Chapter 708: 331 See Through (Two Updates)_3 Chapter 708: 331 See Through (Two Updates)_3 Eunuch Qin took the jade pendant, wrapped it carefully in silk handkerchief, and placed it back in the brocaded box: “Of course, such a treasure is seldom worn by the Empress Dowager. Allowing us servants to stash it away in a hidden compartment where it must be dusted every day.”
If it were not for a gift from Princess Ning An, the Empress Dowager would certainly give the chilly jade to Xiao Xiuzhuan without hesitation.
What Eunuch Qin did not know was that Xiao Liulang once had a piece of thousand-year-old chilly jade, given to him by his mother, Princess Xinyang.
However, he was no longer Xiao Hen, and that piece of chilly jade was no longer in his possession.
Hence, it could be confirmed that this incomplete jade pendant did not originate from Renshou Palace. Yet, how it got into Gu Jiao’s sachet still required questioning to Feicui, the palace maid.
Awaiting the moment to call Feicui without arousing suspicion, Xiao Liulang listened as Eunuch Qin said: “Feicui, come over here, put the jade pendant back.”
A petite palace maid in pink attire stepped forward to receive the brocaded box handed by Eunuch Qin.
“You…pour a cup of tea for me.” Xiao Liulang said to Feicui.
Feicui paused in confusion.
Eunuch Qin half assumed Xiao Liulang was merely ordering a maid in passing and had no suspicions. He commanded, “Just go as you were asked.”
“Yes!” Feicui nodded and turned away.
Xiao Liulang said, “Eunuch Qin, you can go about your business. I will sit here for a while.”
Eunuch Qin agreed, “Alright, I will get back to sorting out the internal affairs.”
Right after Eunuch Qin left, Feicui brought a pot of tea, “Master Xiao, here is your tea.”
Xiao Liulang watched her as he took out the jade pendant from his palm: “Do you recognize this?”
“Uh… Yes, yes!” Feicui scrutinized it and responded, “It is Miss Gu’s jade pendant!”
“Her jade pendant?” Xiao Liulang frowned.
Feicui nodded, “Yes, yesterday when I was packing the unused petals for Miss Gu, this jade pendant was lying in her basket.”
Xiao Liulang stared at her intently, realizing she was not lying.
This jade pendant didn’t come from someone at Renshou Palace. Someone must have put it into Gu Jiao’s basket before it entered Renshou Palace.
Where could it have been placed?
In the Imperial Garden where Gu Jiao picked the flowers?
Xiao Liulang visited the Imperial Garden but couldn’t find much trace of anything. He changed direction and headed for the Huaqing Palace.
“Master Xiao, are you here to see the Emperor?” asked the young eunuch at the gate.
“No, I’m looking for Eunuch Wei.” Xiao Liulang replied.
“Please wait a moment, Master Xiao.” The young eunuch went in to report to Eunuch Wei.
Eunuch Wei walked out with a duster in hand and a wide smile on his face. “Oh, what brings Xiao Xiuzhuan here?” His smile paused for a moment, then he quietly asked, “Does the crown prince neglect his studies again?”
Xiao Liulang courteously replied, “No, the prince has made progress in his study and is serious in class, there’s no hint of negligence.”
Eunuch Wei sighed in relief, “That’s good, that’s good. The emperor will be more assured upon hearing this about the Prince. Uhm… then what brings Master Xiao here?”
“I found a jade pendant in the Imperial Garden when I passed by just now.” Xiao Liulang handed the fragmentary jade pendant to Eunuch Wei.
Upon one glance, Eunuch Wei brightened, “My goodness! Finally found it! I was saying! There’s no way Miss Gu picked it up!”
“Why do you say that?” Xiao Liulang asked.
Eunuch Wei sighed, “Master Xiao must not be aware. This is the jade pendant that Princess Ning An gifted to Concubine Jing years ago. Concubine Jing is now residing in Huaqing Palace after returning to the palace. Concubine Jing lost this jade pendant in the Imperial Garden yesterday, and coincidentally, Miss Gu happened to visit the garden. The emperor trusts Miss Gu and didn’t let anyone question her, but instead gave his own jade pendant to Concubine Jing.”
He chuckled, “The emperor also cherishes his jade pendant, a gift from Princess Ning An. Now that we found Concubine Jing’s jade pendant, I can recover the emperor’s pendant.”
Xiao Liulang’s eyes flashed profoundly, “Eunuch Wei, are you saying this jade pendant belongs to Concubine Jing?”
“Yes.” Eunuch Wei nodded.
Concubine Jing, accompanied by Nurse Cai, stepped out of the palace to take a stroll. She was still dressed as a nun, wearing a hat, her face showed the pallor of someone recently recovering from a serious illness, but she retained her calm demeanor and kindly expression.
She noticed Eunuch Wei and Xiao Liulang at the gate in an instant.
And Xiao Liulang also looked at her.
Their eyes met, and the surrounding air seemed to quiet for a moment.