Ji Mingxuan nodded.
Seeing this, Grandma Cheng was very satisfied. Although intelligent and sharp-witted, she was still afraid deep down. It was good to be afraid!
Ji Mingxuan bowed to express gratitude, saying, "I thank Empress Dowager for her grace."
Grandma Cheng stopped her and said, "Empress Dowager has already told old lady not to thank her."
Ji Mingxuan was even more moved. Even the concubines in her family didn't treat her so well?
Grandma Cheng noticed Ji Mingxuan suppressing her emotions and sighed inwardly. The queen said right, compared to honor, some concubines preferred affection.
From this situation, it seemed that this Jiconcubine of an emperor queen was among those who liked affection.
Grandma Cheng left with Ji Mingxuan after they finished their meal. Xin Xue maidservant and Chishao followed Ji Mingxuan into the house.
Chishao left to tidy up the house and didn't mention it further. Ji Mingxuan sat down.
Lady Chang, before Emperor Ling's death, was Empress Consort Tang, who had a close relationship with Empress Dowager. She had a long-lasting princess named Liu Xi. Princess Liu Xi had already gotten married and was betrothed to the legitimate heir of a prestigious family, Zhang Shijian.
Zhang Shijian was known for his talent and gentlemanly character.
This marriage was bestowed upon them by the emperor. Legend had it that Princess Liu Xi and Prince Zhang Shijian were extremely affectionate, and the emperor also highly valued Prince Zhang Shijian.
This kind of providence, Ji Mingxuan could only say that Lady Chang was wise.
Lady Chang passed away last year. According to the rules of the harem, the maidservants and eunuchs around Lady Chang could be sent to Princess Liu Xi's household. Who knew that this Xin Xue maidservant was kept instead?
Ji Mingxuan gently asked, "Xin Xue maidservant, what position did you hold at Lady Chang's place?"
Xin Xue maidservant softly replied, "Old lady was Lady Chang's chief female official."
A chief female official indeed had great abilities.
There were many maidservants in the empress dowager's palace, but none of them were chosen, except for Lady Chang. By helping her gain strength, it showed that she didn't want to create any rifts or that she was subtly warning her.
"Xin Xue maidservant, from now on, you'll be helping us in the static An Pavilion."
Xin Xue maidservant bowed and said, "Old lady will definitely serve Your Highness to the best of her ability."
Ji Mingxuan called over Chishao with a wave. Chishao smiled and greeted Xin Xue maidservant, saying, "Please teach us, Chishao, so we can better serve Your Highness."
Xin Xue maidservant had been in the palace for over a decade, having mastered skills to observe everything. Seeing Ji Mingxuan's eye signal, she also understood. This master and her personal attendants should not be difficult to get along with. The empress dowager sent her out, meaning she could only plan for her benefit in the future.
Xin Xue maidservant helped Chishao up, saying, "Chishao girl, please be kind."
Chishao smiled and placed a pouch in Xin Xue maidservant's hands. Ji Mingxuan knew that Xin Xue maidservant wouldn't value these silver coins, but she still gave them as per the usual custom.
Xin Xue maidservant took it and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chishao glanced at Ji Mingxuan and said, "Since you're new, I'll introduce you properly tomorrow. Come to serve us again tomorrow?"
Xin Xue maidservant said, "Chishao girl is thoughtful."
Chishao said, "Where can I call that being thoughtful? We are both servants of the same master, so we naturally need to look after each other."
Xin Xue maidservant had clear vision. Being servants of the same master meant she was indirectly warning her not to have any ulterior motives. Looking after each other, it appeared that this Jiconcubine of an emperor queen was very considerate of her staff.
She thought through it and said, "Old lady thanks you, Xin Xue maidservant."
Chishao laughed lightly and then proactively helped Xin Xue maidservant up, saying to Ji Mingxuan, "Your Highness, I'll send Xin Xue maidservant out first. Call Zi-zhu to come and serve Your Highness."
Ji Mingxuan said warmly, "Go ahead. It's cold during winter nights, so be careful."
Chishao said, "I understand."
Ji Mingxuan nodded and picked up a book.
Chishao led Xin Xue maidservant out, and on her way out, Xin Xue maidservant kept thinking about Ji Mingxuan's last words.
