Drunk Bamboo

Chapter 80: Lotus Pond

Sure enough, as soon as I entered the lotus garden, I saw Zhang Xinghe standing by the lotus pond in a green robe. He had an outstanding temperament and I recognized him at first sight.

He was wearing casual clothes. Today should be his day off, and he rushed here in such a hurry that he didn't have time to change into official uniform.

This shows how much the emperor cares about this matter.

Xie Yuzhu smiled meaningfully: "Your Majesty really understands Mr. Zhang."

Hua Qinfeng didn't respond, but helped her walk towards the lotus pond.

Officials from the Ministry of Justice were salvaging pieces of collapsed platform wood from the lotus pond. Only Zhang Xinghe was standing at the banquet table by the pond, observing his surroundings.

Someone discovered something and hurried towards Zhang Xinghe with a piece of wood.

"Master Zhang, we found a section of sawn wood in the pond. The cross section is flat and smooth. It was not broken naturally, but was caused by a sharp weapon."

Zhang Xinghe took the wood, looked at it carefully, and said in a serious tone:

“Who built this platform?”

"They were sent by the Ministry of Industry. Minister Han went to investigate personally."

"Send someone with him. Don't miss anyone, and don't accuse anyone wrongly."

"Yes." The official withdrew.

Hua Qinfeng and Xie Yuzhu happened to hear these words.

Hua Qinfeng stared in astonishment and asked, "Was the collapse of the platform man-made?"

"Why are you here?" Zhang Xinghe was not wearing official uniform and rarely did he avoid being polite with him. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Xie Yuzhu beside him.

He put on a stern face again, bowed, and said solemnly: "I heard that the princess fell into the water and was injured. She should rest well. I will leave the investigation to this humble official."

He doesn't want outsiders present when he's investigating a case.

Xie Yuzhu smiled amiably, "I am the person involved. If Lord Zhang wants to investigate, wouldn't it be better for him to ask me? Besides, there is the matter of poisoning. I should be able to help a little."

Hua Qinfeng continued, "Xie Yuzhu is right. I am taking care of her. What do you think happened with the stage?"

What he was thinking about now was the collapse of the stage, because the collapse of the stage directly caused Xie Yuzhu to fall into the water and threatened her life, which was naturally the most important thing.

There was anger in his eyes.

Zhang Xinghe said truthfully: "The prince also heard that the pillars under the platform were cut off, and the person who built the platform was the Minister of Works. He has already gone to investigate personally."

Now he can't make a judgment and can't give an answer.

Minister of Works Han Jian!

Hua Qinfeng glared at Han Jian. Was Han Jian going to confront him?

"It's him again. Does he want to kill me this time?"

Zhang Xinghe stopped him sternly: "There is no evidence, Your Majesty, please don't jump to conclusions."

Xie Yuzhu took over the conversation: "The prince and I went on stage to perform on impulse, and no one knew about it in advance. Today's banquet is specially set up for King Wen. If the stage collapses, the person most likely to fall into the water should be King Wen."

Xie Yuzhu's words were objective. Zhang Xinghe thought about it and said:

"Prince Wen and the Crown Prince have always been fighting. The Queen Mother was in charge of the banquet. When Prince Wen fell into the water, everyone naturally thought of the Queen Mother. Even if it wasn't the Queen Mother herself, she must have been involved."

Hua Qinfeng immediately rejected the idea: "My mother would never do such a heinous thing."

She frowned slightly. The facts were not favorable to the Queen.

Zhang Xinghe just said based on the evidence: "The affairs of the stage were mainly handled by the Ministry of Industry, and the Empress was at most responsible for the poor supervision. However, the food poisoning was directly related to the Empress."

Xie Yuzhu came here just to find out whether what Doctor Qi Zhen said was true.

"Master Zhang, have you found out that there is something wrong with the almond cookies made by the Empress herself?"

Zhang Xinghe glanced at her.

I haven't seen her many times, but every time I've seen her, she's always been emotionally stable and clear-headed. Having her around may help broaden my thinking and help me find out the truth.

Zhang Xinghe explained: "Gao Fengyu and two imperial doctors checked all the food at the banquet. Only the almonds on the almond cake were poisonous. And only this almond cake was made by the Queen herself this morning."

Xie Yuzhu lowered his eyes and thought.

Are almond cookies really poisonous?

There aren't many almonds in such a small piece of almond cake. Even if it's not cooked, you won't get poisoned if you eat one or two, right?

Xie Yuzhu moved a step forward, leaned against the nearest table, picked up a plate of almond cakes on the table, looked them up and down, and began to examine them carefully.

Hua Qinfeng and Zhang Xinghe started bickering.

Hua Qinfeng denied it again and insisted on believing the Queen: "Everyone in the palace knows that my mother is good at making snacks and likes to make snacks. How could she use poisonous almonds to make cakes?"

Zhang Xinghe said, "It is obvious that this incident is not accidental. It is all aimed at the Queen."

He denied it without hesitation: "No, it's such an obvious frame-up, how can I blame my mother? My mother should be the victim!"

He frowned and remained calm: "Your Majesty, the facts and evidence all point to the Queen. Who do you think framed her? Why did you frame her?"

He raised his head and said defiantly, "Then find the person who framed you. Didn't father ask you to investigate? Find the real murderer!"

Zhang Xinghe said righteously, waving his hand: "I am investigating, but this is the evidence I found."

With a look of contempt, he said, “That’s because you are useless and fell into the trap of the murderer.”

Shaking his head helplessly, "Your Highness is still as naive as ever. Has Your Highness forgotten? Half a month ago, I risked my life to save my grandfather, but I got nothing in return. I was reported to the court, punished, and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."

"I was finally cleared of all charges. Xie Yuzhu did it. She beat the drum to get justice for me. She used her blood to get justice for me!" Hua Qinfeng raised his voice. He could not lose in terms of momentum. "You just started the investigation and you got discouraged. How can you find out the real murderer? They say you are smart and a child prodigy. You recited poems at the age of five and painted at the age of six. But I think you are just a fool. You didn't insist on what you should insist on, and you held on to something you shouldn't insist on for ten years without letting go!"

Minister Zhang, who has always been upright, dignified, and eloquent, also has times when he gets angry.

He even said swear words.

He sneered, "I have seen many fools in the world, but I have only met one fool like you who pretends that everything is fine."

He raised his fist, ready to fight.

Zhang Xinghe is not Xie Yuzhu. If he can’t win the argument, he can just fight.

Hua Qinfeng threatened: "Zhang Xinghe, do you want to be beaten?"

He straightened his sleeves and regained his composure.

Zhang Xinghe: "This is not the Western Frontier. Your Majesty cannot beat officials at will."

"Don't think I don't dare to hit you!"

Hua Qinfeng said this and really wanted to rush over and hit someone.

Suddenly, Xie Yuzhu's soft voice interrupted their argument.

"Have you two had enough of the quarrel?"