(Many people, including Gao Yuanjing and Ping An mentioned the day before yesterday, and my classmates have no news yet, but I believe they will be safe. Bless the people trapped and affected by the disaster in the disaster area. I originally said yesterday that I wouldn't say much, but seeing a moron in the book review area still makes me want to slap him in the face... But it's better to pay less attention to this kind of clown. Book friends, live well and continue to live happily. I believe that sometimes calmness is also a kind of strength.)

...

...

The night was already deep, and the imperial study was quiet. The Emperor of Qing was diligent in his government affairs, and naturally bestowed less favor on the harem. The number of times he didn't sleep in the harem but directly in the imperial study, like tonight, was extremely high, so the eunuchs had long prepared all the necessary utensils.

A gust of breeze sneaked in from the edge of the window. Although it couldn't blow through the lights shielded by glass, somehow it still dimmed the light in the room.

"Yes, I heard that she stole a piece of cyan jade pendant that the Empress Dowager wore when she was a child. She was interrogated for a while, couldn't deny it, and committed suicide when she saw an opportunity."

Eunuch Yao simply and clearly told His Majesty the Emperor the details he had mastered, without adding a single word.

"A cyan jade pendant?" The Emperor frowned, seemingly thinking about this thing. After a moment, he smiled and said, "I remember, that's something the Empress wore when she was a child. I remember that Father Emperor bestowed it upon her family after he arranged this marriage back then. At that time, Father Emperor had just ascended the throne... The palace was very chaotic, and this item wasn't anything precious, but the Empress loved it very much when she was a child and wore it all the time."

He frowned, drawing himself away from this rare warm memory, and said indifferently, "I remember it was engraved with cloud patterns."

Eunuch Yao remained silent, not knowing what His Majesty's mood was.

"Although the Empress liked it, she wouldn't flog a palace maid to death for such a small thing." The Emperor said with a cold smile on his lips, "Isn't she known as the most benevolent master in the palace? Virtuous and kind, a benevolent mother of the nation, she has been playing the role extremely well. How could she break down on such a trivial matter?"

Eunuch Yao clearly said that the palace maid committed suicide out of shame, but the Emperor directly said flogged to death. People in the palace were more astute than the next, and everyone understood what these names were used to conceal.

"Investigate in secret what happened." The Emperor picked up the memorial again and regained his composure.

...

...

The imperial palace had already returned to its seemingly eternal tranquility. No one expected that Eunuch Yao was secretly investigating something, leading several old eunuchs. However, the Emperor didn't seem to care too much about this matter, and didn't ask about the follow-up news for several days.

Again, one night, Eunuch Yao respectfully reported, "There's no problem with the palace maid's death."

The Emperor nodded and said, "Understood."

"However, the palace maid went to Guangxin Palace to deliver a roll of embroidery cloth on the afternoon before the incident. The batch of foreign cloth that the Empress Dowager requested from Dongyi City arrived the day before, and was sent to various palaces according to routine the next day, without any abnormalities." Eunuch Yao added.

The Emperor slowly withdrew his gaze from the memorial, glanced at him, and then lowered it again, saying, "Understood."

"The Crown Prince was in Guangxin Palace at that time." Eunuch Yao lowered his head as low as he could.

The Emperor gently placed the memorial on the table, pensive, and didn't say "Understood" again. He directly ordered, "Have Hong Zhu come here."

...

...

Hong Zhu knelt before His Majesty's low couch, his face ashen, his thighs trembling, and even the cotton robe in front of him was shaking in layers.

He wasn't faking it, but was truly terrified - he thought that the clue arranged by Lord Fan Xian was buried extremely deep, and seemed to have nothing to do with him, which should allow him to get away from the matter. He didn't expect that on this dark night, he would be kneeling before the supreme Emperor.

The Emperor didn't look at him directly, but asked directly, "A palace maid died in the East Palace?"

