20demayo Chapter 282 Ling Huan cleverly solves the medicinal material case
Chapter 282 Ling Huan cleverly solves the medicinal material case
Zhen Huan frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "This missing medicinal material issue is definitely not a simple one. There are probably many people involved."
An Lingrong nodded in agreement: "Huan'er is right. Let's go to the Imperial Hospital first and ask the doctors about the situation in detail."
Concubine Hua waved her hand impatiently: "Then go quickly, I don't have the patience to waste time here!"
Arriving at the Imperial Hospital, Zhen Huan asked, "Master, this precious medicinal material has suddenly gone missing in large quantities. Have you found any clues?"
The judge bowed hurriedly and said with a gloomy face, "Your Highness, Imperial Noble Consort Xi, Imperial Noble Consort An, and Imperial Consort Hua, we are fully committed to the investigation. However, the disappearance of these herbs was extremely secretive, and the eunuchs in charge of their management all claim to have noticed nothing unusual. This leaves you truly perplexed."
An Lingrong pondered for a moment and asked, "Has anyone outside of the Imperial Hospital come in or out these past few days?"
The judge shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, no one has come. It's just that the palace maids and eunuchs who come to get medicine every day are busy as usual."
Concubine Hua raised her eyebrows and shouted angrily, "Humph! It must be because you, the imperial physicians, neglected your duties that the thieves had the opportunity to take advantage of you!"
The judge was so frightened that he knelt down immediately and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am guilty, but I really don't know where I went wrong."
Zhen Huan waved her hand. "Sister Hua Fei, please don't rush to blame me. Your Excellency, please stand up and think carefully. Has anything unusual happened recently? Don't miss even the smallest detail."
The judge stood up, thought for a long time, and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, a few days ago, a young eunuch seemed a little flustered when he came to get medicine, but I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. I just thought he was afraid of being late and being punished."
An Lingrong's eyes lit up: "Who is that young eunuch? Where does he work?"
The judge said, "The young eunuch's name is Xiao Fuzi, and he sweeps the Imperial Garden."
Zhen Huan said, "Sister Hua Fei, let's go ask that little Fuzi."
When he found Xiao Fuzi, he was hiding in a corner, shivering. When he saw Zhen Huan and others coming, he knelt down with a plop.
Zhen Huan said sternly, "Xiao Fuzi, do you know about the shortage of medicinal materials in the Imperial Hospital? If you tell the truth, perhaps you can get a lighter sentence. But if you tell even a single lie, I will not forgive you!"
Xiao Fuzi trembled and said, "Your Majesty, this servant... this servant knows I was wrong. It was Eunuch Zhao from the Imperial Household Department who threatened this servant, forcing him to secretly hide some medicinal herbs when he was getting them from the Imperial Hospital and then take them out of the palace and give them to him."
Concubine Hua's eyes widened in anger. "Why did Eunuch Zhao do this? Where did he take the herbs?"
Xiao Fuzi cried, "I don't know, Madam. Eunuch Zhao just said that if I don't do as he says, he will beat me to death. I was really forced to do this."
An Lingrong asked, "Huan'er, this Eunuch Zhao knows many high-ranking officials. Could it be that he's colluding with people outside the palace to sell medicinal herbs for personal gain?"
Zhen Huan said, "It's very likely. Let's go to the Imperial Household Department and find Eunuch Zhao."
When they arrived at the Imperial Household Department, they found that Eunuch Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
Concubine Hua was furious: "This dog slave must have fled for fear of punishment!"
Zhen Huan said calmly, "He can't get far. Sister Hua Fei, send people to guard the gates of the palace to prevent him from escaping. Ling Rong and I will go to his residence and see if we can find some clues."
In Eunuch Zhao's residence, An Lingrong searched carefully and found an account book.
An Lingrong flipped open the account book and said in surprise, "Huan'er, look, this account book records his transactions with some merchants outside the palace, including the sale of medicinal herbs, and the names of some officials. It seems that many people are involved in this matter."
Zhen Huan took the account book and glanced through it quickly. "Several ministers are among them. No wonder Eunuch Zhao is so bold. Let's take the account book to see the emperor."
Upon meeting the Emperor, Zhen Huan presented the account book and cried, "Your Majesty, this is the truth about the shortage of medicinal materials in the Imperial Hospital. Eunuch Zhao colluded with merchants outside the palace and even implicated ministers in the court. He intended to sell medicinal materials for huge profits and disrupt the use of medicine in the palace. Please, Your Majesty, help me."
After reviewing the account book, the Emperor was furious. "Outrageous! I will arrest these people immediately. Pass on my order to arrest Eunuch Zhao immediately, and all officials implicated in the account book will be investigated strictly and with no leniency!"
With the arrest of Eunuch Zhao and his companions, the truth of the medicinal material case finally came to light. Zhen Huan and her companions once again successfully resolved a crisis in the harem, and their prestige increased.
But not long after, some rumors spread in the palace, saying that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were arrogant because of their favor and did not take other concubines seriously.
After hearing this, Zhen Huan sighed helplessly, "When will there be peace in this harem? There are always people who can't stand us getting along and try to slander us with these rumors."
An Lingrong consoled her, "Huan'er, don't worry. We are upright and honest, and these rumors will eventually be refuted."
Concubine Hua said, "Humph! If I find out who is behind this rumor, I will make sure she learn how much I can do!"
One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were admiring flowers in the palace garden when a concubine approached them and said sourly, "Oh, isn't this Imperial Noble Consort Xi and Imperial Noble Consort An? You two are in such good spirits! It seems like all the flowers in the palace are blooming just for you two."
Zhen Huan smiled faintly: "Sister, what do you mean? The flowers in this palace are for everyone to enjoy. If you like, please feel free to enjoy them with me."
The concubine snorted, "I dare not, for fear of offending the two noble concubines."
An Lingrong said, "Sister, please don't misunderstand. We have never had such thoughts. If we have offended you in any way, please let me know."
The concubine walked away, still muttering, "You rely on the emperor's favor to be so arrogant."
Zhen Huan looked at her back and shook her head gently: "Forget it, there's no need to bother with her. We have more important things to do."
An Lingrong asked, "Huan'er, are you talking about the selection of concubines? I heard there's another selection coming up. I'm afraid the palace is going to be bustling with activity again."
Zhen Huan said, "That's right. The selection of concubines is related to the balance and stability of the harem. We must prepare in advance and not let those with ulterior motives take advantage of the opportunity to stir up trouble."
When Concubine Hua heard about the selection, she sneered, "Hmph! Another bunch of ignorant little girls are about to enter the palace. I want to see what tricks they can come up with."