Chapter 32

Luo Qinghan asked indifferently, "So, you’ve been plotting how to get close to me ever since the day you entered the palace for the selection?"

Xiao Xixi felt a bit guilty and responded softly, "Yes."

Luo Qinghan’s gaze was scrutinizing, as if he were re-evaluating the woman before him.

Initially, he thought she was a simple and naive girl, but now it seemed he had underestimated her.

Xiao Xixi didn’t dare to look at his expression.

She had approached Luo Qinghan with a purpose, and now that Luo Qinghan knew the truth, he must be very disappointed in her, right?

She lowered her head, looking pitiful like a wronged young wife.

After a long while, Luo Qinghan finally spoke slowly, "Does your sect’s mission have a deadline?"

Xiao Xixi shook her head, "No."

"Good, Father is in the prime of his life, and it’s unlikely I will ascend the throne anytime soon. Do you understand?"

Xiao Xixi nodded, "I understand, this matter can’t be rushed."

Luo Qinghan took a sip of tea and changed the subject, "I was investigating the poisoned wine today."

Xiao Xixi asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Zhao Xian found no poison in the wine, but my wine cup had been coated with poison. I had all the people who could have come into contact with the wine cup brought in for questioning, and eventually, the trail led to a palace maid named Tanhua. Someone saw Tanhua in the Phoenix Perch Garden, looking flustered, as if she had done something she shouldn’t have. Tanhua originally worked in the imperial kitchen. When Zhao Xian searched her quarters, he found a packet of poison, the same kind that was used on you."

Xiao Xixi said, "Then why not bring Tanhua in for questioning?"

"I had people go to arrest Tanhua, but she was already gone."

"Gone?"

"Yes, Zhao Xian searched every place she could be and questioned all the palace maids and eunuchs she had contact with, but there was no trace of her. It’s as if she had vanished into thin air, and no one knows where she went."

Xiao Xixi asked, "Is this what’s troubling you, Your Highness?"

Luo Qinghan replied, "Mother has demanded that I find out the truth about the poisoned wine by tomorrow. The day is almost over, and with Tanhua missing, I have no way to report back to Mother."

"Do you know Tanhua’s birth date and time?"

Luo Qinghan looked at her in confusion, "What do you plan to do?"

"I can divine Tanhua’s location, but I need to know her birth date and time."

Luo Qinghan was a bit surprised, not expecting that someone from the mystic sect could also divine.

The Office of Internal Affairs had detailed records of all the palace maids and eunuchs. Luo Qinghan sent someone to the Office of Internal Affairs to search the archives and quickly found Tanhua’s birth date and time.

A piece of paper with her birth date and time was placed in front of Xiao Xixi.

Luo Qinghan watched Xiao Xixi, curious to see how she would divine.

She glanced at the paper, then closed her eyes and remained still.

After a moment,

Xiao Xixi opened her eyes, her face a bit pale, "She is located one hundred paces southwest, surrounded by water."

She paused and added,

"She is likely already dead."

Luo Qinghan looked at her intently, "You don’t look well. Should I send for a physician to examine you?"

"No need. When I was divining, I felt Tanhua’s emotions before she died, which made me feel uneasy. I’ll be fine after a good sleep."

Due to her unique destiny, Xiao Xixi would involuntarily experience the emotions of the person she was divining.

Tanhua’s feelings of despair, panic, and anger before her death were projected onto Xiao Xixi, making her experience the fear of death.

Luo Qinghan thought that this method of divination should be used sparingly.

"You should go to sleep. I’ll come to see you tomorrow."

"I respectfully bid you farewell, Your Highness."