Chapter 366: Old Secret

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The remaining two assassins watched the scene unfold, feeling a panic and a chill running down their spines. In the blink of an eye, their two companions were killed.

Finally, one of the assassins bowed. “Miss, feel free to ask whatever you want.”

Chu Qingzhi was satisfied, “Who is the woman who gave you the orders?”

The assassin clenched his fist, “She is Madam Xin, the concubine of Prince Rui.”

Prince Rui? Madam Xin?’

Chu Qingzhi had limited knowledge of the members of the imperial family, and she was a bit confused, “What about the nun?”

The assassin said, “She is Madam Xin’s elder sister, Consort Xin, the consort of the late emperor.”

“Why is Consort Xin in the nunnery?

The assassin replied, “Consort Xin came to the nunnery voluntarily.”

Earlier, Consort Xin clearly mentioned that she was unwilling at first. Why did the assassin say it was voluntary?

Chu Qingzhi frowned slightly. “Madam Xin said that someone is coming to take her to the eastern border. Who is this person?”

The assassin said, “We don’t know. Only Madam Xin and Consort Xin know about this.”

“What’s with the map?”

“Madam Xin wants to give the map to that person. We don’t know anything else.”

There was nothing more to ask. Chu Qingzhi lowered her gaze at the two assassins, her tone threatening. “Lin Yingmin is now my patient. You cannot kill him. Leave.”

The two assassins didn’t push their luck and quickly ran away.

Chu Qingzhi returned to the nunnery, where indeed many turnips and purple hibiscus were planted. She needed to go back and get the medicinal herbs.

In a remote courtyard.

Madam Xin had calmed down, but she was still looking at her sister with resentment.

Consort Xin sat upright, reciting prayers, ignoring Madam Xin as if she were invisible.

Chu Qingzhi descended into the courtyard, immediately catching the attention of the two women.

Madam Xin stood up, pulling a dagger from her sleeve and pointing it at Chu Qingzhi with a vigilant look, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Consort Xin looked at Chu Qingzhi calmly.

Chu Qingzhi, with her face covered, allowed the women to scrutinize her. “I came here originally to gather turnips and purple hibiscus. However, 1 overheard your conversation and became interested, so I came in to ask.”

Chu Qingzhi spoke naturally, but the two women felt their hearts pounding. Consort Xin couldn’t help feeling anxious.

If words of their conversation spread, their family would face a calamity. The consequences would be unimaginable.

Madam Xin forced composure and thought that the girl might want to use this to blackmail them. She tested the waters, “We didn’t say anything. Don’t spout nonsense!”

Chu Qingzhi smiled gently, “Palace, secret passage, map, the eastern border…”

With every word she said, the expressions of the two women changed dramatically. Chu Qingzhi found it quite entertaining.

“You don’t have to worry too much. I’m really just here to pick herbs and ask some questions I’m interested in.”

Madam Xin, sweating nervously, said weakly, “You can gather herbs here. Take whatever you want. As for the rest, we don’t know anything.”

Chu Qingzhi didn’t want to waste words. She went straight to the point, “What’s with the palace secret passage?”

Consort Xin clutched her prayer beads tightly. After a while, she uncontrollably spoke, “Thirty years ago, a fire broke out in the palace, burning about a quarter of the buildings. My great-grandfather was the best craftsman in the entire capital and was ordered to repair the palace.”

“While repairing the palace, the late emperor secretly ordered the construction of a secret passage in case of emergencies. My great-grandfather complied, but he knew that after completing this task, what awaited him would be death.

So, my great-grandfather drew a map and hid it in a secret location, hoping that one day it could be used to avenge him if the emperor decided to execute him.”

Chu Qingzhi looked at Consort Xin, “Where is this map now?”

Consort Xin closed her eyes, resisting strongly as she uttered three words, “Hongluo Temple.”

Madam Xin was overjoyed upon hearing that. She had been searching for this map for a long time, and now she finally knew.

Chu Qingzhi turned her gaze to Madam Xin, “Who do you want to give the map to?”

Madam Xin’s joy lasted only three seconds. Then, she immediately disclosed her secret, “Lu Ziming.”

After hearing Madam Xin’s words, Consort Xin paused for a moment, suddenly understanding. They were being controlled.

Her thoughts were in chaos. Who was this girl? Why could she control them without their awareness? Now that she knew so many secrets, what should they do?

Chu Qingzhi asked Madam Xin, “Is he your lover? What is his identity?”

The secret was exposed in an instant. Madam Xin turned pale and said weakly, “Yes, Lu Ziming is the butler of the Lord of the eastern border.”

Chu Qingzhi thought that the royal family was really chaotic. “You’re the concubine of Prince Rui, but you’re thinking about the butler of the Lord of the eastern border. What’s so good about him that you have to take such a huge risk to help him?”

Madam Xin closed her eyes and tightly gripped her hands, “Lu Ziming is the son of our family’s butler. Although he was a servant, he was a talented scholar. Since I was a child, I had feelings for him, and he felt the same way towards me.

To be worthy of me, he left our family, ventured out on his own, and, by chance, was recognized by the Lord of the eastern border. He became one of his subordinates.

Later, when the Lord of the eastern border went back to his fief, he went with him.

At first, I wanted to wait for him to come back, but my family sent me to Prince Rui as a concubine. 1 had no choice, but my heart was always with Lu Ziming.

Not long ago, he suddenly wrote to me, saying that as long as I obtained the map, he would come to take me to the eastern border.”

Chu Qingzhi immediately knew that Madam Xin had been deceived, “Madam Xin, do you believe him?”

Madam Xin’s voice became sharp, “Why wouldn’t I believe him? I’ve been waiting for this for almost twenty years. In one’s life, how many twenty-year are there? No matter what, I must obtain the map.”

Seeing Madam Xin on the verge of a breakdown, Chu Qingzhi didn’t directly expose the lie, “Why didn’t Prince Rui go to his fief?”

Both Madam Xin and Consort Xin showed a trace of surprise. Wasn’t the girl in front of them from the Dating Dynasty? Why didn’t she know?

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, What’s there to be surprised about?

Madam Xin said, “Prince Rui passed away a long time ago. His family is allowed to live in the capital.”

I see.

“One last question.” Chu Qingzhi looked at the two of them and finally focused on Consort Xin.. “Lin Yingmin is your son?”

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