"Yes." Hong Zhu dared not hesitate in the slightest. In order to show his frankness and sincerity, he desperately squeezed his lungs, trying to make this response extremely crisp. However, the airflow was too strong, making his voice somewhat broken and sounding very hoarse.

His response echoed in the imperial study, somewhat harsh and unpleasant. The Emperor frowned imperceptibly and said, "Keep your voice down... Tell me what happened at that time."

Hong Zhu honestly explained how the Empress remembered the jade pendant, how she started searching the palace, how she found the palace maid, who conducted the interrogation, and how the palace maid committed suicide.

The Emperor seemed to be listening carefully, but also seemed not to have heard a single word. His eyes were always on the memorial, and he casually asked, "Did you see the palace maid hitting the pillar with your own eyes?"

"No." Hong Zhu replied without hesitation, secretly feeling lucky in his heart. If the Empress Dowager hadn't left him behind for other matters at that time, he wouldn't have been able to answer so naturally at this time.

The imperial study fell into silence again. After a long time, the Emperor suddenly raised his head, looked at Hong Zhu with a smile that was not a smile, and said, "Why are you so afraid today?"

Hong Zhu swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and a mixture of fear and self-blame naturally flowed out on his face. He knelt on the ground, kowtowing while mournfully saying, "This servant has failed the Holy Grace. This servant should die for not reporting the news of the palace maid's suicide in a timely manner."

The Emperor was stunned, then laughed and scolded, "I sent you to the East Palace to serve the Empress Dowager, not to be a secret agent. Of course, you don't need to report such a trivial matter to me."

Hong Zhu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, but was thinking something else in his heart. A year ago, he was expelled from the imperial study to the East Palace by the Emperor who had always favored him. To outsiders, of course, it was because Fan Xian had said bad things about him in front of the Emperor, but only he himself knew that His Majesty was just using this as a reason to let him be a golden undercover agent in the East Palace. And in this year, he, this little undercover agent, had done a good job.

He comforted his own timidity in his heart, bracing himself and thinking that even His Majesty didn't know who he really belonged to, so what did a little trembling matter?

The Emperor was originally going to ask something, but suddenly frowned and stopped, instead saying, "How has the Empress Dowager treated you in the East Palace this year?"

"The Empress Dowager treats her subordinates extremely kindly, and all the servants are sincerely convinced." Hong Zhu's words were very artistic.

The Emperor laughed and muttered to himself in a very low voice, "A palace maid died for a piece of jade, is that... kindness?"

After Hong Zhu left, Eunuch Yao quietly stood beside the Emperor, waiting for His Majesty's decree. The Emperor was silent for a long time before saying, "Hong Zhu didn't lie. It seems that there really is no problem with the palace maid's death, but..." He laughed and said, "It's just that this process is too flawless."

Eunuch Yao's mind was shocked. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, there had been countless bizarre deaths in the imperial palace. No matter how shady the conspiracy and blood, they could be painted with a legitimate reason, but... often when the reason was too sufficient and the process too natural, the death itself was worth questioning.

"There are some things that I don't believe, and you shouldn't remember either." The Emperor said calmly.

Eunuch Yao knelt down.

"Invite Eunuch Hong to come here."

Eunuch Yao, in his hidden fear at this time, didn't hear His Majesty's words clearly and subconsciously replied, "Little Eunuch Hong just went out."

The Emperor frowned, showing some displeasure. Eunuch Yao immediately woke up, grabbed his front lapel, and ran out the door, almost tripping over the threshold.

...

...

Since Fan Xian made a scene at the night banquet with three hundred poems that day, and also after the imperial palace was infiltrated by assassins for the first time in nearly ten years, Eunuch Hong, who had been staying in the imperial palace since its founding and was the chief eunuch of that year, became more and more silent and low-key. He only wanted to bask in the sun outside the Hanguang Hall all day long.

