Chapter 9: Cleaning

"Your Highness, the bath beans used this time are a gift from the palace. It is said that they are prepared according to the 'Qianjin Fang' and contain seventeen ingredients, including clove, agarwood, green wood fragrance, peach blossom, stalactite powder, genuine pearl, jade powder, Shu water flower, papaya flower, Nai flower, pear flower, red lotus flower, plum flower, cherry blossom, white hibiscus flower, and xuanfu flower, as well as musk. They are quite precious, and ordinary families have never even seen them!" Seeing this, Ji Xi hurriedly replied.

"Qian Er, there are no outsiders present now. Could you share what you have discovered during the recent days of your investigation?" Huang Jingchen asked, taking a sip of tea and looking at the person seated below him.

Is that so? It's just too extravagant! Zhao Cheng shook his head and said no more, allowing Jianxi to attend to him. Jianxi touched the prince's frail little body; even a splash of water from the front could soak his back. One could say he was as weak as a chick, yet he effortlessly killed that exceptionally skilled assassin. It truly leaves one puzzled as to how he accomplished it; could it be that he is truly a monster

"Jianxi, how is the matter progressing?" Zhao Cheng asked Jianxi, who was attending to him while he lay in the bathtub.

It is truly despicable to have been exploited by villains, putting the prince in danger; I deserve to die a thousand deaths!" Seeing Xi was quite clever, he immediately knelt down, his face filled with fear, but he did not dare to mention that the prince had already anticipated the outcome.

"How could it be her?" Huang Jingchen murmured, stroking his smooth chin. The De Fei came from an official family and had once been embroiled in the palace intrigue that framed the Empress. However, she has only given birth to two princesses, and it should not involve her in such a struggle for succession. Is there perhaps another hidden reason? "Are there any other participants?"

"Jianxi, has the prince fallen asleep?" As Jianxi just stepped out, he encountered Huang Jingchen, who was followed by two individuals. Jianxi had seen them in the palace; they were both from the Imperial City Division, their expressions grim, causing a sense of unease in Jianxi.

"Hmph, they have mistaken me, an old tiger, for a sick cat!" Huang Jingchen said with a cold snort, his face showing displeasure. "You all handle the remaining matters. Leave no one related to the assassination. You know how to deal with those spies. Anyone with an unclear background or connections to the palace, send them to the authorities. Let them handle it under some charge. This matter must be dealt with properly; we cannot betray the trust the Empress has placed in us!"

Well, you have worked hard these past few days. The people in the residence have reviewed everything. If you have time, come over and listen to see if there is anything amiss. Huang Jingchen felt somewhat aged; the continuous days of toil had left him somewhat exhausted

Alright, no need to pledge loyalty anymore; it is better to be a little less greedy in handling affairs than anything else! Zhao Cheng knew that from now on, Jianxi would be his own person, and he couldn't help but tease him as he looked at him.

"Hmm, they haven't suffered much, have they?" Zhao Cheng asked again

Ah... Hearing this, Ji Xi was taken aback. The result of Qian Er's interrogation was surprisingly the same as the analysis made by the prince. Moreover, the prince had been hiding in his room since the incident occurred, which astonished him greatly, prompting him to exclaim.

Indeed, they will be grateful for the prince's kindness! Seeing this, Xi felt a warm glow in her heart; the prince's thoughtfulness also earned their respect

Oh, is Duke Cui the father of Concubine Cui in the palace?" Huang Jingchen suddenly sat up and asked

Oh! Seeing Xi feel a chill, as he is the prince's companion and the one who knows the prince's whereabouts best, he is naturally a key suspect. If it weren't for the prince's assistance, his fate would undoubtedly be the most tragic.

"Yes, Your Highness, what about the others?" Jianxi inquired again.

This charge is easy to find; these officials are taking advantage of the young prince and have actually embezzled 3,000 guan from the public funds. Their audacity is truly remarkable; this alone is sufficient!

