frightfiction Chapter 604: Xiao Huazi was taken to the prison for interrogation
Chapter 604: Xiao Huazi was taken to the prison for interrogation
"Now the outside world doesn't know that Miss Lin has disappeared."
Handan curled her lips and said, "The Lin family has a good plan."
"First, announce to the public that Miss Lin is ill. Once Miss Lin is found, take her life. Then she will naturally die of illness."
"This way, the Lin family will no longer be talked about because of this matter, and they will not have to bear the reputation of forcing their daughter to death."
Little Zhouzi asked curiously, "What about Commander Zhan? His fiancée had such a big incident, but he didn't ask about it?"
"If he himself doesn't mind that Miss Lin fell into the water and was rescued by a man, then there is no reason for the Minister of Rites to force Miss Lin to commit suicide, right?"
After all, Commander Zhan comes from a noble family and is in charge of the imperial guards, so he is deeply trusted by Your Majesty.
The Lin family definitely wants to marry him, not make him their enemy.
Fuqiu shook her head. "Your Majesty only gave Commander Zhan a few days to find out who bribed the killer of Weiwu Hall. Commander Zhan is so busy every day that he eats and sleeps in the prison. How could he know that the Lin family forced Miss Lin to commit suicide?"
"Besides..."
Fuqiu didn't say the rest, but everyone understood.
They don't think Miss Lin did anything wrong, but not everyone thinks so.
In most people’s minds, Miss Lin has lost her innocence and should die to preserve her reputation!
Men, in particular, care the most about this kind of thing.
Who can guarantee that Commander Zhan can accept this?
Maybe after he finds out, he will dislike Miss Lin like everyone else...
At that time, he would not be Miss Lin's salvation, but would become her death warrant.
Handan subconsciously felt that Commander Zhan was not that kind of person.
But this is just her own opinion and cannot convince anyone.
She really felt sorry for Miss Lin. An innocent life should not be forced to death like this.
But Handan also understood that the Queen had to be cautious in every step in the deep palace, and if she took a wrong step, she would end up in an irretrievable situation.
The Queen and Miss Lin are not related in any way and have no obligation to save each other.
Shen Zhinian leaned lazily on the soft pillow, a hint of contemplation flashed across his eyes...
She did have some sympathy for Miss Lin's experience, and she also admired her. But she was not a saint, so did she have to save everyone she sympathized with?
A kind person who likes to meddle in other people's affairs cannot survive in the deep palace.
She never thought of becoming a female Bodhisattva who saves people from suffering.
What Shen Zhinian was thinking about was, would saving Miss Lin bring her more disadvantages or more benefits?
If the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, she doesn't mind giving the other party a hand.
Otherwise, Miss Lin can only wish for the best.
Zhan Weiran was in charge of the imperial guards and was a close minister to the emperor. If she could establish a private relationship with him, it would be of great benefit to both her and Ah Xu.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhinian's eyes returned to calmness, and he ordered: "Fuqiu, tell people to take good care of Miss Lin, and don't let the Lin family find her for the time being."
"Xiao Zhouzi, ask Zhan Weiran to come to Zhongcui Palace to see me when he is free. Tell him that I want to know how the interrogation of the real murderer who assassinated me is going."
Under normal circumstances, it is indeed not appropriate for the empress to summon the commander of the imperial guards. But Shen Zhinian was the victim of this matter, and Zhan Weiran was the person in charge of the investigation.
She wanted to meet Zhan Weiran at this time, and no one could find fault with her.
Fuqiu and Xiao Zhouzi said in unison: "Yes!"
In the afternoon, Zhan Weiran came to Zhongcui Palace and bowed to Shen Zhinian: "Your subordinate greets the virtuous concubine, may the queen be blessed with good fortune and safety!"
Handan's gaze fell on him, and a hint of complexity flashed across her eyes...
She knew the purpose of the Queen calling Commander Zhan over, and she really wanted to know what choice Commander Zhan would make.
Handan hopes that Commander Zhan will not dislike Miss Lin.
As a grown man, he should protect his fiancée, instead of abandoning her when she is in danger.
Otherwise, Handan would really feel that she had liked the wrong person before.
Shen Zhinian said calmly, "No need to be polite."
"Commander Zhan should already know the purpose of my summoning you here?"
His Majesty has previously instructed that there is nothing that cannot be revealed to the virtuous concubine regarding the truth of this matter.
Zhan Weiran said respectfully, "Madam Concubine Xian, after a few days of investigation, I have confirmed that the one who hired the murderer was a palace eunuch."
"Before coming to Zhongcui Palace, I had ordered all the eunuchs who left the palace a few days before the Lantern Festival to be taken to the prison for interrogation."
"Please wait patiently for another two days, my subordinates will definitely find the real culprit!"
This news was a pleasant surprise for Shen Zhinian.
Zhan Weiran's investigation speed was faster than she had expected.
It seems that he really doesn't want to lose the position of commander of the Imperial Guards.
"Commander Zhan is deeply trusted by His Majesty. I am confident in his ability to handle affairs."
Shen Zhinian pretended to be casual and asked, "There are many eunuchs in the palace, and the masters behind them are all people of status. I wonder if Commander Zhan was embarrassed when he investigated this matter?"
Zhan Weiran lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Madam Concubine Xian."
"The other eunuchs dared not to cooperate. They are Eunuch Cai beside Concubine Liang and Eunuch Hua beside Concubine Shu. They have special status and are people that the two concubines are used to using."
"But His Majesty has already issued an order to thoroughly investigate this matter. No matter how much Empress Liang and Empress Shu value them, they cannot go beyond His Majesty's order."
How could they trace the case back to Concubine Shu so quickly?
Shen Zhinian concealed the smile in his eyes and waited quietly for the result.
She raised her eyes to look at Zhan Weiran and said, "In fact, I summoned you here today not only to know the progress of this case, but also for another matter..."
Zhan Weiran asked doubtfully, "I wonder what the virtuous concubine is referring to?"
Shen Zhinian didn't keep the secret: "Commander Zhan, have you heard that on the night of the Lantern Festival, your fiancée, Miss Lin, accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by a butcher?"
Although Zhan Weiran didn't understand why the virtuous concubine would bring up his private affairs, he still said truthfully: "Such a big thing, I naturally know about it."
"I am ashamed to say this... From that night till now, I have been busy tracking down the murderer and have not even returned home. I have not had time to visit Miss Lin."
At this point, Zhan Weiran's eyes showed concern: "Your Highness suddenly mentioned my fiancée, but is she ill?"
Shen Zhinian understood Zhan Weiran's attitude when he heard this, but he still asked, "Commander Zhan, do you mind if your fiancée fell into the water and was rescued by a man?"
Zhan Weiran frowned: "Is there anything in the world more important than life?"
"I am extremely grateful that Miss Lin was saved. Why would I care whether it was a man or a woman who saved her?"
"I originally thought that after I finished this matter, I would personally prepare a thank-you gift and go to the benefactor's home to express my gratitude."