Pei's heart was terrified.
The emperor's eyes were too scary, and it was clear that he didn't trust anyone.
After all, the only people who can get in touch with Concubine Xiao Shu are people from Prince Ning's Mansion, except for the palace servants of Changchun Palace.
Who can guarantee that it wasn't someone from Prince Ning's mansion who poisoned him
Pei can guarantee it, but the emperor needs to believe it.
In the main hall, the air seemed to stop flowing, making people feel suffocated.
Liu Yi felt timid.
Before, Liu Zhao said that the emperor was suspicious, but he did not expect the emperor to be so suspicious.
Before finding out the ins and outs of the matter, the emperor even suspected that Prince Ning's mansion had poisoned Concubine Shu.
Liu Yi thought it was ridiculous.
The people in Prince Ning's Mansion are not insane, so how could they poison Concubine Xiao Shu.
Just think about it with your brain and you will know!
Liu Yi lowered his head, thinking that it's no wonder his father always said that the emperor's grandfather was an idiot, but now it really seems that he is an idiot. And it's utterly confused.
Gu Jiu exchanged a look with Liu Zhao.
Neither felt well.
The emperor's suspicion is really suffocating.
Gu Jiu silently asked Liu Zhao, "What should I do?"
Liu Zhao has no expression on his face, the only way now is to wait.
Wait for Jin Wuwei to find out the clues.
A captain of the Jinwu Guard came to Wei Zhong in a hurry, reported the situation in a low voice, and handed him something.
Wei Zhong nodded, "Continue to investigate."
The captain took the order and left.
Wei Zhong took a deep breath, strode into the hall, and knelt down on one knee, "Report to Your Majesty, I have found this."
After speaking, he held up a folded piece of cloth with both hands.
Chen Dachang took the cloth and confirmed that there was no problem before handing it to the emperor for review.
The Son of Heaven opened the cloth with a gloomy expression, and the cloth was covered with ghostly symbols written in blood. Because of the long time, the blood has dried up and turned black and red.
The ghostly painted symbols on the cloth, at first glance, looked like someone was injured, and the traces left by the blood were wiped away with the cloth.
If you look closely, you will find that these ghost symbols are written on them by humans, not traces left by wiping blood.
The emperor narrowed his eyes in shock. Others don't know the meaning of these ghostly symbols, but the emperor knows it very well.
Because not long ago, the emperor saw a similar symbol, and the kidnapping case occurred.
According to the investigation, this is a symbol created by the mysterious force behind the kidnapping case, which is used to communicate with each other.
The emperor's face was livid.
There are still remnants of the kidnapping case in the palace, it seems that killing is not enough.
He threw the cloth to Chen Dachang, "Do you understand?"
Chen Dachang looked puzzled, he only understood one symbol, but it was meaningless.
"The old slave is incompetent, I don't understand."
"Call someone who understands."
Chen Dachang whispered: "Perhaps Li Shizhong knows the symbols on it."
"Ask Li Shizhong to come see me."
Li Shizhong was involved in the Kidnap Case and has done some research on these symbols. Maybe it can decipher the meaning on the cloth.
The emperor stared at Wei Zhong, "Where did you find it? Where is the person?"
"To report to Your Majesty, it was found from the bedroom of an insider. But the insider has hanged himself."
"what?"
Pei exclaimed, "Someone really wants to kill the empress? Are there spies planted by others in Changchun Palace?"
The Son of Heaven's face was dark, as if the top of a black cloud was overwhelming.
Pei's face was terrified and disturbed.
Liu Zhao stood up and said, "Grandfather, please allow grandson to participate in the investigation. According to the imperial physicians, the poison in the empress is very rare. If we can't find the person behind the scenes and ask for the antidote, the imperial physicians may not be able to detoxify."
Liu Yi also took the opportunity to stand up, "Grandson also wants to participate in the investigation. If you dare to poison the empress, grandson will never spare those people."
Everyone looked at the emperor, waiting for the emperor to make a decision.
The Son of Heaven snorted coldly, "The Jinwu Guard will investigate this matter, and the two of you must not intervene."
Liu Yi turned pale with shock. Now that the clues have been found, does the imperial grandfather still not believe them
He subconsciously looked towards Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao's expression was calm, and he had already expected this result when he stood up to speak.