Several individuals arrived at Huang Jingchen's residence, where Xi promptly instructed Xiao Huang to light candles in various places, serve the freshly brewed tea, and personally pour it for them. He then stood beside Huang Jingchen, massaging his shoulders and back, showing the same respect as in the past

What happened, Jianxi? Jianxi interrupted Qian Er's words, and Huang Jingchen frowned, asking unhappily.

"Hehe, because I am a monster!" Zhao Cheng said with a mocking smile.

You truly have a pig's brain. Can’t I see who Fengxi and the others are, as they accompany me every day? Although Osmanthus often steals food and Sophora loves to gossip, they are simple-minded individuals. They serve me all day long; would you have me watch them suffer without doing anything?

"You may leave now, close the door properly, and no one is allowed to approach!" Huang Jingchen waved his hand, signaling the young guard at the door to step back, leaving only the four of them in the room

"Jianxi, why does the taste seem off this time?" Zhao Cheng asked

Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace, and thank you, esteemed official. We will certainly do our utmost!" The two exchanged a glance, unable to conceal their excitement; this was truly a fortunate opportunity that brought both fame and profit. With the favor of a palace concubine in the future, their good days were on the horizon

The official should also pay attention to his health! Seeing this, Ji Xi understood that the official regarded him as one of his own, and quickly stepped forward to assist him.

Foster father, Ma San and I have thoroughly scrutinized everyone in the residence. We have interrogated the most suspicious individuals, and all evidence points to the deceased Steward Li. He bribed the gardener, Old Zhang, in the back garden to spread rumors, deliberately telling the young Taoist priest Mingyue at the temple. Furthermore, he figured out the prince's routine and knew that the prince would go to the temple to offer incense on the first day of the month. Anticipating the prince's visit, he instructed Old Zhang to lead the prince to the location where he had set an ambush. However, he did not foresee that he would be killed by Jianxi...

"Yes, we will definitely handle the matter well and leave no future troubles!" Qian Er https://www.hetushu.com Two individuals responded with a bow.

The village is bustling with activity, yet the Wang residence is shrouded in an atmosphere of solemnity, devoid of any festive spirit. Huang Jingchen returned a few days ago, bringing not only rewards from the palace but also a large number of personnel. All the old staff in the residence have been gathered and sent to the horse stables for interrogation, and new faces have replaced them throughout the premises.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was a grand occasion during the Song Dynasty. In the days leading up to the festival, a strong festive atmosphere permeated the air. Shops would typically redecorate their colorful arches at the entrance, presenting everything anew, and fresh wine would be opened for sale. This period marked the arrival of crabs and the seasonal abundance of fruits, with fruit vendors overflowing with fresh delicacies such as pomegranates, pears, dates, chestnuts, grapes, and tangerines, all newly available. The night of the Mid-Autumn Festival was the liveliest of nights, with the primary activity being moon appreciation. Nobles and wealthy families would enjoy the moon from their own terraces and pavilions, accompanied by elegant music that continued until dawn. Ordinary citizens would eagerly occupy the taverns, which were also filled with lively sounds, as they could not remain idle. With the accompaniment of silk and bamboo instruments, they would eat and enjoy the view, relishing the moonlight. Even the poorer families would buy some food and drink, chatting and enjoying the bright moon, while the children were the happiest, playing and staying awake all night.

Exactly!

After a thorough investigation, there are several other consorts in the palace who have also placed their informants, consisting of minor servants and low-ranking eunuchs. However, they are merely relaying messages and are not involved in this matter

Yes, Your Highness, I, Jianxi, am deeply grateful for Your Highness's life-saving grace. However, should there be any orders, I will face any peril, be it a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, without a second thought

"One cannot live by one's own sins. You should act more discreetly and avoid giving others any leverage against you!" said Huang Jingchen

Ah? Your Highness, how do you know everything?" Jianxi was taken aback, nearly dropping his jaw. It turned out that the things he thought he was doing very secretly were already known to the prince. He suddenly felt that the prince he accompanied every day was not like a child, but rather like an old man with more cunning than the official Huang.

