Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 142 is worth a try.

Consort Xian was slightly taken aback, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and said, "I am also quite surprised by the matter concerning the First Prince. However, matters in the palace are complex and intertwined, and we women can only observe and wait."

Liu Sijun continued, "Recently, Consort Shu's palace has been quite lively. I just went to take her pulse and even saw Consort Jing. Do you two have a lot of contact?"

Consort Xian frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Consort Shu has always been low-key, and we don't usually visit each other much. It's just that among the sisters in the palace, it's common for them to visit each other occasionally."

Liu Sijun noticed that when Consort Xian mentioned Consort Shu, although her expression was normal, her answer was very cautious.

Judging from Consort Xian's reaction, Liu Sijun increasingly felt that the matter concerning Consort Shu and her son was not simple. After taking her pulse, Liu Sijun exchanged a few more pleasantries with Consort Xian before taking his leave.

Afterwards, he went to take the pulses of Consort Hui, Consort Wan, and other concubines.

But there was nothing suspicious about it.

After leaving Chang Le Palace, Nian Shuang brought up the previous matter again, saying, "This servant still feels that Consort Xian is hiding something from Consort Shu."

"Tell me."

"You just asked if Consort Xian and Consort Shu had much contact. She could have simply said they didn't visit each other often. Why make such a fuss?"

Liu Sijun felt the same way.

"Very likely. Consort Xian is very wary. When Consort Shu was mentioned, her answers were too cautious, clearly indicating that she did not want to talk about it further."

Nian Shuang frowned and asked worriedly, "Then how can we find out the truth? Neither Consort Shu nor Consort Xian would reveal it, and the Empress is very secretive about it."

As Liu Sijun walked, she pondered and said, "We can't just focus on these few concubines. The harem is so big; perhaps we can dig out some clues from other concubines or palace maids and eunuchs. Besides, didn't Consort Hui just say that Consort Jing often visits Consort Shu's palace? Consort Jing might be a breakthrough."

The harem was quite large; by the time we finished our tour, it was already afternoon.

Some concubines needed a short rest and should not be disturbed, so they returned to the Yangshou Palace first.

Upon returning, Liu Sijun immediately began refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill is only a second-grade pill, used only by those in the Foundation Establishment stage. Liu Sijun hasn't refined such a low-grade pill in a long time.

In one afternoon, he refined three bottles of pills, and then refined another bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills to help with Core Formation before stopping.

All items are in excellent condition, close to grade three.

It's perfect for when you hit a bottleneck in your cultivation; I'm sure Consort Jing would be very interested.

Looking at Liu Sijun's tired face, Nian Shuang said with heartache, "Alchemist Liu, you've worked so hard. This Spirit Gathering Pill is not easy to refine. You've spent so much energy just to get information out of Consort Jing. Was it worth it?"

Liu Sijun smiled slightly, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "It's all worth it to find out the truth. Moreover, this may be the most likely direction for a breakthrough that we can find right now."

After the pills cooled down, Liu Sijun carefully put them away and said to Nian Shuang, "Let's go to Consort Jing's palace."

The two arrived at Cuiwei Palace, where Consort Jing resided.

As soon as they arrived at the palace gate, a palace maid came forward to ask them questions.

Nian Shuang: "Please inform them that Master Liu of Yangxin Hall requests an audience, as he has come to deliver some pills to Consort Jing."

After the palace maid went in to announce their arrival, she quickly came out and invited them in. Liu Sijun and Nian Shuang stepped into Cuiwei Palace and saw Consort Jing sitting inside, looking slightly tired.

Upon seeing Liu Sijun, Consort Jing was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "How come Alchemist Liu has time to come to my palace today, and even brought some pills? How thoughtful of you."

After bowing, Liu Sijun said, "Your Majesty, I have recently refined some Spirit Gathering Pills, which are quite helpful for cultivation. I thought Your Majesty might find them useful, so I sent them over."

A hint of surprise flashed in Consort Jing's eyes. She quickly took the pill and said, "Alchemist Liu is so thoughtful. I have been troubled by my cultivation lately, and this pill is a real lifesaver."

Liu Sijun smiled and said, "It's good that I can help Your Highness. The situation in the palace has been complicated recently. Your Highness should also take good care of your health while you are cultivating."

"Sigh, things in the palace are really a headache. The eldest prince is under house arrest, which has caused widespread panic."

Liu Sijun then said, "This matter is indeed strange. Everyone in the palace is talking about it. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard anything about it?"

Consort Jing frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I've only heard from others that there seems to be some power struggle behind this. But I don't know the specifics."

Liu Sijun's eyes flickered, and he said, "I went to Consort Shu's palace to take her pulse just now, and I saw that Your Highness was there as well. I suppose Your Highness and Consort Shu have a deep relationship. I wonder what Consort Shu's opinion is on this matter?"

Consort Jing's expression changed slightly.

"I am just an ordinary sister to Consort Shu, and we occasionally visit each other. She has never said anything special to me."

Liu Sijun: "When I went to take Consort Shu's pulse this morning, I noticed that her Jingren Palace was much more lively than usual. There must be some happy event."

Consort Jing forced a smile and said, "What happy occasion could there be? It's just the sisters getting together to relieve their boredom."

Knowing that Consort Jing was unwilling to elaborate, Liu Sijun returned to the topic of the elixir: "If Your Majesty has any questions about cultivation, please feel free to come to me. Although this Spirit Gathering Pill can help break through bottlenecks, there are some precautions to take when using it. I will explain them to Your Majesty in detail."

While explaining the precautions for the elixir, Liu Sijun seemingly casually mentioned the matter of Consort Shu and the First Prince again, trying to find more clues from Consort Jing's reaction.

Consort Jing remained cautious and refused to reveal any further information.

“Master Liu, Consort Jing clearly knows something, but she just won’t say it.”

Liu Sijun nodded slightly and said, "Yes, her reaction has said it all. It seems we need to try a different approach, to lower her guard, and maybe that's how we can get her to talk."

Nian Shuang: "How about we start with the palace maids around Consort Jing? Maybe they know something."

"It's worth a try."

Palace maids, unlike their masters, are generally less shrewd and may be more likely to elicit information from them.

The next day, Nian Shuang brought some exquisite pastries and a few bottles of low-grade but practical beauty pills to Cuiwei Palace again. She started chatting directly with the young palace maids guarding the palace gate.

"Aunt Nian Shuang, what brings you here?"

Nian Shuang took out some pastries and distributed them to them: "You've all worked hard. These are some pastries I made especially for you. It's not easy for you to guard the palace every day. Please have some. Also, here's a beauty pill. It's very useful for girls."

The young palace maids were flattered and thanked them profusely.

One of the bolder palace maids said, "Master Liu Dan is too kind. She even specially asked Aunt Nian Shuang to send over the pills. She usually treats the ladies' illnesses and makes medicines for them."

(End of this chapter)