THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 41: Help of the Concubine

“Wangye, I've investigated the subject of the flower temple. If it was true as wangfei had said, then there were only three similar buildings,” Tang Yin explained as she unfurled a painting.

“In the year of that death, only Guanling Palace, Ruo Shui Palace, and Tianli Palace were shaped like temples. The flowers in the three palaces were also in bloom that year, in stark contrast to the heartbreaking events that befell the kingdom. Only, the three palaces had undergone many improvements until the shape of the building changed.”

Guanling Palace and Ruo Shui Palace are still within reach. But, regarding Tianli Palace, it will be difficult. Tianli Palace was Consort Duan's residence palace. Lin Zian had no solid reason to come to that palace. Moreover, Consort Duan hated Shen Yanzhia so much that the possibility of entering Tianli Palace was getting smaller.

“We must disclose the contents of the blood letter,” said Lin Zian.

“Only wangfei can do it.”

“Why are you so sure?”

Tang Yin rolled back a large painting containing pictures of the palace.

“Wangfei has a special bond with the late Crown Prince. I'm sure, only he can solve the puzzle in that blood letter.”

“Special blessing?”

“What wangye didn't realize? Wangfei becomes more emotional every time it comes into contact with everything related to the late Crown Prince.”

What bond did Shen Yanzhia have with the late Crown Prince? Lin Zian glared far away, flying his mind to search for the answer to his question. The reason Shen Yanzhia was involved in this investigation was because of that jade hanger. Yes, perhaps that jade hanger was what made Shen Yanzhia bound to the late Crown Prince. The jade hanger was not just an ordinary jade hanger. There was another mystery behind the jade hanger.

Lin Zian had once asked the oldest and most famous jade expert in Ling about the jade Shen Yanzhia had brought. Back then, he had deliberately picked it up when Shen Yanzhia was going to Prince Yun's residence to talk about something. The jade expert said that the jade Lin Zian had brought only amounted to two pieces in this world, and only the royal family had them. The old jade expert lowered his head in salute as he knew the man before him was the grand royal family, Prince Qin the Second Prince.

Shen Yanzhia once said that phoenix jade like this belonged to the Queen Mother and the wife of the late Crown Prince. It was impossible for such a precious jade to be given away to Prince Yun, even though Prince Yun's relationship with the late Crown Prince and the previous Emperor was very close. This phoenix jade is a sign of love from a husband to his wife, from an Emperor to his queen, and from a king to his queen.

Lin Zian's task increased by one piece. Now, that man also had to search and find the true identity of Shen Yanzhia. He should know why Prince Yun possessed this phoenix jade, and why Shen Yanzhia was willing to engage in danger to know the truth of this phoenix jade.

“Xiaxi Line will be coming in a few weeks. The investigation may have to be postponed for a while,” said Lin Zian. Tang Yin nodded.

So much burden was borne by Lin Zian. In addition to being involved in palace affairs and investigations, he now also has three concubines to take care of. Lin Zian suddenly recalled his empress. Shen Yanzhia had already left since morning to Lingxiang Pavilion to seek information and to entertain herself.

“Wangye, are you okay?”

“I'm fine.”

The two men then toast. There's a lot of energy to be put out to get to this point. Two seasons have passed, but the mystery of the loss of military funds has not yet been revealed. Lin Zian needed to try even harder.

"Young Master, Concubine Lian asked you to meet."

Xu Chi informed that one of Lin Zian's concubines wanted to meet. With a heavy heart, Lin Zian was forced to grant that request. It had been almost two weeks that he had a concubine, but not a single one he approached. The concubines are like a display.

"Wangye, you've come," greeted Concubine Lian as Lin Zian walked into her room.

"If there's nothing to talk about, I'll go."

"Wait!"

Concubine Lian held onto Lin Zian's wrist. Upon awakening, the concubine immediately let go and apologized.

"I know you don't like me. Wangye, there's something I need to tell you."

This woman seemed to be different, thought Lin Zian.

"My father has a record of the wealth of the palace ministers. I see, Mr. Prime Minister's assets and wealth have increased a lot in these two years."

Prime Minister? Ah, the old man was looking to play around apparently. Lin Zian had indeed been suspicious from the start. The Prime Minister keeps trying to get him out of Rouwu. Is it possible because he knew that Lin Zian was investigating a military funding case?

"Why did you tell me?"

Concubine Lian smiled. The woman pulled out a financial notebook from her closet drawer.

"This is a copy of the financial records that are in the Ministry of Finance."

"Please investigate this to the fullest, wangye."

