OBS Chapter 1718 A Letter from Jiang Changzai Inquiring About the Case
Chapter 1718 A Letter from Jiang Changzai Inquiring About the Case
"Over the years she's been confined to the Yawen Garden, every time I send someone there, she's eager to show off her progress or come up with new ideas, as if she's afraid I'll think she's useless?"
"Such a woman, so eager to seize a sliver of hope, using her ingenious skills as bargaining chips..."
"Tell me, she suddenly didn't want to live anymore? After breathing the air of freedom for a few days, she turned around and burned herself to ashes?"
Zhan Weiran's forehead was covered in cold sweat: "Your Majesty is wise. I am only reporting the facts as I found during the investigation."
"Jiang has been imprisoned for many years, and her temperament has changed drastically, to the point of madness. Under such prolonged repression, it's possible that she might have had a moment of despair..."
Nangong Xuanyu's eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Would someone who is truly insane and desperately wants to die repeatedly ask to leave?"
"During those ten days, besides wandering around, did she exhibit any other unusual behavior? Or did she come into contact with anyone?"
Zhan Weiran quickly recalled the guard's report and said, "Your Majesty, according to the guard's report, Lady Jiang's behavior over those ten days had no clear purpose; she mostly just wandered around outside."
"Her mood is unpredictable, sometimes good and sometimes bad."
"As for the people she came into contact with... apart from the guards on duty, the only person who had close contact with Lady Jiang was Consort Jiang, whom she met by chance in the Imperial Garden on the seventh day."
"Madam Jiang took the initiative to stop Jiang Changzai and asked him to accompany her to admire the flowers for a while. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she became impatient and sent him away."
"The guards were present at the time and confirmed that the two were just having a normal conversation and there was no suspicion of secret conversation."
"When Jiang Changzai left, his expression was as usual."
Nangong Xuanyu frowned slightly: "Consort Jiang?"
This name was somewhat unfamiliar to the emperor.
Among the newcomers who entered the palace through the talent show last year, there seems to be someone like this. His family background is unremarkable, and his favor with the emperor is mediocre.
A fierce glint flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes.
Whether Jiang Changzai genuinely encountered Jiang Wange by chance and was stopped by her to talk, or whether there was more to the story, it must be thoroughly investigated.
The emperor called out in a deep voice, "Li Changde."
Li Changde immediately stepped forward: "This servant is here."
Nangong Xuanyu said, "Summon Consort Jiang to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for questioning."
"Yes!"
Sensing the oppressive aura emanating from the emperor, Zhan Weiran knew that this matter was far from over.
……
Lingyan Pavilion is located in the left-hand hall of Jingren Palace.
It's not usually bustling, but it's quiet and peaceful.
Consort Tong, the principal wife, is easy to get along with, and even somewhat weak.
Consort Jiang lived here, keeping a low profile since entering the palace.
The head palace maid, Basho, was serving tea to Consort Jiang.
The master and servant were chatting casually when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.
Immediately afterwards, the gatekeeper eunuch reported: "Your Highness, Eunuch Li from the Imperial Household Department has arrived. He says His Majesty summons you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation immediately."
Banana looked at Consort Jiang with a puzzled expression: "Your Highness, why does His Majesty want to see you at this time?"
Consort Jiang frowned slightly: "His Majesty summoned me?"
"Could Eunuch Li please state the purpose of your visit?"
The young eunuch was clearly unaware: "Eunuch Li didn't say anything, he only told the young master to hurry up."
Bajiao asked in surprise, "My lady, why...why would His Majesty suddenly summon you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"
She suddenly realized something, and her expression changed slightly: "Could it be... related to the fire at Yawen Garden?"
"Didn't you run into that deposed concubine in the Imperial Garden a few days ago, Your Highness?"
Clearly, Jiang Changzai had also thought of this.
The fire at Yawen Garden, in which the deposed Consort Jiang was burned to death, has caused a great uproar in the palace these past few days.
Now His Majesty has suddenly summoned her, a palace concubine who had a brief encounter with Lady Jiang…
Jiang Changzai felt somewhat uneasy, but she had already prepared herself mentally and quickly calmed down.
"Since it is His Majesty's summons, how dare I delay?"
She stood up and said, "Basho, help me change my clothes."
"Yes, my lord."
Seeing that Consort Jiang was so calm, Bajiao also suppressed the unease in her heart and quickly helped her change into the palace dress for the audience.
The master and servant walked out of the inner room and came to the main hall of Lingyan Pavilion.
Li Changde's face showed no sign of anything amiss, but his eyes, which had seen countless people, looked at Jiang Changzai and bowed slightly, saying, "This servant greets Jiang Changzai."
"No need for such formalities, Eunuch Li."
Jiang Changzai feigned surprise and asked, "Why has His Majesty suddenly summoned me? Is there something I have done wrong?"
Li Changde straightened up and said, "You are overthinking it."
"Your Majesty simply has some questions for you, Consort. As for the specifics, this servant cannot inquire further."
"Please follow me, Your Majesty is still waiting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
His words were smooth and watertight.
Jiang Changzai felt a slight unease, knowing that he wouldn't get anything out of Li Changde.
She said no more, and nodded, saying, "Thank you for leading the way, Eunuch Li."
Banana followed behind Jiang Changzai, feeling very uneasy.
Lady Jiang was a relative of a traitorous official. Although she was dead, who knew if she might have been tainted by some bad luck...
What if the young master is implicated...
Banana could only tell herself that the young mistress's encounter with the deposed concubine that day was purely accidental.
It was the deposed concubine who went mad and insisted on calling out to you, Your Highness. What could you do?
The young master merely accompanied her to admire the flowers for a while and exchanged a few innocuous words.
Your Majesty is a wise ruler; surely you cannot punish the young master because of a chance encounter?
The young lady has done nothing wrong; she has nothing to fear.
His Majesty summoned the young lady, perhaps... perhaps it was a routine question, to find out if the deposed concubine had said anything crazy before her death.
After all, the young master was someone who had recently been in contact with her. Once the situation was clarified, everything would be fine.
Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Consort Jiang respectfully bowed according to protocol: "This concubine greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
Nangong Xuanyu's voice came from behind the imperial desk, revealing neither joy nor anger: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Jiang Changzai slowly rose to her feet, her posture respectful.
She wore a moon-white palace dress today, a simple color that, under the lamplight, made her face appear even more radiant and her skin luminous.
Her eyebrows and eyes were delicate, and her lips were naturally rosy. Even without lipstick, she possessed a captivating charm.
However, the emperor sitting on the dragon throne glanced at Consort Jiang's beautiful face, but his heart was filled with no romantic thoughts.
Beauty was never a scarce thing for him.
"Jiang Changzai".
Nangong Xuanyu cut to the chase and asked, "A few days ago in the Imperial Garden, you had a chance encounter with the deposed Consort Jiang. Is that true?"
Jiang Changzai replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true."
“That day, I was admiring the flowers in the garden when Lady Jiang passed by and called me over. We chatted for a few minutes.”
"I entered the palace late and did not know Lady Jiang before. I only heard from the palace servants that a deposed concubine was imprisoned in Yawen Garden. When I first met her that day, I was also a little surprised."
Nangong Xuanyu had already heard the guard's report from Zhan Weiran, but he still asked, "Oh? What kind of gossip was that?"