Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

041 Breakthrough

At this moment, Jinxi led Xiao Yunzi and walked slowly towards them, followed closely by the new palace maid.

When Concubine Hua witnessed this scene, she felt uneasy for a moment, her face changed slightly, and she couldn't help but glance in the direction of Cao Qinmo.

However, Cao Qinmo did not seem to notice Hua Fei's abnormality. She ignored her gaze and remained immersed in sadness.

"My lady, this palace maid just tried to escape, but fortunately I intercepted her in time." Xiao Yunzi stated.

"Your Majesty, it was this palace maid. She went to get tapioca flour two days ago, claiming that she wanted to make pearl meatballs for me. At that time, I thought she just wanted to show off, so I didn't doubt her. I never thought that this matter would involve Princess Wen Yi, which made me deeply frightened." Zhen Huan told the story.

Yinzhen asked seriously: "Then, who instructed you to frame Concubine Wan?"

The maid was kneeling on the ground, silent as a cicada. Yinzhen ordered, "Take her away."

Just as the guards were about to attack, the maid begged for mercy in fear: "Your Majesty, please spare my life! Your Majesty, please spare my life!"

"Speak!" Yinzhen shouted sternly, "If you tell a lie, you will be executed immediately."

"This...this cassava starch was actually obtained by Lady Wan who asked me to get it." Xiao Cui replied in a trembling voice.

Yinzhen narrowed his eyes slightly, examined her, and said slowly: "I hope you can think carefully and explain everything you said one by one."

Xiao Cui answered firmly: "Your Majesty, if I have said anything untrue, I will be punished by heaven and will not have a good end."

Seeing this, Concubine Hua took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. She said softly, "Your Majesty, I see that this palace maid is very sure of what she said. This matter must be related to Concubine Wan. I hope Your Majesty can be prudent and give Concubine Cao and Princess Wen Yi justice."

Zhen Huan responded calmly, "Since you claim that I asked you to get it, then please tell me in detail when and where you mentioned this to me?"

Xiao Cui calmed down and answered, "It was five days ago, the morning before the banquet, at Bitong Academy."

An Lingrong immediately interrupted, "Your Majesty, that morning, I and Sister Wan went to Concubine Jing's palace to talk."

"Then... that means I remembered it wrong. It should be afternoon. Yes, it is afternoon." Xiao Cui's face changed and she quickly changed her words.

"Oh my, I can't even remember the time. This is really puzzling." Jingpin spoke slowly, with a scrutinizing light in her eyes, "Your Majesty, I think that this palace maid hesitated and was vague when answering questions. There must be something hidden. The truth behind this is probably not simple."

Yinzhen was a little anxious at this moment. He stood up and said, "This matter will be handed over to the Queen for handling. Lady Wan will accompany me to the Qinzheng Palace to serve the writing."

Seeing this, Concubine Hua wanted to speak out to dissuade him: "Your Majesty..."

Yinzhen turned his head and looked back, saying in a deep voice: "I hope that the Queen and Concubine Hua can work together to thoroughly investigate this matter."

The Queen immediately agreed: "I will follow your orders and investigate this matter with Concubine Hua."

Then the queen asked, "But, Your Majesty, what should be done with these three palace maids?"

Yinzhen hinted at their untrue words: "You decide for yourself, there is not a single truth in their mouths."

"I obey your command." Then, the three palace maids were taken to the torture chamber.

After Yinzhen's departure, this chess game was destined to become an unsolvable endgame. Hua Fei understood this in her mind and decided to return to Qingliang Palace with Cao Qinmo.

(Qingliang Hall)

Concubine Hua walked into Qingliang Palace full of anger. Cao Qinmo felt a little helpless at the moment and could only repeatedly comfort Concubine Hua to calm down her anger.

"Your Majesty, this matter is a foregone conclusion and cannot be reversed." Cao Qinmo said softly.

Concubine Hua responded anxiously: "Then tell me what to do now? The look in the emperor's eyes just now clearly showed that he was doubting me."

Cao Qinmo comforted her, "Your Majesty, please relax. We have the three palace maids under our control. You don't need to worry about this."

"Has Liu Bin's trace not been found yet?" Hua Fei asked anxiously.

Songzhi responded: "My queen, there is no news yet."

Concubine Hua said worriedly, "As long as Liu Bin is not removed, I will never be able to rest in peace."

She turned to Cao Qinmo, seeking advice: "What suggestions do you have about this matter?"

Cao Qin thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we can find a scapegoat and blame him to calm the storm."

After hearing this, Concubine Hua sighed helplessly and finally nodded, "It seems that this is the only way."

At this time, Princess Wen Yi kept crying, which made the already upset Concubine Hua even more unhappy. She frowned and ordered Cao Qinmo: "This child only knows how to cry all day long. Take her out first."

Hearing this, Cao Qinmo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of joy flashed across her face, and she quickly responded, "Yeah."

However, Hua Fei's next words made her smile back immediately: "Send her back later."

Cao Qinmo immediately put away her expression and replied respectfully, "Yes, Madam."

-

Three days later, there was finally a clear conclusion about Princess Wen Yi.

Xiao Tang, who was in charge of pastry ingredients in the imperial kitchen, took the initiative to come forward and admitted that he had mistakenly mixed the two powders together due to a momentary negligence, which led to the princess's physical discomfort.

His words put an end to the whole matter.

(Geonjeongjeon)

While the Queen was discussing this matter with Yinzhen in his study, Yinzhen was concentrating on reviewing memorials.

He raised his head slightly, his eyes revealing a bit of depth: "They are quite efficient. They found the clue so quickly."

Yixiu said softly, "How does the emperor think this matter should be handled?"

Yinzhen put down the pen in his hand and sighed softly: "The harem is closely connected with the former dynasty. The peace of the harem is directly related to the stability of the former dynasty. You and I are well aware of the interests involved."

Yixiu nodded and said, "I understand."

Yinzhen went on to say, "Hua Fei is sometimes too impatient, which may cause trouble for herself. As the head of the harem, you should be more tolerant and let her rest for a while and reflect on her behavior."

Yixiu replied respectfully: "Yes, I will arrange it."

Yinzhen nodded, indicating that Yixiu could leave. Yixiu bowed and slowly left the study.

(Qingliang Hall)

When Concubine Hua learned that the Emperor was about to deprive her of her power to assist in managing the six palaces, her anger rose again. However, she knew that she was powerless to change the situation and could only accept this fact silently.

"Songzhi, has your brother sent any letters recently?" Concubine Hua asked anxiously.

Songzhi quickly replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, no letter from the general has arrived recently."

When Concubine Hua heard the news, her brows furrowed and her anxiety became even greater.

She knew that the loss of this power would have a significant impact on her position in the harem.

Just then, Cao Qinmo walked in with Princess Wen Yi. Seeing the lovely Wen Yi, Concubine Hua's mood was slightly relieved.

However, when her thoughts returned to Yinzhen's decision, her dissatisfaction and unwillingness surged up in her heart again.

"The Emperor actually deprived me of the power to assist in managing the six palaces just because of this trivial matter. This is simply a great humiliation to me!" Hua Fei said angrily.

Seeing this, Cao Qinmo quickly persuaded: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Now we can only wait patiently for the opportunity to regain the emperor's trust."

Hua Fei certainly understood this logic, but she was strong-willed and could not easily accept such an arrangement.

She secretly swore in her heart that she would make that bitch Zhen Huan pay the price she deserved.