The area around Zilanxuan had been doused with tung oil. One slightest mistake, and it would burst into flames.
If it really was Concubine Zhang, why would she do such a thing?
Mo Liandi curled his lips in a mocking smile. "There must be something in Zilanxuan that she had to destroy with her own hands."
Liu Rumei felt quite uncomfortable. A complex look flashed across her eyes. "It seems she approached me with an ulterior motive."
Mo Litian's eyes were filled with a cold glint. If it really was Concubine Zhang, perhaps they could find a clue about Song Chang'an through her.
He looked up slightly and found that Mo Liandi had also thought of this. Song Chang'an was a cunning rat, but he would surely be caught one day!
However, to their surprise, after several days, there was still no sign of a clue.
Liu Rumei didn't visit Concubine Zhang these days. Firstly, Concubine Zhang was their prime suspect, and secondly, she had been badly frightened and was bedridden.
Mo Litian had searched every corner of the palace but still couldn't find Song Chang'an.
"Could he have left the palace?"
Mo Liandi poured a cup of tea and handed it to Liu Rumei. He said calmly, "The palace gates are surrounded tightly. How could he leave?"
Everyone entering or leaving the palace would be carefully inspected. He didn't think Song Chang'an would be able to get away.
"Since he chose to return to the palace, there must be something he wants here. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken such a great risk to pull off a ruse."
With his abilities, it would be easy for him to leave the capital secretly and live under an assumed name.
Liu Rumei nodded silently. But what on earth was he after?
Moreover, what caused the fire in the Imperial Medical Office? Was it his doing?
Mo Litian pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Perhaps this matter is related to Concubine Zhang. If we can get her to talk, we're bound to gain something."
But at the moment, Concubine Zhang was seriously ill. The emperor had ordered that no one should disturb her. With her status as the emperor's favorite concubine, they really didn't dare to do anything!
Mo Liandi was secretly anxious. The seven - day deadline was approaching. Tomorrow would be the last day. If they couldn't catch Song Chang'an, Liu Liu might face endless troubles.
Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed across his eyes.
Liu Rumei also frowned tightly. She wasn't worried about the seven - day deadline but was wondering how Song Chang'an had managed to do all this.
There were still explanations for the bodies of Qi Zhenyu and the one underwater. But what about the bodies of Eunuch Xu, Imperial Physician Xu, and Commander Xiao?
Mo Liandi and Mo Litian were also puzzled. Song Chang'an's killing methods were truly strange.
The night was enchanting. In the boundless darkness, there was a glimmer of light, bright but not blinding, yet impossible to look away from.
Since the murder case, Mo Yun didn't dare to step into the harem at all. He stayed cooped up in his own palace.
Empress Qi's health was deteriorating. After a series of shocks, her face was haggard. She had nightmares every day and could only fall asleep with the help of sedative drugs.
Liu Rumei was going to Zilanxuan or the Cold Palace to look for clues. Mo Litian was worried and decided to follow her.
But Empress Qi was awakened by another nightmare. The maid had no choice but to find Mo Litian.
Mo Litian was worried about Empress Qi and had to take Liu Rumei to the empress's palace.
In Jiaofang Hall, Empress Qi sat on one side, holding her forehead. Her face was deathly pale, and there were a few more fine lines at the corners of her eyes. She had become haggard in just a few days.
When Mo Litian saw Empress Qi like this, his eyes were filled with pity. He stepped forward gently. "Mother."
Seeing Mo Litian come, Empress Qi forced a smile. "Tian'er is here."
Then she saw Liu Rumei beside Mo Litian and nodded with a smile. "Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei also curtsied slightly. "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress."
Empress Qi nodded silently. "Miss Liu, you don't need to be so formal. Sit down."
"Has Your Majesty summoned the imperial physician for a diagnosis?" This couldn't go on like this.
Empress Qi nodded with a smile. "Of course. I've just been frightened. I need to recuperate well."
Just then, a maid walked in, holding a bowl of medicinal soup. She respectfully presented it to Empress Qi.
Smelling the faint fragrance of the medicine, Liu Rumei frowned. "What's this?"
"This is the sedative medicine prescribed by the imperial physician. Why? Is there something wrong?" Empress Qi's eyes were full of confusion.
Liu Rumei remembered the bowl of medicinal soup that Concubine Zhang had drunk that day. Smelling the faint fragrance, she couldn't help but think of the dregs of the medicine found in Zilanxuan. A mocking look flashed across her eyes. It seemed that what Concubine Zhang had taken that day was the abortion drug, not the sedative medicine.
Looking up to meet Empress Qi's confused gaze, Liu Rumei said with a gentle smile, "I'm just curious. That's all."
Mo Litian looked at Liu Rumei thoughtfully but didn't ask any more questions.
"Tian'er, you're still in the harem so late. Are you investigating the case?"
Mo Litian nodded. "The murderer is extremely cunning. He may still be in the harem. If we don't bring him to justice soon, there will be endless troubles."
Moreover, tomorrow was the last day of the deadline, but Song Chang'an was still missing. This matter had started because of him, and he didn't want to see her get hurt.
He had been too insistent about the imperial marriage. Now he should take responsibility.
Empress Qi also nodded, with a smile on her face. "If so, then go. Remember to be careful."
Mo Litian frowned slightly but still nodded respectfully. "Your son understands."
Seeing this, Liu Rumei also stood up, curtsied, and took her leave.
After leaving Jiaofang Hall, Mo Litian finally asked, "Did you think of something just now?"
Liu Rumei didn't hide anything from Mo Litian. She told him everything that had happened that day. "I suspect Concubine Zhang is not really ill."
She was just using it as an excuse to recuperate because having an abortion could cause great harm to the mother!
Mo Litian also thought of this. His face instantly turned colder. "It seems Concubine Zhang is really involved in this matter."
He didn't expect that Liu Rumei could detect the difference just by the smell.
Liu Rumei pursed her red lips and thought of the incident of falling into the water that day. Did Concubine Zhang do it on purpose or by accident?
If Mo Liandi hadn't arrived in time, what would have happened to her?
Just as she was thinking like this, a faint sound came from not far away.
"This is the place. I saw them here yesterday!"
"There are the most here. They will surely please Noble Lady Yue!"
"..."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei frowned and walked towards the direction of the sound.