CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: MISMATCH BETWEEN BUYING WINE AND TREES

"We need to investigate this Xie Si at the Academy," the young Emperor voiced quietly.

Ji Youze nodded. "Yes! Do you think we need to send assistance?"

The young Emperor waved his hand, speaking as if to the air. "Since Xie Si has thought of investigating the source of the wine, all the Taverns in the capital are suspects. The staff Old Lady Ji has brought would not be enough. Youzhi should already have men waiting nearby. Go tell him to secretly probe all the Taverns in the city."

From the rooftop, the young Emperor immediately ordered the investigation of the Taverns.

In the Flower Hall, however, Xie Si was still questioning who had helped the Lin Family purchase the wine. He requested Old Lady Ji’s Guards and Maids be divided into pairs to guard all side gates of the Xie Mansion. The remaining four Guards were stationed at the entrance of the Flower Hall, and the Main Gate of the Xie Mansion was also closed.

Lady Lin looked at Xie Si, her face contorted. "Why are you asking this? The wine was purchased by the steward in charge of procurement. How would I know who bought it?"

"Then, I’ll trouble Old Lady Ji’s Guards to accompany my younger sister and bring over the steward in charge of procurement for questioning."

Upon hearing her elder brother’s words, Xie Pan’Er immediately left.

Soon, a woman in her thirties was brought in. "Elder Brother! This is Auntie Zhang, who is in charge of the kitchen’s purchases."

Auntie Zhang was brought in, still looking baffled. Before she could even speak, Xie Si asked her, "Auntie Zhang, do you remember which Tavern you bought the wine from?"

Upon hearing Xie Si’s question, Auntie Zhang responded without hesitation. "The Mansion usually does not buy wine, only during festivals or when there are banquets."

"Then where did you buy this wine?"

"From the Tavern at the entrance to our Wuliuxiang. Since we’re all neighbors, they sell it to us a bit cheaper."

A Tavern at the entrance of their Wuliuxiang?

After listening to Auntie Zhang, Xie Si immediately said to Old Lady Ji, "I must trouble Old Lady Ji’s Guards and my younger sister to take this wine gourd to that Tavern for a thorough inspection. See if that Tavern has the kind of strong wine my father drinks every day!"

As soon as Xie Pan’Er received her elder brother’s instruction, she hurried out. Huo Xing’Er then said to Old Lady Ji, "Mother! I’d like to go and see too!"

Old Lady Ji nodded. Nanny Zhang quietly went to Lady Luo’s side. Seeing the cold sweat on Lady Luo’s forehead and her trembling legs, it seemed she had an injury, which was why Second Lady Ji had been supporting her. Nanny Zhang directly helped Lady Luo to a vacant guest seat beside Old Lady Ji.

Lady Luo nodded her thanks to Nanny Zhang. Nanny Zhang, however, ignored her gratitude, keeping her gaze fixed forward.

Seeing Lady Luo seated while she herself was still standing, Lady Lin felt like grinding her teeth to dust.

Just as Lady Lin was about to say something, a Guard outside the Flower Hall reported, "Reporting to Old Lady Ji, a woman was acting suspiciously at the west side gate, trying to escape unnoticed. We have apprehended her."

"Bring her in!" Old Lady Ji ordered loudly.

The Guard then escorted the woman in and quickly retreated.

The captured woman was about thirty years of age. It was Liuniang, a kitchen maid from the Xie Mansion.

"Release me! I’ve done nothing wrong! Why did you arrest me?"

Upon seeing Liuniang, Auntie Zhang, who was in charge of the kitchen, furrowed her brows. Memories flashed in her mind: she recalled seeing this Liuniang secretly delivering strong wine to the First Madam late at night, in addition to the strong wine she herself had purchased for the Mansion!

Footsteps sounded from outside as Huo Xing’Er and Xie Pan’Er returned.

"Elder Brother! We went to that Tavern and checked. They don’t carry the kind of strong wine Father drinks, and we also checked their accounts. The quantity of strong wine Auntie Zhang purchased doesn’t match Father’s daily consumption."