Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 456 Finding the Cause, Human Sabotage

An unexpected incident during the ritual plunged the palace into chaos and panic, and Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling took on the important task of finding the cause.

The two first returned to the sacrificial site, carefully examining every corner. Xiao Ling's gaze was sharp, not missing a single subtle trace.

“Madam, look at these messy footprints on the ground. They seem unusual,” Xiao Ling said, pointing to the ground.

Su Jinxiu squatted down and observed carefully before saying, "These footprints are of different sizes and in random directions, so they must have been left by many people when the scene was chaotic. But some of them are obviously deeper, which may be the footprints of key figures."

Following the trail of footprints, they began questioning those who were present at the scene.

"Do you remember who was walking around here at the time?" Xiao Ling asked a palace maid.

The palace maid trembled and replied, "General, the scene was chaotic at the time, and I was only focused on hiding, so I didn't notice anything."

Su Jinxiu comforted her, "Don't be afraid. Think carefully, any detail could be an important clue."

After some patient questioning, they finally obtained some useful information from a young eunuch.

"I think I saw a figure flash by near the offering table, acting suspiciously," the young eunuch said.

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu exchanged a glance, a glimmer of hope igniting in their hearts.

Next, they began to examine the items used in the ritual. Su Jinxiu noticed something unusual about the ashes left after the incense and candles burned.

“Husband, look at the ashes of these incense sticks; they seem to be a darker color than usual.”

Xiao Ling leaned closer to examine it and said, "Could these incense sticks have been tampered with?"

They took the samples of incense and candles to the artisans in the palace.

After careful examination, the craftsman said, "It seems that a special spice has been mixed into this incense and candle, which may affect the smell and effect when it burns."

Xiao Ling frowned: "Where did these spices come from?"

The craftsman shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

After a moment's thought, Su Jinxiu said, "Perhaps we can start our investigation by examining the source of the spices."

They began investigating the personnel in the palace responsible for purchasing spices and found that one of the officials had been behaving suspiciously recently.

“This person frequently contacted people outside the palace before the sacrificial ceremony,” Xiao Ling said.

Su Jinxiu said, "It seems we need to interrogate him properly."

However, when they were about to interrogate the official, they discovered that he had disappeared.

“This must have been done on purpose to cover up the truth,” Su Jinxiu said.

Xiao Ling said, "Don't worry, Madam. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find him."

They intensified their search, leaving no corner of the palace unexplored.

During their investigation, they encountered numerous obstacles. Some people secretly sabotaged their investigation and even attempted to assassinate them.

"It seems the forces behind this are not to be underestimated," Xiao Ling said.

Su Jinxiu said firmly, "But we must never back down."

Just when they felt they had reached a dead end, Xiao Ling accidentally discovered some clues in an old palace account book.

“Madam, look at these records; they seem to be related to the purchase of items for this sacrificial ceremony.”

After examining it carefully, Su Jinxiu's eyes lit up: "This might be the key to our breakthrough."

Through their persistent investigation, Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling gradually pieced together various clues, and the truth finally came to light—it turned out that the accident during the ritual was deliberately sabotaged, and a sinister conspiracy was hidden behind it.

Holding the evidence he had just collected, Xiao Ling said to Su Jinxiu with a solemn expression, "Madam, it seems that this is by no means an accident, but a carefully planned sabotage."

Looking at the evidence, Su Jinxiu's heart tightened: "Who on earth is so bold as to tamper with the sacrificial ceremony?"

Through their investigation of the missing official, they discovered that he had close ties with a mysterious organization outside the palace. This organization harbored resentment towards the court and attempted to create chaos and undermine its foundations by disrupting sacrificial rites.

"How dare they do such a heinous thing!" Xiao Ling was furious.

Su Jinxiu analyzed, "This matter is probably not that simple. There may be an even more powerful force supporting them."

Further investigation revealed that this mysterious organization had planted numerous spies within the palace, who colluded with each other to secretly manipulate everything.

"These traitors are utterly despicable, actually betraying the imperial court." Xiao Ling gritted his teeth.

Faced with the evidence, those who had tried to cover up the truth began to slip up. Under immense pressure, a palace maid finally revealed the truth.

“Someone instructed us to do this. They said that as long as we disrupted the sacrifice, we would receive a great reward.” The palace maid sobbed uncontrollably.

Xiao Ling asked, "Then who instructed you?"

The palace maid said tremblingly, "It's...it's a trusted confidante of Consort Li."

This news shocked Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling. Consort Li had always kept a low profile in the palace; they never expected her to be involved in this matter.

"Could it be that Consort Li intends to use this opportunity to stir up trouble?" Su Jinxiu asked in confusion.

Xiao Ling decided to investigate Consort Li's movements in depth. They discovered that Consort Li had been frequently interacting with some ministers in the court recently, most of whom were dissatisfied with the emperor's policies.

"It seems they want to seize power amidst the chaos," Xiao Ling said.

However, just as they were preparing to present the evidence to the emperor, they found themselves in danger.

The mysterious organization discovered Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling's actions and sent assassins to hunt them down.

"Watch out!" Xiao Ling pulled Su Jinxiu behind him, dodging a flying arrow.

They scrambled through the palace, engaging in a thrilling chase with assassins.

"Madam, you go first, I'll hold them off," Xiao Ling said.

Su Jinxiu replied resolutely, "No, my husband, I will stand with you through thick and thin."

At the critical moment, Xiao Ling's men arrived in time and repelled the assassins.

"General, Madam, are you alright?"

Xiao Ling said, "Luckily you arrived in time, we're alright."

Although they were temporarily out of danger, they knew that the real crisis was not yet over.