Chapter 573: Deliberate Framing

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi asked each person the same question. After an hour and a half, everyone had been questioned, but no one seemed suspicious.

It wasn’t someone from the Imperial Hospital.

The last physician to leave suddenly stopped and said with hostility, “Miss Qingzhi, you haven’t questioned Chu Qingning yet. She is the most suspicious. If it weren’t for her coming to the hospital, our herbs wouldn’t have gone missing.”

Chu Qingzhi clarified bluntly, “Are you suspecting Chu Qingning of stealing the medicinal herbs?”

The physician, appearing righteous and indignant, said, “Even if it wasn’t her, it must have been her accomplice. She must take responsibility for this. Why would she come today of all days if not for this reason?”

Chu Qingzhi replied coldly, “Please don’t make baseless accusations without evidence. Moreover, the medicine chests were opened to prepare medicine for the Empress Dowager, not for Chu Qingning’s viewing. You should understand the cause and effect.”

The physician huffed coldly, “Then who do you think stole the herbs?”

Chu Qingzhi, her eyes as dark as ink, spoke earnestly, “I will find the person responsible.”

“I hope you do, and quickly. Otherwise, if the thief has consumed or sold the herbs, what’s the use of finding them?” said the physician before leaving abruptly.

Chu Qingzhi watched the physician’s retreating figure, narrowing her eyes and dimming the light in them.

The thief knew the layout of the Imperial Hospital and was skilled in carpentry. They either needed money or had someone at home with a strange disease…

They likely acted at night. However, the hospital, being a place of importance, was heavily guarded at night. If that was the case, the most likely scenario was that it was done by an insider.

Combining these factors, she only needed to investigate the guards who had been on duty at the hospital for the past half month. Whoever fit these criteria would be the thief.

Chu Qingzhi shared her thoughts with Ren Buqing.

After hearing her, Ren Buqing found it very reasonable, “1’11 start investigating right away.”

Chu Qingzhi cautioned, “Be careful. Desperate people can do desperate things.”

“I will be,” Ren Buqing hurried off with his men to handle the matter.

In the main hall of the Imperial Hospital.

After the physician who had questioned Chu Qingzhi left the room, he went straight to Chu Qingning and asked accusingly, “Did you take the Ganoderma?”

Chu Qingning, confident and upright, said firmly, “It wasn’t me. Don’t falsely accuse people.”

Yuan Hongjun defended her, “Physician Min, don’t talk nonsense. We were all there at the time. We know whether Chu Qingning took it or not.”

Physician Min was relentless, “She’s the mastermind, and you two are her accomplices. Usually, you act wildly in the hospital because you are the grandsons of the chief and deputy chief. Now, you bring outsiders in and cause trouble. What do you have to say about that?”

Bao Linjiang argued with reason, “The incident is not directly related to us bringing people in. This has nothing to do with us.”

Physician Min aggressively retorted, “You say it’s unrelated, and so it is. You have backing in the hospital, so whatever you say goes. Now that the medicine is missing, why don’t you find it then?”

Yuan Hongjun coldly stated, “My master is already searching for it. It will definitely be recovered.”

Physician Min huffed, “Easy for you to say ‘definitely.’ What if it can’t be found?”

Yuan Hongjun declared resolutely, “If it’s not found, you can deal with me as you see fit!”

Physician Min emphasized gravely, “Fine. If it’s not found, you three will bear the full responsibility.”

“We’ll take full responsibility,” Bao Linjiang said without worry. With his master on the case, there’s nothing that can’t be done. Just wait and see!

Physician Min didn’t expect such defiance from the youngsters. He pointed at them angrily, turned, and walked away, eager to be out of sight.

Chu Qingzhi entered the main hall.

Everyone was still waiting there, and the atmosphere was heavy. As Chu Qingzhi appeared, all eyes quickly turned to her.

Chu Qingzhi announced, “Thank you for your efforts, physicians. Please return to your duties. The truth will be revealed soon.”

Without saying more, the group of physicians silently left.

Chu Qingning and the others gathered around Chu Qingzhi. Chu Qingning asked eagerly, “Fifth Sister, how did the questioning go?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “It’s not related to anyone from the Imperial Hospital.”

Chu Qingning fiddled her fingers nervously, murmuring, “It’s too coincidental. 1 arrive, and the medicinal herbs are taken. Isn’t this a deliberate setup against me?”

Chu Qingzhi said, “The herbs were probably taken before you arrived. You just happened to take the blame.”

Yuan Hongjun asked, “They were taken away long ago? Master, what do you mean?”

“I examined the medicine chest. To soften the glutinous rice glue at the bottom and remove the panel, it needs to be heated. But the glue on that chest had hardened a long time ago; it wasn’t done today.”

“Can we estimate when it was done?”

“At least a day ago.”

“So, does that mean the culprit might have already dealt with the medicinal herbs by now?”

“It depends on luck,” she said.

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang exchanged a look. They couldn’t just rely on luck, especially after their bold statement to Physician Min. If the medicinal herbs were already dealt with, given Physician Min’s dislike for them, he would surely punish them severely.

Chu Qingzhi calculated the timing, “The black market opens every three days. You two should go there tonight to see if the thief tries to fence the herbs there. If it’s sold at the black market, we might find a lead. If it’s been consumed, well… we’ll see what else we can do at that time.”

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang said in unison, “Master, we’ll get ready and check the black market tonight.”

“Go on.”

Chu Qingning grabbed Chu Qingzhi’s hand, looking a bit anxious, “Fifth Sister, what should I do?”

“Since you’re already here at the Imperial Hospital, don’t miss the opportunity.” Chu Qingzhi led Chu Qingning to the room where books were stored, “Go ahead and read. I’ll call you when we’re leaving.”

Chu Qingning looked around joyfully but was also worried, “Fifth Sister, I’m currently a suspect. If I read these books, won’t people ask me to leave?”

Chu Qingzhi took down a medical book suitable for Chu Qingning from the shelf, “No, they won’t. Go ahead and read. If you can’t finish, we can borrow it.”

Chu Qingning smiled and took the book, “Thank you, Fifth Sister.”

Chu Qingzhi intended to guide Chu Qingning towards gynecology.

Female physicians were rare in Dating, and many women felt embarrassed to seek medical treatment. If Chu Qingning could fill this gap, she would not only help many women but also gain a good reputation.

It’s not bad to aim for a good reputation. Many strive for it in secret, which in turn promotes personal growth. It’s a mutually beneficial situation.

A guard came in and bowed, “Miss Chu, General Tang has arrived.”

Chu Qingzhi thanked the guard and then headed towards the entrance of the Imperial Hospital.

Currently, the hospital was not allowing outsiders to enter, and Tang Jinghong was stopped at the entrance.

“Jinghong, why are you here?”

Tang Jinghong said, “I heard there was an incident at the Imperial Hospital and came to check.”

Chu Qingzhi whispered, “The result will be out soon.”

“Then i’ll wait.”

“Ok..”

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