Four Months Ago (Part 6)

The past couple of hours had brought on an even tenser atmosphere in Ping Tian Palace. All servants and guards were taken in for questioning by Jing Ke. Whilst Sixi, along with some guards and servants started searching the entire vicinity. He made sure to be thorough, leaving no rocks unturned. His search at Consort Tong's East Palace had unnerved the bratty consort. This resulted in Consort Tong heading to LiHua Palace to visit Consort Zhou. The search at Qing Lin Palace was much easier with Consort Mu away and visiting her parents today. Even Cheng Yue Palace's search was done at top speed. Though Sixi noted Consort Liu's absence.

Having completed their duty, both Sixi and Jing Ke returned to report to Prince Ping. As they entered back into LiHua Palace, they could see two of the five imperial physicians remained on standby. One of the imperial physicians informed Sixi and Jing Ke of Consort Zhou's condition. For most of the time she was fine. Then she would suddenly feel excruciating, prick-like pains for a while. No one could figure out the reason. Therefore the two physicians could only ease her pain and stress their belief that this bizarre condition was something supernatural rather than an illness.

"Prince Ping," both Sixi and Jing Ke bowed. "Consort Zhou, Consort Tong," they also greeted, entering the room.

Consort Tong was seated on a chair to the side, whilst Consort Zhou sat on the long side couch leaning against Prince Ping's chest. Her forehead was wet from cold sweat and accompanied with her slight unsettled expression with flushed cheeks, it made her look very enticing. Any normal man seeing her right now would want to pull this suffering beauty into their embrace and not let go. Yet, seeing Sixi and Jing Ke arrive, Prince Ping let go of Consort Zhou straight away.

"Did you find anything?" he instantly questioned the two.

"There's been a lot of gossip amongst the servants about Consort Zhou's illness," Jing Ke reported, "but everything is just pure speculation. I'm not sure how useful it is."

"Say what you have heard?" Prince Ping demanded. [With no hints at all, even gossip amongst servants could serve as a good starting point to us figuring out the truth].

"Some say that Consort Zhou has actually been heavily injured in an accident and the illness is a cover story. Others speculate she's been poisoned," Jing Ke said.

Disappointment and impatience flashed up in Prince Ping's eyes. Neither theory were correct or even close to reality. [If Yourong was involved in an accident or really was poisoned, then I wouldn't be in such a clueless situation] he thought. "Isn't there anything else?"

"Aside from these two rumours about Consort Zhou, there is something related yet unrelated," Jing Ke hesitated in his speech.

"Speak," Prince Ping urged.

"Something sinister has been spreading amongst servants in Ping Tian Palace," Jing Ke told. There was a brief pause as Jing Ke's brows knitted together. "Many servants mention a 'Cursed Doll'."

"Cursed Doll?" Prince Ping quizzically repeated. He raised an eyebrow.

"To be clear, the 'Cursed Doll' is supposed to be a curse for harming people," Jing Ke clarified.

"Ah!" Zhou Yourong couldn't stop herself from letting out a surprised noise. She rubbed her arms with her hands as though she was cold. Hearing the word 'curse' had visibly unnerved her. "C-curse… so scary…" she deliberately whispered, loud enough for the others to hear. Her trembling eyes looked at Prince Ping. She wanted him to run over, pull her into his broad chest then comfort her with sweet words.

Prince Ping did immediately glance back at Yourong, his expression full of concern. [Cursed Doll… that must be it. That has to be it] he determined. Out of everything he's found or heard of so far, this 'Cursed Doll' sounded the most promising in explaining Yourong's odd pains. Catching her trembling eyes, he understood her worry. He will get to the bottom of this quickly. Prince Ping swiftly refocussed his gaze on Jing Ke, completely missing the discontent that crossed Yourong's face as he failed to comfort her. "Tell me everything you know about this Cursed Doll," Prince Ping commanded.

"From what I heard, this 'Cursed Doll' is specifically used to cause pain to another person. Using a straw doll and needles, one can enact this curse to harm anyone of their choice," Jing Ke explained.

"Ah! Such… such a malicious thing…" Yourong muttered more quietly than before. Her eyes never left Prince Ping. She was still hoping he would go over and coddle her.

"The odd thing is, this cursing method was only spread amongst the servants last night," Jing Ke continued loudly, totally submerging Yourong's efforts.

"It only began last night?" Prince Ping queried. [Then Yourong was in pain the entire morning. This is indeed suspicious.] "Who started the rumours?"

"Five different maids."