Imperial Doctor Liu said, "It should be shorter, because it’s the Crown Princess’s first childbirth. Even if she goes into labor, it will still take considerable ti before delivering. To ensure the effectiveness of the poison needle, they definitely want to shorten this ti."
"But the strange thing is, even we imperial doctors cannot accurately calculate when exactly the Crown Princess will go into labor." Imperial Doctor Liu said, "We can only roughly estimate an extra period, probably around ten days or so. I rember that day after Imperial Doctor Zhou examined the Crown Princess, he also visited the Imperial Hospital. Director Xiao inquired about the Crown Princess’s due date, and at that ti Imperial Doctor Zhou said it might be within three to five days."
"That very evening, the Crown Princess felt as though she was about to give birth and suddenly called for Imperial Doctor Zhou. How did those people manage to ti it so accurately as to have a freshly dried poison needle ready to substitute?"
County Magistrate Tang squinted his eyes and asked, "Is there no place within the palace to brew dicine that wouldn’t arouse suspicion?"
"None." Imperial Doctor Liu secretly tightened his back defensively and said, "In the palace, other than already prepared dicine pills, any other dicines must co from the Imperial Hospital. Regarding substances like musk, their use is extrely strict in the palace. Not to ntion one or two months, no one has used it in the entire year."
Imperial Doctor Wan also said, "The palace has His Majesty, the Empress, and several princes and princesses, so epidemic prevention is always strict. If any palace staff or concubines were to brew dicine, we would know, as all dicinal materials must co from our Imperial Hospital."
County Magistrate Tang laughed, "I naturally trust the two imperial doctors, but I would still like to see the prescription records from the Imperial Hospital for this period."
Imperial Doctor Liu and Imperial Doctor Wan exchanged a glance, replied with a nod, and said, "Lord Tang can write a note, and we will provide it to you after getting approval from the director."
Imperial Doctor Wan asked, "How long a period of records do you want?"
County Magistrate Tang thought for a mont and said, "Over two months."
Imperial Doctor Liu noted it down with a nod.
While County Magistrate Tang was busy with these matters, Yin Li’s appointed deputy had already summoned the inner servants and palace maids from Chongwen Pavilion to the scenic tower.
There was no choice, as it was the largest place there and devoid of people.
As soon as he arrived, his subordinates reported, "Sir, we don’t have much ti; we must leave before the palace gates are locked."
County Magistrate Tang asked, "Did you invite Lord Yang?"
"We did. Lord Yang is inside questioning them."
County Magistrate Tang went inside with a smile.
Inside, the inner servants and palace maids were standing on two sides, with Yang Heshu holding a pen and paper asking questions. It was relatively straightforward, rely asking who had a good relationship with Xu Yu and who was close to her in daily life.
Since everyone from Chongwen Pavilion was there, Yang Heshu said, "If you don’t speak up, there are many others in this room, and it’s better for you to speak than for soone else to bring up such matters."
This statent made everyone anxious, so none dared to conceal anything, all expressing that their relationship with Xu Yu was pleasant, and nothing out of the ordinary was apparent.
Of course, this was asked while everyone was together, and additionally, they were called aside one by one for questioning.
As soon as County Magistrate Tang entered, Lord Yang placed a written list in his arms, saying, "These are people who’ve had interactions with her, while the others, not working in the sa area, are not familiar, and their impression of Xu Yu is average."
County Magistrate Tang glanced at the circles on the list and was surprised, "So many people?"
Lord Yang said, "I’ve secretly investigated her before and found nothing unusual, but asking directly this ti reveals that she indeed has a fair relationship with everyone she knows."
County Magistrate Tang frowned, "How does soone like that end up just doing odd jobs in Chongwen Pavilion at eighteen?"
"In fact, it’s better than re odd jobs," Lord Yang, knowing Tang’s unfamiliarity with the palace, glanced at him and said, "Though she was assigned to serve people in Chongwen Pavilion, she’s actually one step away from becoming a ranked female official."
Before his arrival, Lord Yang had already questioned around. He said, "Manbao was specially recruited by the Crown Prince to prepare for the Crown Princess, so a decree was made to care for the people. After notifications from Eunuch Wu and Yeting Palace, three people were ticulously selected for the East Palace."
Yang Heshu said, "Xu Yu was one of them, ultimately chosen by Eunuch Wu himself."
County Magistrate Tang raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why?"
"I asked Eunuch Wu, and he said Xu Yu’s conditions were most suitable: her background is clean, she is attentive and considerate, and her age is appropriate. She is known for neither contending nor competing, compared to the other two who have more dominant personalities." Yang Heshu said, "Manbao is young and naive, the East Palace must have feared that selecting soone too assertive might mistreat her or affect her."
County Magistrate Tang understood, so if this person had no issues, it would be fine, but if she had so, those behind the scenes must be calculating deeply.
County Magistrate Tang flicked the paper in his hand and laughed, "In that case, we’ll investigate one by one."
Thus, they each pulled individuals listed in the nas into the room for questioning one by one, rushing to finish questioning everyone before the palace gates were locked at nightfall.
County Magistrate Tang organized all the records and handed them to his subordinate to take out of the palace, then arranged to leave the palace with Yang Heshu.
Yang Heshu glanced at him; the gates were about to be locked, so whether or not they arranged it, they both had to leave the palace. What was the point of arranging?
County Magistrate Tang rubbed his neck as he walked out and sighed, "Tomorrow, I still need to retrieve prescription records from the Imperial Hospital. This ti, the heavy snow caused five houses to collapse in Chang’an County, with many houses damaged. His Majesty and State Duke Zhao, and State Duke Pi left a heap of grain for the County Governntal Office, so I must find ti to assess the disaster. Alas, when this matter is over, I must have Zhou Man give a few needle treatnts."
Yang Heshu asked, "Lord Yin does nothing at all?"
"He waits for to uncover clues before taking charge; nowadays, he’s not doing any legwork," County Magistrate Tang thought of sothing and laughed, "Today, I saw Old Guo next door also co to receive orders when I entered the palace. Upon hearing Lord Yin assigned to handle the East Palace’s case, he turned pale."
Yang Heshu chuckled and shook his head, "Why are you comparing with him at this ti?"
County Magistrate Tang sighed, "Isn’t this seeking happiness amidst hardship? He assud I enjoyed managing such affairs."
He paused for a mont and said, "This ti Xu Yu was buried so deeply, especially as those behind the scenes calculated so precisely, likely their influence surpasses Prince Gong. Tell , in this palace, besides His Majesty, the Empress, and the Crown Prince, who else has influence surpassing Prince Gong?"
Yang Heshu remained silent.
But both had ford suspicions in their hearts.
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