Chapter 100 Uncovering the Truth

Nian Shilan slowly opened her eyes and vaguely saw Yinzhen sitting by the bed.

"Your Highness..."

"Shilan." Yinzhen approached and took her hand.

The warm touch reached Nian Shilan's hand, and her hazy thoughts gradually cleared. After the initial joy of seeing Yinzhen, Nian Shilan instantly became fearful and uneasy, struggling to move and reaching out to touch her belly.

"My child, my child..."

"The child is alright, she's alright." Yinzhen quickly hugged her, afraid that she might move around and hurt herself.

"It's alright..." Nian Shilan was a little stunned. Touching her stomach, which no longer hurt, she was still shaken and couldn't help but shed tears. "Are you really alright?"

"It's alright, don't worry." Yinzhen gently wiped away her tears and comforted her tenderly.

Nian Shilan's anxious heart gradually calmed down under Yinzhen's comforting words. Touching her belly, her eyes were full of relief. Then she thought of Rouze, gritted her teeth angrily, grabbed Yinzhen's sleeve, and looked at him with a wronged and angry expression, saying, "Your Highness, it was Rouze, it was Rouze who harmed me. Your Highness must stand up for me and the child."

"Don't worry, I will find out the truth. Your task now is to rest well and take care of your health."

"Shilan will obey the Prince."

Nian Shilan did not indicate whether it was good or bad. Under Yinzhen's attentive care, she took the medicine to prevent miscarriage and fell asleep peacefully.

Yinzhen stayed with her all night and left the next day, taking Rouze and her maid Xueqin with him, saying he would give her an explanation.

At this point, Rouze was only a suspect, and the child was unharmed. Therefore, although Nian Shilan felt resentment, she had not lost her mind. Rather than tormenting Rouze, she wanted the truth, and because she trusted Yinzhen, she eagerly awaited the results of his investigation.

It seems that Yinzhen did not disappoint her. Less than two hours later, someone from the front courtyard came and took away a cleaning eunuch from Qilan Courtyard. They also dug out a large bag of strange spices from the corridor where Nian Shilan often sat.

Of course, Yinzhen did all this behind Nian Shilan's back, not letting anyone in the courtyard tell her. But Nian Shilan, who had almost lost her child, was more vigilant than anyone else at this time, and no matter how small the sound, it did not escape her eyes and ears.

So, after hearing the slight noises in the courtyard through the window, even though Songzhi wanted to hide it, she told the whole story under Nian Shilan's stern presence.

"My lady, the prince was afraid you would be sad, so he told us to keep it from you," Songzhi confessed, then carefully advised Nian Shilan, noticing her stunned expression.

Nian Shilan snapped out of her daze and forced a smile. "Of course I know Your Highness meant well, but I never expected the problem to arise in my own courtyard..."

From birth to the present, Nian Shilan has had a very smooth life. She was pampered by her father, mother, and brother from a young age, and was also spoiled by Yinzhen after entering the household. It can be said that she has always lived a very comfortable life.

This was the first time she had faced a conspiracy and scheming, and it was aimed at her child. The person plotting against her came from her own courtyard, yet she remained completely unaware.

After a brief moment of surprise and disorientation came boundless anger.

"Songzhi, investigate how that little eunuch got into the courtyard? And how he buried such a large pile of things? Are there any traitors in the courtyard who are colluding with him?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Songzhi bowed, not only was Nian Shilan angry, but she was also very angry. You must know that the treatment in their Qilan Courtyard is top-notch, and countless people would kill to get in, yet such a bold and ungrateful fellow has emerged. Even if her master hadn't given the order, she would have put in a lot of effort to investigate.

Anyone who dares to harm the concubine and oppose the Nian family will not have a good ending, no matter who is behind them!

Not only were the people investigating the case in the front courtyard mobilized, but also Nian Shilan's loyal servants from the Nian family. The atmosphere throughout the entire manor was tense, with everyone staying in the courtyard and refraining from going out. Those who had previously committed acts of violence or had something to hide were even more afraid to move, and could only silently pray that they would not be investigated.

Nothing in the Prince's mansion can be kept from him.

In just three days, everyone deeply understood the meaning of this sentence.

A major purge was carried out among the servants in the backyard, resulting in heavy losses for almost everyone, including many of their trusted confidants.

Instigated by others, Consort Geng and Concubine Liu, who had tried to seduce Consort Nian but failed, were confined to their quarters for six months and had their salaries reduced for a year; Consort Li and Consort Lü, who had the desire but not the courage to do so, and who gossiped about others, were confined to their quarters for one month.

Princess Rouze, who appeared to be the "culprit," was confined to her quarters for three months and fined half a year's salary on the grounds of "misjudging people."

The specific truth is unclear to everyone. All that is known is that Xueqin, the maidservant of Princess Rouze, and the eunuch captured by Qilan Courtyard were both beaten to death. At the same time, some inconspicuous servants captured from various courtyards, including the front courtyard, also disappeared.

The others were quite apprehensive, but only Yi Xiu and Qi Yuebin guessed part of the truth.

As for Nian Shilan, the victim, she naturally also learned the "truth." Yinzhen came to explain to her personally, but he was vague and only said that it was a scheme by hostile forces outside the mansion.

Perhaps feeling that Nian Shilan had suffered an undeserved misfortune, Yinzhen treated her even better after discovering the truth.

Although Nian Shilan was pleased, it did not mean that she was willing to accept Yinzhen's explanation.

"Songzhi, contact your brother and ask him to investigate who it is." After seeing Yinzhen off with tender affection, Nian Shilan's face instantly turned cold.

Perhaps Yinzhen didn't speak up to protect her. But Nian Shilan was no weak or delicate woman. Whoever dared to harm her child would pay the price.

Songzhi naturally obeyed and sent the message out. With Yinzhen's leniency, the message successfully reached the Nian residence and then reached Nian Xiyao, who was currently in the capital.

Nian Xiyao may not seem to have achieved as much as his younger brother, Nian Gengyao. However, compared to Nian Gengyao's arrogance and impetuosity, he was more calm and composed, and his understanding was clearer. After his worries about his sister subsided, he quickly uncovered the truth through meticulous investigation and passed it on to Nian Shilan.

“Uya Clan…” Nian Shilan crumpled the secret letter her brother had sent into a ball, her eyes filled with rage. No wonder, no wonder the Prince was unwilling to speak; it must have been very difficult for him to trace it back to his birth mother.

While Nian Shilan was furious, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Yinzhen, and became even more dissatisfied with Wuya Chengbi.

"My lady, you must..." Songzhi was furious upon learning the truth. She didn't care whether the other woman was the prince's biological mother or not; since she had attacked her master, she had to bear the consequences.

“No need.” Nian Shilan shook her head. It wasn’t that she was being kind; since her elder brother had found out the truth, he naturally wouldn’t let Wuya Shi get away with it.

Just as Nian Shilan had predicted, after conveying the truth to his sister, Nian Xiyao made his move against the Wuya clan. He couldn't touch the Wuya noblewoman in the palace for the time being, but he couldn't touch the Wuya clan outside the palace.

Since she dared to use her "powerful family background" to incite others to harm her sister, then he should completely suppress the Uya clan. That way, Consort Uya wouldn't have to worry about incurring the wrath of others in the palace because of her family's status...