C36 Part1

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In the afternoon, the scorching sun was so hot, and the yellow glazed tiles reflected dazzling rays of light, and they yelled loudly as if they were endless.

Thousands of rays of sunlight pierced into the towering palace like a sharp sword, and the Spring Wuyuan Courtyard was as quiet as death, as if there was no one.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan stepped into the Courtyard.

There were only a few people under the corridor of the hall, lying on the ground or leaning on the wall, or holding a shabby palace fan to get cooler.

Madam Li received the notification from the Palace and hurried over to greet them, running out of sweat.

"This servant pays his homages to Your Royal Highness, and Lord Shen.

What are Your Royal Highness' orders?"

She bowed respectfully and bowed her head deeply.

'His Highness came to Spring Wuyuan Courtyard twice in three days.

What's the matter?

Could something be happening again?'

Murong Ci said coldly:

"Don't mind us.

This Prince and Lord Shen will be walking everywhere, and you can go back to your busy chores."

Madam Li bowed and retired, but thought in her heart:

'How could I dare to leave and sit in the shade of the greenery to enjoy the cool while His Highness is in the Courtyard?'

With His Highness here, she had to stay vigilant at all times and find a place to wait, so that the Prince won't get upset on her.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan went to the backyard, and there were many people in the three shops.

In the backyard, the shade of greenery was as cool as water, and many people were dozing there.

The person they were looking for stood in the corner.

Concubine An was sitting in her wheelchair holding a yellow and shabby book.

The heat was unbearable but yet, she still covered her head and face with a long gray-black cloth.

Liu Mei stood aside, combing her fallen hair bun, with a calm expression, guarding her master loyally.

Coincidentally, Liu Mei was facing them and the left-side of her face was clearly seen.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan looked at each other, then stared for a moment.

Concubine An noticed that they were being watched, and turned her head to look.

Her expression was not half surprised, and stared at them with dead stare, like a pool of stagnant water.

Liu Mei also turned around, but soon turned back.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan saw it clearly: Her right cheek did not have any scars!

It can be said that Liu Mei was in her 50s, wrinkled, but without any blemishes.

Now that they saw it, Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan walked over.

"His Royal Highness wants to repair the Spring Wuyuan Courtyard.

He told me to go and check which places need to be repaired."

Murong Ci said loudly.

"His Royal Highness also said that fresh rice, vegetables and fruit will be delivered the next day."

Shen Zhiyan smiled and turned to Liu Mei without a trace of suspicion.

Just now, His Highness had already told him about the disfigurement of Liu Mei's face, and he could conclude that there was a problem with this 'Liu Mei'.

Concubine An said lightly:

"His Royal Highness' benevolence and generosity is the blessing of the community."

Murong Ci's gaze turned, and he inadvertently swept across Liu Mei's face, and said,

"Let's go look elsewhere."

Concubine An nodded slightly, with respect, seeing them off.

When they left the backyard, Concubine An looked at Liu Mei, with her lonely and clear eyes instantly condensed with a cool glow.

Liu Mei was puzzled,

"Why do they come to Spring Wuyuan Courtyard repeatedly?"

Concubine An returned her gaze to the shabby and yellow book and did not answer.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan left the Spring Wuyuan Courtyard and she suddenly stopped, thinking:

"Concubine Qiao shouldn't be remembering wrongly, and shouldn't be able to deceive this Prince.

If the current Liu Mei is a fake, then who's the current 'Liu Mei'?

What happened to the real Liu Mei, and where is she now?"

"There is a more important point.

It is impossible for Concubine An to mistake her own maid-servant...

Then there is only one possibility, Concubine An is also a fake!"

Shen Zhiyan said flatly, with his eyebrows filled with joy.

'To this day, there were finally new clues to the numerous mysteries and murder cases!'

"This Prince also thinks that Concubine An has many suspicious aspects.

With such a hot summer, she still wraps her head and face with a long cloth towel, which is really strange."

"We shall go and ask Madam Li!

She's in charge of the Courtyard and should know better."

Hearing that they were back to ask questions, Madam Li immediately invited them to her room, flatteringly taking out tea cakes, and telling the Palace staff to make tea.

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END of CHAPTER 36 PART 1

.....................to be continued