After Granny Sun left, the smile on Feng Jin's lips gradually faded. She was truly a formidable character.
She spoke with such logic, as if she had already laid out traps for every step, waiting for her to fall in. It was truly difficult to deal with.
"Young Madam, this Granny Sun is truly frightening. Her eyes carry a hint of calculation."
Just by glancing at Granny Sun, Cai Qing felt uneasy, as if a gaze had completely scrutinized her, leaving no place to hide.
This feeling of complete exposure was unbearable, making her want to avoid Granny Sun's gaze.
"Can someone who has spent decades in the palace be an ordinary person? From now on, you must be cautious in your words and actions. If you truly cannot handle Granny Sun, then try to avoid her as much as possible and interact with her less."
With Cai Qing's inexperience, how could she be a match for Granny Sun? It was better to stay away.
"This servant understands."
Cai Qing nodded solemnly. She also didn't want to interact much with people like Granny Sun, or she might not even know how she died. It was better to keep her distance in the future.
"Your subordinate greets the Young Madam."
Just as they finished their conversation, Lu Shi strode in.
"Have you found anything?" Feng Jin asked impatiently.
"Your subordinate discovered that those palace maids did indeed take items to a pawnshop in the west of the city. The silver they received was all bought back by your subordinate."
Lu Shi placed a bundle on the table. Upon opening it, it was filled with hairpins and jade ornaments.
Feng Jin picked one up and examined it closely. The quality was not superior, and it wasn't worth much, but there were quite a few of them, perhaps dozens.
There were also several identical items, suggesting they weren't all from one person, but rather gathered from several individuals.
These palace maids from Xiliang usually quarreled and fought over items. What was going on this time? It was rare for them to gather their jewelry to pawn.
"This servant has seen this on quite a few palace maids."
Cai Qing picked up a silver plum blossom hairpin and said. She had seen this hairpin on the heads of more than one palace maid, which was why it looked so familiar and she could identify it at a glance.
"Indeed."
After Cai Qing's remark, Feng Jin also recalled seeing this hairpin on many palace maids, as if it were an item everyone possessed.
"Xiliang is located in a cold region with short springs and summers and a long, harsh winter. Therefore, cold plum blossoms are found everywhere in Xiliang. Xiliang people love and admire plum blossoms, and over time, they have made the plum blossom their national flower. Xiliang women especially like to adorn their hair with plum blossoms, and in the Xiliang palace, the color of plum blossoms is used to distinguish the rank of palace maids."
Lu Shi stood by and spoke calmly, taking the plum blossom hairpin from Cai Qing's hand. "This silver plum blossom hairpin is worn by second-rank maids in Xiliang. They usually do chores like sweeping the halls."
"Guard Lu knows quite a lot."
Cai Qing said lightly, her tone carrying a hint of sourness.
"No... I heard this two years ago when we were fighting Xiliang, and then I heard..."
Lu Shi stammered for a long time, unable to explain clearly.
"Lu Shi, go and bring one of the palace maids here."
Feng Jin said. A decision could only be made after an interrogation.
"Your subordinate obeys."
Lu Shi cupped his hands in agreement. As he left, he glanced at Cai Qing before discreetly withdrawing his gaze and walking away.
"Cai Qing, you can put these things away first."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Feng Jin glanced at Cai Qing. This little girl was quite spirited. However, the fact that she was angry meant she cared about this matter, which could be considered some progress.
In a short while, Lu Shi returned with someone.
The palace maid's timid gaze swept around. Upon seeing Feng Jin, she hastily lowered her eyes, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"Cai Qing, show her the items."
Feng Jin said calmly. Cai Qing brought the bundle and placed it in front of the palace maid.
When the palace maid saw the contents of the bundle clearly, her face suddenly changed, and her lips turned pale with fright.
"Do you recognize these items?"
"Your servant... your servant..."
"These are the items you pawned this morning. After only a few hours, have you forgotten them?"
Feng Jin's voice was extremely soft, but it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds on the palace maid's heart.
"Your servant... your servant recognizes them..."
The palace maid's lips trembled as she replied. In her panic, she knelt directly before Feng Jin with a thud.
"Madam, please be merciful. Please let me go, Madam, I beg you."
The palace maid knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly. Soon, her fair forehead was bruised.
"You may rise first." Feng Jin was startled by this sudden display and signaled Cai Qing to help her up.
"What is your name?"
"Your... your servant's name is Cui'er."
"Cui'er, since you know how serious your offense is, how dare you repeat it? If Granny Sun found out, what would be your fate?"
From early that morning, Feng Jin had noticed that these palace maids feared Granny Sun the most, so she directly brought up Granny Sun's name.
Upon hearing the name Granny Sun, Cui'er's face turned even paler.
"If you tell the truth today, I might be able to save your life. But if you insist on being stubborn and concealing the truth, then I cannot protect you, and you will all be handed over to Granny Sun for disposal."
"Madam, please, please don't hand me over to Granny Sun for disposal..."
She had personally witnessed how Granny Sun dealt with offending palace maids. It was worse than death.
If she were truly to fall into Granny Sun's hands, she might as well dash her head against a wall now, saving herself from torture and still facing death in the end.
"Since you know, then speak the truth. Why did you pawn the jewelry?"
Cui'er lowered her head, twisting her clothes, her face full of distress. After a moment of silence, she stammered, "We... we wanted... to exchange for some money, and then... and then find an opportunity..."
"You wanted to escape?"
Feng Jin accurately guessed their true intention.
Cui'er's face changed, and she slowly nodded, admitting to it.
"You are all palace maids who accompanied the dowry to East Chu. Unauthorized escape is a capital offense if caught."
"Your servant understands..." Tears immediately flowed from Cui'er's eyes. "But... but even if we reach East Chu, we are doomed to die. It's better... it's better to take a gamble now. Perhaps there's still a way out."