After returning from rebirth, the eldest sister of Hou family destroyed her household registration b

Xiao Jinzhi also reached out and patted the tree stump, listening carefully to the sound.

"The stump is hollow."

"Is it insect infestation, or... is there another reason?" Chu Huanyan lowered her voice unconsciously.

Xiao Jinzhi thought for a while, but did not speak, but carefully searched around the tree stump.

Finally, I found a raised stone at the root of the tree to the west. It had been buried by the soil, and only a small tip was exposed. It looked very inconspicuous. But after pressing down, the bottom of the tree stump suddenly sank, revealing Come to an entrance that is about two feet square.

Chu Huanyan looked down and said, "There is actually a secret passage in this plum forest."

Xiao Jinzhi remembered, "When I was a child, I heard that there were secret passages in the palace, which were distributed throughout the palace. In case the palace was in danger, we could temporarily leave through the secret passages. However, in order to ensure safety, the location of the secret passages was kept secret. , the distribution drawings can only be obtained by successive emperors."

"So the entrance to the secret passage may have been built earlier than Merlin." Chu Huanyan understood.

If this is the case, then this tree may have existed before Merlin was built, so it is difficult to move, but...

"If the late emperor knew that this place was a secret passage, why did he build the hut next to it?"

"I heard that this place was also a forest before, but it was not a plum forest. This cabin also existed from the beginning. In order to maintain Feng Shui, it was only rebuilt on the original basis without moving the foundation." Xiao Jinzhi explained.

Since the bottom of the tree has been hollowed out, the tree is probably dead long ago, but no one dares to cut it down casually without the emperor's order. Naturally, it is impossible for a dead tree to continue to grow and affect the hut next to it.

"Want to go down and take a look?" Chu Huanyan asked Xiao Jinzhi.

If the late emperor really came to this plum forest back then, he might have followed this secret passage instead of the palace route.

Xiao Jinzhi took out a fire seal from his sleeve and said, "I'll go in first, you wait here."

After saying that, he walked down the stone steps from the entrance and walked into the secret passage.

After lighting the fire seal, he looked around and made sure that there was no problem for the time being, then returned to the entrance and stretched out his hand towards Chu Huanyan above.

The secret passage is not high, just enough for Xiao Jinzhi to stand up straight.

By the light of the fire, Chu Huanyan looked around. The building was not very elaborate, but if used as an escape, it was very good. It could at least accommodate three people walking side by side.

The two of them walked forward for a while and saw two branches separated in front of them. Both were dimly lit and could not see what was ahead.

"Your Highness, do you think there is a path leading to the late emperor's palace?"

"It's okay to lead to the late emperor's palace. After all, that place has been sealed. Just don't lead to the father's palace." Xiao Jinzhi held Chu Huanyan's hand and joked.

"You just said that successive emperors were able to obtain the blueprints of the secret passage. Does that mean that the emperor also knows about this secret passage?"

Xiao Jinzhi shook his head, "If the late emperor really used this secret passage to see the late imperial concubine, then he might not be willing to hand over the drawings to his father."

"You mean, although the late emperor imprisoned her here, he might have had a secret meeting with her through a secret passage?" Chu Huanyan was even more confused.

The late emperor was on the throne at that time, and he was the most powerful person in the world. If he really wanted to see a concubine, why bother to go to such trouble.

"I haven't figured it out yet." Xiao Jinzhi held Chu Huanyan's hand and stopped, "I don't know how long this secret passage is. If it really leads to the late emperor's chamber from here, then it must at least be Step up and burn a stick of incense. Let's go out first so as not to be noticed."

Chu Huanyan and Xiao Jinzhi turned back along the original path and returned to the Plum Forest. After closing the entrance to the secret passage, they sprinkled some dead leaves and soil to cover the traces at the entrance, and then they left the Plum Forest.

Chu Huanyan did not waste any more time and left the palace with Xian Yue.

On the way back to the Marquis Mansion, thinking about all the information she had so far, she sketched out many ideas in her mind, and finally stopped at one of them.

If there is really a problem with the death of the late emperor, and as a nun who once served the late emperor, will Qinfang notice something? If she really enters Merlin, will she want to find some evidence.

There is also the death of my parents. If it is related to the incident of the late emperor, it seems to make sense why they were killed.

But in this case, the murderer most likely to kill them is...

Chu Huanyan did not continue to think about it, but compared to the previous confusion, she at least had a vague direction in her heart.

When we returned to the Hou Mansion, the sky began to dimly light up.

Chu Huanyan was lying on the soft couch fully clothed. She only wanted to take a nap for a while, but she gradually fell into a deep sleep.

The dream was bizarre, with people crying and fires rising into the sky. When she woke up, it was already dark and the summons from the palace had arrived again.

In the Zhaoxia Palace, Concubine Xue Guifei sounded apologetically when she noticed the faint blue color under Chu Huanyan's eyes.

"Miss Chu, I'm really sorry. You've been very tired these past few days because of my affairs."

"Your Majesty's words are serious, but I have already tried my best in this case. What happens next..." Chu Huanyan raised her head, looked at Concubine Xue, and smiled helplessly, "It's really hard for me to get involved anymore. "

"I understand that after all, my sister is involved, and I really shouldn't let you continue to be involved." Concubine Xue paused and motioned for Chu Huanyan to sit down and talk first.

"I went to bed early last night. I didn't hear about what happened last night until early this morning. But I can't believe it anyway. It was my sister who wanted to harm me."

"The Queen is just suspicious. This matter has not been determined yet. I believe that the Emperor will definitely get to the bottom of it." Chu Huanyan spoke calmly, thought for a while and then added, "When I saw the evidence in the flowerpot, In order to investigate the case, it is my fault that I did not report it to the empress immediately."

"Miss Chu is also kind-hearted. You have worked hard for my case, so there is nothing wrong with you."

Concubine Xue sighed and frowned. The beauty looked sad and looked more and more pitiable.

"It's just my sister's side..."

"Does the Queen really believe that the Queen has no suspicion?" Chu Huanyan suddenly asked.

Concubine Xue was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes, with a hint of bitterness on her lips.

"To be honest, I don't know, just like I never suspected Youlan before, but then... However, no matter whether this matter has anything to do with my sister or not, I will not just watch something happen to her. Youlan has passed away, and I don’t want to lose another relative.”

Chu Huanyan looked at Concubine Xue quietly, and after a moment, she said softly: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, which is admirable."

After sitting in Zhaoxia Hall for another half while burning incense, Chu Huanyan stood up and left.

Before leaving, Concubine Xue thanked her seriously again and said that no matter what the result of the investigation was, she and Xiao Jinzhi were very grateful.

After leaving Zhaoxia Palace and walking on the palace road, Chu Huanyan yawned.

"Miss, you haven't slept well since I saw you. Please have a good rest after you return home." Xian Yue stood next to Chu Huanyan and looked at her young lady distressedly, "Although the imperial concubine wanted to express her gratitude to you, you don't even have breakfast." I didn’t even bother to eat, so I just went to the palace and went to the palace, which was too much trouble.”

Chu Huanyan looked at the palace in front of her and murmured: "Is it really just to say thank you?"

"What?" Xianyue didn't hear clearly.

Chu Huanyan shook her head and was about to say it was nothing, but at this moment, a lake-blue figure suddenly rushed out from the palace road on the other side, blocking her way...