Chapter 39 - Confusions (2/2)

”Other than that two week period of her missing, there isn't really anything else that is peculiar.”

”Did you look into that pharmacy? What did the maid go there for?.” The emperor said.

”It seems it may really be as that Doctor Lou said. She may have really sent her there to ask for remedies for speedy conception. The doctor opened the shop in the capital about three months ago but before that, he was wandering around the country for years occasionally helping couples to conceive. Although a bit eccentric, he is known as a miracle worker. The first time they met should have been that day before she entered the palace. He also has no affiliation with Prince Yi, it seems it was really only a coincidence that she and Prince Yi met up there. Actually, it was simply that Prince Yi followed her into the shop to negotiate.”

”I see...” The emperor frowned in contemplation.

{...So it's just a coincidence then?... But that part about speedy conception is a joke, she doesn't seem at all interested in that prospect...which means he lied...either that or she has other ideas...then there's that disappearance period as well...but does that even matter at all?...

...That aside...The genius part can be explained, she was clearly aiming to fail but then why work so hard to get into the competition in the first place? That part makes it all make no sense...}

”Your majesty, how about we kidnap the maid and interrogate her? I am sure we will be able to get the answers out of her.” Commander An suggested.

The emperor sighed, ”No, just continue to have them watched closely and report to me. You can leave.”

Commander An nodded and bowed and left the room.

After a while, the emperor also left the room and went back to the front with Eunuch Li and then turned to him, ”Find the embroidery piece that was presented to the late empress.”

Eunuch Li left the room and after a while later returned with the piece. Eunuch Li spread the piece down on a table on the side.

It was an exquisite piece showing the progression of a pink peony's growth from a bud to a gorgeous blossoming flower circling around the sheet, with a big fully blossomed blue peony in the center.

The two of them scrutinized the embroidery piece.

”It is indeed exquisite.” The emperor praised.

”Your majesty, it seems Noble consort Lei isn't so simple.” Eunuch Li said furrowing his brow.

{...If she could do this, why did she create such a poor piece during the competition?...unless she wanted to fail, but then why plead to enter it in the first place?...}

Eunuch Li looked at the emperor who was looking down at the piece with a blank face, ”Your majesty, why don't you ask General Lei about it? He may know more, according to what Commander An said they seem close, so he may be able to expound on her thinking.”

The emperor offhandedly replied, ”I doubt it.”

{...If he understood her so well, then he wouldn't conclude that she acted out of ”love”...}

Eunuch Li frowned, ”Your majesty, in that case, you should be more careful.”

The emperor looked at Eunuch Li and chuckled, ”I don't think there is anything to worry about.” and then turned to walk back to the throne and memorials.

Eunuch Li furrowed his brow in concern and followed him, ”But your majesty, this is suspicious. If she can do that, then why didn't she during the competition? Why hide her skills when she seemed desperate to enter the palace in the first place? If she wasn't entering the competition with the aim of victory, then why did she come here?”

The emperor didn't respond, so Eunuch Li continued, ”Also I've been quite curious about it, why did you choose her? I initially thought that maybe it was because you were aware she was General Lei's sister, but that is not the case. Then I thought that perhaps you like her, but that doesn't seem to be it either.”

The emperor sat down on the throne and smirked, ”When did I say I don't like her? She's interesting.”

Eunuch Li frowned, ”Your majesty - ”

”That's enough. The Lei family is loyal. There may be a few...confusions, but I'm sure they are more of a personal nature, and nothing to be concerned about. I am just doing this to satisfy my own curiosity.” The emperor finished, picked up a memorial and started reading.

Eunuch Li looked at him for a little while, then sighed, bowed and left.

{...If he thinks so, then it should be okay...and she hasn't done anything suspicious since entering the palace...yet...}