late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 26
I was slightly puzzled and asked, "Why do you say that? Do you know something?"

"I have a good relationship with Xiaodie. A few days ago, when I was chatting with her, she once said to me that she suspected that there was something in the queen mother's side, but she didn't know who it was, and she wanted to secretly and thoroughly Check it out."

"So, according to what you mean, Xiaodie should have been killed by a real spy?"

When the matter developed to this point, I was a little startled. According to Mei Shuang, Lan Er and I tossed all night, not only failed to catch the mole, but also exposed ourselves.

Moreover, we seem to have fallen into the trap set by the other party. The other party wants Xiaodie to take the blame completely.

Except for Linger, no one else knows about Lan'er and I's plan, so this matter is not obvious.

No, I have to test this spirit again.

"My lord, I'm sure Xiaodie is definitely not a spy, she has always been loyal to the Queen Mother!" Mei Shuang said more firmly.

"I see, I will continue to investigate."

I responded to Mei Shuang, and couldn't help but fell into deep thought, Sushun, Linger, Concubine Li, what is the connection between the three of them!
When I was puzzled, Linger's voice suddenly came over.

"Master Tang, Empress Dowager Ci'an and Lord Sushun are hosting a banquet for Prince Gong at Songhe Zhai. Please come over at noon together, Your Excellency."

"Understood, the officer will arrive on time."

I took a closer look at Ling'er, and saw that her eyes were clear, and she couldn't see anything.

"The servant girl will leave first."

Ling'er blessed her body, so she wanted to withdraw.

"Wait!" I hurriedly called out to her.

"Is there any other order, sir?"

Ling'er saluted me again, with a dignified and steady demeanor, quite like Lan'er.

"Ling'er, I want to ask you something."

"Sir, please speak."

"Do you know Concubine Li?" I asked tentatively.

Ling'er was slightly startled, as if a little surprised, but soon returned to normal, "My lord, this servant knows very little about Concubine Li, what aspect does your lord specifically ask?"

"Concubine Li approached me a few days ago, and asked me to say something nice for her in front of the Empress Dowager. The relationship between the Empress Dowager and her..."

I looked at Ling'er, her face didn't change much, or she was calm and composed, she really didn't seem to have anything to do with Concubine Li.

"Prince Concubine Li and the Empress Dowager did not get along. This servant knows a little bit about it. The Empress Dowager is mostly concerned with the late Emperor's health. In fact, there is no big problem." Linger explained.

"Oh, so that's the case, so I feel relieved." I showed a look of sudden realization, and then continued, "You are the Queen Mother's confidant, and I will not hide it from you. My relationship with the Queen Mother has reached that point. Yes, I am really worried that Concubine Li will do something that is not good for the Queen Mother!"

I observed Ling'er's face, and found that there was still a trace of strangeness in her eyes, and it returned to normal in just a moment.

"Master Tang, don't worry, this servant will keep an eye on Concubine Li." Ling'er saluted, and then retreated respectfully.

I looked at the direction where Ling'er left, thoughtful, the only thing I can explain now is that Lan'er, the dowry confidant, has been bribed.

"My lord, are you suspicious of Ling'er?" Mei Shuang walked up to me and asked.

I sighed and shook my head slightly, "I don't know, I really don't have a clue now."

"My lord, take your time, this servant will risk her life to protect you." Mei Shuang looked at me resolutely, her eyes full of firmness.

I listened to Mei Shuang's words and looked at her, and my heart was filled with emotion. From that moment on, I decided to regard Mei Shuang as my blue-faced confidant in the Qing Dynasty.

"Okay, you go to rest first, I'll clean up and go to Songhe Zhai later."

"My lord, Songhezhai is the residence of Empress Dowager Ci'an. After the death of the first emperor, Empress Dowager Ci'an moved to Songhezhai." Mei Shuang reminded me.

"I know, I will be careful."

I understood what Mei Shuang meant, but she was still worried that the Empress Dowager Ci'an would be hostile to me. In fact, I couldn't understand the meaning of today's meal very well.

After Mei Shuang left, I tidied myself up and checked the time. It was almost eleven o'clock at noon, so I rushed to Songhezhai.

I have to mention that there was already a clock in 1861, and I have one in my house. The shape of the clock is very exquisite. It is a ox pulling a foreign band. When it is wound up, the ox will move forward. Let's go, I have seen a similar clock in the Clock Museum of the Forbidden City, but I didn't expect it to be in my room now, and it is brand new.

When I arrived at Songhezhai, Lan'er and Empress Dowager Ci'an were sitting at the top, Prince Gong and Sushun were sitting on both sides, and they all had a friendly look.

Below Sushun is Duanhua. Duanhua is Sushun's younger brother, and his status has naturally risen. Then there are other ministers of Gu Ming sitting below.

I bowed to the two empress dowagers, and the empress dowager Ci'an ordered me to sit next to Prince Gong, the lowest seat.

The whole banquet was unexpectedly harmonious, Prince Gong showed an unusual amiability, and exchanged cups with Sushun several times.

Sushun also changed his usual arrogance, and lowered his posture a lot. Thinking about it, he was also afraid of Prince Gong's influence in the capital.

In my opinion, the most important thing that was decided at the banquet was that the Zi Palace of the late emperor woke up five days later and began to return to the capital.

It means that there are still five days before we can escape from this cage.

After the banquet was over, I went back to my residence, and when I went back, I saw Linger waiting for me at the door.

(End of this chapter)