The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 3)

Chapter 409 - The Scapegoat

"Prince Kang's Manor?" Ning Chen was also surprised.

The eunuch who conveyed the message awkwardly nodded, "Replying to the Emperor, she confessed it was Prince Kang's Manor. At first, we didn't believe it, so we intensified the torture, but that old woman insisted it was Prince Kang's Manor's side consort and didn't seem to be lying."

"But that side consort isn't in the garden; how can we contact her? Did she confess anything else?" Yuan Jiu pressed on.

The conveying eunuch quickly nodded, "She said it was arranged early on. When Guifei was six months pregnant, she found her because she indeed had some ability. So, she arranged for her to be sent to the palace, saying someone would come to find her when the time was right. Later, when she went to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine, an unfamiliar palace maid handed her this medicine."

"Does she recognize that palace maid?" Ning Chen asked.

The eunuch shook his head, "She only saw her once and exchanged a few words. The palace maids are all dressed similarly, so she can't recall any distinguishing features. Perhaps... perhaps if she saw her in person, she might remember."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jiu felt troubled.

Not for any other reason, but there were over ten thousand palace maids serving in the palace, and in Lingxi Garden alone, there were nearly five thousand. Finding someone in such a vast crowd was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

However, Ning Chen showed no hesitation, directly stating, "Then we will check them one by one, starting from the consorts. Not a single one must be missed; bring them all to have Qu Momo identify them one by one!"

"I obey your orders!" Yuan Jiu cupped his hands and immediately went to pass on the message.

At this moment, a nondescript gray pigeon flapped its wings and flew out from Qin Jieyu's courtyard.

It quietly delivered a message to the palace, while Linglan returned to her room.

"Is everything taken care of?" Qin Jieyu asked softly, her back to her.

Linglan nodded, "I've already sent a message to Jing Xian Fei, but since Qu Momo has been arrested, I'm afraid I can't escape. I don't know what the Jieyu plans to do. There's still the Fifth Prince in the palace; for the sake of the child, you should think this through."

Qin Jieyu turned around.

Standing in the shadows, the darkness enveloped her shoulders, making it impossible to discern her emotions. In fact, at that moment, her face showed no expression at all.

"You're threatening me."

"I wouldn't dare." Linglan lowered her eyes slightly but continued, "This matter is clear to the Jieyu, inside and out. You have long been in the same boat as Xian Fei. However, if the Jieyu can avoid this disaster now, the Fifth Prince can grow up safely. Xian Fei also hopes that the Second Prince will have a brother to assist him; surely, he won't be unfair to the Fifth Prince."

Qin Jieyu looked at the palace maid before her, filled with intense hatred, yet she felt powerless.

Now that she had given birth to a child, she could not help but think of everything regarding her child.

After a long while, she finally stepped out of the shadows. "I understand."

Her voice was as light as a drifting feather, as if she were utterly exhausted, or perhaps felt she was about to leave.

Only then did Linglan respectfully bow. "But Jieyu, please rest assured that if the Emperor does not trace this matter back to you, then nothing will happen."