The reason for standing up is because Prince Ning's Mansion needs to show its attitude in front of the emperor.
So he pleaded again, "Grandfather, please do it."
With that said, he knelt down directly.
Liu Yi followed suit, and knelt down, "Grandpa, please help me."
Liu Yi is very smart. He is well aware of his shortcomings, so he wisely gave up the idea of self-assertion and simply followed Liu Zhao.
Whatever Liu Zhao did, he would do. That way, you can make sure nothing goes wrong.
Now we don't seek meritorious service, but seek no faults. Get through this first and then talk about the rest.
The emperor looked at the two grandsons and said with a straight face, "Since you want to kneel, just keep kneeling."
Liu Yi was speechless.
The moody character of the emperor made him completely confused.
what to do
Do you really want to continue kneeling down
He secretly glanced at Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao remained silent, kneeling obediently. Then he can only kneel down honestly.
Pei opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu slightly shook his head at Pei Shi.
At this moment, the Son of Heaven is extremely sensitive. Any disturbance in the wind and grass will make the emperor vigilant.
Any word, the emperor will misinterpret different meanings.
Silent, Fang is wise.
Gu Jiu exchanged glances with Liu Zhao calmly.
The two of them knew in their hearts that their hope was on Li Shizhong.
However, Li Shizhong's position is ambiguous.
What if he intentionally misinterpreted the meaning of the symbols on the cloth and pointed the thread to Prince Ning's Mansion
Gu Jiu was deeply worried.
All because, at this moment, the Son of Heaven has no sense at all.
The emperor was so stimulated by the poisoning that he ran away.
Dare to poison Concubine Xiao Shu, maybe dare not poison him, the emperor.
The emperor shuddered at the thought that one day people around him poisoned him and he might die of poisoning.
The fear in his heart devoured the emperor's rationality, making the emperor's eyes flushed, and he looked like he was choosing someone to devour, which was particularly scary.
Gu Jiu gritted her teeth and thought deeply.
Is it possible to bribe Li Shizhong and the two sides reach a cooperation
She looked at Liu Zhao again.
Liu Zhao had already lowered his head and did not receive her message.
what to do
"Report to Your Majesty, Master Li is here."
A servant came into the hall to report.
"Show him in."
The emperor Da Ma Jindao sat on the chair, not angry but mighty.
The atmosphere in the hall was gloomy.
The earth dragon was clearly burning, and it was as warm as spring, but everyone still trembled uncontrollably.
Ouyang Fu protected her stomach, feeling very scared.
She feels bad.
She was very worried about the baby in her womb, what if something happened to her.
She subconsciously asked Gu Jiu for help.
Gu Jiu held her hand and gave her strength. He opened his mouth and said silently, "Don't be afraid!"
Ouyang Fu's face was pale, and sweat was already breaking out on her head.
Li Shizhong walked into the hall covered in cold air.
"My minister sees Your Majesty."
"Free gift."
With a look from the emperor, Chen Dachang cleanly handed the cloth to Li Shizhong, "Master Sizhong, please take a look."
Li Shizhong took the cloth and looked at it, and immediately frowned.
The Son of Heaven asked, "Do you know what is written on it?"
Li Shizhong frowned and said, "These symbols roughly mean murder and revenge."
"what!"
Pei exclaimed again.
Gu Jiu was surprised, she didn't expect that Li Shizhong didn't take the opportunity to suppress Prince Ning's residence.
But in the past, Li Shizhong was clearly a member of Ruizhen Empress Cui, and indirectly he was a member of Chu Palace.
However, since Li Shizhong can gain the trust of the emperor, it can be seen that he has his own political stance, and he is definitely not a loyal lackey of the Chu Palace.
Perhaps after the death of Empress Cui Ruizhen, Li Shizhong had changed his position, stood on the side of the emperor, and became a loyal minister.
Gu Jiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Li Shizhong does not favor anyone, it will be the best result.
She firmly believed that no one in Prince Ning's Mansion would poison Concubine Xiao Shu.
No matter what the purpose is, Prince Ning's Mansion will not do this.
