The princess regretted it.

Chapter 297 Licorice Provides Clues

Licorice stood aside with her head bowed, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes, her brows furrowed, lost in deep thought. After a long moment, she slowly raised her head, shook it gently, and said softly, lips slightly parted, "There's nothing special about it!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to suddenly remember something. She paused, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, and then she continued, "However, two days ago, I was ordered to go to the imperial kitchen to collect some ingredients. When I stepped out of our courtyard, I saw a palace maid in a green palace maid's uniform not far away. She was with her head lowered, holding a broom tightly in her hand, and sweeping the floor slowly and steadily. At that time, I was in a hurry to get to the imperial kitchen, so I didn't pay much attention to it, just thinking it was just an ordinary palace maid sweeping. But when I turned back, I found that the palace maid was still there, still holding a broom in her hand, sweeping not far from our courtyard."

Licorice narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to recall the scene. "At that time, I thought she might be slacking off, so I glanced at her a little longer. Unexpectedly, the moment I looked at her, she seemed to notice something and swiftly turned sideways, avoiding my sight. As a result, I didn't even get a clear look at her face from beginning to end."

Jin An, sitting nearby, heard these words, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, like two gathering dark clouds, as she pondered inwardly. Reflecting on the details Ye Yi had previously described, she couldn't help but grow even more suspicious of this mysterious green palace maid. Leaning forward, her gaze fixed on Gan Cao, she asked softly but eagerly, "Gan Cao, think carefully. Does this person have any distinctive characteristics, or is she wearing anything particularly eye-catching? This could be the key clue, and we must not miss it."

Licorice's face was troubled, and she fell into deep thought again, the scenes of that day flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern. After a long while, she seemed to finally grasp something. She raised her head and replied with a firm tone, "Princess, at first glance, her palace attire was indeed the same as everyone else's, all in the uniform style of the palace. But I noticed that the pair of pearl earrings she wore that day must have been very valuable. When she turned aside to avoid me, a ray of sunlight happened to fall on her ear, and the pearl earrings were instantly dazzled by the sunlight, emitting a warm and dazzling luster. I then took a closer look."

"Pearl earrings? What style are they? Do you remember?" Jin An asked again.

"Princess, I don't remember the style very clearly, but I just noticed the pearl at that time. The pearl was quite big, probably as big as the joint of my index finger." Licorice replied embarrassedly.

At this moment, a glimmer of light suddenly flashed in Chun Guiren's eyes, which were originally a little tired. She raised her body slightly and said anxiously: "Princess, don't be anxious! Gancao said that he saw this woman outside the yard, which means she was in the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Garden is crowded with people, maybe other people have seen her as well?" Her voice was a little soft due to her weak body.

Upon hearing this, Jin An's mind suddenly became clear, and he couldn't help but secretly regret his previous oversight. Yes, since it was in the Imperial Garden, the courtyard where Concubine Chun lived was already remote and rarely visited. To get there, one would have to pass through the Imperial Garden. With so many palace servants passing through the Imperial Garden, it was highly likely that they had seen this woman.

She nodded gently, her expression solemn, and said in a deep voice, "Let the Imperial Guards investigate this. They have more people and are more thorough. But I'd better ask Nanny Su, Xing'er and the others first to see if they have found anything. Is this convenient for you, Concubine Chun?"

"Of course!" Concubine Chun replied without hesitation, her eyes gleaming with determination. Of course she found it convenient. In her mind, this man had become the greatest threat to her and her unborn child. The sooner they could find out, the sooner they could rest assured. Thinking of last night's terrifying fire, and the danger lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again at any moment, her hand unconsciously caressed her slightly swollen belly, as if this would offer even greater protection for the child. The lingering fear made her realize she couldn't afford to slack off. She had to fully cooperate with Princess Jin'an to completely resolve this potential crisis.

Gancao stood aside, quietly listening to the conversation between Jin'an and Chun Guiren, nodded in understanding, quietly retreated, and hurried to call Nanny Su and the others.

Soon, Nanny Su and Xing'er followed Gan Cao into the house. They walked up to Jin'an and Concubine Chun, slowly knelt, and performed a standard bow. They said, "This old servant greets the princess and the noble lady!"

Nanny Su asked respectfully, "I wonder what the princess wants to tell you?"

Jin An gently raised his hand to signal the two to stand, then unleashed the exact same questions he had asked Gan Cao. "Madam Su, Xing'er, I'm sure you're all aware of what happened last night. We're currently pursuing all leads, striving to apprehend the perpetrators of these evil intentions and protect Concubine Chun and her unborn child. Gan Cao mentioned earlier that she saw a palace maid in green, wearing precious pearl earrings, outside the courtyard, near the Imperial Garden. Her movements were suspicious. Let me ask you, have you noticed anyone like her recently?"

Nanny Su frowned slightly after hearing this, and folded her hands in front of her stomach. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "Princess, I am old and my eyesight is not good. I usually stay at home to take care of your daily life and rarely go out. I really didn't notice such a special palace maid. But..."

She paused and looked at Xing'er with some expectation in her eyes, "Xing'er is a lively girl who spends a lot of time outside. Maybe she can know something."

After hearing what Nanny Su said, Xing'er stepped forward gracefully, knelt gracefully, and bowed once more to Princess Jin'an. "Princess," she said, "green palace attire is quite common in this palace. There are so many maids who sweep and serve daily, but just looking at this attire, I don't see what's so special about it. I'm not sure what specifically you mean by suspicious whereabouts. I hope the princess can clarify."

Jin An said slowly: "It is the woman in green palace dress who appears around the courtyard more frequently than ordinary people, or who intentionally or unintentionally inquires about or peeks into the situation in the courtyard. Have you ever seen it?" Jin An's voice was gentle but revealed an unquestionable majesty.