Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard Chapter 87.2 – Competition Start (2)

Han Ming Ze fell silent after listening, and then spoke in a low voice, "After leaving the case can only survive for an hour............"
Du Xiao Li looked to Han Ming Ze's appearance, and also fell silent.
The characteristic of the gu only being able to survive for an hour after leaving the case, this bit, proved that the person that used the gu must be someone from the palace, and moreover, someone that can get close to the Grand Empress Dowager.
"When did imperial grandmother get inflicted with the gu?"
"At least five years ago." Du Xiao Li said after thinking for a moment. "This gu, when it enters the human body, needs about three years to grow, and after it reaches the mature stage, it will break its cocoon and come out. However, as soon as the gu enters the body, it will began affecting the body. And after it breaks its cocoon, it will began greedily feeding on the body. At first, it won't be very obvious, but when it reaches the later stage, the speed will increase. According to the Grand Empress Dowager's body's situation, the gu has already broken out of the cocoon for about two years now."
"En, imperial grandmother also more or less started disliking coming in contact with people five years ago. Afterwards, she directly sealed off her palace, not allowing anyone to enter." Han Ming Ze recalled, "Imperial Physician Du, you say the gu can't survive for long after leaving the container, then the person that used the gu must be someone from the palace?"
"The possibility is very high." Du Xiao Li said.
"Ever since this emperor found out that imperial grandmother was inflicted with the gu, this emperor has been sending people to secretly investigate, but hasn't been able to find out anything useful. This gu has always been a product of the Miao. This time it unexpectedly appeared in the palace. I've sent someone to go investigate its origin, but still didn't get any results. Never thought that the people of Miao have already sneaked into the palace." Han Ming Ze emitted a cold air all over. Looks like towards the people of Miao sneaking in, he was very displeased.
"Your Majesty, since the person that used the gu is in the palace, and moreover is able to approach the Grand Empress Dowager, their status shouldn't be low. Perhaps other people in the palace may have also become inflicted with the gu. The person that is inflicted with the gu can be controlled by the person using the gu. If your Majesty notices someone in the palace behaving strangely, then need to be careful." Du Xiao Li warned.
"This emperor knows." Han Ming Ze nodded. He looked to Du Xiao Li, his hand tapping against the dragon throne. This bit was rather similar to Han Ming Yi. "Imperial Physician Du, this emperor has one more question for you."
"Your Majesty please ask."
"Disbanding the inner cabinet, were you the one that gave Prime Minister Du this idea?"
Du Xiao Li's heart jumped, and thought for a moment. She bend her body and replied, "This matter has nothing to do with this humble subject. I think perhaps my father feels it's best have to this power returned to your Majesty. Feng Ming originally ought to be personally governed by your Majesty."
Han Ming Ze didn't speak, just staring at Du Xiao Li's calm appearance, and jokingly said, "Ming Yi really has good eyesight. If not for having already bestowed a marriage for the two of you, this emperor rather want to have you received into the imperial harem."
Du Xiao Li held her breath, and immediately after, smiled and said, "A village girl from the mountains like this humble subject, how can your Majesty take a fancy to. Please don't make fun of this subject."
"However, this way is also good, by bestowing a marriage for you and Ming Yi, you can also be considered someone from my Han family. In the future, you will even be my younger sister-in-law!" Han Ming Ze said with a smile, "Alright, the matters of the competition will still need for you all to trouble over. If the competition this time can smoothly conclude, then this emperor will reward you for your great service!"
"Thanks your Majesty! This humble subject will withdraw now!" Du Xiao Li bowed to Han Ming Ze, and afterwards, slowly retreated out. Eunuch Sha who was guarding outside saw her and had her sent out of the palace.
Han Ming Ze watched Du Xiao Li leave, and then picked up the brush, planning to continue reading through the memorandums. But after opening the memorandum, he wasn't able to read anything in, "Little Shan Zi, say, this Du Xiao Li, did she really grow up in a mountain village?"
"Should be correct, didn't Ding Wang meet her in a mountain village?" Eunuch Shan replied.
"But, where do you find such a village girl? That grandeur, that ability, that dance that night, and that shocking medical skill, she's just thirteen. Even if there's many noble young ladies in the capital, there still isn't anyone that can compare, right? Moreover, she even has Sui Yuan, this kind of money-making place. Really is having all the women in the world all compared into the ground!" Han Ming Ze recalled Du Xiao Li's abilities and said with a smile.
"Indeed, Prime Minister Du really gave birth to a good daughter!" Eunuch Shan also said with a sigh.
"Unfortunately this kind of outstanding person got snatched up first by fifth brother."
"Just like your Majesty said earlier, Imperial Physician Du marrying Ding Wang will still end up becoming someone of the imperial family, right?"
"Just afraid she'll become someone else's helping hand!"
"Shouldn't be, Imperial Physician Du, although is relatively indifferent to the matters around her, but her heart still leans towards Ding Wang, and towards your Majesty. The inner cabinet has existed for this long, and the Prime Minister of past dynasties all were unwilling to have this power handed over, but with Prime Minister Du, he just had this power handed over. Moreover, Prime Minister Du also said, it's because of Imperial Physician Du that he made this decision. If they have other thoughts, it wouldn't be like this." Eunuch Shan voiced his thoughts.
"Hehe, really is a strange girl. Just unfortunately, sigh............"
When Du Xiao Li exited the palace, those students have already left, and only her lonely carriage was left in its original spot.
"Miss." The carriage driver saw Du Xiao Li come out and quickly came down from the carriage. He had the little stool taken down from the carriage and placed it by the carriage.
"Thank you, we'll be returning to Sui Yuan." Du Xiao Li stepped on the little stool and got on the horse carriage as she casually instructed.
"Yes miss." The carriage driver had the stool placed back onto the carriage, and sat down himself, whipping the horse twice. The horse then began moving.
Du Xiao Li leaned against the cushion, recalling Han Ming Ze's words earlier. He'd sent people to investigate, but unexpectedly didn't obtain any useful clues. It can be seen the other party was hidden very deeply, and their power formidable. To think this kind of power actually infiltrated the palace, it was somewhat scary just thinking about it.
However, she believed with the information she provided today, finding this person shouldn't be a problem. Her task right now was to make sure the competition in two days smoothly carry out.
Fortunately, these two days, each countries' students were all preparing for the competition, and didn't cause any troubles, letting her spare quite a bit of energy.
The late autumn weather carried a trace of chilliness, the dried leaves floating in the autumn wind. Du Xiao Li saw those students all wearing cotton-padded clothes, thinking to herself, how come this competition was planned for this season? Wouldn't those in the dance competition all freeze to death? After all, those noble young ladies all didn't have the inner energy to withstand the cold.
However, she didn't know, those young ladies that practiced dance, even in the coldest period of the winter month, would still persist with their practice. That's why, this kind of weather, for them, really wasn't unbearable.
Early in the morning, quite a few people came to Sui Yuan Club. Everyone all assembled in the temporary built open air gathering palace. Because the conditions weren't adequate, only four five rows of seats were built around the competition stage, and only those with status can enter to spectate.