The emperor's expression was unclear, and he asked, "Are you sure it's murder for revenge?"
Li Shizhong nodded, "I'm sure that's what it means on the cloth."
After a pause, he continued: "Your Majesty, these symbols are the same as those found in the case of the kidnapper. Could it be that the remnants of the kidnappers wanted to take revenge on King Ning? It was King Ning and Young Master Zhao who uncovered this case. It’s okay to say that the remnants want revenge.”
Pei couldn't control it anymore, and cried out, "They wanted revenge, why didn't they go to the palace, why did they poison the empress? The empress has suffered an indiscriminate disaster."
"I beg the emperor's grandfather to make the decision for the empress. This matter happened because of my grandson, and my grandson is determined to catch the remnants of the abductee." Liu Zhao said loudly.
Not to be outdone, Liu Yi said, "The remnants of the kidnappers are so rampant, they dared to poison the palace and murder the empress. They can do such insane things, what else are they afraid to do."
This is exactly what the emperor was worried about.
The emperor sneered, "It seems that I am still too kind. If you dare to poison Concubine Shu, you also dare to poison me! Check, turn the palace upside down, and drive out the remaining kidnappers. I don't need anyone to live. "
Wei Zhong took the order.
An order from the emperor means that people's heads are rolling.
Pei took the opportunity to burst into tears.
The emperor asked the imperial doctor to do his best to detoxify Concubine Shu, and then left with his sleeves.
Liu Zhao stood up from the ground, "Thank you Li Shizhong."
Li Shizhong looked Liu Zhao up and down, "I just did what I was supposed to do, you don't need to thank me. Concubine Shu was poisoned, it's really appalling. I don't know what you think?"
"May I ask what the servant thinks?"
Li Shizhong said: "I don't have any ideas. My son is busy, so I will leave."
"I'll give the waiter a ride."
Liu Zhao personally sent Li Shizhong out.
The two walked side by side with no one else around.
Liu Zhao took the opportunity to say: "Prince Ning's residence owes Master Li a favor."
Li Shizhong stopped in his tracks, looked at Liu Zhao with a half-smile, "I don't know how you Ning Palace plan to thank me?"
"How can Master Li want us to thank you? Please feel free to speak up."
Li Shizhong smiled, "Do you know why I want to help you? You know, I am the only person in the court who can decipher those symbols. I can talk nonsense, and I can make you Prince Ning's mansion forever."
"Please tell Master Li clearly."
Li Shizhong smiled and said: "Because I have an agreement with King Ning in private."
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows, he really didn't know about this.
When did King Ning reach an agreement with Li Shizhong
Li Shizhong laughed, "King Ning is very sincere, and I will naturally repay you. You can write to King Ning and tell him the whole story of what happened today. After he returns to Beijing, I will ask him for a reward. "
Liu Zhao looked suspicious.
Li Shizhong didn't want to say more and left on his own.
When Liu Zhao returned to the main hall, Mrs. Pei hurriedly asked, "How is it?"
"Mother, don't worry, it's fine for now."
"Is it true that the remnants of the kidnapper poisoned the empress?" Mrs. Pei was dubious.
How powerful, how terrifying, and how deeply hidden, it is possible to make a comeback after the last big cleansing.
If you really have such a skill, just thinking about it makes people shudder.
No wonder the Son of Heaven is so irritable.
Liu Zhao said: "The Jinwu Guard will investigate this matter."
In fact, Liu Zhao also had many doubts in his heart.
The remnants of the kidnapper are really so bold, how long has it been since the kidnapping case, and they dare to commit poison
Based on the investigation of the kidnapping case, this group of people acted meticulously, patiently and boldly. In order to achieve a goal, you can dormant for ten or twenty years.
Even if the kidnapper's remnants want revenge, with the past style of acting, they shouldn't do it so quickly.
Moreover, the clues came too easily.
The kidnapper's remnants have been lurking in the palace for decades or hundreds of years. How could such a huge and mysterious organization keep the criminal evidence by its side but refuse to destroy it.
Why didn't the insider who hanged himself destroy the evidence of the crime before committing suicide
Too many questions.
Liu Zhao vaguely felt that the concubine Shu's poisoning might not have been done by the remnants of a kidnapper.
