Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

As soon as Bao Zhong stepped into the Imperial Household Department, he suddenly stopped, his mind replaying Zhou Zhengyin's words.

With Song Zhang dead, someone made a move against Zhou Zhengyin tonight. That person acted too quickly; it didn't seem like they had just noticed, but rather like they had been waiting for this all along.

Who would deliver the message? Zhou Zhengyin wouldn't, and Jiang Shuoning certainly wouldn't. That leaves only one person who can connect both sides.

Grandpa Xin.

He told Zhou Zhengyin about Mi Fei's affairs and revealed Song Zhang's identity. It seemed like he was helping, but what if he was just fishing for that person from beginning to end?

Once Zhou Zhengyin investigated, he realized that someone was reopening old cases and would definitely take action.

Grandpa Xin ate from both sides.

Bao Zhong stood in the courtyard, the night wind blowing into his sleeves. He didn't go inside, and closed his eyes for a moment.

If this line is correct, then she is no longer where she might be.

But what if there's another possibility?

He hadn't forgotten Qingman's posture when she took the ice during the day, or the fierce way she grabbed Jiang Shuoning's wrist.

Wei Xuanshi's men made things difficult for her twice. Could it be that she wasn't taken away by that person at all, but was just detained by Wei Xuanshi?

Neither path is certain, but we can't gamble on just one; we must take both paths together.

He opened his eyes and strode towards the house. Little Deer followed: "Grandpa, I heard there's an assassin at Changmen Palace?"

Bao Zhong paused, turned around, and whispered his instructions:

"It's not Changmen Palace, it's that an assassin has entered the palace. Go to Changmen Palace now and find Xin Damao. Tell him that we've invited him over."

After saying that, he quickly went into the house.

The little deer paused for a moment, then understood, turned around and ran out.

A moment later, Bao Zhong changed into a black robe with dark gold cloud patterns embroidered on the chest and a narrow black piping over the collar and cuffs.

She looked even colder than usual.

He stood in front of the bronze mirror, put on the steel fork cap, stared at his face in the mirror for a moment, and his face was as cold as frost.

Only after hearing the commotion outside did he turn around and step out of the house, his steps neither hurried nor slow, each step carrying an unwavering force.

Imperial Study

The Emperor had just finished approving the final drafts of the memorials. He put down his vermilion brush, picked up his teacup, and a lingering worry weighed on his brow.

"The Northwest is ravaged by floods, and the people are displaced and suffering terribly. The disaster relief funds approved by the court have not only failed to be used, but the number of disaster victims has also increased."

Feng Xi bowed deeply, his voice low: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I'm afraid..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion of footsteps came from outside.

The Emperor frowned: "What's going on tonight? It's been nonstop."

Bao Zhong entered at just the right moment, bowing low, and knelt in the center of the hall. His voice was not loud, but it carried just the right amount of panic:

"Your Majesty, an assassin has been discovered in the palace. Your servant has dispatched guards to search the area."

Upon hearing this, Feng Xi's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. He quickly glanced at Bao Zhong before lowering his head again.

"Assassins? What brings these assassins?" The Emperor placed his teacup on the table, his voice deepening. "Last night, Changmen Palace caught fire, and tonight, assassins have appeared. When did my palace become so unsafe?"

Bao Zhong lay prone on the ground, his voice firm yet composed:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I initially thought last night's fire was simply caused by an accidental candle flame. However, the assassin fled from the direction of Changmen Palace tonight, displaying remarkable skill and familiarity with the palace layout. I dare to speculate that last night's fire may not have been an accident. If the fire was set by the assassin, then the dead eunuch is evidence of his attempt to silence him."

He paused, then slightly raised his eyes: "This servant humbly requests Your Majesty's permission to search all palaces. Firstly, to prevent assassins from hiding. Secondly, to give an explanation to the heads of each palace, so as to avoid causing panic among the people."

After Baozhong finished speaking, he lowered his head again and waited quietly for the emperor's response.