"My lord, why do you still want to bring Fengxi and the others back?" Jianxi expressed her doubts while splashing water.

... ...

Well, I have been preoccupied these days, Your Highness, so you must pay more attention! Huang Jingchen appreciated Gong Jin's attitude towards Jianxi and advised him accordingly

Even if the prince is a monster, I will follow him for the rest of my life... Seeing that Zhao Cheng did not seem to hold any resentment, Jianxi breathed a sigh of relief. She supported herself on the horizontal board of the bathtub made by the prince and gently applied a bit of bath powder on his body.

"Yes, Your Excellency, the prince has fallen asleep!" Seeing this, Ji Xi hurriedly bowed in response

Ma San, have you investigated the background of Manager Li?

Hehe, I don't know about others, but there must be spies planted by assassins among them. I can't identify them one by one, so I can only let them suffer! Zhao Cheng said with a smirk, "Our encounter with danger this time is definitely not something one person could orchestrate. First, Old Zhang spread rumors about discovering a giant python, and then he deliberately told Mingyue about it. Mingyue is young and naive, so she immediately relayed it to us. And you, being naturally impulsive, and I, being young, couldn't help but be curious and insisted on going to see it. He exploited our weaknesses and led us step by step into the trap. The person manipulating this behind the scenes must be meticulous, fully aware of our every move. Only someone close to us would know this; otherwise, it would be impossible for just Manager Li from the outer courtyard to accomplish it!"

Alright, handle the matters thoroughly and return to Beijing tomorrow. The Empress is mindful of your hard work in handling affairs, and since you couldn't spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at home, I have prepared a gift for both of you. Please take it with you when the time comes

Second Master, Fengxi was beaten and his buttocks are bruised, but fortunately, no bones were broken. The two girls only received lashes and were allowed to return with me; their injuries are not severe, but they were sufficiently frightened. Seeing the scene in the horse pen earlier still sends shivers down my spine. The few people from the Imperial City Division are truly like little demons from the underworld, ruthless and merciless. The former head steward and the second steward have been beaten beyond recognition, and two of the flower gardeners are already dead. Old Zhang is suffering a fate worse than death; the young Taoist, Mingyue, is currently being tortured, his body beaten to the point of having no intact flesh. If it weren't for the prince pulling me back, I would likely be in a worse situation than them. Thinking of this, I feel even more respectful.

Later, you will go to Doctor Wang to fetch some medicine for Fengxi and the others. For the next few days, do not assign them any tasks; let them recover from their injuries first. If the officials inquire, just say it was my instruction! After taking a bath, Zhao Cheng put on his clothes and reminded Jianxi.

You were indeed at fault this time, but it cannot be entirely blamed on you; their arrangements were too meticulous! Huang Jingchen raised his hand, signaling Jianxi to stand up. Jianxi quickly lowered his hands and stood to the side, not daring to speak further

"Dutou, based on the wooden plaque on Li Guanshi, it can be determined that he is an assassin from the Night Gate. Their identities are all false, and their origins cannot be traced. However, I found out that he was introduced into the mansion by someone from the Duke of Cui's household, and that person fell ill and died shortly thereafter!" Ma San said respectfully

Sigh, they are all caught up in this. Mingyue and Old Zhang probably won't survive. You need to be more cautious in the future. If it weren't for your insistence on seeing the giant python, this disaster wouldn't have happened

After seeing off Zhao Chai, who had taken a rest, two young attendants were arranged to guard the entrance, and only then did he go to Dr. Wang's place to fetch the medicine

"Second Master, everything has been taken care of. I have brought Fengxi, Guihua, and Huaihua back!" Jianxi quickly replied. This time, he not only escaped the purging in the manor but also received a promotion for his contributions, rising two ranks from a high-ranking inner servant to an inner attendant. He now holds the official rank of a regular eighth grade, with a monthly salary increased to eight guan. In the inner court, his rank is only lower than that of Huang Jingchen, who is a sixth grade official and serves as the deputy chief in the palace, holding a significant position.