Harem Daily Life

Chapter 219 Those who are clean will clean themselves up

Tao Yanyan had just finished breakfast and was about to change into men's clothes. She looked at Li Zongguan and said, "If I can handle things early, I will ask someone to inform you and we will still have to do things according to the original plan. If I can't handle it well, I won't go today."

Steward Li understood and said, "Then I'll take my leave first. Concubine Tao, there's no need to worry. A person of integrity will be innocent. If someone wants to harm others, there will always be a flaw. Don't panic." Steward Li gave a reminder and thought to himself that he should arrange a few people to check near the cold palace to see if there are any other clues.

Tao Yanyan was comforted by his words and said with a smile, "Thank you, Manager Li." Tao Yanyan was grateful that he did not avoid suspicion and still believed in himself at this time.

She then said to the eunuch sent by the imperial concubine, "Please wait for a moment, I'll go change my clothes and leave." She had combed her hair into a bun when she got up in the morning. Since she couldn't leave the palace for the time being, she had to dress up before meeting the imperial concubine. She couldn't lose in momentum.

Qingfeng, Mingyue and Xianglan followed into the inner room. Xianglan knelt down as soon as she entered: "Jieyu, I really didn't do anything. I just gave Xiangcao some food and daily necessities, and a thicker dress. I don't have any mute medicine on me!"

Tao Yanyan asked her to get up: "I know it wasn't you who did it, nor was it done by anyone in Changle Palace. The person behind this is vicious, and I don't know if he has a grudge against the Zhao family or against me. Now I can only go and see the imperial concubine first."

The Imperial Concubine managed the harem for the Queen, so it was only natural for her to ask for clarification when something like this happened, so Tao Yanyan still had to go to be questioned. She just felt a little annoyed, and she didn't know who was so vicious that she wanted to pick on someone who had already been banished to the cold palace. If it was aimed at her, then the other party had better never reveal their true colors, otherwise, she would definitely punish them severely this time, and if she didn't peel off a layer of skin from the other party, it would be a waste of her rebirth!

After combing her hair and putting on light makeup, Tao Yanyan put on a cloak and went out with Qingfeng, Mingyue and Xianglan.

Xiao Jinan was worried and wanted to follow, but Tao Yanyan stopped him: "Stay in the palace, read some books, write a few words, and wait for me to come back."

Watching his mother's sedan chair go away, Xiao Jinan said firmly: "Xiao Quanzi, if one day I can live outside the palace, I will definitely take my mother with me. There is a big world outside and no one will bother us!"

Xiao Quanzi stood aside and said, "Anyway, wherever the master goes, the servant will follow. Second Prince, don't worry. We can't be blamed for what we didn't do. You should go back to your room and read books. His Majesty has said that you will be sent to elementary school when school starts in March. The eldest prince and the eldest princess have been studying for more than half a year. You have to make up for it in order to catch up with their progress and not embarrass Concubine Tao."

When Xiao Jinan heard this, he immediately went back to his room to read and write, more seriously than ever before.

In Qingyun Palace, when Tao Yanyan arrived, he saw the emperor and the imperial concubine sitting at the top.

She stepped forward and bowed. He Linzhang said, "The imperial concubine sent someone to tell me this morning about the poisoning of Zhao in the cold palace. She also said that a young eunuch saw Xianglan from your palace delivering something to the cold palace, so she asked you to come and ask about it. You don't have to worry. I trust you."

The imperial concubine glanced at the emperor and said, "Although Zhao has been demoted, she was once a concubine. Your Majesty should first listen to what Concubine Tao has to say before making a final decision."

Tao Yan said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I can guarantee that neither I nor anyone in Changle Palace poisoned Zhao. Xianglan in my palace was once Zhao's maid, and she had a close relationship with another maid of Zhao, Xiangcao, who was banished to the cold palace with her. That's why she sent some food and daily necessities to Xiangcao in the cold palace. She happened to go there to deliver the things yesterday. I think the real murderer who poisoned Zhao may have known that Xianglan had been there, so she wanted to shift the blame to me or someone around me."

The imperial concubine said, "No one else has been to the cold palace, and it is impossible for a mute medicine to appear for no reason. Concubine Tao, don't blame me for suspecting you. Apart from you, I really don't know who else I can suspect."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Just because the Imperial Concubine didn't find anyone there doesn't mean no one has been there. Besides, this mute medicine is not something you can have just because you want it. I and the people in my palace don't have the ability to make it. We might as well investigate the source of the mute medicine. Maybe we can find the real culprit behind the scenes who has evil intentions."

The imperial concubine also knew that there was not enough evidence to condemn Concubine Tao. She said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, although we cannot be 100% sure that Concubine Tao did it, she is still the most suspicious. Should we put her under house arrest first and then lift the house arrest after finding out the source of the mute drug?"

Tao Yanyan frowned: "There is no substantial evidence to prove that I am involved in this matter, so why should I be confined? I think the arrangement of the imperial concubine is inappropriate and I raise objections."

When the imperial concubine saw that her proposal was refuted by Concubine Tao, she was very angry and said, "Then send your maid Xianglan to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation. I don't believe she can resist telling the truth."

"Does the Imperial Concubine want to force a confession under torture?" Tao Yanyan still objected.

"You? So according to you, you have no responsibility at all and want to get away with it?" The imperial concubine said coldly.

"Neither I nor anyone else in Changle Palace poisoned Zhao, so we are naturally not responsible." Tao Yanyan argued.

"Okay, Concubine, Concubine Tao will not do anything to hurt Zhao. Besides, she has no reason to harm others. Please send someone to investigate the others." He Linzhang said.

"Your Majesty, Zhao was crazy in the cold palace and said some nonsense about Concubine Tao. Isn't this a reason for Concubine Tao to harm people?" the imperial concubine said angrily.

Tao Yanyan narrowed his eyes: "I wonder what nonsense the imperial concubine has heard?" Xianglan said that as soon as Xianglan said something, she would ask Xiangcao to cover her mouth. So what could the imperial concubine hear?

The imperial concubine looked at the emperor and said, "It is said that Concubine Tao seduced Prince Yong and deceived Your Majesty. She should be put to death."

He Linzhang was furious: "Nonsense! Zhao is really unrepentant!"

Tao Yanyan was not too angry, but asked: "How did the imperial concubine hear it? Who told the imperial concubine?"

The imperial concubine thought about it and summoned the palace maid who had reported Concubine Tao.

The man usually swept the floor near the cold palace. When Tao Yanyan saw him, she asked, "Did you hear Zhao talking nonsense and report it to the imperial concubine?"

The man nodded: "Yes, I have heard it."

Tao Yanyan glanced at Xianglan, who stepped forward and said, "You are lying! When Zhao said that, Xiangcao and I were there, and Xiangcao covered her mouth to prevent her from speaking. How could you hear it?"

The man panicked: "She said that when you were not here and I heard it."

"When was that?" Tao Yanyan asked, "Zhao has only been in the cold palace for a few days, and she has only recently started talking nonsense. When did you hear it?"

The man stammered and couldn't say anything.

The imperial concubine had a bad feeling in her heart, and then she heard He Linzhang say: "Come here, go check this little eunuch, where did he work before, and who did he come into contact with?"