, palace maids and eunuchs who died were piled here for disposal, and over time, this place became the morgue.
Because it was in the most remote corner of the imperial palace, untouched by sunlight year-round, and due to the continuous accumulation of corpses, the mottled space was filled with an eerie chill. Even in broad daylight, no one dared to come here.
Led by Cui'er, Liu Liu headed straight for the morgue. The palace maids and eunuchs she saw along the way showed no reaction, as if nothing had happened. The death of a person in the palace was no different from the death of an ant; no one paid attention, and everyone continued with their daily tasks and meals.
As the deceased was the personal maid of the Empress, the chief eunuch, Jiang Cheng, had posted guards outside the morgue to await the Empress's visit.
He knew the Empress would definitely come to see this maid, so he stationed guards here. Otherwise, this girl would have long been dragged to the wilderness and buried.
The few dilapidated sheds were mottled and sparse, with dead branches and fallen leaves at the entrance. The wind howled, rustling the fallen leaves. Two or three young eunuchs stood at the door, pale and trembling. Even in the daytime, this place was indescribably eerie, let alone at night.
In such a place, anyone who stayed for two days and nights would go mad. The young eunuchs exchanged glances, reflecting each other's miserable expressions in their pupils. They managed a wry smile, looked around, fearing that a ghost or monster might suddenly appear.
From a distance, they saw several palace maids and eunuchs escorting an elegant and refined woman, who was walking quickly. The young eunuchs simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief; it was the Empress. As long as the Empress arrived, things would be easier. The maid in the morgue would soon be buried, and they could then leave this ghostly place.
"Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
Liu Liu exuded a chilling aura and glanced coldly at the pale-faced eunuchs, not understanding why they were so frightened. She raised her eyebrows displeasedly, "Open the door."
"Yes." One of the thin eunuchs fumbled for a while before opening the door. Liu Liu, followed by three palace maids and two eunuchs, walked in.
The young eunuchs standing outside stretched their necks to peek, then quickly retracted. They heard that the palace maid inside was the Empress's personal maid and had been murdered.
Thinking of this, the young eunuchs quickly clasped their hands together in prayer. One of the eunuchs rushed out to report to Chief Eunuch Jiang Cheng.
Inside the dim morgue, it was empty and cold. The wind seeped in through the crooked cracks, making mournful sounds like the wailing of ghosts.
Liu Liu, brave and bold, felt nothing. However, the young maids following her were terrified, their scalps prickling. They heard mournful sounds, and the corrosive smell in the air made them want to vomit.
But seeing that the Empress appeared unfazed, the servants dared not say anything more, and carefully followed her forward.
Cui'er was laid on a wooden board, covered with a white cloth. This was all arranged by Jiang Cheng. Ordinary palace maids did not receive such treatment; they were simply thrown away.
Liu Liu walked closer. Thinking of Qiao'er's determined request to enter the palace, her heart ached. She was so young and had met such an unfortunate end. She had initially guessed that Qiao'er had made a mistake and had planned to forgive her, send her out of the palace, and have her parents find her a good marriage.
After all, she was someone she had saved. But who knew she would be cruelly murdered by wicked people? These people were too hateful.
Liu Liu felt her chest constricting, filled with both pain and anger. Her entire face turned into thin ice. She slowly walked to Qiao'er's side and squatted down. Reaching out, she lifted the white cloth covering Qiao'er, revealing her wide-open, resentful eyes.
At this moment, Liu Liu's heart pounded, and then sank to the bottom. Had Qiao'er died with her eyes open in protest?
She must have regretted what she had done to her. Liu Liu's throat tightened, her eyes misted over, and a tear finally escaped, falling down. Behind her, Cui'er and the others were already weeping profusely, embracing each other and crying heartbrokenly.
Although Liu Liu was saddened, she could still maintain her composure and was remarkably calm. She wanted to find out who had harmed Qiao'er. She lifted the white cloth from Qiao'er's chest and saw a sharp knife lodged there.
Liu Liu examined it closely. This sharp knife was self-made, small and delicate, like a kitchen knife or a personal defense weapon. She never expected it to be used for murder.
Liu Liu followed the bloodstains on the chest downwards, only to see Qiao'er's small hands covered in blood. Liu Liu was puzzled. If she was stabbed to death, why were Qiao'er's hands covered in fresh blood? She quickly examined her body, noticing a patch of white inner garment, streaked with bloodstains.
Liu Liu quickly lifted the outer skirt, only to find a word written on the inner garment. A prominent, large character. The last stroke was heavy and straight, indicating that Qiao'er had written it with all her might.
The word was "Yun." What did this mean? A name? Did this person's name contain the character "Yun"?
It was clearly the name of a young maid. Qiao'er must have left a clue; she would never leave an inexplicable character. Liu Liu raised her eyebrows. The palace maids and eunuchs behind her, seeing their mistress's increasingly cold expression, stopped crying and spoke.
"Your Majesty, what is it?"
Liu Liu said nothing and stood up. Telling these young maids would be of no use. She should have Jiang Cheng investigate and see how many palace maids in the imperial palace had "Yun" in their names, and then cross-reference to see who had any suspicious activity last night.
As Liu Liu was deep in thought, the door of the morgue creaked open, startling Cui'er and Cai'xia. They looked up to see Chief Eunuch Jiang Cheng approaching. He bowed respectfully and greeted Liu Liu.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well."
"Alright, Jiang Cheng. Immediately help this palace investigate how many palace maids are in the imperial palace and see which ones have 'Yun' in their names.
For all the maids with the character 'Yun', investigate thoroughly where they were last night and with whom they were. This way, with mutual corroboration, the murderer of Qiao'er can be found."
Liu Liu commanded with a cold and calm demeanor. Jiang Cheng was stunned. He saw the determined conviction on the Empress's delicate face, radiating a clear and cold brilliance, and a natural air of authority that made it impossible to look directly at him. He quickly nodded and agreed to her instructions: "Yes, your servant will attend to it immediately."
Jiang Cheng left the morgue. Liu Liu followed him out and saw that in front of the dilapidated pavilions, Jiang Cheng was calmly handling the matter. The young eunuchs were all respectful. Liu Liu glanced at Jiang Cheng and gave a soft command.
"These people are to remain here. No one is allowed to enter or leave this morgue. Once those maids with 'Yun' in their names are found, bring them to Weiyang Palace to see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jiang Cheng replied. Liu Liu led the grieving palace maids away from the morgue and returned to Weiyang Palace to await news. The morgue was foul-smelling and the air was stale, so Liu Liu waited for news in Weiyang Palace.
In the magnificent main hall of Weiyang Palace, four golden bronze pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes made the hall resplendent and dazzling.
Eunuchs and palace maids stood guard cautiously outside the hall, none daring to disturb the Empress. The Empress sat high on the phoenix couch with a cold and stern expression. Only a few close maids like Cui'er moved about the hall, in case the Empress needed tea or anything else.