Previously, Han Yunxi had ordered people to send the charcoal ash after the explosion to a professional for testing. Unfortunately, they could not find any explosive residue. Therefore, the matter of the furnace explosion had been delayed until now.
Now that the explosive residue was found, things would be easier to handle.
Whether it was man-made or an accident would be revealed very soon!
Han Yunxi and Baili Mingxiang left the study without alerting Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu. They quietly left Leisurely Cloud Pavilion and went to the storeroom.
Other than the charcoal ash from the day of the explosion that was in Han Yunxi's hands, the charcoal that was not used up that day and the remaining charcoal from Leisurely Cloud Pavilion were all placed together with the remaining charcoal ash in the storeroom.
"Esteemed Princess Consort, are we going to burn the charcoal now and test it for poison?" Baili Mingxiang asked.
"Xu Donglin has already lit all the charcoal once. None of them exploded." Han Yunxi said lightly.
Baili Mingxiang was shocked, "Just from the explosion that morning, it's obvious that someone tampered with it!"
"Not necessarily. I've asked a professional to analyze it. Some explosive substances have very special detonation points. Sometimes they explode after being lit, and sometimes they don't explode no matter what. Maybe someone really tampered with the charcoal in the furnace that morning, or maybe it was just a coincidence. The charcoal in the furnace that day was of just the right temperature, so it exploded. "
Although Han Yunxi did not understand the principle of charcoal, when she was making poison, the amount, temperature, moisture, and even the temperature of the water would all affect the toxicity. Therefore, she could understand the professional's analysis.
For example, some poisons would be triggered by weather conditions. It could be that someone had used the weather to poison it, like the poisonous fog on Yu Zhou Island. It could also be that there was poison in the air itself, but it had not been triggered until it met with a special weather condition.
Therefore, if they wanted to know whether the explosion was man-made or an accident, they would need sufficient evidence.
And this evidence was the explosive residue that she had found after inspecting it!
Now, they only needed to burn the remaining charcoal from that day, from Leisurely Cloud Pavilion, and from the same batch in the residence. Then, they would test the charcoal ash with poison.
If explosives were detected, it would mean that the explosion that day was an accident. At the very least, the people in the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion would not be suspicious.
However, if there was no explosive material, it could prove that the charcoal used on the day of the explosion had been tampered with!
Han Yunxi had always been a cautious person. She was even more cautious when facing the suspects in this case. She didn't want to think too much about it. She only hoped that she could get enough evidence to prove that it was an accident and convince herself and Long Fei Ye.
Seeing that Baili Mingxiang did not speak, Han Yunxi asked, "Have you thought it through?"
Baili Mingxiang frowned and thought for a moment, then smiled. "I understand! Esteemed Princess Consort is truly thoughtful. "
"The principle of using poison is the same. You have to consider all aspects. It's not as simple as just using the poison."
Han Yunxi said seriously, and Baili Mingxiang silently noted it down.
The master and servant chatted as they walked towards the storeroom. However, who knew that Xu Donglin would suddenly run over and gasp for breath. "Esteemed Princess Consort, something bad has happened!"
"If there's a problem, we can talk about it. Why are you in such a hurry?" Han Yunxi reprimanded unhappily.
However, Xu Donglin was still very anxious. "Esteemed Princess Consort, our charcoal is completely soaked."
"What?" Han Yunxi could not remain calm.
"It rained a few days ago and the storeroom was leaking. We only discovered it today. Quite a few things in the storeroom are also wet. "Xu Donglin explained.
"Let's go and take a look!"
Han Yunxi's heart grew heavy. Wasn't this too much of a coincidence? Even the latrines in the Duke of Qin's estate were made of glazed tiles that couldn't be shaken by wind or rain. They were very sturdy and wouldn't be eroded by the wind, so how could something like this happen? Moreover, it happened in the storehouse.
When she rushed to the storeroom, the hidden guards had already asked the craftsmen to inspect the room.
"What's the situation?" Han Yunxi asked seriously.
"Esteemed Princess Consort, it looks like someone deliberately did it." The craftsmen said seriously.
Han Yunxi's heart sank even more. "Why do you say that?"
"The leaking was caused by the loosening of the roof tiles. The area of loosening is quite large. Based on the loosening, someone took something from inside the room and did not step on the roof to loosen it." The craftsmen answered truthfully.
When these words came out, everyone was shocked!
It was clear that someone had used the rainy day to destroy the charcoal!
"This person is quite skilled. Since they could enter, they did not directly destroy the charcoal. Instead, they used the heavy rain these past few days to create an illusion of an accident. This person's thoughts are quite deep. "Baili Mingxiang said.
Since things had already gotten to this point, why would they still need to do a poisoning experiment?
That explosion was not an accident. Someone had deliberately set it up. Destroying the charcoal like this was to destroy the evidence!
She never thought that the culprit would not only commit a crime in her Leisurely Cloud Pavilion, but also in the storeroom.
"Did anyone come to the storeroom these past few days?" Han Yunxi asked seriously.
The storeroom was not like other places. Aside from the person in charge of the storeroom, outsiders had to register to enter and leave.
Xu Donglin quickly presented the register. Han Yunxi flipped through the last few days and did not find Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu's names. Aside from Steward Luo and two manservants, there were no outsiders.
Under normal circumstances, Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu would not come to the storeroom. Could it be that the suspects were not the two of them? Or perhaps there was more than one suspect.