Once the door was closed, Ji Mingxuan set the book aside.
She needed to carefully plan the days ahead.
Having served Lady Chang her entire life, she had lost her desire for power and ambition. As she aged, she craved peace and warmth. Ji Mingxuan planned to try using Xin Xue maidservant. Getting her would save her some trouble.
With her, she could avoid unnecessary complications.
The next day dawned.
Red Pearl finally returned, and the queen was recovering, Yuxiu Hua had saved her dragon fetus, and Li Jianmo had received rich rewards.
Because the queen was still recovering, the daily morning ritual was skipped.
Ji Mingxuan continued sewing toys.
Xin Xue maidservant silently sized up the interior of the room, even though there had been medical examinations by the empress and the queen's doctor, and Ji Mingxuan's own medical knowledge wasn't low, everything in the room was secure.
And Chi-chao sat beside Ji Mingxuan, helping her tie the thread, not mentioning anything about Xin Xue maidservant.
"Your Highness, Zhubu requests to see you," Xiao Zhongzi's voice sounded from outside.
Ji Mingxuan smiled faintly; she actually found the culprit?
"Come in."
Zhubu rushed over.
"I give my respects to Princess Jining," he said.
Ji Mingxuan asked, "Zhubu, did you find out the truth?"
Zhubu said, "Reporting back to Your Highness, I've found the real culprit."
Chi-chao worried, and both Fengmao and Xin Xue maidservant disapproved. Zhubu was from Reigang Palace, and the queen was precious. What if this dog servant offended her?
Ji Mingxuan swept a glance at Chi-chao and said, "Chi-chao, stay outside with Fengmao maidservant."
Chi-chao nodded and led the way out first.
Everyone else followed suit.
Only Ji Mingxuan and Zhubu remained in the grand hall. Ji Mingxuan looked out the window. Chi-chao and Fengmao maidservant were at the entrance of the dormitory, and Zi-zhu and Lǜzhū were guarding the main hall.
"What do you have to say?" Ji Mingxuan asked.
Zhubu knelt down and said, "It was Little Xiaozi."
Ji Mingxuan asked, "Little Xiaozi?"
Zhubu said, "Yesterday when Your Highness was reading books in the garden, apart from Zhubu passing through the garden to fetch something, everyone else had their respective duties and stayed in their places?"
Ji Mingxuan confirmed, "Indeed."
Zhubu asked, "Did each of them have witnesses?"
Ji Mingxuan nodded.
"But Zhubu discovered that Little Xiaozi left half a joss stick ago when sweeping leaves in the courtyard."
"Half a joss stick from the courtyard to the garden requires avoiding others' ears and eyes, which seems a bit exaggerated."
Zhubu said, "Little Xiaozi didn't go to the garden."
Ji Mingxuan snorted coldly, "So why are you saying it was done by him?"
Zhubu said, "Little Xiaozi secretly gave some things to Little Sixzi, Your Highness. Little Sixzi didn't leave his position when he got the things. Later, when Chu-chao maidservant asked Little Sixzi and Little Shanzi to bring the things back for Your Highness, they passed by the path where Your Highness must pass through."
Ji Mingxuan frowned and asked, "Chu-chao maidservant usually follows these two small boys, Little Sixzi and Little Shanzi. If Little Sixzi made a move, he couldn't hide it from Chu-chao maidservant and Little Shanzi."
Zhubu said, "That's precisely the clever part."
Ji Mingxuan looked at him and Zhubu said, "Imperial guards aren't allowed to serve their masters inside the palace, so they undergo training at the Inner Affairs Bureau's Labor Bureau. Whenever they commit mistakes, walking in hot water is common. Regardless of what they're doing, the force with which each imperial guard walks can be controlled precisely."
Ji Mingxuan asked, "Do you mean he smeared oil on his shoes?"
Zhubu immediately nodded.
"No, if it really were so, there should be oil stains on the shoes. But besides that spot, there are no other oil prints."
Zhubu took out an object.
Ji Mingxuan took it, a foil paper sheet.
Zhubu took out a small box, and Ji Mingxuan opened it, revealing a small bottle of oil.
