NOVPUBSomehow, the whole situation turned into an investigation led by Shen Roujia.
Shen Roujia herself remained silent about her involvement, speaking only with wisdom and righteousness, leaving no room for refusal.
“Hmm.”
Shen Roujia slightly curled her lips and turned to Xiao Fu. “Go bring Xiao Hei here.”
Xiao Fu nodded and left.
After giving instructions, Shen Roujia lowered her eyes respectfully. “Please send someone to Consort Jia’s palace to find a maid named Xiu Xiu.”
The nanny behind Consort Jia’s expression changed, and she glared angrily at Shen Roujia.
Without thinking, she blurted out, “Has the Crown Princess planted spies in our palace?”
Before Shen Roujia could respond, the already irritated and impatient Emperor grabbed a tea cup from the table and threw it at the nanny.
“Is this the etiquette Consort Jia teaches you?”
The nanny, being old, was stunned by the blow.
The Emperor waved his hand with a dark expression. “Drag this old hag out. The rest of you, bring that maid here.”
Gao Huaichang, upon being called, glanced at Xu Zening and quickly turned to leave without delay.
The room was filled with the sound of weeping.
The Emperor rubbed his temples in frustration.
Xiao Fu returned, carrying Xiao Hei, a snow-white kitten, which made everyone pause in surprise.
Shen Roujia gently stroked Xiao Hei’s head. “Father Emperor, I found him in a dry well. His mother had died.”
Consort Jia turned pale upon seeing Xiao Hei, her lips quivering as she instinctively glanced at Rong Shuyao.
Rong Shuyao was already overwhelmed, unable to pay attention to Consort Jia.
Xiao Hei looked exactly like its mother, especially its heterochromatic eyes, which the Emperor immediately recognized.
The kitten appeared to be only a month old. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
“This kitten looks very familiar...”
Shen Roujia said nothing as Xiao Hei jumped from her arms and ran into the inner chamber.
Everyone rushed to stop him, but Consort Shu’s voice had already called out, “My Lingling is back! Lingling, is that you?”
No one outside the room spoke.
Consort Shu had no children and had genuinely adored that cat. It was a pity…
Shen Roujia understood that the cat named Lingling was likely the only pure and kind memory Consort Shu had left.
Sadly, even that had been destroyed.
Xiao Hei leisurely walked out.
Completely unconcerned with the tense atmosphere, he strolled around the room.
The Emperor frowned, his eyes following Xiao Hei. “Crown Princess, what do you mean by this...”
Before Shen Roujia could answer, Gao Huaichang returned with Xiu Xiu.
Xiu Xiu smiled gently when she saw Shen Roujia.
Shen Roujia acknowledged her briefly. “Good, there are many things here that I’m not entirely clear about.”
Shen Roujia gestured for Xiu Xiu to speak.
The events surrounding Xiu Xiu had happened by chance.
The people in Consort Jia’s palace were known for their bullying, making life miserable for the lower-ranking maids.
They were often beaten or scolded.
Chang Sheng had coincidentally helped Xiu Xiu while out shopping for Shen Roujia.
Later, he saw Xiu Xiu secretly burying a kitten at North Lake.
Xiu Xiu knelt slowly.
“Your Majesty, a month ago, I was ordered by Consort Jia to deal with a cat.”
She paused, lowering her voice.
“I didn’t know at the time, but I felt pity for the cat and couldn’t bear to harm it. I thought that throwing it into the well would be better, hoping someone might save it.”
