A flicker of confusion crossed Mo Litian's eyes. He leaned in slightly and asked in a soft voice, "Miss Liu, what do you mean?"
Liu Rumei picked up one of the dead man's arms, her eyes filled with a cold glint. "Give me some time."
She had a nagging feeling that there was something off about this corpse. Its appearance was just too coincidental. Thinking of the missing parts of the other five corpses, she already had a hunch.
Mo Liandi quickly understood and didn't interrupt her. Instead, he turned to Mo Yun and said, "This case is definitely related to Song Chang'an. If I'm not wrong, Song Chang'an is still in the palace. Whether this corpse is his or not remains unknown, but he must have accomplices!"
It was impossible for someone to sneak into the palace without being detected.
Mo Yun's face was as cold as ice. He snapped, "Guards! Spread my order. Search every corner of the palace until you find Song Chang'an and his accomplices!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Mo Litian stared at the ring in his hand, lost in thought. If this wasn't Song Chang'an, then who had placed this corpse here? And where did this ring come from?
Empress Qi looked haggard. Fortunately, the maid beside her supported her, or she would have fallen.
Looking at the nauseating corpse, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. But with Mo Yun here, she couldn't leave.
Mo Litian snapped out of his reverie. Seeing Empress Qi's pale face, his eyes were filled with pity. He bowed to Mo Yun and said respectfully, "Father, Mother has been through a lot these days. She must not be feeling well. Please allow her to return to her palace and rest!"
Mo Yun turned around and frowned at Empress Qi's pallid complexion. Although he doted on Concubine Zhang, he still had some affection for Empress Qi. He nodded immediately. "The Crown Prince is right. You may go back. Summon the imperial physician to have a look at you."
Empress Qi didn't insist. She curtsied slightly. "Your servant takes her leave."
Watching Empress Qi being led away by the maid, Mo Litian let out a sigh of relief.
About a cup of tea later, Liu Rumei reached a conclusion. A mocking smile played on her lips. "This corpse is not Song Chang'an!"
Mo Liandi also smiled faintly. He wasn't surprised by this answer at all.
Mo Yun snapped in a cold voice, "If it's not Song Chang'an, then who is it?"
Liu Rumei looked at the dismembered corpse indifferently and said, "The bones of this corpse don't match up at all. Although it looks like a complete body, it's actually made up of parts from different people! If I'm not wrong, these should be the missing parts of the previous corpses."
Mo Litian's expression turned solemn. Looking at the token and the ring in his hand, he sneered. "It seems that Song Chang'an is trying to pull a fast one! What a cunning plan!"
Mo Liandi also said coldly, "Song Chang'an must still be in the palace."
Liu Rumei looked puzzled. "If Song Chang'an wanted to pull a fast one, why didn't he just burn down Suiyu Pavilion? Why did he involve Zilan Pavilion?"
Could there be a secret hidden in Zilan Pavilion?
Mo Litian also thought of this and his face turned icy cold.
Mo Liandi said indifferently, "The secret should be in Concubine Zhang's bedroom, where Imperial Physician Xu died. The other courtyards in Zilan Pavilion still have some clues, but this place was hit the hardest by the fire and has been completely destroyed!"
Mo Yun gritted his teeth in anger. "Good for you, Song Chang'an! It's not enough that you murdered Concubine Xiao. Now you even want to harm my beloved concubine! You're truly unforgivable!"
This man was truly despicable! How dare he commit such evil deeds right under his nose!
Mo Liandi frowned. "This man is extremely cunning. He's been hiding in the palace for so long. It won't be easy to find him!"
Just then, the guard who had found the secret passage in the imperial garden popped his head out of a pool in Suiyu Pavilion!
Seeing the people in front of him, he was slightly taken aback. Then he quickly climbed out of the pool and bowed respectfully. "Your subordinate pays his respects to Your Majesty, Prince Guo'an, and the Crown Prince!"
Without him saying a word, Mo Litian and Mo Liandi already understood. Song Chang'an had deliberately hidden underwater, waiting for someone to fall into the water so he could dismember them. Then he would follow the secret passage back to Suiyu Pavilion, set everything up, and start a fire to cover his tracks!
It was a pity that he had miscalculated Liu Rumei!
However, a shadow crossed Mo Liandi's heart. Had Song Chang'an really miscalculated?
Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Liu Rumei had already stood up from beside the mummy. She greeted Mo Yun and then headed towards Zilan Pavilion.
If Song Chang'an was trying to cover something up, it must be something that couldn't be moved. Although everything in Zilan Pavilion had been reduced to ashes, it would still be good if they could find a single clue.
Mo Yun looked at the ruins and felt a surge of annoyance. He didn't stay long. He handed the matter over to Mo Litian and then turned away!
The three of them came to Zilan Pavilion. Mo Litian ordered his men to search the ruins, while Liu Rumei stared at the collapsed house, lost in thought.
Mo Liandi walked to one side. Looking at the thing in the corner, his eyes were filled with confusion. He picked it up and sniffed it gently. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted over.
"Call an imperial physician!"
Mo Litian raised his eyebrows and quickly ordered the guard. He stepped forward and asked gently, "What is this?"
Mo Liandi sneered. "It's obviously something he didn't want us to find!"
Leaving it here, he must have wanted to burn it to ashes along with the house. He just didn't expect Mo Litian to arrive so quickly!
Perhaps, there was another reason...
Looking at Liu Rumei in the distance, a soft light flashed in his eyes. It seemed that Song Chang'an had been forced to act in a hurry!
But what truth was he trying to hide?
A short while later, the imperial physician walked over. He respectfully took the medicinal dregs from Mo Liandi's hand, frowned, and said, "This medicinal herb has the smell of saffron. This medicine should be used for inducing abortions!"
There was a dragon fetus in the harem!
Realizing his location, he seemed to understand something. A chill ran down his spine.
The coldness in Mo Liandi's eyes deepened. He turned to Mo Litian and said, "Perhaps you should go and ask Concubine Zhang!"
Mo Litian had a hunch in his heart, but he was also extremely confused. If the pregnant woman was really Concubine Zhang, then why did she secretly have an abortion?
"If this matter really involves Concubine Zhang, we mustn't tip her off!" Given Father's favor towards Concubine Zhang, without solid evidence, they would only be asking for trouble!
Liu Rumei frowned tightly. She really didn't want to suspect Concubine Zhang, but the evidence kept pointing at her! What role was she playing?
"If it really is her, why would she risk her life?"