The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1126 - 1126 548 Confess the Truth (Second Update)

Chapter 1126: 548 Confess the Truth (Second Update) Chapter 1126: 548 Confess the Truth (Second Update) Xiao Hen said, “In a side room in the backyard, she was seriously injured at the time and was picked up by a doctor from the Medical Hall. She is an important witness, so let’s not startle the snake by hitting the grass.”

Minister Xing was puzzled, “Why was she picked up by someone from the Medical Hall? Did she do it on purpose? Is there anything strange about this Medical Hall?”

True to his roots from the Ministry of Justice, his logical reasoning was too strong, but Xiao Hen had no intention of telling him that Mo Qianxue came for Gu Jiao. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Minister Xing’s character, it was just that the time wasn’t right.

Now was definitely not the best time to investigate Mo Qianxue.

With an unchanged expression, Xiao Hen said, “There is nothing strange about the Medical Hall itself. However, the Medical Hall is so famous that even Minister Xing visited. Other nobles with headaches or fevers will come too. Maybe she was waiting for someone here.”

Minister Xing thoughtfully said, “What you said also makes sense, or maybe she simply wanted to fake her death to conceal her identity. That way, she could operate in the shadows. After all, who would suspect a dead person? But now I am puzzled, did the owner of the Xianle Inn really die? If not, where is he? If he did die, then who are they working for?”

There was also a minor innkeeper, Xiao Hen thought to himself.

Xiao Hen said, “My wife is also from this Medical Hall. I will talk to her later and have her send someone to keep a close watch on Mo Qianxue. As long as we keep an eye on her, we will always be able to find some clues.”

After thinking for a while, Minister Xing said, “Alright, we’ll do as you said. Tell your wife to be careful, Mo Qianxue is skilled.”

Xiao Hen nodded, “I know.”

Minister Xing then asked, “Aside from you, who else knows about these things?”

“The Empress Dowager.”

In the sleeping hall of Renshou Palace, Eunuch Qin quietly called to the Empress Dowager Zhuang, who was sitting by the window.

Empress Dowager Zhuang regained her focus and lightly pinched two candied fruits from her plate, “What is it?”

Little Jingkong was skilled at tattling, always the first to run to Gu Jiao whenever Empress Dowager Zhuang snuck a treat.

However, the little fellow also sensed Empress Dowager Zhuang’s downcast mood and secretly offered her two candied fruits.

Eunuch Qin said, “Nothing much, it’s just that Miss Gu instructed this old servant to prepare some Ginseng Soup for you before she left. The Ginseng Soup is ready, should I bring it to you now?”

“Bring it over,” said Empress Dowager Zhuang indifferently.

Eunuch Qin turned around, picked up the Ginseng Soup from the tray held by a young eunuch, and gently placed it on Empress Dowager Zhuang’s table.

Empress Dowager Zhuang did not move.

Eunuch Qin smiled, “It’s not hot anymore, drink it while it’s warm, or it will get cold soon.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang listlessly took a sip of the Ginseng Soup.

Eunuch Qin said with some embarrassment, “Miss Gu instructed less salt in it, does it taste a bit off?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted through her nose, “Hmph, without having tasted the dishes prepared by Lang-er, one has no right to call it bad.”

Eunuch Qin said, “Uhm…”

But to be honest, it was indeed quite unpalatable. If it weren’t for being accustomed to Xiao Hen’s cooking, Empress Dowager Zhuang would certainly not be able to stomach it.

Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhuang, though disdainful, still forced herself to finish the soup, Eunuch Qin revealed a genuinely happy smile.

Indeed, no matter how unappetizing or tough something was, as long as it was said to be instructed by Miss Gu, the Empress Dowager would accept it without question.

“You were around when Princess Ning An was a child, weren’t you?” Empress Dowager Zhuang suddenly spoke.

Eunuch Qin was taken aback, not understanding how the subject had shifted to Princess Ning An, he paused and answered, “Yes, I was here. I entered the palace just as Your Majesty came to the Forbidden City, although I did not serve by your side.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked out the window at the Begonia tree covered in a layer of snow and said, “Do you still remember Princess Ning An’s temperament as a child?”

“I do, I do!” Eunuch Qin recounted with the ease of familiarity, “She was sweet-spoken, lively, and restless, always moving about. If it weren’t for that, how could she have collided with Your Majesty’s Phoenix Rattan in the Imperial Garden?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang casually remarked, “It was Consort Jing’s scheming, how could it be such a coincidence that she ran into my Phoenix Rattan? What a pity that I was young at the time and did not understand the perils of the palace, mistaking a villain for a confidante.”

Eunuch Qin observed her expression and cautiously asked, “Does Your Majesty regret it?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang tapped on the table, and Eunuch Qin, with a keen eye, poured a cup of hot tea. She picked up the cup, “Regret what? Regretting befriending Consort Jing, or regretting treating her two children kindly?”

The Emperor was not Consort Jing’s own flesh and blood, but since he was recorded under Consort Jing’s name, he was indeed Consort Jing’s child.

Empress Dowager Zhuang continued, “There’s nothing to regret, the Emperor and Ning An were truly endearing as children. I lost my own child, and it was thanks to the two of them that I was able to step out of the shadows. Rather than attributing it to Consort Jing’s plotting, it was more of a mutual benefit situation.”