Chapter 726: Is Him

Guo Zhi was startled. "All palace entry and exit records? That's a massive undertaking. May I ask, Lord Eleven, what specific area you're investigating? I can help narrow down the scope."

An Zhuan hesitated. "I need to check the entry and exit records for palace maids."

Guo Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "That's much easier. The imperial palace has four gates. The Vermillion Bird Gate to the south is only opened for major ceremonies and grand court assemblies. The Cloud Dragon Gate to the west is used by civil and military officials entering the palace for their daily duties. The Wen Hua Gate to the east is generally for some officials from the Nine Ministers and Hanlin scholars compiling books. Palace maids and eunuchs, however, can only enter and exit through the Xuanwu Gate to the north. So, we only need to check the records for that one gate."

An Zhuan still seemed hesitant. "What if someone left through one of the other gates?"

Guo Zhi shook his head. "Absolutely impossible. With so many eyes on each gate, there's no way a palace maid could leave through those places."

An Zhuan finally relaxed. "Thank you for your trouble, General Guo."

"You're too kind, Lord Eleven." Guo Zhi then led him to the Xuanwu Gate in the north.

Soon, a golden-armored general with thick eyebrows and large eyes rushed over upon hearing the news. "Greetings, General Guo. And greetings to this... Lord."

Guo Zhi introduced them. "This is Lord Eleven, a Gold Token Envoy, who is investigating a case by imperial decree. You are to cooperate fully. This is Ouyang Wu, the Sima of Xuanwu Gate, responsible for all matters big and small here. You can ask him directly about anything."

Each palace gate had a Sima, who was in charge of the gate guards and the security of the imperial palace.

"Greetings, Lord Eleven." Seeing that it was a Gold Token Envoy personally brought by Guo Zhi, Ouyang Wu did not dare to be negligent.

"General Ouyang," An Zhuan cupped his hands, "I'd like to check the entry and exit records for palace maids from recent days."

"No problem," Ouyang Wu nodded. "All palace entries and exits are meticulously recorded. Please follow me, Lords."

Soon, he led the two men into a storeroom near the gate and instructed someone inside to bring out a ledger-like book. "Lord Eleven, whose palace maid's entry and exit records are you looking for?"

An Zhuan said in a low voice, "I'll look myself. Please mark all records from the last half month for me."

He didn't want others to know he was investigating Xin Rui, so he deliberately extended the timeframe.

"Understood!" Ouyang Wu showed no surprise; he had seen many such incidents in the palace and knew it was best to know as little as possible.

Soon, a thick register was placed before him. An Zhuan quickly began flipping through it, while Ouyang Wu, understanding the situation, went outside to wait. Guo Zhi also followed him out to chat.

An Zhuan was astonished as he scanned the dense records. So many people entered and exited the palace daily? This was due to him being misled by TV dramas from his previous life; in reality, there was a lot of interaction between the palace and the outside world, as many palace supplies had to be purchased externally. Moreover, with so many nobles in the palace, each with several servants at their beck and call, the combined number was substantial.

Fortunately, as a cultivator, An Zhuan's mental strength was far greater than in his previous life, and his reading speed was incomparable. An Zhuan quickly scanned for relevant records. After about an hour, he had finished looking through everything, but unfortunately, there was no record of Xin Rui leaving the palace.

When An Zhuan emerged, Guo Zhi had already departed, having waited for so long. Only Ouyang Wu remained.

"Did you find anything, Lord Eleven?" Ouyang Wu asked.

An Zhuan shook his head, then asked, "Is it possible for someone to leave the palace by impersonating another identity? That way, her record wouldn't appear."

Ouyang Wu exclaimed, "There shouldn't be, right? If caught, that's a capital offense. Who would take such a risk?"

"So it is possible, then?" An Zhuan pressed.

Ouyang Wu hesitated. "If the person could obtain another palace staff member's waist token and pass, it is indeed possible, but that would be extremely difficult..."

An Zhuan interrupted him directly, "Later, I will have my Embroidered Uniform Guards assist you in verifying the identity of every person entering and exiting."

He was concerned that if he left the investigation solely to the gate guards, they might not be diligent, as uncovering a problem would indicate their negligence. So, he specifically dispatched Embroidered Uniform Guards to supervise. It had to be said, having people under one's command was indeed much more convenient.

