A faint fragrance permeated the air, the rosemary unique to Danfeng Kingdom, known for its refreshing properties and considered a rare delicacy.
Mu Qingyao clasped her fists and spoke softly to the empty air, "I beg your pardon for any offense. If you truly cannot rest in peace after being killed, please leave behind some trace."
Although the Crown Princess had targeted her yesterday, which was most vexing, the deceased were already gone. She naturally ought to respect the departed souls; every soul was pure.
The sleeping quarters were very clean, clearly having been tidied. Every corner, every crevice had been meticulously cleaned.
Mu Qingyao's thoughts became increasingly clear. Only Danfeng Kingdom's palace maids could enter the sleeping quarters to clean. Even Xingyue's palace maids were forbidden entry without an imperial decree. So, who possessed the most authority to instruct Danfeng Kingdom's palace maids? The answer was self-evident.
Upon considering how, for the sake of a throne, familial affection could be thrown into such turmoil, Mu Qingyao felt a chill in her heart. The royal family was truly terrifying.
If it was her doing, then why was there witness testimony proving that Prince Nan’an had left the sleeping quarters? The Crown Princess held Prince Nan’an's personal jade pendant in her hand. What was all this about?
Currently, two points needed clarification: First, to find evidence of the killer’s actions that led to the death; second, whether the killer had accomplices. Otherwise, who was it that left the Crown Princess's sleeping quarters?
Mu Qingyao searched meticulously, hoping to find some advantageous evidence, but there was nothing. A glint flashed in her eyes, and she straightened up with a sigh. It seemed the killer was very meticulous.
Furthermore, in ancient times, there were no means to examine footprints or fingerprints. Surface traces had basically been eliminated.
Was she truly returning empty-handed? Her gaze casually swept over a nearby chair. The placement of this chair in the sleeping quarters seemed irregular.
Mu Qingyao circled the chair. At first glance, there was nothing amiss with the chair. However, upon closer inspection, one could see that all the furniture in this sleeping chamber was crafted from huangli wood, except for this single chair, which was made of ordinary fir wood. Although it was lacquered with vermillion, matching the color of the other cabinets and chests in the room, this was a side palace, used to entertain esteemed guests. How could such a mistake occur? There was only one explanation: this chair had been brought from elsewhere.
If the origin of this chair could be proven, it would indicate that someone else had visited this sleeping chamber that night. As the Crown Princess's personal palace maids, those two maids would surely know about this matter.
Mu Qingyao squatted down and slowly examined the chair. Suddenly, a patch of different color on the corner of the chair caught her attention. Looking closely, if one did not look carefully, it was impossible to distinguish. The vermillion paint on the corner of the chair had been applied later, meaning there had been a small chip damaged here. xxs
Because it was an ordinary chair, once the surface was damaged, the underlying color would inevitably show. The killer, fearing exposure, had reapplied the vermillion lacquer. However, as it was applied later, there was still a gap between the two layers. But who at this time would pay attention to a chair, noticing such a minute detail?
Mu Qingyao smiled faintly, her entire being exuding a unrestrained radiance. Heaven had not failed the diligent.
"Ji Feng, I will present you with a killer."
Mu Qingyao raised her head, surveyed the sleeping quarters, and coldly called out, "Come."
Mei Xin and Mo Chou walked in, followed by two of Ji Feng's palace maids and Prince Murong Liu Mo of Beijin. They all looked towards Mu Qingyao.
She stretched her body and flashed a radiant, dazzling smile, like a peach blossom, yet it carried a fatal chill.
"Prepare the imperial carriage to return to the palace."
"We escort Her Majesty the Empress,"
Prince Beijin, leading Danfeng Kingdom's palace maids, spoke steadily. The lowered black pupils flickered with an unfathomable flame. After the figure before him departed, he slowly raised his head and surveyed the sleeping quarters.
He wondered what secrets this chamber held that could transform a woman who, moments before, had been troubled, into someone refreshed in the next. Had she discovered something?
Jinhua Hall.
Prince Ji Xue watched Prince Beijin enter the grand hall with his two subordinates, without the Empress in sight. He was startled and respectfully paid his respects to Prince Beijin.
"Greetings, Prince of Beijin."
"You are too polite," Prince Beijin Murong Liu Mo's expression was placid, his face ordinary, giving no indication of the surging thoughts within him. Ji Xue could not resist asking, "Where is Her Majesty the Empress?"
"What are you afraid of?" Prince Beijin narrowed his long, slender eyes, a dangerous dark glint flashing, looking so bloodthirsty.
Ji Xue trembled in fear. It seemed this Prince of Beijin was also a man who hid his true depths. He dared not be careless and replied calmly, "I am merely concerned for Her Majesty the Empress. Is that a mistake?"
Prince Beijin Murong Liu Mo cast a cold gaze at Ji Xue. After a long while, his expression softened somewhat. He issued a warning, "Look after yourself."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and led his men away. After Prince Beijin's figure disappeared, two officials behind Ji Xue stepped forward:
"Your Highness, what does that Prince of Beijin mean? And why did Her Majesty the Empress go to pay respects to the spirit of the Crown Princess? If I recall correctly, she seemed to have had a conflict with the Crown Princess."
Ji Xue remained silent, gazing desolately at the black coffin in the center of the grand hall. He waved his hand sternly:
"Do not let your thoughts run wild. Imperial Sister is already deceased. Prince Nan'an killed Imperial Sister. The three-day period will soon pass. By then, this Prince will surely bring him back to Danfeng Kingdom to be punished by the Empress Mother."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The others dared not say anything more. The entire grand hall was enveloped in a chilling aura.
Within Fengluan Palace, all superfluous individuals in the grand hall had retreated. Only Mu Qingyao sat on a chair on the side, calmly drinking tea, with Mei Xin and Mo Chou standing by her.
"Your Highness, did you find any clues?"
Mo Chou inquired with concern.
As long as Her Highness found the truth, she would surely be able to clear Prince Nan'an's name. As a citizen of Xingyue Kingdom, her father and brothers lived here, and she naturally did not wish for Xingyue Kingdom to encounter any trouble.
If this incident was not resolved well, Xingyue would surely go to war with Danfeng Kingdom, which would harm the common people. Once war erupted, how many people would be displaced, losing their homes?
Mu Qingyao sipped her tea thoughtfully, not answering Mo Chou.
Now, she had to visit Prince Nan'an at the Ministry of Punishments. In the evening, she would send people to Jinhua Hall to bring the Crown Princess's two personal palace maids. They must know something about what happened that night.
There was silence in the grand hall for a moment. At this time, a slender figure walked in from outside the hall. She slowly bowed, "Yi Yun greets Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise," Mu Qingyao put down her tea bowl and looked at Yi Yun, remembering Huamei and Xiao Qiu. Those two women were still in the torture chamber?
"Reporting to Your Highness, Huamei and Xiao Qiu have received their due punishment. How should they be housed now?"
Yi Yun respectfully requested guidance, her demeanor dignified and composed. She spoke slowly. Having lived in the palace for many years, her words and actions were more regulated, neither hurried nor impatient, possessing a quiet grace.