Four Months Ago (Part 7)

"Five different maids," Jing Ke answered. "The rumours of the 'Cursed Doll' originated from five different maids."

"Who are these maids? Where are they assigned to?"

"Your highness, these five maids work in various departments. Their duties regularly change from one section to another as needed," Sixi stepped forward to inform. "None are assigned to Zheng Palace or any of the Consorts Palaces. However, I believe one did take up cleaning duty in Cheng Yue Palace a week ago."

"In other words none of these maids have any daily contact with your highness or any of the consorts," Jing Ke took over and said. "Therefore it's unusual that any of these five maids would spread a curse to harm Consort Zhou. There's no reason for them to do so."

"I've checked and verified their records since they entered Ping Tian Palace. The only people they would've had contact with throughout their years of service is the other servants, me, Madam Xiong and that one maid might've seen Consort Liu," Sixi finished.

Prince Ping gave nods at Jing Ke and Sixi's words as though he accepted them as it was. However, his intense gaze and knit brows clearly showed otherwise. He was still calculating the facts. [Why would five maids with no obvious connection to Yourong spread the curse?] He couldn't figure out. [Going by Jing Ke and Sixi's words, it can be assumed none of the five maids would've had a reason to curse Yourong. It's possible then that none of the five maids were the one who cursed her]. Thinking up to this point, Prince Ping lightly shook his head. His movement was so quick that no one noticed. [I shouldn't think this to a dead end. There's no proof yet that this 'Cursed Doll' is the cause for Yourong's odd pains. I need more information]. "Jing Ke, did the five maids tell why they started spreading the rumour about the 'Cursed Doll'?"

"Yes they did," Jing Ke swiftly answered. "All five maids insisted they only talked about the curse because they found this anonymous paper." He handed the paper to Prince Ping. "There are five of these identical paper that we found in various locations inside the palace. No one knows who left them there. The hand-writing is also hard to match."

Prince Ping studied the small piece of paper in his hands. It was just normal, average quality writing paper. The type used by commoners and can be easily bought in any stationery shop.

On the paper written in black ink, it read:

(Cursed Doll: Write the person's name on a yellow piece of paper with blood. Attach it to a black straw doll. Chant 'Curse person's full name' 100 times. With a needle, stab the straw doll to inflict pain to the one you are cursing. After you have read this, you MUST tell another person or a terrible fate will await you).

Each individual word on the paper that entered Prince Ping's eyes caused disgust to rise in his heart. "Death seeker!" he shouted through gritted teeth. "Who dares to spread such malicious ideas in my palace?" Using internal energy, he crushed the paper in his hands until it turned to dust. [And such a malicious thing caused Yourong so much pain] he stole a glance towards Yourong. [Unforgivable!] The veins on Prince Ping's forehead popped. His expression no longer calm as immeasurable rage burned in his eyes. "Sixi, have all five maids severely punished then dismiss them. They cannot remain in my palace," he continued to shout. "Those foolish maids should've reported finding these papers. Instead they went and spread such a malicious thing to others. I'll have everyone know, I, Prince Ping will not tolerate anyone mentioning or practicing curses in Ping Tian Palace."

"Understood your highness," Sixi simply answered.

Prince Ping looked over at Jing Ke, "is that all you got from questioning the servants? What about the guards? Did they notice anything suspicious?"

"Everything has been normal these past few days. The guards didn't notice anything out the ordinary," Jing Ke affirmed. "And from questioning all the servants, these five maids and the 'Cursed Doll' was the most suspicious matter." He looked over at Sixi, "I believe Sixi was in charge of questioning the Consorts and searching the palace grounds. Perhaps Sixi would've had more luck in finding something."

Prince Ping and the two Consorts now turned their attention to Sixi.

"Your highness, please allow me to give my report," Sixi took a big step forward to face Prince Ping. It was his turn to tell what he found.