coobybook Chapter 272: Stormy Waves and Undercurrents
Chapter 272: Stormy Waves and Undercurrents
Zhen Huan smiled faintly: "Don't be anxious, sister. You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry. The truth behind this is complicated and intricate. We need to proceed step by step."
An Lingrong brushed her hair gently across her forehead. "Huan'er is right. Although we have some clues about the conspiracy between Lord Li and the Queen, the evidence is not yet conclusive. We must not act rashly."
Concubine Hua snorted softly, "Hmph! Then, according to you, what should we do now?"
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "I would like to send someone to investigate what's going on in Lord Li's residence first, to see if they can find any key items, such as letters or secret documents exchanged with the Queen."
An Lingrong nodded in agreement: "This plan is feasible. However, Lord Li has a strong foundation in the court, and the security in his mansion must be strict. The people sent out must be cautious and careful not to alert the enemy."
Concubine Hua said, "How difficult is that? My servant Zhou Ninghai is always smart and can be sent."
Zhen Huan shook her head. "Sister, Zhou Ninghai is always by your side, and I'm afraid he's been recognized by others. I suggest having Xiao Yunzi disguise himself and sneak in quietly. He's agile and good at hiding his tracks, so he'd be a good fit."
Although Hua Fei was somewhat reluctant, she still said, "Forget it, I'll do as you say. I just hope he won't disappoint us."
Xiao Yunzi took the order and left. Zhen Huan then said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, go ask Concubine Kang again to see if there is anything she has missed. Perhaps she knows some other secrets."
An Lingrong replied, "Okay, I'll go right away."
An Lingrong saw Consort Kang, who, upon seeing her approach, hurriedly bowed and said, "Noble Consort An, why are you here?"
An Lingrong looked at her and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Concubine Kang. I just want to ask you, besides what you said before, do the Queen and Master Li have any other plans? If you can tell me the truth, perhaps you can atone for your sins."
Kang Changzai looked embarrassed and said, "Your Majesty, I really don't know. The Queen is very secretive and doesn't let me know many things."
An Lingrong looked at him carefully. "Think about it again. Even the smallest detail could be of great importance."
Kang Changzai pondered for a long time, then suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I once heard the maidservants around the Queen mention a place called 'Jingsi Temple'. It seems to be related to their plan, but I don't know what it is specifically about."
An Lingrong's heart skipped a beat: "Jingsi Temple? What kind of place could this be?"
She returned to the palace and told Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua about this.
Concubine Hua was puzzled and asked, "This Jingsi Temple is a nunnery. How could the Queen and Lord Li be involved with a nunnery? Could they be plotting something there?"
Zhen Huan said, "No matter what, we have to send someone to investigate. Maybe we can find key evidence there."
As they were talking, Xiao Yunzi returned. He bowed to Zhen Huan and said, "Your Majesty, I have infiltrated Lord Li's residence and found the study heavily guarded. I had a hard time finding a way in. In the study's secret compartment, I found several letters, but the contents were mostly in code, which I could not understand."
Zhen Huan took the letter and said, "That's all right. You did a great job. I'll call Dr. Wen to see if he can decipher it. Dr. Wen is well versed in pharmacology and might be able to understand some of these code words."
After being summoned, Imperial Physician Wen carefully examined the letter, his brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, the codewords in this letter are extremely complex, and it will take me some time to decipher them. However, I can see that the letter mentions several names and places. Besides Jingsi Temple, there's also someone named 'Mr. Zhao,' who seems crucial to their plan."
Zhen Huan asked, "Who is this 'Mr. Zhao'? It seems the mystery is getting thicker and thicker."
An Lingrong said, "In any case, let's focus our attention on Jingsi Temple and this 'Mr. Zhao'. Perhaps we can find a breakthrough there."
Concubine Hua said, "Then what are you waiting for? I will arrange for someone to go to Jingsi Temple to investigate."
Zhen Huan stopped her, saying, "Sister, don't be reckless. This Jingsi Temple is a Buddhist temple after all. If we go there with a big fanfare, it will definitely cause a lot of trouble. It's better to let Xiao Yunzi investigate secretly first and understand the situation clearly before making any plans."
Hua Fei was helpless: "Okay, I'll listen to you. This time I must find out something!"
Xiao Yunzi was ordered to go to Jingsi Temple again. Zhen Huan and others were in the palace, full of worry and expectation, knowing that the conspiracy behind this was like a big net, waiting for them to tear it apart.
A few days later, Xiao Yunzi returned with a report: "Your Majesty, I discovered a mysterious pilgrim in Jingsi Nunnery who was always having secret conversations with the nunnery's abbot. I learned that the pilgrim seemed to be 'Mr. Zhao.' Furthermore, I discovered some strange spices and herbs hidden in the nunnery, which seemed to be related to the spices in Consort An's spice shop."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "It seems there's something fishy about Jingsi Temple. What exactly is this 'Mr. Zhao' planning? And how does he relate to the Queen and Lord Li?"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I want to go to Jingsi Temple and take a look myself. Perhaps I can find something from those spices and herbs."
Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Lingrong, this is too dangerous. If you go, what if they find you? What will you do?"
An Lingrong said firmly, "Huan'er, I must go. This may be the key to unlocking the truth. I cannot retreat."
Concubine Hua also said, "Zhen Huan, let her go. We will arrange some people to secretly protect her, and she will be fine."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Okay then. Lingrong, you must be careful. If there is any danger, come back immediately."
An Lingrong nodded: "Don't worry, Huan'er. I will return safely."
After An Lingrong disguised herself, she was escorted to Jingsi Temple by everyone, while Zhen Huan and Hua Fei were waiting anxiously in the palace. This shocking change in the palace was like a surging wave, sweeping them away. The future was full of unknowns and dangers, but in order to protect each other and the peace of the harem, they could only move forward towards the truth firmly, step by step, difficult but resolute.