Page 516
Lian Hua giggled, "Nanny, it’s already clean, no need to wipe anymore."
Nanny Qi was at once frustrated and amused. To a little girl, even the most serious matters seemed trivial. In no time, she was acting as if nothing had happened, her worries fleeting as a moment.
The little girl had only felt a twinge of anger when asking about how Xiao Qing was, but at no other time did she seem scared. Instead, it was Nanny Qi whose reaction was far greater, still feeling the after-effects of fear.
What was she to say? It was a mixture of happiness and worry. She feared the girl being scared yet also worried about her taking things too lightly.
Alas, there was just no dealing with the little girl.
With resignation, she said, "You should change your clothes, nevertheless."
Lian Hua halted her laughter and shook her head, "Nanny, let’s not change. Isn’t there still important business to attend to? Xiao Jizi, Xiao Linzi, how did your tasks go?"
She noticed when the two returned, they had news to report, but she had switched topics to divert Nanny Qi’s attention due to her troubled expression at the time.
With this prompt, Nanny Qi also remembered, scolding herself for her forgetfulness over such a significant matter.
Xiao Jizi promptly approached and began his respectful report, accompanied by Xiao Linzi.
This was a matter of great importance. He and Xiao Linzi had first gone to the gates of Canglan Court to call down the person in the tree and sent people to notify His Majesty.
They had Star Palace’s people secure the gates and directed Xiao Linzi to detain Xia Liu and the others, holding them separately.
Then he had Xiao Linzi lead others to thoroughly search every corner of Canglan Court.
Xiao Jizi gestured for Xiao Linzi to describe their discoveries.
Xiao Linzi took over, describing the situation when they detained Xia Liu and his group: "They didn’t resist, looked unaware of what had happened, and all asked us what was going on.
I didn’t say and had them tied up and placed separately.
After that, we searched their rooms, our own living quarters, the kitchen, firewood storage, and even the areas outside the courtyard.
We didn’t find any bowls like the one described or similar utensils.
As instructed by Brother Xiao Ji, I brought back anything that seemed amiss. "
As he spoke, he unfolded the bundle he had brought back and laid out its contents.
He was meticulous, even searching the latrine, which is why he returned later than Xiao Jizi, who had finished his task earlier.
The crowd looked on as a pile of odds and ends was laid out, including valuables Xia Liu’s group had hidden in table corners, bed cracks, and wall holes, as well as needles, thread, food wrapped in paper, and what appeared to be medicine—all of which were now uncovered, some covered with dust, others exuding odd smells.
Xiao Jizi was first to sort through it for Nanny Qi to see. Lian Hua, curious, also craned her neck to look.
She discerned nothing of significance, no precious items were found, and the rest were common goods, thereby temporarily ruling out the possibility of bribery.
Xiao Linzi inquired, "They’re now being watched. Nanny Qi, should we bring them here?"
Nanny Qi shook her head, "No need, let the Emperor deal with them upon his return."
"Yes," Xiao Linzi stepped back, having finished his report.
Xiao Jizi took a step forward and began reporting his task. After giving instructions to Xiao Linzi, he had gone to the Imperial Medical Bureau to summon an Imperial Physician.
It was best if he handled this matter, as he didn’t dare entrust it to another, knowing only the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau and Huang Zude were trustworthy from within it, the rest being unknown.
Upon learning that the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau had been summoned by a royal relative and that Huang Zude had been invited by Consort Zhen for lunch and had not yet returned after a long absence, Xiao Jizi sensed something fishy.
He didn’t linger or continue to call for other Imperial Physicians, and hurried back instead.
Nanny Qi listened and snorted coldly, slapping the table heavily, "They really came prepared!"
Lian Hua pondered deeply and said, "Nanny, does it mean the thieves intended to harm me and then prevent Charcoal Head and the others from rescuing me? Does this imply that the other Imperial Physicians and Consort Zhen are also unclean?"
Nanny Qi paused. She had initially considered how much Consort Zhen had contributed to this incident, whether it was a coincidence, and upon contemplating Consort Zhen’s audacity, felt it was unlikely for her to dare such action. However, she wondered if Consort Zhen had been used.
She hadn’t expected that with the problem regarding other Imperial Physicians upstairs, her mind swirling with too many thoughts, she almost forgot.
Based on what the young miss had said, it made sense—reliable Imperial Physicians had been sent away, so didn’t that mean all the remaining ones were more or less problematic?
She hurriedly asked Xiao Jizi which members of the Imperial Medical Bureau had been present at the time.
Xiao Jizi answered one by one.
Nanny Qi nodded, "Once His Majesty returns, all these Imperial Physicians must be investigated."
These issues, she no longer kept from Lian Hua.
Lian Hua stroked her chin, her eyes beginning to whirl, "Nanny, what shall we do next then?"
Xiao Qing was still waiting to see what would happen, and Charcoal Head was being deliberately occupied by others, which was not good.
Towards those who wished to harm her, she was never polite.
Nanny Qi glanced at her, "What do you think we should do?"
Lian Hua immediately perked up, saying excitedly, "Nanny, let’s forcibly bring Charcoal Head over, claiming that there’s been a major incident at Canglan Court. I think Consort Zhen is not very courageous, so how about we give her a little scare along the way when we bring Charcoal Head?"
That would also serve as a vent for our frustrations.
Nanny Qi glared at her, "Speaking childishly again!"
"Oh..." Lian Hua puffed out her cheeks, her eyes still turning round and round, but unfortunately, it seemed Nanny Qi did not agree, alas.
Nanny Qi found it amusing as she looked towards the door, her gaze flickering with a sharp edge, she said leisurely, "Doctor Huang has been in Consort Zhen’s palace for so long, if it’s a minor illness, he should have treated it by now, and if it’s a serious illness, he won’t be able to cure it in a short while.
So let’s go ask him to come over. Master Lian is now carrying the royal progeny, and calling for a familiar Imperial Physician, who we know well, is better for an accurate diagnosis.
I believe Consort Zhen will understand, as this request is reasonable and justifiable. "
Lian Hua’s eyes started to brighten.
Nanny Qi continued, "If, during the request, Consort Zhen lets her imagination run wild and starts to overthink things, then we cannot be blamed for that."
Lian Hua immediately echoed with excitement, "Right, we requested him legitimately, it was her own overthinking; it wasn’t us who scared her."
A sharp light sparked in Nanny Qi’s eyes, "I believe that those responsible for the attack are now extremely concerned about the situation inside Canglan Court, so let them have a look."
Implementing a tactic to lure the snake out of its hole, even if we can’t pull out the person behind the scenes, we might at least remove the underlings.
She whispered to the people as such.
Hearing this, everyone nodded vigorously, very excited—they were finally going to release their pent-up anger.
An old and a young looked at each other, both resembling foxes.
Lian Hua chuckled, looking at Nanny Qi with admiration, and blurted out a compliment, "When it comes to cunning, Nanny, you’re truly skilled!"
This provoked a glare from Nanny Qi, while the others held back their laughter.
Lian Hua stuck out her tongue and began to add ideas to the plan; she intended not to scare at all, or to give a fright that would shock.
Once everything was prepared, Lian Hua picked up a rattan, and with a flourish of enthusiasm, she commanded, "Servants, we have been bullied right to our faces, let’s take action, and show them that we are not to be messed with!"
"Yes!" Everyone shouted in unison, invigorated.
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