"Your Highness, please put some oil on this foil paper."
Ji Mingxuan used a spoon to pick a tiny drop of oil and placed it on the paper. Zhubu stepped forward, took the item from Ji Mingxuan's hand, and skillfully wrapped it neatly. The paper wrapper was only about a centimeter thick.
"Your Highness, if you apply some adhesive gel to this and stick it on your shoes, all you need to do is walk lightly. This oil paper wrapper won't easily break. But if you touch it with a pebble, the adhesive knot will loosen. Since this foil paper doesn't stick to oil, applying pressure will cause the oil package to fall completely."
Ji Mingxuan's eyes flashed as she said, "Let's try it?"
Zhubu eagerly nodded. There was some adhesive gel in the dormitory when making embroidery, which Ji Mingxuan handed to Zhubu.
Zhubu demonstrated it skillfully. Seeing Zhubu take a few steps and leaving only a trace of oil, Ji Mingxuan fell silent. Ji Mingxuan had long suspected that someone else was involved later, but she hadn't expected their method to be so ingenious.
Zhubu stood quietly waiting for Ji Mingxuan's sentence.
"Have Little Xiaozi and Little Sixzi confessed?"
Zhubu said, "I don't have the authority to punish them. I've been secretly investigating, and this foil paper was dug out of the garden, very close to Little Sixzi's location. Your Highness wants to hear their confession, I also have a way!"
Ji Mingxuan didn't speak. She smiled and said, "Zhubu, your skills are truly impressive!"
Zhubu sighed inwardly. He wanted to wash off his guilt, but he couldn't help himself from being diligent.
"I've spent a long time in the palace."
Ji Mingxuan asked, "How did I hear that you hired people to help you?"
Zhubu wasn't surprised at all. If this queen didn't send someone to follow him, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to prove his innocence.
"He just met some elders and asked them to investigate Little Xiaozi and Little Sixzi, but I haven't revealed anything about the events at Jing'an Pavilion," Zhubu hurriedly said.
Ji Mingxuan privately guessed that Zhubu was smart, not making a big deal of it to lead the conversation away. She smiled slightly and reluctantly conceded to him.
"Who are they working for?"
Zhubu suddenly knelt down, and Ji Mingxuan sternly said, "Who?"
Zhubu raised his head and slowly said, "They seem to know some people in the Zhaofeng Pavilion, Deyi Pavilion, and even the Fanghua Pavilion. However, I'm not sure which specific mistress or lady they work for."
Ji Mingxuan's eyes flashed with cold light, causing Zhubu's heart to race.
"Zhubu, may I send you back to Reigang Palace?"
Ji Mingxuan softened her tone and said, "Don't you trust it?"
Zhubu said, "I don't trust it."
Ji Mingxuan said, "If Little Xiaozi and Little Sixzi confess, bring them to the Bureau of Judicial Caution!"
Zhubu urgently said, "Your Highness, I..."
Ji Mingxuan stopped him and said, "I should be grateful for Zhubu's 'sharp insight.' Today, I'll not only send you back to Reigang Palace as the total manager, but I'll also ask the Empress Dowager to reward you."
Zhubu lowered his head, unable to say anything more.
Because Ji Mingxuan's tone was firm and unwavering, he had no choice but to comply.
Thinking about it, sending Little Xiaozi and Little Sixzi to the Bureau of Judicial Caution would definitely offend the people behind them. Furthermore, Lady Chang had trusted him because of his help to Jiconcubine of an emperor queen, and Jiconcubine of an emperor queen was requesting a reward for him. Whether Lady Chang would still trust him was unknown.
Ji Mingxuan shouted, "Bring someone in!"
The door was pushed open instantly, and Chi-chao and Fengmao maidservant rushed in.
Seeing Ji Mingxuan unharmed, both of their hearts were relieved.
"Chi-chao, tell Xiao Shuzi to meet with Zhubu," Ji Mingxuan said clearly.
Chi-chao nodded understandingly and bowed before quietly retreating.
"Zhubu, you must not slack off in interrogating them," Ji Mingxuan said with a smile that wasn't entirely genuine.
Zhubu's heart tightened. His life was still in danger.
"Your Highness, I assure you!" he said.
