Chapter 812: The Theft of the Orb (Part 2)
Concubine Wu, who still had a graceful figure, folded her hands on her still flat belly, tiptoed, and paced like a cat.
With every step she took, her body swayed visibly, and even the thick mink fur coat could not hide the ups and downs of her figure.
The noise was not loud, but it was just the right amount to stir people's hearts, making people unable to help but secretly want to explore it.
When she was young, she was actually the same type as Liu Duren, but after she gave birth to a prince, she deliberately restrained her seductiveness.
But it is difficult to draw the bones of a tiger even if it is its skin. Just these few steps revealed her deliberate elegance.
But when Concubine Wu saw that she had reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned back and said solemnly: "My three lords, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."
She said she didn't know whether to say it or not, but without waiting for the three people to respond, she raised her voice and said, "If it was us who did this, we should have taken action three years ago when the North Korean envoys came. Why wait until now?"
Just now she was beating around the bush and kept getting closer to that Liu Duren. Sun Shaozong knew that she was trying to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble.
He only hinted at it a few times, but seeing that she was just hinting that the case must have been committed by someone from Liudu, but couldn't explain why, he didn't continue the conversation.
Unexpectedly, at the last minute, she still did not forget to slander Liu Duren a few more times - Liu Duren was welcomed into the palace by King Zhongxin two and a half years ago, so naturally she had no chance to do anything three years ago.
Sun Shaozong glanced at Hu Tai out of the corner of his eye and saw that this official bowed slightly, his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, just like an old monk in meditation, but there was a hint of bitterness between his brows.
It seems that this person is helpless about the palace fighting drama in front of him.
Sun Shaozong was relieved, and said solemnly, "Thank you for your reminder, Your Majesty. I will definitely keep it in mind."
Seeing his sincere attitude, Concubine Wu nodded with satisfaction and then tiptoed away gracefully.
After her figure completely disappeared outside the door, Sun Shaozong chuckled and took himself a glass of half-warm tea to moisten his dry throat.
At this time, the thin steward came in and said with a bitter face: "Would you like to continue questioning me now? Liu Duren seems... seems a little impatient."
Sure enough, there was still a commotion.
Seeing that she was still stern in front of Princess Niu, Sun Shaozong knew that she was most likely going to make a scene.
But it's better this way. The more emotional she is, the easier it is to get some useful information out of her.
Sun Shaozong immediately ordered the thin steward to bring Liu Duren over for questioning.
Unexpectedly, just as he was about to open his mouth, he heard footsteps outside. It turned out to be Huang Bin, who had left with the last hound, hurried back.
"grown ups."
After entering the room, he bowed and clasped his hands, but did not rush to report. It was obvious that he was on guard against Hu Tai and the thin steward.
Upon seeing this, the thin steward bowed and retreated.
Hu Tai also needs to stay away temporarily.
However, how could the major and minor events that took place in Prince Zhongxin's palace be hidden from him, the chief historian?
He would know about it sooner or later anyway, so Sun Shaozong simply went with the flow and did a favor: "Hu Changshi is loyal to the prince, so just report it as it should be, there is no need to be shy about anything."
Huang Bin then started to report: "Two of the five hunting dogs got lost on the way, and the remaining three stopped near ."
After a pause, he continued, "I took the base of the Night Pearl and had three hounds circle around the outer kitchen, but there seemed to be no other traces to be found."
"In addition, I have also asked the kitchen manager, and he said that since the stove was lit before dawn, no outsiders have entered or left the kitchen, and the people in the kitchen have never set foot outside the palace."
Previously, through the dismantled dial, it was determined that the thief stole the night pearl at around 2:15 am.
If the thief could carry the stolen goods away from the palace directly, he would not need to go through the kitchen.
So he entered the outer kitchen, either to move the dirty things to the street with his accomplices, or to temporarily hide the night pearl in the kitchen and get it back after daybreak .
At that time, the stove in the outer kitchen had been sealed. Even if there were accomplices staying there to provide assistance, it would be difficult to find a chance to take the night pearl out of the palace.
In other words, the night pearl was most likely still in the mansion before dawn, and there was even a certain possibility that it was still hidden in the outer kitchen.
"Hu Changshi."
After sorting out his thoughts, Sun Shaozong immediately asked Hu Taiyan: "Have you sorted out the list of people who have entered and left the palace since the hour of the Ox?"
As soon as he discovered the time on the dial had stopped, Sun Shaozong had already asked Hu Tai to send someone to count it.
Hearing Sun Shaozong's question, Hu Tai immediately went outside and called the thin steward to ask for the list.
However, the list seemed to have not been drawn up yet, so it was delayed for another half a quarter of an hour before Hu Tai came in with a displeased look on his face and said with a wry smile, "I have neglected to discipline them and raised these good-for-nothings. It is really embarrassing for Lord Sun."
After investigating this case, he will no longer have any dealings with the Zhongxin Palace. Why would Sun Shaozong care about their efficiency?
He just laughed it off and pointed at the list in Hu Tai's hand with his chin.
Hu Tai immediately handed over the list, but there were only three or five names written on it, followed by the time they entered and left, as well as the reasons for their entry and exit.
"I have sent people to look for these four people, but two of them haven't returned yet, so we may have to wait for a while."
Hu Tai said, then hesitated and said: "Master Sun, do you think we should check the outer kitchen first? Maybe..."
Sun Shaozong raised his hand to stop him from talking, then stared at the names above and thought for a moment, then he said in silence: "If the things are still hidden in the kitchen, then the thieves are still in the dark and have not taken any action yet - searching the outer kitchen at this time may alert the enemy."
"Then according to your Excellency's wishes..."
"Why not set up a trap and let him jump out on his own."
Sun Shaozong paused for a moment, then continued, "However, this situation can only be set up by the palace - I must stay out of it, otherwise the thief may not dare to move."
This is not exaggeration. A person's reputation is like the shadow of a tree. There may be some thieves who dare to commit crimes despite knowing that Sun Shaozong is in the mansion, but they are definitely not too many.
Hu Tai wanted to ask in detail how to set up the trap, but when he heard that Sun Shaozong wanted to withdraw from the matter, he was stunned again, and then frowned and said: "This... Lord Sun was recommended by the princess and appointed by the prince to investigate the case. He has only been investigating for half an hour and has not found any results. If you withdraw without reason, I am afraid that it will alert the thief."
Sun Shaozong smiled and pointed outside: "It's impossible to withdraw without reason, but don't we have a ready-made reason?"
"Your Excellency is saying..."
Hu Tai looked outside suspiciously, only to see a beautiful woman with a stern face, peeking impatiently outside.
