Xianyue glanced at Xia Qing approvingly and said, "What you said makes sense. What else can you think of? Keep talking."
Xia Qing thought for a while and said: "If this slave is not mistaken, such a backup should have been found as early as the mother's womb, and there are more than one. As the slave said just now, no one will be there before the mother is born. If you know a man and a woman, if you want to get a boy, you must select a few pregnant women with similar delivery dates. When Concubine Yu was in labor, they each gave birth to a child, and one of the boys was carried into the palace."
Qi Kuan said flatly: "It's impossible. The palace is heavily guarded. How could they let them send the child in?"
A Luo took over and said: "Also, Concubine Yu was born prematurely. How could those pregnant women happen to give birth at that time, unless... artificially induce labor and advance their delivery date."
Zhichun also hesitated and said: "But doing this can easily hurt your body. If you don't do it well, you may even lose your life. How dare they do this?"
Xia Qing sneered and said: "Concubine Yu dares to harm even the seventh elder brother, so it doesn't matter how many lives she hurts. In her heart, except for her own, anyone's life is as despicable as a piece of grass; even... I doubt that Concubine Yu's temperament Those pregnant women and children were eventually silenced by her. As for the guards... they are all human beings, and since they are human beings, they may be bribed."
Xianyue said slowly: "Concubine Yu's family are all in the capital. If your guess is true, there should be many pregnant women missing in the capital at that time. If we follow this clue, we should be able to find evidence that Concubine Yu's family committed something."
While thinking about their words, A Luo shook his head and said, "I still feel that something is wrong. If Concubine Yu is really so cruel, she shouldn't keep that child."
Xianyue looked at the smooth river outside the window and said slowly: "Maybe she didn't intend to keep the child at all. It was Xiao Quanzi and the others who made their own decisions."
A Luo's eyelids twitched and he exclaimed: "Master is saying... Concubine Yu doesn't know that the child is alive? Did Xiao Quanzi and the others betray Concubine Yu in this matter?"
"If she knew, she should have given the child to her family to raise or take care of. Why would Xiao Quanzi and the others have to leave the palace again and again?"
Qi Kuan said excitedly: "Master, maybe we can use this matter to make Xiao Quanzi and Dongmei betray Concubine Yu and expose all the evil things she has done."
"Where's the evidence? Don't forget, everything just now was just our speculation, and there is no real evidence." Xianyue's words were like a bucket of cold water being poured down on his head, extinguishing the enthusiasm in Qi Kuan's heart. It took him a while to finally say with uncertainty. : "Xiao Quanzi and Dongmei are Concubine Yu's confidants. The emperor should believe what they say. In addition... there is also the child..."
Xianyue shook her head and said: "Concubine Yu is good at making plays. If the evidence of the crime is not conclusive, it will be difficult to convict her. Furthermore, Xiao Quanzi and the others may not be willing to completely betray Concubine Yu because of this matter. This matter should not be taken lightly. It's better to follow the clues in the capital first." After that, she ordered someone to get paper and pen, write a reply to Hong Zhou, and asked Qi Kuan to go out and see if the little eunuch was still there. If he was not there, he would first Keep it and hand it over to Hong Zhou when you have the opportunity in the future.
Qi Kuan followed his words and walked out. When he came to the stern of the boat, he saw the little eunuch. As he passed by, Qi Kuan quietly put the crumpled note into his hand. The latter immediately clenched his fist. , when the ship docked, he returned to the ship where Hong Zhou was.
At that time, Hong Zhou was meeting a confidant Ning Er who had just caught up with their schedule. This person originally stayed in the capital, but because he found out something important, he caught up with him overnight.
Hong Zhou stood up suddenly, stared at him closely and said, "Did you really find Lily of the Valley?"
"Yes, it was a drug store in Hejian Prefecture. Their store had lily of the valley incense. Because few people bought this kind of incense, he remembered that two people went to buy lily of the valley before and after the incident with Princess Jing.
fragrant."
Hong Zhou asked quickly: "Does he still remember those two people?"
Ning Er said truthfully: "Because it took too long, he couldn't tell clearly, but the slave took him outside the mansion of Master Fuhacha. He recognized Fuhacha's confidant, which was very similar to the first time he asked him to buy lily of the valley.
As for the other one, we haven't found it yet. I suspect that he is the dead man who dressed up as a wandering doctor, but he is already dead, so he can't be identified."
"Okay!" A smile appeared on Hong Zhou's face. After searching for so long, he finally got a clue. After walking a few steps, he asked, "Have you sent someone to secretly protect the shopkeeper?"
"My servant has assigned Awei and the others to secretly protect the shopkeeper. In addition, only the servants know about this matter and it has not been leaked to anyone, so safety should not be a problem." After a moment of pause, Ning Er said again: "Master, my servant also made inquiries.
I received a piece of news that Liu Erniang once appeared in Fuzhou, but she quickly disappeared again, which is quite a pity."
Hong Zhou thought for a moment and said: "Since Liu Erniang has appeared in Fuzhou, she should still be nearby. Send more people to Fuzhou to look for her. This person is very important. She has been allowed to escape for five years. We must find her as soon as possible."
come out."
Ning Er immediately said: "I will go back and make arrangements right now."
"No need. Since you are here, just stay with me. Wang Jiu and Wang Jiu are still in the capital. Just send a letter back to him and let him be responsible for these things." After Ning Er agreed, he left.
The cabins are accessed on the royal ship via the steps between the respective ships.
Hongli was reading the brochures that he had rushed to deliver. When he saw Hongzhou coming in, he smiled and said, "I was just looking for you, but you came here on your own. The Jungergong envoy wants to trade in Suzhou. Do you think this is feasible?"
I suspect that they are using trade as an excuse to spy on our military situation."
Hong Zhou suppressed the thoughts in his heart and bowed: "Since the seventeenth uncle led the army to defeat Jungar, although Jungar's tribe is still there, the momentum and strength of the year no longer exist. Even after ten years of recuperation,
They have only recovered 50%, and Galdan is dead. I think they have no intention of invading our Qing Dynasty again, so the emperor might as well give some thought to the matter of trade."
Hongli thought about it, nodded and said: "Your analysis is reasonable, that's all. Let's discuss it with all the ministers who will accompany you tomorrow before deciding." After that, he folded the memorial and put it aside, saying: "By the way, old man.
Five, why did you come to see me?"
Hong Zhou looked solemn and said: "Your Majesty, you asked me to investigate the matter of Princess He Jing. Now there is progress. I have found the true source of Lily of the Valley."
Hongli looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "Keep talking."
Hong Zhou responded and said, "My younger brother sent Ning Er to find out that it was a medicine shop located in Hejian Prefecture. Before Princess He Jing appeared, the shopkeeper remembered that someone had bought lily of the valley incense."
Hongli was silent for a while and then said with some difficulty: "Does he remember who bought it?"