Ji Mingxuan waved her hand.
Fengmao maidservant was full of curiosity. Ji Mingxuan said, "Fengmao maidservant, since you became a person close to this queen, I shouldn't keep anything from you. I hope you won't betray my trust!"
Fengmao maidservant was stunned but soon firmly said, "Your Highness, I assure you! Although I am sent by Empress Dowager, from now on, my only master is Your Highness alone."
Ji Mingxuan patted her hand, indicating her to stand up.
"Fengmao maidservant speaks so clearly. That makes this queen feel ashamed. I apologize to you, Fengmao maidservant!" she said softly.
Fengmao maidservant was greatly alarmed. She hurriedly said, "Your Highness, that's impossible! That's my duty."
Ji Mingxuan smiled and said, "I'll rely heavily on you in the future. Although I might have flaws, I'm very kind to people I trust, and I love listening to suggestions."
Fengmao maidservant thought deeply about Ji Mingxuan's words. After much consideration, she couldn't find any falsehood.
"Fengmao maidservant, such a poisonous oath—forget it. I believe you."
Fengmao maidservant's heart stirred. Slowly, she nodded.
The head bowed respectfully towards Ji Mingxuan and then became a bit closer.
Ji Mingxuan told her about the slippery oil in the garden and also revealed what Zhu Lu had found out. Seeing the deep thought on Feng Mumu's face, she slowly picked up the cup on the table and poured herself some warm water.
"Princess did the right thing!" Feng Mumu's eyes showed admiration.
Ji Mingxuan sighed, "It's too bad!"
Feng Mumu, who was quick-witted, immediately understood what Ji Mingxuan was lamenting about. She quickly comforted her, "Although Zhu Lu is capable, his methods and connections cannot be subdued with Your Highness' abilities."
"This isn't something I didn't know, but this frustration is hard for me to swallow," Ji Mingxuan said.
Feng Mumu replied, "Your Highness only needs to bear a child for those three concubines to lie awake at night."
Ji Mingxuan stroked her stomach and agreed. However, what she was more satisfied with was Feng Mumu's attitude. The implication behind saying that she couldn't swallow this frustration meant that she wasn't content with living a peaceful life; she wanted to fight and seek revenge. Ji Mingxuan feared that if this person followed Zhuang Taifei for a long time, they would follow the middle path. Now, after this slight test, Feng Mumu wasn't like such a person, otherwise, she wouldn't have said that she can't sleep at night.
"Your Highness…" Feng Mumu spoke sincerely.
Ji Mingxuan sighed and said, "I will temporarily bear this frustration."
Feng Mumu nodded approvingly.
This Ji Pingnannv's interaction with the palace was quite inconsistent with how the other ladies in the palace acted, but Feng Mumu carefully thought about it. If the Empress favored someone as innocent as the rumors suggested, it was likely that the Empress would not support them.
Moreover, the Empress had given her to Ji Pingnannv.
After resting for two hours, Xiao Shuzi came in to report that Xiao Xiaozi and Xiao Liuzi had confessed. As for the motive behind the crime, Xiao Xiaozi and Xiao Liuzi were resentful because Ji Mingxuan had disciplined them before.
Ji Mingxuan said, "Have Zhu Lu take them to the Ministry of Punishment. Additionally, send someone to spread the news that Zhu Lu has been entrusted with relieving Your Highness's worries."
Xiao Shuzi smiled and said, "Servant will comply."
Ji Mingxuan nodded.
Feng Mumu said, "Constant Consort has suspicions, which can be considered an indirect way of separating them."
Ji Mingxuan said, "Let's see how their master-servant relationship develops over the next three years? Maybe these things won't have any effect?"
Feng Mumu said, "By sending Zhu Lu away, Your Highness has already achieved a great victory. Furthermore, you've removed two obstacles, making your actions very prudent."
Ji Mingxuan nodded nonchalantly.
Feng Mumu said, "Let the servants handle the rest. Your Highness should rest well."
Ji Mingxuan said, "There are many new people in the palace. It would help if Mumu could teach them properly."
Feng Mumu said, "Old servant knows."
She said, "Bring Zichao and Ziyu to serve!"
Feng Mumu nodded.