Four Months Ago (Part 8)

"As instructed by your highness, I've spoken to all the Consorts present in the palace this morning," Sixi began. "This servant has not identified anything suspicious from their testimony."

"Well of course you didn't find anything susp-" Liluo opened her big mouth to speak, but was shut up by a warning glare from Prince Ping.

"Consort Mu left early yesterday afternoon to visit her parents and stayed overnight there. She isn't due back until tomorrow afternoon. It can be assumed she won't know anything about this incident," Sixi went on. "I've already spoken to Consort Tong too."

"That's right," Tong Liluo concurred. "I was so shocked when Sixi came to my East Palace a few hours ago." She went to sit next to Zhou Yourong, "hearing that Sister Zhou was ill, I had to come and see her in person." She gently took hold of Yourong's hands, batting her eyelashes at Yourong with worry-filled eyes. "Sister Zhou, I'm so sorry. I haven't been able to help at all. I don't have any medical knowledge and I've not noticed anything strange in my East Palace."

[Ugh. Why does she always hold my hand as though we're close friends? It's so damn annoying] Yourong mentally complained. However, she maintained that faint appreciative smile on her face. "Sister Tong, you don't have to apologise. It isn't your fault this is happening to me," she assured whilst politely brushing off Liluo's hands.

"The only person I've not managed to question is Consort Liu," Sixi continued to report. "I've not seen Consort Liu anywhere in the palace all day."

"Aiya! Strange. How very strange?" Liluo instantly commented. She spoke so loudly that it was impossible to ignore her. She jumped up from the couch and went over to Sixi. "Did you try looking for Consort Liu? Have you asked around to see if someone has seen Consort Liu?"

Sixi stole a glance at Prince Ping who was unexpectedly quiet with an unreadable expression upon his face. "In response to your questions Consort Tong," Sixi refocused on the loud consort, "I have personally searched and asked around for the whereabouts of Consort Liu. As stated by this servant before, I have not been able to find Consort Liu yet."

"You really can't find Consort Liu?" Liluo asked again in an astonished tone. Her beady eyes looked at Sixi with criticism. "Head Sixi, I have serious doubts about your capabilities. In fact, I think you're rather useless. How can you not find one single girl? It's not like Consort Liu has vanished into thin air. "

An enraged Sixi tried to force back his resentment towards the meddling Consort. [Who are you to judge me] he thought. [I am Prince Ping's servant, not yours]. He had a strong urge to argue with Tong Liluo, but noticing a hand gesture by Prince Ping, Sixi's heart and mind settled. It was a gesture unnoticed by the two consorts, but one that only Sixi and Jing Ke understood. Prince Ping had lightly tapped his left chest with two fingers – a signal to let Sixi and Jing Ke know he wholeheartedly trusted them. [How foolish of me to get so easily irritated by a few words? The trust between me, Jing Ke and Prince Ping has always been strong]. Sixi faced Liluo with clear eyes, void of any negative sentiments. "Consort Tong, I will reflect on myself and make sure to do better in future," he responded.

"Humph," Liluo ignored Sixi and went straight back to Zhou Yourong's side. "Sister Zhou, don't you think it's strange that no one has seen Consort Liu today? Do you think Consort Liu is deliberately hiding? I mean, I don't think she'd be fearless enough to escape from the palace…."

There was silence as Liluo's candid words sank into everyone's ears. The obvious implications that Consort Liu was suspicious one way or another couldn't be missed by anyone in the room. Why was she missing at such a critical moment? Could she be the one guilty of causing Zhou Yourong's pain? These thoughts instantly floated into the minds of Sixi and Jing Ke.

"Sister Tong, you shouldn't speak about Consort Liu this way?" Yourong spoke up, breaking the silence. "I'm actually worried something might've happened to Consort Liu." Her brows were slightly knit revealing a worried expression, which perfectly masked the happiness she felt inside. [This brainless Tong Liluo is actually useful for once, knowing to push the blame towards that irritating girl, Liu Ding Yiu] she thought. "Your highness, should you-"

Yourong's brow knitted even more - this time for real. She had been observing Prince Ping this whole time and noticed how quiet and expressionless he was. In fact, ever since Sixi mentioned Liu Ding Yiu, Prince Ping had become like a lifeless being, not moving or speaking. This made Yourong feel deep unease. [What does it mean] Yourong questioned. [What does his silence mean?]