Water Reflects Peach Blossoms

After coming out of the Elders' Council, in addition to talking with the elders, Gong Yunzheng also received an order to investigate the bride's poisoning.

As she walked to the women's guesthouse, she saw that the gate of the courtyard, which was hung with white silk spirit banners, was closed. Outside the gate stood several green jade guards with swords on their waists and solemn expressions.

When she reached the door, Gong Yunzheng asked the Green Jade Guards who saluted her, "What's going on?"

One of the Green Jade attendants replied, "The sword bearer has issued an order to seal off the entire courtyard. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

What is Zi Yu doing in the ladies' quarters?

She wondered, "Open the door."

"Yes." Without any hesitation, the guard opened the door.

The sound of the gate opening startled everyone standing in the yard. Fourth Miss Song, who was holding a porcelain bowl and about to drink, stopped and looked at the gate with the same confusion and curiosity as the others.

Zhi Ren just gave an order not allowing anyone to enter or leave, so how come... someone came in?

As the door was fully opened, a soft smoky blue appeared outside the door. A white fox fur cloak was shrouded in the smoky blue. The sunlight sprinkled on the fine fur on it, making it sparkle, making the gentle and beautiful woman look like a shining pearl.

Only as the person got closer did they realize that the person was pale and looked obviously ill.

Several of the potential brides recognized the visitor's identity.

Nanny Fu was startled and quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Second Miss."

The maids in the courtyard also followed suit and saluted.

Yun Weishan looked at the other person curiously, thinking that this was the second young lady of the palace whom she had missed seeing two days ago.

"Sister Ayun!" The Blade Master, who had just looked aggressive, stepped forward to greet the woman and asked happily, "Are you okay?"

Gong Yunzheng replied: "Much better."

Seeing that she still looked sick, Gong Ziyu frowned: "But why do you look so pale? I went to Zheng Palace to see you this morning, but was stopped by my brother Yuanzheng..."

Halfway through the conversation, he suddenly remembered what he was doing before. Gong Ziyu coughed, leaned close to Gong Yunzheng and whispered, "I'll tell you when I get back. I have to take care of business first."

After saying this, he turned around, facing the curious gazes of everyone in the yard, and straightened his attitude: "Fourth Miss Song, please continue."

The atmosphere became serious again.

"Stop first." Gong Yunzheng suddenly shouted to stop him.

Fourth Miss Song stopped, not knowing whether she should continue.

"Sister Ayun?" Gong Ziyu looked at Gong Yunzheng in confusion, not understanding why she wanted to stop him.

But Gong Yunzheng ignored him. She walked up to the fourth Miss Song and looked at the porcelain bowl in her hand: "What are you doing?"

Jin Fan closed his eyes, feeling that something bad was going to happen when he held the knife.

Her sister's aura was too strong. Gong Ziyu rubbed her hands in her sleeves, feeling inexplicably guilty.

Miss Song Si replied, "It's a powder for treating asthma."

Gong Ziyu explained, "Last night, Miss Yun Weishan and Miss Jiang Lili were poisoned in the women's guest house. I ordered a search of all the rooms in the women's guest house. A bottle of powdered medicine was found in Miss Song Si's room. After testing, it was found to be poisonous. Miss Song Si drank the medicine on the spot to prove her innocence."

Gong Yunzheng asked, "Have you found out what the poison is?"

Gong Ziyu was embarrassed: "I just tried it with a silver needle, without doing a detailed inspection."

Gong Yunzheng sighed inwardly at the carelessness with which he handled the matter. He took the porcelain bowl from Fourth Miss Song's hand and said under her puzzled gaze, "A girl's face is the most precious thing. We can't take even the slightest risk."

She ordered: "Go to the clinic and ask for a doctor, and also bring the test results of the poisoning that Miss Jiang suffered from."

"Yes." Without waiting for Gong Ziyu's order, a guard had already taken the order and went there.

Seeing the situation take such a sudden turn, Yun Wei tightened his hands in his sleeves.

"Sister Ayun, I'm almost finding out." Gong Ziyu walked forward, and in front of so many people, his voice couldn't be any softer.

The tall figure no longer had the aura of holding a blade as before.

"I've asked the elders for orders. I'll be responsible for the poisoning of the bride in the guest house," Gong Yunzheng looked at Gong Ziyu and said softly, "You haven't chosen your bride yet, so it's against the rules to come here."

Gong Ziyu hesitated... He knew it was inappropriate, but Miss Yun...

Faced with her sister's disapproving gaze, Gong Ziyu said kindly, "Then I'll follow you and learn how to solve cases. Is that okay?"

Gong Yunzheng nodded: "Okay."

Gong Ziyu smiled.

I just know that Sister Ayun is good to him.

Gong Yunzheng: "Who is Miss Yun Weishan?"

Being suddenly called, Yun Weishan subconsciously looked at Gong Ziyu. After receiving the reassuring glance from Gong Ziyu, who indicated that she was fine, she took a step forward and said dignifiedly, "Second Miss."

Gong Yunzheng looked at Yun Weishan. The woman in front of him had a cold temperament, a face as beautiful as a peach, a soft voice, and eyes as pure as a deer that seemed to hide endless sorrow.

Gong Yunzheng asked gently, "Miss Yun, you and Miss Jiang were drinking tea at Miss Shangguan's place last night, and then you were poisoned?"

"Yeah." Yun Weishan's deer-like eyes revealed a hint of helplessness. "After a red rash appeared on my face, I was very panicked and scared. I remembered that Miss Shangguan's family had been practicing medicine for generations, so I went to see her to see if she could help me detoxify."

"Why didn't you check on Miss Jiang, who was with you? And why didn't you tell Madam Fu about your poisoning? That way, we could investigate and find the culprit as soon as possible. Besides, the clinic has all the herbs, which would be much more convenient than looking for Miss Shangguan. Or did you know that Miss Shangguan, who was so far away from your hometown, had secretly brought medicine into the palace?"

Yun Weishan was startled and picked the least important question to answer, "I thought I was the only one poisoned... and I was afraid that telling Madam would affect my choice of bride, so I didn't tell her."

Seeing her being so cautious, Gong Ziyu felt a little distressed: "It's not easy for a woman to survive in this world. It's understandable that Miss Yun is like this."

Seeing his sister's calm gaze, he touched his nose and stopped talking.

Gong Yunzheng glanced at the potential brides standing around and asked, "Since it was Shangguan who cured Miss Yun of the poison, who is Miss Shangguan?"

Nanny Fu stepped forward and reported, "Second Miss, Miss Shangguan has gone out and hasn't returned yet."

Gong Yunzheng pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, Yun Weishan will conduct the interrogation inside the room, and all the guards will remain outside."

"It's better to go in and ask questions," Gong Ziyu followed Gong Yunzheng and said with concern, "Sister Ayun is not in good health to begin with, so she won't have to be exposed to the cold wind when she goes in."

Gong Yunzheng helplessly explained: "I'm not doing this."

"Yeah." Not being able to figure out her sister's intention, Gong Ziyu nodded repeatedly to ease the awkwardness.

In the ladies' hall, guards with swords facing the hall stood at the bottom of the steps outside. Jin Fan stood outside the door, which was closed. Inside the room, Gong Ziyu and Gong Yunzheng stood at the top, and Nanny Fu was on standby at the bottom. The brides to be chosen stood quietly on both sides, and maids stood behind each bride.