Chapter 97 Thorough Investigation (1/2)

”What? Concubine Orchid is dead?”

Just as Tang Xia heard about the news, Chu Tiankuo also heard about it from his servants.

”I want to know who is so bold to commit murder in my harem! Let's go to Concubine Orchid's place!” Chu Tiankuo said as he rushed to the scene with his servants.

When Chu Tiankuo arrived, Tang Xia arrived too.

”Your Majesty, did you come here to see Concubine Orchid too?” asked Tang Xia even though she already figured it out from Chu Tiankuo's look.

”Yeah! I want to know who is provoking me in secret!”

And then Chu Tiankuo and Tang Xia walked in together.

There was only Concubine Orchid in the chamber. She was lying on the bed without anyone beside her bed. Tang Xia and Chu Tiankuo walked over and checked her appearance. Her face was deadly pale, and her lips were partly purple with bloodstains at the corners. Her eyes were gaping and fixed at the ceiling.

”Ah!” Tang Xia let out a cry of fear after she walked over and saw Concubine Orchid's pathetic look of death.

Chu Tiankuo took the chance to hold Tang Xia in his arms, patted her back and comforted her, ”Well, well, nothing to fear. It's just a dead person. Nothing to fear.”

Hearing Chu Tiankuo's voice, Tang Xia regained her composure. Her panic abated. She broke away from Chu Tiankuo's embrace and stared at Concubine Orchid's face.

For quite some time, they looked at each other and remained silent. Then they walked out of the chamber.

”Your Majesty, with Concubine Orchid like this, I'm afraid...” asked Tang Xia hesitantly at Chu Tiankuo. She felt Concubine Orchid must have been murdered.

Chu Tiankuo touched Tang Xia's head and said, ”Concubine Orchid's lips were purple and her face was distorted. It must be murder!”

”Then... Your Majesty, are you going to investigate this matter thoroughly?” asked Tang Xia fearfully with hindsight, ”What if someone else gets murdered in the harem?”

Looking at Tang Xia, Chu Tiankuo took and stroked her hands, and then said, ”There must be someone behind these happenings. I will have them thoroughly investigated and find out the facts!”

Chu Tiankuo's expression was a little grim, but he still said kindly to Tang Xia, ”Don't worry. Whatever happens, I will protect you at all costs.”

Tang Xia was moved by his words and nodded. Then Chu Tiankuo sent some servants to escort Tang Xia back to her place.

Chu Tiankuo returned to his study. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. There must have been a plotter behind Concubine Lan's and Concubine Orchid's death. Who could it be?

”Someone, come here!” Chu Tiankuo summoned a servant and said, ”By my order, investigate Concubine Orchid's death thoroughly! We must capture the mastermind!”

Just at that time, Minister Bai, a minister from the previous emperor's court, came to the imperial study to discuss with Chu Tiankuo about a national affair. After hearing about the deaths of two concubines, he said to Chu Tiankuo, ”Your Majesty! You should not order the investigation!”

”Em? Why?” Chu Tiankuo was in fury and his words were curt. Minister Bai wasn't discouraged and continued, ”Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, you should not do anything unnecessary with such matters.”

”Minister Bai, two concubines were killed in my harem. If I don't interfere, my harem will be plunged in turmoil!” said Chu Tiankuo firmly as he looked at Minister Bai.

”Your Majesty, it's kind of a harem scandal. If it should leak out and get heard by the public,”

”The reputation of the imperial family will be remarkably tarnished! You should not carry on the investigation!” After saying these words, Minister Bai paused for a while and then continued.

”Besides, please think carefully, Your Majesty,” counseled Minister Bai, ”Concubine Orchid was perfectly well the previous day. How could she be dead overnight while confined to her chamber? Perhaps she committed suicide for fear of punishment!”

”Suicide for fear of punishment? What do you mean, Minister Bai?” Chu Tiankuo turned his back at Minister Bai and his face turned grimmer. Minister Bai, however, had no knowledge of that.

”That's right. It must be Concubine Orchid who murdered Concubine Lan, and she feared the exposure of her crime. Your order to confine her added to her panic.”

”She was afraid that you would send her to death after finding out the facts, so she committed suicide to escape the verdict!”

Minister Bai raised his head to check Chu Tiankuo's reaction, only to find him standing there calmly without any reaction. He thought his advice was taken by Chu Tiankuo and was gratified.

”Oh? Is it?” said Chu Tiankuo as he sneered, ”Minister Bai, you even devised such plausible excuse and leeway for me! Shouldn't I reward you something?”

Chu Tiankuo's face turned extremely dark, but Minister Bai didn't notice at all. He was still enjoying his smart advice.

”You don't need to reward me anything, Your Majesty. It's my duty as your servant to share your worries and help with your troubles. I don't need any reward for that.”