Concubine Zhang surely wouldn't refuse. Moreover, it would be more convenient for her if she stayed in Zilan Pavilion. She still had no clue about the magic of that ring.
There was also that small pit outside the Cold Palace and the strangulation marks at the crime scene, which puzzled her greatly!
All these things were weighing on her mind, making her even more curious about this case.
Unexpectedly, Mo Liandi and Mo Litian said in unison, "No!"
The murderer was still in the palace. Although it was now certain that the dead were related to Concubine Xiao's death, there might still be unexpected situations.
Ordinary people were not allowed to enter the harem, and even they were no exception! If there was any accident or mishap, they might not be able to arrive in time.
Liu Rumei, however, didn't care at all. "With Concubine Zhang here, it'll be all right."
If the murderer really attacked her, they might be able to catch him this time.
Mo Liandi immediately understood what was on Liu Rumei's mind. His eyes darkened instantly, and he couldn't help recalling the sight of her in a coma. "If you insist on staying in the palace, stay in the East Palace. Since that person dared to act in Zilan Pavilion and managed to escape successfully, he must be very familiar with Zilan Pavilion."
What's more, the murderer might be hiding in Zilan Pavilion! She mustn't take risks anymore.
Mo Litian also nodded repeatedly. "The East Palace is heavily guarded. That person wouldn't dare to act recklessly! Or does Miss Liu look down on this palace?"
Seeing this, Liu Rumei couldn't help but shake her head helplessly. "I don't mean that."
Mo Litian immediately hooked her lips into a smile and quickly ordered the maids to prepare a guest room for Liu Rumei.
Mo Liandi's face was covered with frost. Obviously, he was extremely unhappy about this. "I'll come to pick you up tomorrow."
Liu Rumei replied with a gentle smile, "Your Highness doesn't need to go through so much trouble. Just come to Zilan Pavilion to find me tomorrow."
She had a hunch that the problem might lie in Zilan Pavilion!
Although Mo Liandi was unhappy, he still nodded indifferently. "That's fine too."
Mo Litian's eyes were filled with smiles, and her eyes looking at Liu Rumei were full of soft light.
When Concubine Zhang heard that Liu Rumei was staying in the East Palace, her face immediately changed. She quickly sent a maid to invite Liu Rumei to have dinner with her.
Liu Rumei was just thinking of going to Zilan Pavilion to take another look, so she readily agreed.
Mo Litian went directly to the Queen's palace. She witnessed the bloody scene with her own eyes. Queen Qi was also haggard today and had a nightmare last night.
As for Mo Yun, no one knew for what reason, but he hadn't stepped into the harem again.
As she walked along the way, the maids on the road were all whispering to each other.
"Could it be the work of a ghost? How could an ordinary person have such abilities?"
"I think they offended someone, and the vengeful ghost has come!"
"Keep your voice down. If someone else hears you, you'll be in trouble!"
"Who do you think the murderer is? Could he be among us?"
"Who can say for sure? Three people died in three days. Apart from a ghost seeking revenge, what else could it be?"
"I heard that someone just died in the Cold Palace not long ago. Do you think it's possible that Captain Xiao happened to bump into something when he went there?"
"Don't scare people! Stop talking!"
"Let's just do our work properly. I'll be able to leave the palace in a few months!"
"..."
Amid the whispers of the crowd, Liu Rumei stepped into Zilan Pavilion.
Since the murder, all the concubines in the palace had stayed behind closed doors. The maids and eunuchs would rather take a long detour than come near.
Liu Rumei was the only one who was willing to come here.
She knocked on the palace gate, and a maid came out to greet her. She bowed respectfully to Liu Rumei. "Greetings, Miss Liu! The Lady is in the courtyard."
Liu Rumei nodded with a gentle smile. When she stepped into the courtyard, she saw the extremely beautiful Concubine Zhang. The smile in her eyes deepened a bit. "Greetings, Your Ladyship."
Concubine Zhang quickly stepped forward and gently helped her up. "Miss Liu, you don't need to be so polite! If you do such a big salute, do you think of this palace as a friend?"
Liu Rumei replied with a gentle smile, "Of course not. I'm naturally willing to be friends with Concubine Zhang. However, there are many eyes and ears in the palace. It's always better to be cautious."
She didn't want to lose her life because of those unfounded accusations.
Hearing this, the smile in Concubine Zhang's eyes deepened a bit. She said softly, "You don't need to be like this in Zilan Pavilion in the future."
Liu Rumei immediately understood what she meant and nodded with a smile. "Does Concubine Zhang know Concubine Xiao?"
Concubine Zhang's expression paused slightly, and a look of complexity flashed across her eyes. "Why do you ask this, Miss Liu?"
Liu Rumei told her their speculation. "This matter might be related to Concubine Xiao."
Concubine Zhang sighed deeply. Her beautiful eyes were full of complex emotions. "This palace has the same rank as Concubine Xiao. When Concubine Xiao died, many people suspected that it was this palace who did it!"
Liu Rumei frowned but didn't say a word. She just listened quietly to what Concubine Zhang had to say.
"This palace never wanted to enter the harem in the first place, but the imperial edict couldn't be disobeyed, so I had to step into this golden cage. This palace didn't want to fight with others for anything. I just wanted to stay quietly in Zilan Pavilion. Whether the Emperor came or not, this palace didn't care. However, my constant concessions made them think that this palace was easy to bully! At that time, when this palace was favored by the Emperor, many concubines made things difficult for me. It was Sister Xiao who saved me. This palace would never harm my savior!"
Hearing this, the maid beside her was filled with indignation. "Concubine Xiao and the Lady were very close. How could the Lady harm Concubine Xiao? Those people just like to gossip all day long!"
Concubine Zhang sighed helplessly. "Sister Xiao is gone. This palace is alone again. Zilan Pavilion is really desolate!"
Looking at the lonely expression on Concubine Zhang's face, Liu Rumei couldn't help but say softly, "Does Your Ladyship know how Concubine Xiao died?"
Concubine Zhang sighed and shook her head. "This palace heard that she caught a cold, but what kind of cold could take her life? This palace doesn't believe it! There must be someone behind it! But this palace has never had any evidence!"
Liu Rumei had thought that she could learn something from Concubine Zhang, but now it seemed that she was wrong.
"I heard from His Highness the Crown Prince that Concubine Xiao's death was because Doctor Song prescribed the wrong medicine?"
Concubine Zhang snorted coldly. Her eyes were full of coldness. "Those people are used to using such means. Doctor Song Chang'an is a highly skilled doctor and is well - deservedly the best in the Imperial Hospital! He has never made any mistakes in all these years. How could he prescribe the wrong medicine? He was just a scapegoat for the person behind the scenes!"
Liu Rumei was quite surprised to see Concubine Zhang so angry.
"Does Your Ladyship know Doctor Song Chang'an?"