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The old mama nodded her head slightly and lowered her voice in reply, “The ‘Lan’ word is the maiden name of a formal Consort. That year the things she used, like silk handkerchief and robes would be sown with this word, thus this old servant could recognise it. But after the Consort pa.s.sed on, it was no longer seen. This old servant was distracted when looking at this word.”

Distracted? Distracted to lie? Gu Yun stared at the old mama’s face and did not miss the slightest expression before continuing, “What kind of person is the consort?”

“The Consort’s maiden name is Qiu Lan and was already by the Emperor’s side before the Emperor ascended to the throne. The Emperor extremely doted her but the Consort’s health is weak and the Imperial Physician said that she had contracted from tuberculosis. After that, the illness got worsen and she often cough blood out, thus seven years ago she… Left.” The old mama kept her head bowed throughout but could still feel Gu Yun’s sight on her, thus the voice she used to answer was barely audible at the end.

Gu Yun asked in a not light nor heavy tone, “Die of illness?”

The old mama’s should slightly trembled before immediately nodded to say, “ The Imperial Physician said as such.”

Gu Yun’s arms folded her arms around her chest, like she was thinking about something. The old mama continued to keep her head down in a dutiful way. Gu Yun did not speak but Zhuo Qing spoke instead, “How about those who had previously served her?”

“After the Consort was no longer around, the people who served her was dispersed to the various courtyards and palaces. Those who were of age were sent out of the Palace.” The old mama looked at Zhuo Qing and her heart was secretly relieved. The young female behind had a pair of sharp eyes that scared her.

“Do you know which concubine she was close with? Is her personal maid still in the Palace?” Finding the people around this Consort may be the clue in uncovering this secret of the handkerchief.

“The Consort was previously close with the Empress but her personal palace maid…”

The old mama paused and Gu Yun suddenly spoke up, “What is the name of her personal palace maid and where is she now?”

It seemed that if the answer was not to satisfaction, this General’s Furen would not let the matter drop. The old mama took a secret breath and no longer dodge the question as she replied, “She is called Hui Jun. She was someone who knew her role but for unknown reasons, when the Consort left, she actually ran to the Empress’s palace and was caught red-handed for stealing something. Usually after one is caught, they would have to endure caning and would be expelled from the Palace after one or two years. But who knew that she actually offended the Empress. This one heard that she injured her Ladys.h.i.+p’s hand and thus was held in the Imperial Prisons, not knowing when she would be released.”

Gu Yun took the small piece of rag out and asked, “Do you recognize this kind of fabric?”

The old mama looked closely for a moment before shaking her head, “This old servant is only responsible for the mistresses’ clothing suppliers. This piece of cloth is too small to be recognisable.”

After asking almost everything, Gu Yun kept the rag and silk handkerchief well before saying, “Many thanks.”

The old mama was shocked and quickly greeted continuously, “This old servant does not deserve the good fortune. This old servant does not deserve the good fortune.”

Both of them did not say anything else and left the weaving department together. Gu Yun kept silent while Zhuo Qing chuckled, “Was it that you have thought of something?”

Gu Yun shook her head and replied, “That Consort have some friends.h.i.+p with the Empress so why did her personal palace maid would attack the Empress? Qiu Lan’s death that year was suspicious and perhaps is related to this case. First thing is to find Hui Jun and there should be some progress after some interrogation.”

Gu Yun had the constant feeling that this case seems to be leaving more and more clues but it was like a line that was buried, tempting them to head towards one direction. However, Gu Yun was not confused or irritated, during the investigation of any case, one must not be afraid of more clues but be afraid of no leads. She could always find a breakthrough in all the clues.

When both of them came to the Imperial Prison, it was already in the evening. When the guards saw two female coming over, they immediately stepped forward and said in a rude manner, “Who are you people? The Imperial Prison is a forbidden place and no one should be loitering around.”

“Impudent.” The old eunuch that Gao Jing deployed over stepped forward and yelled, “This two person are Prime Minister Lou’s and General Su’s Furen and had received the Imperial decreed to investigate. Go and call your Zhang Daren out.”

After the guard heard Prime Minister Lou’s and General Su’s Furen, the arrogance immediately diminished more than half as he quickly nodded yes and ran in to announce.

Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing looked at one another helplessly. As expected, in this Imperial Palace nothing was important than the ‘indent.i.ty’ of a person.

After only a short while, a tall huge man walked out and when he saw both of them, he quickly greeted very politely and could be said as very attentively, “So it is actually both Furens. This lowly official had been rude.”

Gu Yun did not care in greeting him and said instead, “I want to see a female prisoner by the name of Hui Jun.”

“Hui Jun?” Zhang Chen Yang frowned and was somewhat hesitant, “This…” There are so many inmates in prison and he would not have remembered them by names. But this Hui Jun, he was aware of. Ten days ago, Imperial Concubine Qing came over to see that female once so he had some impression. That female have been locked up for six to seven years already, how could so many people be thinking about her?

Seeing his eyes full of doubts and constant delays, Gu Yun said coldly, “We are not allowed to see this person?”

“No no no.” Zhang Chen Yan waved his hands. Not to mention they were Imperial Concubine Qing’s sisters and he could not offend them, he could not touch Prime Minister Lou and General Su. Zhang Chen Yan quickly smiled apologetically, “Naturally you are allowed to see this person but ever since she came in, she became insane. This lowly official is afraid that she will scare both Furens.”

After walking for a day, Zhuo Qing was a little tired and said coldly, “Just take us there.”

“Yes yes.” Zhang Chen Yan did not talk any more nonsense and took them to a prison cell deep in the Imperial Prison before pus.h.i.+ng open the large heavy iron door.

Gu Yun held Zhuo Qing’s shoulders and said, “I will go in first.” From Zhang Chen Yan’s words just now, Hui Jun most likely was crazy and she did not want to put Qing in danger.

Gu Yun entered the prison and found that the lighting in this cell was very dim. There was only a small window that allowed the light to enter and it was currently in the evening. Gu Yun looked around vigilantly and when her eyes to adjust to the darkness, she discovered that wasn’t anyone in the cell at all. Just as she wanted to question Zhang Chen Yan, he stuck his head out and pointed towards the depth of the cell, “Both Furens can question here. She is in that cell inside and is separated by the wooden fence, so it is safer.”

Following the direction of Zhang Chen Yan’s finger, Gu Yun found the wooden fence. There was indeed another prison cell but that cell was too dark and it was very quiet inside which made her not notice it initially.

Hearing that there was a wooden railing in the middle, Zhuo Qing also walked in and said to the curious Zhang Chen Yan, “Leave here first.”

Zhang Chen Yan smiled embarra.s.singly and nodded his head in reply, “Yes.”

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