Some people also understand the symbol of a kidnapper, and use the name of a kidnapper to make trouble in the palace.
Just, what is the purpose
What is the real purpose of poisoning and killing Concubine Shu
Mrs. Pei panicked, "Zhao'er, tell me the truth, what's going on? Is Your Majesty in danger?"
Liu Zhao said: "The Imperial Physician will do his best to treat the empress, mother and concubine, please rest assured."
"My princess wants to know what's going on with all this?"
Everyone looked at Liu Zhao, waiting for his answer.
Liu Zhao refused, saying, "My son doesn't know exactly what's going on."
Pei frowned, "Could it be that the remnants of the kidnapper are really taking revenge?"
"In this way, wouldn't the palace be unsafe." Liu Yi muttered.
Mrs. Pei was worried, "You brothers go back first. My concubine stays in the palace to guard my mother. Eldest daughter-in-law, fourth daughter-in-law, you all stay too. Second daughter-in-law, you have a big belly, you should hurry out of the palace and go back to the mansion to rest."
Ouyang Fu's face was pale, she was really afraid that something might happen to her.
Hearing Mrs. Pei tell her to go back, Ouyang Fu breathed a sigh of relief.
Regardless of whether it was the remnants of the kidnapper who were taking revenge, the first thing to do was to keep Concubine Shu.
"Mother and concubine has been tired all day, let's rest first. Your wife is here with your daughter-in-law."
Gu Jiu volunteered.
She knows medicine anyway, so it is most suitable for her to guard Concubine Shu.
Pei nodded wearily, "My princess and Qin'er rest first, and I will take care of you at night."
Gu Jiu nodded.
She came to the bedroom and sat in front of the bed.
Taking the opportunity of tucking the quilt for Concubine Xiao Shu, I took the opportunity to check the pulse
The imperial doctor gave Concubine Xiao Shu the detoxification pill, but it was useless. The pulse became weaker and weaker.
She couldn't help frowning.
"What's going on now?"
Liu Zhao walked in from the outside.
Gu Jiu was surprised, "Why haven't you left yet?"
"Don't worry, come and have a look. I'll leave in a while."
Gu Jiu tucked the quilt up for Concubine Shu, got up and went outside.
After confirming that there was no one around, she lowered her voice and said, "The imperial doctor gave the empress the detoxification pill, but it seems to have no effect."
Liu Zhao frowned, "Is it dangerous? How long is it?"
Gu Jiu said: "The poison on your empress is very strange, I've never seen it before. With the current situation of your empress, it can last roughly half a month."
Liu Zhao said: "Half a month is enough."
She hesitated for a moment before asking: "Do you think that this matter was not done by the remnants of a kidnapper?"
"You also feel this way?" Liu Zhao was surprised.
Gu Jiu nodded, "The mysterious force behind the kidnapping case is obviously a well-organized, rigorous, patient, and bold enough organization. They have only suffered serious injuries, so they should lick their wounds, lie dormant, and accumulate strength to fight again in the future." Instead of coming out in such a hurry to poison and retaliate."
Liu Zhao nodded and asked, "What do you think?"
Gu Jiu whispered: "Someone is using the kidnapper's identity to act. I don't know the purpose for now. But since he understands the kidnapper's contact symbol, maybe this person is also a eunuch, or even a member of the mysterious force behind the kidnapper case.
Poisoning the empress may be a personal enmity, or it may be a murder with a knife. Is there such a possibility that the mysterious force has turned against each other, and some people want to use the butcher knife in the hands of the emperor to eliminate dissidents.
And choosing to poison the empress is not poisoning other concubines, but because you and your father uncovered the kidnapping case. It happened to be an opportunity to connect the two things together and bring up the kidnapping case again. "
Liu Zhao looked at her, "Who do you think is the most suspect?"
Gu Jiu shook his head, "There are too many people who are suspected. I think we can start the investigation with Li Shizhong. After all, as far as we know, he is the only one who understands the kidnapper symbol."
Liu Zhao laughed, "We thought of being together."
Li Shizhong's overtures seemed abrupt and weird. He said that he had an agreement with King Ning, but Liu Zhao didn't believe him.
It's time to check Li Shizhong.