HCB Chapter 63 Caught Red-Handed
Chapter 63 Caught Red-Handed
The news that Chu Qingyin had almost been scalded by hot water quickly reached the Zichen Palace.
Pei Yuanling's hand, which was reviewing memorials, suddenly froze, and his brows furrowed. "Is Yinyin injured?"
Chen Zhongliang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Consort Qiao is unharmed."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling felt slightly relieved, but his brows remained furrowed: "Who spilled the water?"
Chen Zhongliang recounted the events in detail, then added, "It really does look like an accident."
"Absurd! How could I not know the schemes of those people in the harem? This must have been instigated by Consort Shu again." Pei Yuanling said with a stern face. This Consort Shu really was always causing trouble.
If it weren't for consideration for her father, General Huwei, he would have banished her to the cold palace long ago, based on what she had done to Yinyin back then.
Now that he has finally found Yinyin again, he will not allow anyone to hurt her again.
Thinking of this, Pei Yuanling immediately ordered in a cold voice, "Go and find a reliable person to investigate. If this matter is really related to Consort Shu, I will not let her off lightly."
Having served Pei Yuanling for a long time, Chen Zhongliang immediately understood that His Majesty was truly enraged this time.
He quickly replied "yes" and turned to leave.
On the other side, in a side room of Feixue Palace.
Ling Yan, a female physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau whom Qiu Zhu had invited, was examining Xiang Lan.
"Fortunately, because of the clothes, it was just a slight burn, not too serious."
As Ling Yan spoke, she glanced at the wound on Xiang Lan's back that was bleeding from friction with the fabric, and seemed somewhat reluctant: "It's just that it will probably take her a while to heal such a large area of ulceration."
Chu Qingyin's eyes darkened: "Doctor Ling, do you have any painkillers?"
"There is indeed a medicine called Zhibo San, but only high-ranking medical officers can prescribe it, and it is only for use by nobles. If others want to use it, they need the approval of Imperial Physician Chen Yun of the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Ling Yan looked troubled, her expression revealing a hint of pity for those of lower status.
Chu Qingyin nodded, "Thank you, Physician Ling. I will handle this matter."
Upon hearing this, Ling Yan couldn't help but take another look at the newly favored concubine in front of her. She saw that the beautiful and bright face was full of determination, and her delicate eyebrows and eyes seemed to radiate a kind of holy and gentle light, which inexplicably aroused respect in people's hearts.
Rumors circulated in the palace that Consort Qiao was a seductive and wicked concubine who used Consort Chu's appearance to bewitch the emperor. However, Consort Qiao appeared to be dignified and polite, and showed such kindness and care to her servants. How could such a person be the scheming and wicked concubine in the rumors?
It seems that rumors shouldn't be taken at face value.
Ling Yan applied the medicine to Xiang Lan, gave her a few more instructions, and then turned to leave.
When Chu Qingyin instructed Yulian to see her out, she suddenly realized that Qiuzhu seemed to have disappeared after inviting the female doctor.
With a slight narrowing of her eyes, Chu Qingyin suddenly thought of something, took a step towards the door, and said, "Kang Luhai, call a few capable eunuchs and come with me."
Kang Luhai, who was guarding the door, was about to ask what had happened, but when he saw the chilling aura emanating from Chu Qingyin, he couldn't help but shiver and immediately nodded: "Yes!"
Soon, he quietly went to the courtyard and called a few capable eunuchs, and followed Chu Qingyin towards the main hall's bedroom.
***
Xianglan was injured, and most of the palace maids followed Chu Qingyin to the side room, leaving the main hall empty.
Qiu Zhu tiptoed into the inner room and began rummaging through the trunk.
Consort Shu ordered that they must find the undergarments that Chu Qingyin usually wore and that His Majesty could recognize at a glance.
Since Xianglan entered the palace, she had not served Chu Qingyin in a close manner for a long time. At this moment, she only remembered the light blue blouse that the Emperor wore when he first favored Consort Qiao.
She searched for a long time, and the trunk was almost empty—
Just as I was about to give up, I spotted that familiar lake blue color at the very bottom of the box.
Qiu Zhu was overjoyed and hurriedly grabbed the pocket-shaped garment, intending to hide it in her bosom.
"boom!!"
With a loud bang, the door was pushed open from the outside.
"You audacious Qiuzhu, what are you doing!" Kang Luhai shouted angrily.
The shrill voice startled Qiu Zhu, making her tremble. When she saw who it was, she stammered, "Your Highness, this servant...this servant was tidying up the room, I wasn't doing anything."
"Why did you take my pocket coat while I was tidying up the room?"
Chu Qingyin questioned sharply, her cold gaze falling on Qiu Zhu, like a biting wind, chilling to the bone.
Even though Qiu Zhu tried to remain calm, she couldn't help but feel uneasy at this moment.
"This servant sees that the clothes are a bit disheveled and intends to tidy them up—"
Qiu Zhu explained in a trembling voice, but before she could finish speaking, Chu Qingyin interrupted her: "Why did you take my pocket and stuff it into your clothes? Qiu Zhu, even now, you're still not going to tell the truth?"
The woman spoke with certainty, as if she knew everything.
Qiu Zhu could no longer hold back. Her body went limp, and she knelt on the ground, crying and begging for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was wrong. I will never dare to do it again."
With just a few words, Qiu Zhu was forced to confess.
Seeing this, Kang Luhai couldn't help but cast a look of admiration at Chu Qingyin.
Their lady is truly formidable.
Seeing that she confessed, Chu Qingyin took a few steps forward, then slowly sat down on the carved wooden chair beside her. Only then did she look up at Qiu Zhu and ask indifferently, "Tell me, who instructed you?"
"This matter...this matter was not instigated by anyone. It was all because I was momentarily blinded by greed. I took a fancy to Your Highness's robe and became greedy. Please forgive me, Your Highness!" Qiu Zhu cried and kowtowed, begging for forgiveness. "Please forgive me this time, Your Highness, as this is my first offense."
Chu Qingyin didn't say a word, she just quietly watched the person on the ground kowtow.
Qiu Zhu kept kowtowing without stopping, and blood was already faintly visible on her forehead. Kang Luhai watched from the side and felt a little sorry for her: "Your Majesty, Qiu Zhu has confessed her sins. Why don't you spare her this time?"
Chu Qingyin glanced at Kang Luhai, "Are you pleading for her?"
That sharp gaze made Kang Luhai instinctively shrink back, and he hurriedly lowered his head, saying, "No, this servant wouldn't dare... Please just pretend this servant was talking nonsense!"
Chu Qingyin scoffed and ignored him, then got up and walked towards Qiu Zhu.
As she approached, she bent down and grabbed Qiu Zhu's chin, her voice icy: "Qiu Zhu, I'm giving you one last chance. To be honest, I might spare your life."
The woman in front of her exuded a chilling aura, and Qiu Zhu subconsciously wanted to avoid her gaze, but the hand that was holding her chin did not allow her to dodge for even a moment.
"Your Majesty, this servant... this servant is telling the truth..."
"Ha, it seems you really don't want to live anymore."
Chu Qingyin smirked, flung her chin away, and stood up gracefully. "Guards, drag this incorrigible maid away and beat her to death!"
Seeing that she was about to get serious, Qiu Zhu's mental defenses crumbled instantly. She no longer dared to be defiant and hurriedly knelt down, grabbing Chu Qingyin's skirt: "Your Majesty, spare me! I'll confess! I'll confess everything!"