C52 Part3

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Murong Ci came to the shophouse where Yuan Qiu used to live and asked several court ladies.

They all said that they had not seen Yuan Qiu when they got up early two days ago.

Shen Zhiyan asked displeasedly:

"Didn't you think it was weird that she was missing?"

The maids bowed their heads in fear, holding their breath and dared not to speak.

Murong Ci knew perfectly well how things worked in the Harem...

In the inner courtyard of the Harem, in the corners of the Palace, the lives of the people living there were "like mere grass"...

'Who would care about the life or death of a servant?'

As such, the disappearance of a mere servant wouldn't cause a ripple at all.

Even if it was guessed that the person may have died or turned into a ghost in the deep Palace, no one would care, mention, or ask about it...

Because this magnificent Palace was originally like a behemoth that devoured people...

They inspected Yuan Qiu's shop and found nothing.

It seemed that the murderer acted rather neatly, leaving no clues.

"Two days ago, in the middle of the night, did anything unusual happen in the Handyman's Hall?"

Murong Ci summoned all the Palace officials and servants to ask this question.

However, the Palace people shook their heads.

'Yes, of course. As expected...'

In the Handyman's Hall they were so busy with work during the whole day that they were too tired at night.

So they would lie down and fall asleep immediately because they had to get up early in the morning of the next day as usual, and they didn't feel that they could sleep enough to begin with.

'How could anyone have the strength to get up in the middle of the night and bump into anything unusual?'

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan left the Handyman's Hall, and when they came out, they bumped into a court lady.

The dress she was wearing was the one of the servants in the Liushang Bureau.

Seeing the two Noble Lords, the servant girl hurriedly bowed her head, respectfully.

Murong Ci glanced at the Brocade Box that the servant girl was holding in her hands, thought for a second, and asked:

"Did you come to the Handyman's Hall to find someone?"

"Yes."

The graceful court lady replied softly, obviously not knowing them,

"Greetings, this humble maidservant pays her respect to the two Noble Lords."

"What's your name?

Which Palace Hall do you belong to?"

Murong Ci asked coldly.

"This maidservant is a maid of the Liushang Bureau.

My humble name is Chang Qing Qing.

I came to see Yuan Qiu, a friend of mine from the Handyman's Hall."

The maid replied, rather boldly.

Murong Ci and Shen Zhiyan looked at each other.

They really hadn't found any clue of the possible culprit behind the scene.

So they took her to a nearby Pavilion, and Chang Qing Qing kept bowing, not daring to raise her eyes.

Murong Ci asked,

"What did you come to see Yuan Qiu for?"

Chang Qing Qing replied politely:

"This maidservant and Yuan Qiu are from the same hometown.

I came here to see Yuan Qiu because...

Ehm...May I dare to ask the two Noble Lords...

How should I call them?"

She asked courageously.

Indeed, there were so many Noble Lords in this Palace, that one had to be careful and ask clearly before answering, so as not to be rude or offend them.

"This Prince is the Crown Prince."

Murong Ci raised an eyebrow at her to indicate that this Palace maidservant was quite cautious in her actions.

"This maidservant pays her respect and regards to His Royal Highness and asks for forgiveness over her rudeness."

Chang Qing Qing knelt down on her head.

"As long as you answer honestly, this Prince can spare you from the death penalty.

What are you holding in your hands?"

"Certainly, Your Highness."

Chang Qing Qing lowered her eyebrows and answered,

"This maidservant and Yuan Qiu are from the same hometown, and we are as close as sisters.

Yuan Qiu was transferred to work in the Handyman's Hall not long ago, but Yuan Qiu recently learned that something was wrong with her family in our hometown.

Her brother was beaten to death and left this world.

Her father was so angry and tired that he could not afford anything anymore.

And her mother was ill in bed.

Yuan Qin's family was running out of food, and there was no money to pay for a doctor to see her ill mother.

Three days ago, Yuan Qiu came to find me, and asked me to help her repair this.

There's a Golden Hairpin in this Brocade Box."

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END of CHAPTER 52 PART 3

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