Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 102

When Empress Yuan Zhen reached the well where the murder happened, Emperor Ning and Yun Shang were already there. The dead body had been covered with a plain white cloth. The Empress glanced at the dead body before she greeted the Emperor and said, "Good morning, Your Majesty."

Emperor Ning nodded and replied, "Good morning. Get up, please."

The Empress stood and waved her sleeves with a disgusted look, "Why was a murder committed here in the Spring Festival? You Majesty, in which Palace did this dead maid work?

Emperor Ning squinted as he replied, "Changchun Palace."

"Changchun Palace? Isn't that Lady Ming's Palace?" The Empress was puzzled. She had this nagging feeling that something was wrong. After the Emperor ordered servants to carry the dead body away, the Empress bid the Emperor farewell and returned to Qiwu Palace.

"Xiu Xin, go to Changchun Palace. Something doesn't seem right. Find some information about the dead maid." The Empress frowned as she spoke.

Xiu Xin said after a moment's silence, "Your Majesty, I think we should not be involved with the affairs of Changchun Palace. We have already made many enemies. The ban upon you has just been lifted. Lady Jin had a miscarriage and Princess Hua Jing has been imprisoned. We had better wait and see what really happened at Changchun Palace." The Empress knew Xiu Xin told the truth, but the ominous feelings worried her. After a long time, she sighed, "I should seek an opportunity to visit the Grand Councilor's mansion. Hua Jing must be innocent and framed by Yun Shang. Unfortunately, Hua Jing is now imprisoned in the Dali Temple. But, something horrible just happened at the Palace. At this moment I, as the Empress, can't leave. But I'm still worried about Hua Jing.

Xiu Xin said in a hurry, "Your Majesty, you should be patient. After all, Princess Yun Shang is a woman and hasn't been in the Palace for a long time. Thus, she lacks the time needed to set so many traps. Yesterday, it was Prince Jing who intervened at Jinluan Hall. I'm sure that eunuch from Meiying Hall must have received direct orders from Prince Jing.

"Ha-ha. Shu Jin is a bitch. I have no idea how she's always lucky. The Emperor favors her, and her daughter has the protection of Prince Jing. No, I won't allow it. Yun Shang can't be with Prince Jing. If Prince Jing protects her all the time, we won't be able to hurt her." The Empress clenched her hands into fists. She was quiet for a moment before adding, "If Yun Shang's reputation is compromised, she will lose Prince Jing's favor."

"Your Majesty, what will we do?" Xiu Xin was shocked and also curious.

The Empress smiled slightly, "Father always asks me to wait and see. But, now, I can't wait anymore."

"Atishoo..." Yun Shang sneezed at Qingxin Palace, "Who is cursing me?"

Qian Yin hastily said, "Who dares to curse the Princess?

I will skin her, take out her bones, and drink her blood."

Yun Shang smiled faintly and leaned again the cushion. She had a serious expression. "Qian Yin, do you know how the maid died last night?"

Hearing the question, Qian Yin looked around before walking toward Yun Shang. She squatted before the Princess and replied, "Your Highness, the guard watching over the well told me that a man dressed in black dragged the maid's body and threw it inside the well. He seemed to be very good at Kung Fu. Thus, no immediate action could be taken against him. Then, he was followed and seen entering Changchun Palace."

"Changchun Palace. I see, Lady Ming must be involved in this murder." Yun Shang blinked, "At New Year's Eve, did any of our people see anything unusual happening at the Imperial Garden, such as any passersby tossing anything on the ground?"

Qian Yin shook her head and replied, "That night, the Empress's seal went missing from Changchun Palace. Consequently, all Palaces and Halls were surrounded by the imperial guards. Nobody could get in or out. As a result, none of our people could find a way out."

"If nobody could step out of the Palaces and Halls, who murdered the maid? Besides, where was the Empress's seal found at last?" Yun Shang asked again.

Qian Yin replied in a low voice, "It seems that a maid from Changchun Palace had taken it. Lady Ming was furious and ordered the maid to be executed immediately."

After hearing these words, Yun Shang closed her eyes and sighed heavily, "Who threw the moss on the ground? Who cleaned it?"

"Lord Zheng has arrived! Are you looking for the Princess?" A maid's voice was heard. Yun Shang stood to greet Lord Zheng. At the sight of the Princess stepping out of the inner room, Lord Zheng kowtowed and said hastily, "Your Highness, the Emperor ordered me to bring you a message. The dead maid's body has been placed in a remote Palace in the west. If you are interested, I can show you the way."