But no one in the palace or court dared to underestimate him. On the contrary, because of his silence, they felt that this old eunuch was even more unfathomable. Even Hong Zhu, who was now a popular figure in the palace, actually owed his current status to his relationship.

Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor maintained a certain degree of courtesy towards this old eunuch.

However, today His Majesty the Emperor called him by his name and said, "Hong Siyang, what do you think?"

The last time the Emperor of Qing called this old eunuch by his name was when he was consulting him on his feelings about Fan Xian. At that time, the old Eunuch Hong replied that he thought Fan Xian was too hypocritical.

Only in such important situations where Eunuch Hong's opinion was needed would the Emperor seriously call him by his name. In the eyes of others, this might be a kind of disrespect, but the Emperor's meaning was exactly the opposite. He always thought that calling Eunuch Hong "Eunuch" would make the other party think of his physical ailments, while calling him by his name would be more appropriate.

Eunuch Hong was slightly hunched over, with a look as if he was asleep but not asleep. He softly replied, "Your Majesty, many things don't depend on how you look at them. Even if you see them with your own eyes, they may not be true."

The Emperor nodded and said, "I have always been a bit suspicious by nature. I know that this is not good, and I may be mistaken. Therefore, I ask you to help me take a look."

Eunuch Hong respectfully saluted, without too many words.

The Emperor was silent for a long time before saying, "Chengqian has been in good spirits for the past six months. In addition to the daily guidance from the tutor, he often goes to Guangxin Palace to listen to Yunrui teach him the Three Strategies for Governing the Country. I am a little curious how his body has recovered so quickly."

Although the rift in the imperial family has now appeared, at least on the surface there is no problem. The Emperor knows that his own sister has a deep understanding of power politics, so he usually doesn't object to the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess being too close, and even secretly expressed his appreciation. However...

"Thank you for your trouble." After the Emperor finished speaking, he didn't look at Eunuch Hong again.

Eunuch Hong slowly hunched over and retreated, slowly closing the door of the imperial study. After walking away for a distance, he looked back at the lights inside, sighed in his heart, and said to himself, "Since you know you are suspicious, why bother saying you are curious in the end... Your Majesty, you should change this nature of yours. The future of Qing is all in your hands."

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In the following days, a court physician died of a sudden illness. A few days later, a nobleman from a distant collateral clan fell off his horse while picnicking and died. A few days later, a famous Huichun Tang (Returning Spring Hall) in Kyoto suddenly caught fire, killing more than a dozen people.

On the night of the fire, Eunuch Hong, with a blank expression, reappeared before the Emperor and reported in his aged voice, "This old servant investigated the Taiyuan Hospital, and that court physician died. This old servant investigated the clan mansion, and that nobleman also died. This old servant investigated Huichun Tang, and Huichun Tang burned down."

Tonight, His Majesty the Emperor of Qing did not review the memorials. He listened very carefully to Eunuch Hong's report. After hearing these words, a strange smile flashed across his lips.

"Someone wants to hide something, and there are not many people who can preempt you in everything, whether in the palace or in Kyoto." The Emperor said calmly, "I have always liked her methods."

Eunuch Hong did not speak. The Eldest Princess's methods were clear to the whole world, but she had not had the opportunity to use them in the past few years. If these methods were used to help His Majesty balance the court and point the sword at the world, His Majesty would of course like them. But if they were used to destroy traces and deceive the Emperor, His Majesty would of course... very much dislike them!

Eunuch Hong took out a pill from his arms and handed it over, saying, "Only one pill was seized."

The Emperor gently pinched and played with it with his fingers. With a slight force, the pill shattered completely, and a strange fragrance wafted out. His eyes were filled with coldness, and he said, "Indeed, a good medicine."

Eunuch Hong said calmly, "It may be a frame-up."

"So... everything still needs to be seen with one's own eyes." The Emperor said, "Rest first. No matter how this matter ends, don't tell the Empress Dowager."

Eunuch Hong responded and retreated, knowing in his heart that even with his status, there were still many things in this palace that he could not see.

