Chapter 26 Ill Intention (2/2)
Yun Shang thought it best if she were present to supervise the inquisition. So she replied, ”If I don't know who the murderer is, my mind won't feel at peace. I should come with you. Besides, everyone in the Qinxin Hall is a suspect, including me.”
Emperor Ning kept silent for a while as he thought about what his daughter said. He sighed. ”Well, then let's go.” He stood up and walked outside.
Quickly, Qin Yi helped Yun Shang to her feet. Then she led The Princess outside. Emperor Ning and Yun Shang sat in the Hall. On Lord Cui's order, all the maids in Qinxin Palace had been brought to the Hall.
”Who invited the Imperial Physician?” ”Who boiled the medicine?” ”Who kept the medicine bottle?” ”Who sent it to The Princess's room?” ”Who tampered with the medicine during this time?” ”Now give me the answers to my questions, one by one.”
Yun Shang took out a silk handkerchief and wiped her head. She spoke to the Manager with a smile. ”You should be more proficient in dealing with such situations. When I was in Ning'guo Temple, I witnessed Master Wu Na deal with a similar case. So I recommend his method to you. It would be advisable for you to put these people in different rooms and interrogate them at the same time. According to the results of the interrogation, if there is a discrepancy, you will find out who is lying.”
Lord Cui could see sense in the method as described by Yun Shang. He said, ”Master Wu Na is a man of great wisdom. I've learned a lot. Do as The Princess said.” He commanded his assistants.
The eunuchs followed instructions. They separated all Palace maids based on who had direct contact with the medicine. The maids who didn't, were taken to a different room, while the maids who did, were questioned separately. The eunuchs then asked the questions Lord Cui had put forward.
By the time The Emperor and Yun Shang had finished a cup of tea, all the maids had been questioned.
”At a quarter past three, Qin Meng and Xiang'er brought the medicine back from the Imperial Hospital, and then Jing Xi and Qiu Wen boiled it, during which time, Jing Xi left for a few minutes. At five twenty, Qin Meng served the medicine to our Princess. But our Princess said it was too hot and went for a walk with Qin Yi. Meanwhile, the Palace maid Yan'er left to find a cushion for our Princess…” From the events, I can see that Qin Yi the medicine maker, Qin Meng the medicine server, the maid Yan'er, and the cutlery keeper, Qing Xin are all suspects. Lord Cui gave a bow to Emperor Ning and said, ”I beg your permission to search their rooms and bodies, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Ning nodded and replied, ”You have my permission.”
”Let a wet-nurse search the maid's bodies please. They are women and shouldn't be touched by the guards.” Yun Shang reminded in a low voice.
Emperor Ning agreed, ”Yes.” Lord Cui took them away. Soon, he returned with two paper bags. ”Your Majesty and Your Imperial Highness, I found these medicine bags on Qing Xin and under Yan'er's pillow.”
Emperor Ning slammed his teacup on the table. ”Bring them forward!”
Lord Cui waved his hand, and an assistant ran out. Soon all the Palace maids were brought into the Hall. Emperor Ning shouted, ”There's no need to interrogate anyone any further. You are all Palace maids. You spend the whole day around The Princess. How dare you keep such vile stuff near her? Take them out and kill them all!”
The Emperor had just passed his punishment when the two maids kneeling began screaming. The one in pink pleaded, ”Your Majesty, I'm innocent. It's just licorice powder in the bag. I have had a bad cough lately, so I went to the Imperial Hospital for some licorice. Since I was so busy with my kitchen duties, I asked them to grind the licorice so that I could mix it in water.”