Even in the safest place, the Duke of Qin's Manor, there were spies!
Han Yunxi gently stroked the wet charcoal. Her heart flashed with a frightening light. "Don't think that this Princess Consort can't find evidence just because it's wet!"
Coldly she said, "Don't make this matter public for now. No matter if it's one or two spies, this Princess Consort will not let them go!
For the next few days, Han Yunxi continued to look for poisons. Poisons that would react with explosive materials in a certain humidity.
Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu had not come to the storeroom, and the other servants had not been to the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion.
Under such circumstances, if she found explosive materials in the wet charcoal, it would mean that the charcoal that was sent to the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion contained explosive materials. Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu would not be suspects.
On the contrary, if she did not find any explosive materials in the wet charcoal, then the suspects would not only be Zhao mama and Su Xiaoyu, but also the people in the storeroom.
Everything in the Duke of Qin's Manor was normal. Han Yunxi had already deliberately announced that the explosion was an accident. Most of the servants also thought that it was an accident and that it had already passed. No one mentioned it again.
Under the seemingly calm surface, the evidence and suspects had already taken shape. Han Yunxi and Baili Mingxiang were seizing the time to look for poisons. At this time, there was one person who was very nervous.
This person was none other than Su Xiaoyu!
She was very clear that the Duke of Qin's Manor was so calm during this period, but it did not mean that the case had passed. The more Han Yunxi and Long Fei Ye did not say anything, the more nervous she became.
She could not escape. Sooner or later, she would be caught.
She knew that she had already been listed as a suspect and could not escape. Therefore, she also smashed the pot that had already been broken. She had to strive to see Han Yunxi's back before she was caught.
Unfortunately, she did not have the chance. Previously, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi were often together, so she did not dare to make a move. Later, Han Yunxi went out with Long Fei Ye again, so she did not have the chance.
She thought that no matter how Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi investigated the explosion case, she would first wet the charcoal. At least this would reduce their clues and buy herself some time. Moreover, without evidence, even if they suspected her, she could pretend to be pitiful and not admit to it.
At lunchtime, the people in the kitchens delivered lunch as usual. As usual, Su Xiaoyu diligently rushed to receive the food before Zhao mama.
She took out a small piece of paper from under the rice basket, only to see a line of words written on it. "The storeroom was discovered leaking rain last night."
Seeing this, Su Xiaoyu was even more alarmed.
Han Yunxi was still so calm when the storeroom leaked rain. Without a doubt, everything was done in secret.
How far had Han Yunxi investigated?
As she walked into the room, she felt uneasy.
"Let me see, what's good for lunch today." Zhao mama's voice suddenly sounded.
Zhao mama had her suspicions about the explosion case, but after esteemed wangfei declared it to be an accident, she felt relieved.
A complicated look flitted across Su Xiaoyu's eyes. She told herself that she had to act as soon as possible, otherwise she really wouldn't have a chance.
When she saw Zhao mama walk over, she quickly smiled and said, "Zhao mama, why is esteemed wangfei in the study with Big Sister Mingxiang all day long?"
"She's researching poisons. You can just put the food in the dining room and don't disturb them," Zhao mama reminded her.
"I'd better bring it in. It'll get cold." Su Xiaoyu had a serious expression on her face.
"You're asking for a scolding!"
Zhao mama also wanted esteemed wangfei not to tire herself out so much and eat on time, but she had already been scolded several times.
"It's fine. As long as esteemed wangfei eats on time, Yu 'er will accept a few scoldings!"
Su Xiaoyu really wanted to knock on the door, but Zhao mama didn't stop her. She smiled and said, "It won't open."
Unexpectedly, Su Xiaoyu knocked on the study door, but didn't say anything for a long time.
Soon, Baili Mingxiang's voice came from inside. "Who is it?"
Su Xiaoyu laughed mischievously at Zhao mama, but still didn't say anything.
"This damned girl, she's getting bolder and bolder!" Zhao mama muttered, but didn't stop her.
Su Xiaoyu's trick was indeed very effective. Baili Mingxiang quickly came to open the door. When she saw Su Xiaoyu, she asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I'm here to deliver food to esteemed wangfei. If I say anything, will you open the door?" Su Xiaoyu retorted.
Baili Mingxiang already had a grudge against Su Xiaoyu, a suspect, and didn't like servants who acted on their own. However, she didn't show any dissatisfaction and only said indifferently, "Esteemed wangfei is busy. Let's put it in the dining room first."
Su Xiaoyu pouted and turned to look at Zhao mama.
Zhao mama's heart was filled with thoughts of how to nourish esteemed wangfei's body, so she naturally stood on Su Xiaoyu's side.
She hurriedly stepped forward to help. "Mingxiang, esteemed wangfei's stomach won't be able to take it if she doesn't eat at this time. When His Highness blames us, everyone will suffer."
Baili Mingxiang absolutely didn't dare to refuse Zhao mama's request when she mentioned His Highness Duke of Qin. His Highness Duke of Qin had been nourishing esteemed wangfei's body recently, and everyone in the prince's estate knew about it.
Baili Mingxiang's eyes hid incomparably complex emotions as she said indifferently, "Alright, I'll send it in."
Unexpectedly, Su Xiaoyu discreetly avoided her and strode in with the food basket.
Su Xiaoyu's chance had come!
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