Chapter 91: Volume 1 Chapter 91 Stealing Beams and Replacing Pillars

The investigation of the assassination case was not going smoothly; the assassin caught in the palace that day committed suicide by poison shortly after being captured. This provoked the Emperor's great fury, and in the court he rebuked the Ministry of Justice for handling the case poorly, even after hearing that five or six people from the Ministry were injured during the investigation, it still did not calm the Emperor.

Because so many investigators were injured, the Emperor grew even more uneasy and ordered the Ministry of Punishments to assist the Ministry of Justice in the investigation.

In an instant, the previously calm capital was rocked by massive turmoil.

Rong Luoge changed into male attire and drank tea at a teahouse, listening to the passing people mention the matter, with her eyes slightly lowered.

Whenever a regime changes and the imperial succession is involved, there is no peaceful passage.

After finishing tea, Rong Luoge went straight to Xi Cheng; He Huai and the others were very pleased to see her, and Chun Yu and the others served her extremely attentively, leaving Rong Luoge both amused and exasperated.

"How is the matter progressing?" Rong Luoge asked, looking at He Huai and Jing Chu.

He Huai nodded, "The person has been successfully placed inside—a maid named Su Ge. Last night a report came back saying that around midnight someone met Di Yue Nu in secret, but because she wasn't a close attendant, she didn't know much, only that the visitor spoke with a slight foreign accent."

"A foreign accent—could it be someone from the Qiongchuan caravan?"

"I share that suspicion. Tonight I will personally wait outside Di Yue Nu's courtyard; if the person returns, we can certainly uncover part of his background," He Huai said.

Rong Luoge nodded, "Very well, take care of yourself." She glanced at him again, "It would be best to obtain evidence; if not, that's fine—don't take unnecessary risks."

He Huai nodded in agreement; the young lady always worries about their safety—how many benefactors would care about the lives of people like them?

Rong Luoge turned her gaze toward Jing Chu.

Without waiting for the young lady to speak, Jing Chu said, "I have already investigated the Dadongshan Si area; that temple is indeed strange. Barring any mishap, I am seventy percent certain the cargo is there."

Rong Luoge thought for a moment, then asked, "What are the Crown Prince's plans?"

Jing Chu found the young lady's question odd; shouldn't the Crown Prince himself be the one who knows his own plans best, not the lady?

But the thought flashed by, and he didn't dwell on it, assuming the lady hadn't yet asked the Crown Prince, and said directly, "Those around the Crown Prince say not to alert anyone for now; they intend to execute a steal‑beams‑replace‑pillars operation."

Rong Luoge was startled, "Steal‑beams‑replace‑pillars?"

"Yes, that shipment is sizable; once hidden, it shouldn't be opened again lightly," Jing Chu said.

Rong Luoge hadn't expected Han Xinglan to have such a plan; it did sound intriguing. If they could truly swap the cargo, the scene when Di Yue Nu and the others open the box would be quite entertaining.

With that settled, Rong Luoge had nothing else to do for the moment, and said, "You go attend to your tasks; I'll step out for a walk."

"Young lady, are you all right?" Chun Yu, being more attentive, noticed the lady seemed a bit displeased.

"I'm fine," Rong Luoge waved a hand and stepped out.

The few maids looked at each other, unsure what to do.

Rong Luoge left the gate and walked down the alley on her own; she was already familiar with the terrain, and after a few turns arrived at the entrance of Liu Yuniang's residence. She saw a few children gathered playing a game, turned to a street stall, bought some snacks, and returned.

She handed out candy and a few skewers of candied hawthorn to the kids, quickly winning their affection; after playing with them for a while, she casually asked, "Why is this alley so quiet now? It used to be bustling."

That time when Ming Yuhua caused a ruckus at Liu Yuniang's place, it wasn't exactly a celebration; neighbors streamed out in groups.

Later, the surrounding houses were rented at high prices by caravan people; the area became quieter, but not as quiet as it is today.

"Brother doesn't know? The people who rented the houses left today; early this morning I went out to play and saw them marching away in groups," a round‑faced little boy said cheerfully.

Rong Luoge was startled by the words and asked, "When did you come out?"

"The sun hadn't risen yet; father was going to work, mother got up to cook for him, and I got up with them."

That must have been at dawn; the caravan people left that early?

"Did they all leave?" Rong Luoge asked suspiciously. This alley houses at least dozens of families; if half of them are gone, then at least a third of the caravan folk must have departed.

"They've left; if brother doesn't believe it, go check—the doors all have locks on them,"

Rong Luoge actually got up and glanced at the nearest several gates; indeed they were the Iron General Gate.

Rong Luoge suddenly remembered something, her complexion changing instantly; she hurriedly gave the items in her hand to the children, smiling, "Brother, next time I'll come play with you again."

Having said that, Rong Luoge turned and left; she had previously sensed something off—perhaps the investigation at Dadongshan Si had been too smooth, and now it seemed indeed so.

She went straight back to find Jing Chu, only to discover he had left the city; when she asked, she learned he was heading to Dadongshan Si.

Rong Luoge's expression changed; she could think of nothing else and immediately took a carriage back to Dong Gong.

She rushed alone toward Dadongshan Si—her fists alone could not match four opponents—but with someone under Han Xinglan's command handling it, the matter would be much easier.

But when Rong Luoge arrived at Dong Gong and inquired, she learned the Crown Prince was also absent, having left early in the morning.

Rong Luoge's eyes twitched; with no other option, she had to leave the city herself. Before departing, she had Rong Xin deliver letters to Chun Yu and a few others, and asked He Huai to lead men to Dadongshan Si.

She also left a message for the Crown Prince, in case he hadn't left the city but was occupied with something else.

Having completed these tasks, Rong Luoge hurried away; this time she didn't take a carriage but rode a horse directly.

At the palace gate, she produced the Dong Gong token and passed through unimpeded; she spurred her horse and headed straight for Dadongshan Si.

Dadongshan Si lies on East Mountain in the capital's eastern suburbs; the temple's name is taken from the mountain, making it convenient and easy to remember.

After reaching the foot of the mountain, she found a tea pavilion to stable her horse and prepared to hike up the mountain on foot.

The tea pavilion's proprietress, noting Rong Luoge's handsome looks, couldn't help but add, "Why is Dadongshan Si so bustling today? Several groups have been going up the mountain one after another."

Rong Luoge's eyes flickered at the remark; she turned to the proprietress and asked, "Madam, I'm only here to fulfill my mother's vow by burning incense. From what you say, many people are climbing the mountain today? Does the chief abbot at the temple have any…"