Lin Zian did not know why Zhao Lian was putting herself at risk. As a concubine, she should have fought hard for Lin Zian's attention and affection if she wanted to survive. Unexpectedly, the woman actually helped him.

"I want to ask you one thing."

"Say."

"Wangye, if you've finished this, can you let me go?"

"You don't want to be a concubine?"

Concubine Lian shook her head.

"All right."

Lin Zian slipped a copy of the financial notebook containing the wealth of the ministers into his shirt. The man then left Consort Lian's residence.

Consort Zhan was embroidering a cloth when Lin Zian reached his residence. The woman immediately put down her embroidery and lowered her head in salute.

"What's wrong?"

"Sit down, wangye."

Lin Zian sat before Consort Zhan. Consort Zhan then handed a notebook to Lin Zian. Lin Zian's forehead was wrinkled. Why did Consort Zhan also give her a book? Does this include the instructions given to him?

"This is the record of the palace soldiers. Find out if something is wrong with the palace soldiers."

Lin Zian had already guessed.

"What do you want?"

"Send me to the border. I never dreamed of being a concubine."

"You want to be a soldier?"

Consort Zhan nodded. The Minister of Administration's daughter did have high martial arts. Only, his father did not allow him to be like a man. That is why she was sent to this residence as a concubine.

"All right."

Lin Zian then stuffed the notebook into his shirt. Now, there were two thick books tucked inside behind her beautiful clothes. The man then walked out of Consort Zhan's residence after it became dark.

Just as he was about to set foot into the East Pavilion, a servant from Consort Yu's residence came over to him. The maid also told her that her employer wanted to meet Lin Zian.

"Say that tomorrow I will visit him."

The servant then turned around and went to deliver Lin Zian's message. When the moon was already shining, the servant from Consort Yu's residence came again knocking on the door of the East Pavilion. Lin Zian furiously opened the door and asked what else was needed. The maid said that Consort Yu could not wait until tomorrow.

"Why do the concubines keep bothering me?"

With a lazy step, Lin Zian was forced to leave.

Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhia who had just returned from the Lingxiang Pavilion instantly cleaned herself with warm water sprinkled with flower petals. His body is very tired.

It was fortunate that the information from Mo Ran made him satisfied. The owner of the Lingxiang Pavilion told him that he found out that the person with initials S mentioned a madman who might be related to the previous Crown Prince was fully named Situ Ting Yue. Merely, Mo Ran did not know who that person named Situ Ting Yue was.

After he finished cleaning himself up and got dressed again, Shen Yanzhia sat down at his study. Tan'er came with his dinner box. After tidying it up, the servant girl then left.

Shen Yanzhia spread out a blood letter from the late Crown Prince. The riddle in this blood letter was a poem. The woman thought hard, trying to guess what exactly the contents of this letter were.

The Flower Temple blooms in spring. I played the harp in a dream, hoping to meet a time that would change the world. In this southwest corner of the world, I write spring with heartache. Who will know my heart?

The words in this blood letter were very beautiful. It was very different from the blood writing that made it look terrible. Spring, flower temple, southwest, what do these words mean?

"I know!"

Shen Yanzhia shouted loudly. The woman dashed out of the Western Pavilion towards the Eastern Pavilion. His knees were bleeding because he had fallen down several times. Tan'er shouted in panic behind him. The servant girl repeatedly warned Shen Yanzhia to be careful.

"Zian!"

Shen Yanzhia found the East Pavilion room empty. In fact, even Lin Zian's footprints did not exist. The man seemed to have been gone a long time ago. Shortly after, Xu Chi came.

"Where is Lin Zian?"

Xu Chi seemed hesitant to answer.

"Say!"

"Young Master went to Consort Yu's residence."

Something pinched Shen Yanzhia's heart. What's that guy doing in the concubine's house?

"This solvent?"

Xu Chi nodded. Shen Yanzhia then walked out of the Eastern Pavilion. His face became gloomy and darkened. All the words he wanted to say evaporated suddenly engulfed the night air that blew. The flowers around the East Pavilion and the West Pavilion danced to Shen Yanzhia's footsteps.

"Wangfei, you don't want to wait? Young Master will probably be back in a moment."

"no need. I don't want to bother them."

Seeing Shen Yanzhia's back missing behind the door of the Western Pavilion, Xu Chi felt guilty. That Empress Prince Qin must have come to convey something important. Too bad things are not on his side.

"I hope that wangfei will not misunderstand Young Master," the maid said as she closed the door of the East Pavilion.

...***...