"Murder and disposing of the body?"
Qi Yun provided a very precise answer.
Zhao ngran stepped forward respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, yes! It’s actually quite easy to distinguish whether soone drowned or not. If they drowned while alive, their nasal cavity and stomach would be filled and bloated with water. If they were thrown into the water after death, at most, the skin would just be decayed."
Qi Yun nodded, "Correct. So, did you two find any clues?"
"I discovered that Yu Pin’s death was caused by poisoning, but the Imperial Physician hasn’t given a definitive answer on what kind of poison it is."
"Actually, there’s soone who can identify the poison used."
Zhao ngran was stunned and looked at Li Qingmu, "Who?"
"Duanmu Nan!" Li Qingmu said, "Emperor, this person is currently inside Nuanyang Palace and can be summoned at any ti."
Summoned at any ti?
Qi Yun chuckled as he looked at the young man below. This little rascal is quite shaless. If Duanmu Nan finds out he’s been sold out like this, would he want to fight him?
"In that case, Zhao ngran, go find Duanmu Nan imdiately and have him check what kind of poison is on Yu Pin’s body?"
"Yes, I’ll go right away."
As Zhao ngran left, Qi Yun laughed and cursed at Li Qingmu, "You sly thing, I didn’t realize you tricked Duanmu Nan into coming here. Is this to escort your little girl?"
Li Qingmu was not at all embarrassed that his intentions were exposed and said earnestly, "Most esteed Emperor, shouldn’t it be? Yue’er is about to give birth!"
Qi Yun snorted, looking at him coldly. This little brat, perhaps only he dares speak to this way in the whole world.
But it is precisely this carefree attitude that makes him feel he is not a lonely Emperor.
"Send Shen Chong to check on her later!"
The Emperor’s decree to have the Imperial Physician attend to her was a huge favor, and although Shen Chong’s dical skills are not comparable to Duanmu Nan’s, Li Qingmu was still happy to express his gratitude.
"She was only affected by the simplest kind of sedative, not poisoned!"
Duanmu Nan provided the result, which greatly surprised Qi Yun.
"Not poisoned to death, nor does it look like she was beaten to death, let alone strangled."
Zhao ngran, as the Capital Governor, was proficient in various killing thods; he had seen Yu Pin’s situation, and there were no marks on her body, leading him to conclude it was murder by poison.
But now Duanmu Nan says it’s not poisoning?
"No, there is another cause of death." Li Qingmu said calmly, "Asphyxiation! First, tranquilize the person and place her in a confined environnt, letting her unknowingly die in her sleep."
Upon hearing this, Zhao ngran felt a chill run down his spine and looked at Li Qingmu with a strange expression.
This thod is so vicious, how did he think of it?
He thought he would have to guard against this person backstabbing him in the future!
But indeed, this thod seed the most feasible.
"Sister Yu Pin, sob, I’m sorry I can’t help you find the murderer; I can only burn so paper money for you here, wishing you a smooth journey, don’t look back on the Yellow Spring road, and don’t be born into an Emperor’s family in your next life..."
While so were discussing Yu Pin’s cause of death, agonizing cries ca from another direction.
The one mourning Yu Pin was not Yi Pin, but another concubine who usually interacted with her. Since Yu Pin died beside the Lotus Pond, she specially ca to burn paper for her.
Qi Yun frowned slightly. Initially, he could have simply let Zhao ngran handle this matter, but first, the deceased was one of his won, and second, Li Qingmu was dragged in by Zhao ngran, forcing this Emperor to take a look.
But now, their discussions were interrupted.
Qi Yun walked out irritably.
Outside the Lotus Pond, gathered were quite a few people, not only the concubine burning paper for Yu Pin but also several palace concubines, eunuchs, palace maids, and a small number of ministers.
"Your Majesty, why not summon the senior monks from Taia Temple for a ritual here? Firstly, it could display Your Majesty’s kindness, secondly, drive away evil spirits, and thirdly, appease Yu Pin’s soul."
A minor official from the Ministry of Rites hurried forward upon seeing Qi Yun.
Qi Yun frowned slightly. He was quite displeased with Yu Pin always being at odds with Long Yue. Whether Yu Pin lived or died ant nothing to him, but as an Emperor, it wouldn’t be good to let others think he’s so harsh towards a deceased person.
"Approved!"
Qi Yun said expressionlessly.
"Transmit His Majesty’s decree, invite the senior monks from Taia Temple to perform the ritual for Yu Pin!"
...
In Nuanyang Palace, Long Yue was eating walnuts; Li Qingmu said since her belly is growing and the child inside is developing, eating walnuts will nurture intelligence.
Pfft, this man, he didn’t believe in such things in the past.
Indeed, parents are different.
"Master, master, the Emperor invited senior monks from Taia Temple to perform a ritual; many people went to watch, shall we also go?"
Ning Xiang just peeled the last walnut, and Hupo rushed in.
"How rude!"
Ning Xiang glared at her, very disgusted by this vulgar maid deliberately approaching Madam.
Long Yue gestured for Ning Xiang to not speak more and looked at Hupo, "That Yu Pin has nothing to do with . Why should I go watch her ritual?"
"This..."
Hupo looked embarrassed, pinching her clothes with small hands looking pitiful.
Long Yue smiled lightly, "Never mind since you want to watch, let’s go together then!"
The master actually agreed to the maid’s request? Hupo was overjoyed, "Thank you, Master, you are so kind!"
Long Yue smiled without saying a word.
The ritual site was set up by the Lotus Pond, with eighteen monks performing the ritual.
They looked so dignified, appearing extrely profound, their appearance alone was awe-inspiring.
The ritual venue was octagonal, with an altar and offering table in the center, divided into inner and outer circles with eight people each, while two were positioned around the altar which truly seed formal.
"Madam!"
A sweet voice sounded beside her, Long Yue glanced at him, "Who suggested the ritual?"
"A minor official from the Ministry of Rites; I’ve already marked him!"
Li Qingmu, although unfamiliar with the infighting among harem concubines, was smart enough to know that this matter of ’driving away evil’ was not as simple as it appeared.
Thus, the daring minor official who suggested ’driving away evil’ was unfortunately resented by Li Qingmu.
"Ding ding dang dang..."
These senior monks started the ritual, turning the prayer beads in their hands repeatedly, while two monks by the altar handled a compass.
"Pfft!"
A green fla rose from the compass, looking like ghost fire, looking quite frightening, causing timid palace maids and concubines to scream over there.
And then, an even more terrifying scene occurred.
One monk placed his hand into the fla, roasting for several breaths, and when he took his hand out again, it was unscathed.
"Oh——"
Another gasp ca from the crowd.
On the offering table, there were nine compasses in total, and after withdrawing from the green fla, the monk lightly tapped his hand, sparking green flas on the other compasses.
Though there was no wind, strangely, all the green flas bent in one direction.
"An evil spirit!"
The monk whose palm was roasted on the fire shouted, pointing in a certain direction!
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