RWNEFE -Chapter 393 She Was Again Implicated by Shen Lanxi!

Neither palace maids, eunuchs, nor guards dared to make a move. Chunxue and Qiushuang acted immediately—one blocked Madam Cao’s mouth while the other twisted her arm and dragged her aside.

Shen Lanxi exhaled deeply.

“Finally, some peace.”

Madam Cao glared, disbelief written across her face.

This was the imperial palace, and Shen Lanxi actually dared to assault someone of the royal family? Are you all blind? Why aren’t you arresting her immediately?!

Unfortunately for Madam Cao, no matter how much she wanted to speak, all her words were blocked in her throat.

“You—continue speaking!” Shen Lanxi gestured to Shen Yuantang to proceed.

Zhou Ruyuan had originally disapproved of Shen Lanxi’s methods, but since the Crown Prince himself had not said anything, he also stayed silent.

While Shen Lanxi questioned, Zhou Rulin whispered a few words to Zhou Ruyuan.

“Third Brother, regarding your mother’s consort, if it turns out to be Madam Cao’s doing, I will not protect her. We will handle it as necessary.”

Zhou Ruyuan said in a low voice: “I also think it wasn’t Her Royal Highness. If it were, she would be incredibly foolish.”

Zhou Rulin, hearing this, expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Third Brother, for your trust. The imperial physician said Consort Shu’s life is not in danger. Rest assured.”

Zhou Ruyuan could still stand there safely only because the Renxiao Emperor had given orders, and the emperor and empress had already gone to visit.

With the two most authoritative people in the palace present, anyone daring to tamper with the situation would be courting death.

Even if he tried to rush in, he could only wait outside Chaoyun Hall. The time would be better spent uncovering the true culprit behind the scenes.

“Thank you for the reassurance, Crown Prince.”

After a few perfunctory words, Shen Yuantang finished her questioning.

“The wine was handled by the Crown Princess; naturally, it passed through her hands. Apart from her, who else could have accessed it?”

Zhou Rulin: “The wine was selected from the palace cellar and delivered here, passing through many hands along the way.”

Shen Lanxi: “To get it precisely to Consort Shu, only a few people could have done it.”

Those responsible included the guards for the wine, the person who transported it, and the palace maid who served it.

Since this was a major palace matter, each position was staffed with two or three people.

Shen Lanxi: “Bring all those responsible for the wine today.”

“Where is the palace maid who served the wine to Consort Shu?”

When the Renxiao Emperor left, anticipating that Shen Lanxi might have trouble mobilizing palace personnel, he had left Wang Bao behind.

The moment she gave the order, someone moved to carry it out.

Soon, all those involved were brought forward.

Wang Bao: “Is everyone here? Anyone hiding information will be considered guilty alongside the traitor who poisoned Consort Shu!”

A eunuch immediately stepped forward.

“Sir, the person who was on duty with me has not yet arrived.”

Wang Bao explained to Shen Lanxi: “After the incident, I immediately ordered that the palace maid serving the wine be detained. I didn’t pay attention to the person transporting the wine.”

Shen Lanxi: “If he’s not here, he may have fled out of fear. Go find him immediately.”

The guards set out to search.

Next, Shen Lanxi questioned each princess individually. Each had responsibility either for pastries or for decorating the hall—none of their duties overlapped.

The search returned quickly, but with bad news.

“Sir, the eunuch we found… when we discovered him, he had already drowned in the nearby lotus pond.”

Using a scapegoat and ensuring death without witnesses?

Shen Lanxi: “From your observation, did he drown accidentally, or was he killed?”

The guards, not being forensic experts, did not dare to decide.

Shen Lanxi: “His Majesty wants this handled within the palace, without alarming outsiders. No forensic experts can be called.”

“You are trained in martial arts. Surely you can tell the cause of a man’s death. Send some experienced people to examine him.”

Whatever conclusion they reached would only be for show. She could guarantee no one would dare contradict it.

The guards exchanged a glance with Wang Bao, who waved them on.

“Investigate whom the deceased eunuch had contact with before his death!”

Wang Bao sent his trusted aides to investigate.

Shen Lanxi: “Consort Shu was harmed. Normally, I would go to question her attendants myself. But the Consort is unwell, so it is inappropriate for me to do so now.”

Suddenly, Zhou Ruyuan spoke up: “I’ll go ask questions if needed.”

Shen Lanxi looked at Zhou Rulin.

Madam Cao shouted: “No! Everyone here is suspicious. Until the investigation is complete, no one may leave!”

Zhou Rulin, black-faced, scolded: “Nonsense. Third Brother only wants to clear your name.”

Madam Cao, ungrateful, averted her gaze: “Consort Shu was harmed—she’s Third Prince’s mother. What if the Third Prince thinks I did it and holds a grudge?”

Shen Yuantang could not stand to watch the Prince be wrongly accused. She immediately argued with Madam Cao.

“Your words show a guilty conscience. Did you harm Mother Consort?”

Madam Cao panicked: “Nonsense! I did not harm Consort Shu! I only worry that the Prince will punish me if he cannot find the culprit.”

Shen Yuantang: “You’re judging others by your own mind. I can see the matter of poisoning Consort Shu is definitely related to you.”

Madam Cao, angry and fearful, screamed: “Lies! You slander me! Just because I’m a lower-ranked side consort, you think you can talk to me this way? You’re jealous of me, that’s why you…”

“Enough!” Zhou Rulin bellowed.

“Is there no dignity in a Prince’s consort? Roaring in the palace like this—do you even deserve to be a consort?” Zhou Rulin glared at Madam Cao.

Madam Cao began to cry again.

Shen Lanxi: “Since the Crown Princess believes the Zhen Nan Wang is involved, questioning about Consort Shu will be postponed. Once this matter is clarified, we will decide what to do.”

Zhou Rulin hurriedly apologized to Zhou Ruyuan: “Third Brother, forgive me. Once the matter is resolved, I will give you an explanation!”

Though Zhou Ruyuan was still annoyed, Zhou Rulin’s sincere apology prevented him from losing his temper.

“Prince, the Consort was harmed, and this matter must be related to the Crown Princess,” Shen Yuantang whispered to Zhou Ruyuan, speaking in defense of him.

“Enough! Do not speak recklessly until the matter is clarified.”

Shen Yuantang glared at Madam Cao. She hated when rank was used as an excuse. Madam Cao, a side consort, was nominally a consort but existed on a different level than the main consort.

Previously, Madam Cao had been at odds with her. After Shen Lanxi investigated, she realized Madam Cao had also been implicated by her elder sister.

Madam Cao had suffered losses at Shen Lanxi’s hands before. Unable to retaliate directly, she redirected her hatred toward Shen Yuantang.

Once again, she had been implicated because of Shen Lanxi.

The teams Wang Bao had sent earlier returned, as did the guards.

Wang Bao: “The deceased eunuch had contact with the palace maid serving the Crown Princess. Witnesses saw her give him something.”

The guards presented the deceased eunuch’s belongings.