A hint of mild anger flashed across the Emperor's face. After a moment of silence, he pointed at Feng Xi:

"You will also go and investigate. I need to know which reckless person is causing trouble in the palace."

Feng Xi quickly replied, "This servant obeys the decree."

(under)

Tonight, the guards split into several groups, some searching the Imperial Garden, others searching every corner, and even the Empress Dowager was alerted.

Bao Zhong and Feng Xi each led a team of guards to search each palace one by one.

When the concubines heard that there had been an assassination attempt and that the emperor had personally ordered a search, they could only dare to be angry but dare not speak out.

Bao Zhong walked at the head of the procession, his hat pulled low. As he entered Yihua Palace, Consort Rong stood in the courtyard, a slight smile on her face.

"He's just an assassin, why make such a fuss?"

Bao Zhong stopped, bowed slightly, a polite smile on his face, and spoke in a moderate tone:

"Your Majesty, please forgive us. There have been assassins in the palace. His Majesty, concerned for the safety of all the ladies of the palace, has ordered me to investigate them one by one."

Then, he waved his hand behind him, and the guards scattered.

He took half a step closer to Consort Rong, lowering his voice so that only the two of them could hear him:

"Your Majesty, Shuoning hasn't returned yet. Doesn't Your Majesty find this suspicious?"

After saying that, he retreated without making a sound, as if he hadn't said anything at all, and stood up to wait for the guard to return.

Consort Rong watched him retreat with an air of nonchalance, her smile unchanged, but she instantly understood.

The search was quickly completed, and the guards returned to report that nothing was amiss.

Bao Zhong bowed to Consort Rong, then turned and led his men out at a leisurely pace, as if he were truly there to investigate the assassin, without lingering any longer.

Consort Rong stood there, watching his figure disappear into the palace gate, without saying a word.

Fengchun trotted in through the side door, bowed, and whispered, "Your Majesty, Shuoning is not in Changmen Palace."

Consort Rong didn't look at him, but said indifferently, "Do you need to tell me?"

After saying that, she turned and took two steps, then suddenly stopped, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"It seems we don't need to wait until tomorrow. I will accept the knife that Baozhong handed me."

She looked up towards the palace gate. "Come, accompany me to see the Emperor."

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhengyin hid in the shadows. Tonight, there were several times more guards than usual, carrying torches and searching everywhere.

He knew that Baozhong was using the pretext of catching the assassin to find his aunt.

But he wasn't idle either. Last night, the woman in gray only paused for a moment at the entrance of Changmen Palace before disappearing. He chased after her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Changmen Palace is located in the most remote corner of the imperial city. To be able to walk so quickly, one must live nearby.

There are only three places nearby: the abandoned stage, the cold palace, and Luqiong Pavilion.

The stage was drafty and couldn't hide anyone; the women in the cold palace couldn't possibly leave at will.

That leaves only Luqiong Pavilion, where I heard a concubine lives alone.

Thinking of this, he crouched down and walked quickly toward Luqiong Pavilion.

Luqiongxuan.

The plaque hung crookedly above the door, the characters so rusted they were almost illegible.

Zhou Zhengyin squatted in the shadows by the wall, holding his breath and listening for a while. All he could hear was the rustling of grass blades being blown by the wind.

Immediately, he crouched down and went around to the backyard, climbed over the wall and jumped in. The weeds where he landed were ankle-deep, and the sound of his footsteps was particularly jarring in the eerily quiet yard.

He paused for a moment, waiting for the sound to dissipate in the wind, before pushing aside the tangled weeds and moving in step by step.

Just as I rounded the corner of the wall, I suddenly heard voices coming from the front yard.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar upon closer listening.

He stood rooted to the spot, his back pressed against the wall, his heart pounding in his chest.

After pausing for a few moments, he turned to the side and very slowly peeked into the front yard.

Eunuch Xin was seen kneeling in the courtyard, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, everything I said just now was true, without the slightest falsehood. I beg Your Majesty to believe me."