The breeze blew through the buildings in the imperial palace. In a garden not far from Guangxin Palace, the Emperor of Qing, dressed in yellow, flashed out from behind a tree, slightly lowered his head, and felt a little strange in his heart. Clearly, Hong Siyang had already made such a big commotion, why was she still not restraining herself?

However, this trace of doubt had long been shattered by the anger and absurdity in his heart. The Emperor's eyes were filled with a sense of failure, disappointment, and dismay.

The middle-aged man did not return to his bedroom, but still rested in the imperial study.

On this night, he thought for a long time, and then asked Eunuch Yao, who was serving beside him, a strange question, "Could Hong Zhu know something?"

Eunuch Yao nervously shook his head and said a few words of persuasion. He had to protect Hong Zhu's life under His Majesty's restrained fury, so as to ensure his own safety as much as possible.

"I want to kill him..." The Emperor frowned and said, "I want to... kill everyone in this palace."

Then he calmed down and ordered in an unusually cold tone, "Summon Dean Chen to the palace."

Eunuch Yao, who was sweating profusely in the winter, was greatly relieved and hurriedly left the palace to go straight to Chen Garden to find that great savior. Not long after he left, a loud noise came from the imperial study, sounding like the precious five-foot vase had been pushed to the ground.

What kind of thing could make His Majesty the Emperor of Qing, who was always unperturbed even when Mount Tai collapsed before him, make such an angry outburst?

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"Will there be any problems at Huichun Tang?" In Chen Garden, the old cripple who had been sitting in a wheelchair for a long time said to his closest comrade, "I don't want to make any mistakes at the last moment."

Fei Jie, with his disheveled hair, said, "What problems could there be? Although Hong Siyang personally took action, every step in the palace is within your calculations. They won't be able to grasp any leverage."

"Very good." Chen Pingping closed his eyes and thought for a long time, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes blooming like chrysanthemums. Then he opened his eyes and slowly said, "I am thinking about a question. Should we make Hong Zhu disappear?"

This was a very strange question. The reason why the Emperor occasionally thought of this was because in his great anger, he subconsciously wanted to kill all the insiders who might have guessed the royal scandal. And he immediately reacted at that time and did not make this decision. Then why would Chen Pingping think of killing Hong Zhu?

Chen Pingping frowned and said, "After calculating and calculating, the only thread that could cause problems in this entire matter is Hong Zhu."

Fei Jie shook his head, "Although we found a way to let Hong Zhu see this matter, it is very obvious that His Majesty did not learn about it through this little eunuch."

These two sentences explained a shocking truth, and also explained the great doubt that had been lingering in Fan Xian's heart but had nowhere to ask.

Although Hong Zhu was the chief eunuch of the East Palace, why was he so lucky... or rather so unlucky, that he would discover the shady dealings between the Eldest Princess and the Crown Prince?

It turned out that... even Hong Zhu was just the chess piece that Chen Pingping used to stir up waves at the beginning.

"Precisely because of this, I feel that I can't see through this little eunuch." Chen Pingping frowned and said, "He is clearly a nail that His Majesty placed in the East Palace. After learning about this matter, why has he never reported it to His Majesty? As a result, I thought I would have to wait another two months before I could stir up this matter."

"Maybe he knows that if this matter is spoken from his mouth, he will surely die." Fei Jie said, "People who can rise up in the palace are certainly not fools."

Chen Pingping suddenly smiled and said, "I admire Hong Zhu for being able to endure all this time... It's just that His Majesty finally knows, very good."

Fei Jie also laughed, his smile somewhat sinister, "You have a good successor, and I have a good student."

Chen Pingping nodded with a satisfied smile, "The fact that he hasn't figured out how he arranged it until now shows that he has improved a lot."

This old cripple knew that Hong Zhu was the Emperor's confidant, but he didn't know that Hong Zhu was Fan Xian's man.