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Some matters were unknown to the common people, but were widely known within the palace. Although Ning w.a.n.g had already set up a separate residence outside, he still often visited the imperial palace, and wasn’t unfamiliar with the matter of Gu Jinyu falsely claiming credit for Young Miss Gu"s accomplishments.
Ning w.a.n.g had a look of realization on his face, "I saw her at the scene of the accident in the Ministry of Works, where she rushed to save a patient and almost got caught in the blast. No wonder she’s so familiar with Commandant Gu; it turns out they are siblings. I had heard that she grew up among the common people, yet she possesses such remarkable talents."
The Emperor said, "Zhen had once asked her which master she had learned from, intending to invite them to come out of seclusion, unfortunately her master has already pa.s.sed away."
Ning w.a.n.g sighed regretfully.
"By the way, how is the investigation Zhen asked you to carry out?" The Emperor asked.
Ning w.a.n.g was asked by the Emperor to investigate the a.s.sa.s.sination of Rui w.a.n.gfei, and he came to the palace today to report the result to the Emperor. He said, “This son has investigated and it wasn’t the State of Chen’s hostage prince that was responsible.”
"It’s not him?" The Emperor was skeptical.
Ning w.a.n.g nodded, "The State of Chen"s hostage prince had just lost a loyal subordinate. It is unlikely that he would be rash enough to act again in such a short time. He and his men have been staying in the palace obediently these past few days."
The Emperor"s gaze turned cold, "If it isn"t the State of Chen"s hostage prince, then there is only one possibility."
Ning w.a.n.g looked at him, "Imperial father suspects…"
The Emperor coldly replied, "Must Zhen still suspect it? It is clearly her! Zhen understands that she is your imperial grandmother and you may have some affection for her, but for this matter, no one else could have done it besides her!"
Ning w.a.n.g was caught between the Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhuang, which was quite a difficult position to be in to be honest. Of all the imperial princes in the palace, only his own status was so awkward. "Rui w.a.n.g is on friendly terms with this son, and is also quite favored by imperial mother."
Rui w.a.n.g was a member of Ning w.a.n.g"s faction, so Empress Dowager Zhuang had no reason to go after the husband and wife.
The Emperor coldly snorted, "Have you forgotten how close Old Third and his wife are to Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing? It was because she was jealous of Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing! She couldn"t stand anyone being nice to her!"
But Ning w.a.n.g shook his head and said, "Imperial grandmother wouldn"t do that."
The Emperor replied, "Have you forgotten how she poisoned Ah Heng back then? If the palace servants hadn"t found out early, Ah Heng would have already died then."
The Emperor never said anything negative about Empress Dowager Zhuang in front of the Crown Prince, but had no qualms about doing so in front of Ning w.a.n.g.
Ning w.a.n.g understood very well that this was a kind of appreciation, but also a kind of test.
The Emperor was testing his feelings and also testing his filial piety and sincerity.
Ning w.a.n.g insisted, "It"s not imperial grandmother, this son can be sure of that."
The Emperor was displeased and asked, "How can you be so sure?"
Ning w.a.n.g cupped his hands and replied, "Because when the third sister-in-law was attacked, the daughter of Marquis Ding"an Estate was also present. She nearly died from the a.s.sa.s.sins’ arrows. Imperial grandmother loves her so much that she would never allow anyone to harm her."
The Emperor frowned and looked at Ning w.a.n.g, "Why didn"t you say this yesterday?"
Ning w.a.n.g felt ashamed and said, "This son didn"t know about her relationship with imperial grandmother and imperial father. I thought she was just an ordinary medical woman and not worth mentioning."
No matter how deep the Emperor"s prejudice against Empress Dowager Zhuang was, he had to admit that she truly loved the little miracle physician.
She would never choose to send a.s.sa.s.sins while the little miracle physician was present.
But then, if it wasn"t the hostage prince of the State of Chen or Empress Dowager Zhuang, who else could it be?
Just who would go after Rui w.a.n.gfei?
As if he had thought of something, Ning w.a.n.g said in a wondering tone, "Imperial father, since the ident.i.ty of the little miracle physician is so special, could the a.s.sa.s.sins yesterday not have been targeting third sister-in-law, but instead have been targeting her?"
Targeting the little miracle physician?
The Emperor"s expression suddenly turned cold, so cold it was somewhat terrifying, even more so than when Ning w.a.n.g had told him of Rui w.a.n.gfei"s a.s.sa.s.sination.
Ning w.a.n.g was secretly shocked; was the Marquis Ding"an Estate"s daughter so important in the Emperor"s heart? More important than his daughter-in-law and the unborn imperial grandchild?
……
Gu Jiao didn’t leave the Renshou Palace until she had lunch.
As she was leaving, Gu Jiao asked Empress Dowager Zhuang, "Grandaunt, have you ever heard of the Heavenly Music House?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang furrowed her brows and thought for a moment. "I can"t remember."
Empress Dowager Zhuang"s memory had been restored, albeit partially and not completely. There were still some missing memories.
Therefore, Empress Dowager Zhuang couldn"t be certain if she had never heard of it or if she had heard of it but simply forgotten.
"Does JiaoJiao want to inquire about this?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked.
Gu Jiao replied, "No, I was just asking casually. Grandaunt doesn"t need to inquire." Better not to startle the snake.
The fact that the Heavenly Music House knew about the a.s.sa.s.sination of the Emperor by the people of the State of Chen meant that Yuan Tang had some connections with Heavenly Music House. Yuan Tang knew the Emperor"s whereabouts like the back of his hand, meaning he must have had spies in the palace.
However, it was not known whether the spies were planted by Yuan Tang himself or by the Heavenly Music House.
After the dust settled, she would go to Heavenly Music House again.
Gu Jiao returned to the medical hall.
Liu Yisheng was also there.
"He has been waiting for a long time." Little San whispered. "He came specifically to wait for you."
"I see." Gu Jiao nodded and called Liu Yisheng into the consultation room.
Liu Yisheng said, "I"m not here to seek medical treatment. I"m here to tell you that yesterday"s a.s.sa.s.sination had nothing to do with Yuan Tang."
"Okay." Gu Jiao nodded.
Liu Yisheng was stunned, "You… Don"t you want to know how I know it"s not related to him? Aren’t you going to ask for evidence? Proof?"
Gu Jiao responded, "You said it"s not related to him, and I believe you."
That was enough. There was no need for evidence or any other explanation.
Liu Yisheng suddenly choked up.
I believe you.
Since the downfall of the Liu Family, he had never heard those words again.
"Why?"
Why did she believe him? Why did she never doubt him?
Gu Jiao remained silent.
Liu Yisheng got up to leave, but then paused to say, "You, be careful."
Gu Jiao watched him leave and thought of the dream where he returned to the Marquis Ding"an Estate.
Why do I believe in you…
Because I only gave you a cup of tea, but you collected my dead body and buried my bones for me.Raz P."s Thoughts
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