Ouyang Wu's heart tightened. "Yes!"

An Zhuan hurried back to the Embroidered Loft and dispatched a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards. As a Gold Token Embroidered Uniform Guard, he inherently possessed this authority, especially now that he was also acting under imperial command. Immediately after, he summoned another team and instructed them to investigate various hidden locations within the palace, such as wells, ponds, and lake beds, to see if any new palace maid bodies had been discovered. He strongly suspected that after being involved in such an incident, Xin Rui had most likely been silenced. However, if alive, he needed to see her; if dead, he needed to see her body.

After arranging these matters, he promptly rushed to the Imperial Household Department to investigate Xin Rui's detailed information.

He quickly found what he was looking for. Indeed, just as Consort Bai had mentioned, Xin Rui's father had died early, leaving only her mother and a young brother in their hometown. Because Xin Rui had served as a head palace maid in the Hundred Flowers Palace for several years, their lives had gradually improved. With the monthly allowance and rewards she saved, she bought a house in the southern suburbs of the capital and brought her mother and brother to live there from their hometown. The detailed address of her home was also listed.

An Zhuan couldn't help but sigh, marveling that even in this different world, homes in the capital were so expensive. Xin Rui had a respectable job, yet she could only afford a house outside the 'Sixth Ring Road'. He dared not delay. He immediately gathered a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards to accompany him out of the palace, wondering if it was still not too late to rush there.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Palace, after the Crown Princess had just finished discussing the upcoming Crown Prince's Grand Examination with some trusted ministers, Rong Mo quietly arrived and whispered a few words into her ear.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guards are investigating palace maids?" The Crown Princess's delicate brows immediately furrowed.

As the Crown Prince was currently incapacitated, she was largely in charge of the Eastern Palace, and naturally had many informants within the imperial palace. An Zhuan's earlier fervent investigation had not escaped the notice of those with influence, and she quickly received the news.

"Do you know what it's about?" A hint of worry appeared between the Crown Princess's brows. Investigating palace maids at this time, she hoped it wasn't related to her own affairs.

"It seems they're investigating palace maids' entry and exit records. At the same time, many Embroidered Uniform Guards are searching wells everywhere. From their demeanor, it's very likely they're looking for a body," Rong Mo offered her guess. "I wonder which palace's maid was unfortunate enough to be beaten to death by her master, alarming the Emperor. If it's found out, they won't have it easy."

The Crown Princess's face turned pale. How could the death of an ordinary palace maid alarm so many Embroidered Uniform Guards? It was clear they were coming for her. Why did these Embroidered Uniform Guards know so quickly that there was an issue with a palace maid?

"Where is Lord Zu? Send for him to see me," the Crown Princess said, her mind in turmoil. She couldn't discuss this matter with anyone else, and instinctively thought of An Zhuan. That man had managed to escape danger in such a situation back then, so surely he would have a solution this time too. For some reason, thinking of him gradually calmed her heart.

Rong Mo scoffed. "That fellow hasn't returned at all since being summoned by the Emperor."

"He's still in the Imperial Study?" The Crown Princess's expression subtly changed. Had something happened?

"I heard he left the Imperial Study a while ago, but he hasn't returned to pay respects to Your Highness since. He clearly doesn't hold you in high regard," Rong Mo chattered, seizing the opportunity to badmouth the "male vixen" who had competed with her for the Crown Princess's favor since his arrival.

Hearing that An Zhuan was fine, the Crown Princess breathed a sigh of relief. Her personal maid's subtle intentions did not escape her, but she had no intention of exposing them. After all, showing too much special regard for An Zhuan in front of others was ultimately not appropriate.

"By the way, which Embroidered Uniform Guard is in charge of this investigation?" The Crown Princess picked up her tea cup and took a sip, simultaneously wondering if she could use her connections to contact the person in charge. Although the Embroidered Uniform Guards were the Emperor's direct loyalists, the Eastern Palace had many years of influence and maintained good relations with several high-ranking officials there.

"The one in charge this time is a Gold Token Envoy, apparently Lord Eleven," Rong Mo replied.

"Lord Eleven?" The water in the Crown Princess's teacup nearly sloshed out. For a moment, her expression became somewhat hazy and shy. "It's him..."