Chapter 159 Wan's Identity

However, this fragrance also has a very obvious drawback: if the recipient is resolute, they will not be disturbed.

If the recipient of the incense has too deep an obsession or a weak will, they can easily fall into the trap.

Du Zhengming appears to be a person of strong will, but in fact, he has been troubled by people's criticism of him for many years.

The deep-seated rifts within him are much larger than those of the average person.

Therefore, that little dream successfully landed in the cracks in his heart.

Du Zhengming was haunted by the image of Princess Yongning in both his dreams and waking life. He thought he had only glanced at Princess Yongning at the door before lowering his head.

However, that glance was vividly recreated in the dream.

Princess Yongning's fair skin, the red nail polish on her toes, the tassels swaying in her hair, and that pink and white peony.

Her features were exquisite, her lips were red and her teeth were white, but she looked haggard and a little sad.

It keeps appearing in my dreams.

When Du Zhengming woke up in the morning, he still remembered the scene in his dream and lay on the bed for a long time without moving.

Honestly, do I like Princess Yongning?

She always regarded a girl who was nine years younger than her as a younger sister and a princess.

What happened last night?

Filled with confusion, Du Zhengming got out of bed, washed up, and ate breakfast.

Then, he led his men to the Wuwei Earl's residence and brought Wuwei Earl Wan Huaixing to the Dali Temple.

Using the same method as yesterday, he led his men past the Wan family.

However, this time the jailer was instructed not to allow any communication between the two.

Wan sat blankly in the prison all night without closing her eyes.

The next morning, light shone through the small window of the prison, and the strands of hair at Wan's temples glittered.

Suddenly, a person walked into the prison. Wan thought she was seeing things, but after looking closely, she saw the person getting closer and closer.

Wan became excited and, leaning against the wall, stood up shakily.

"Brother?"

Wan Huaixing looked at the man before him and saw that he had become so disheveled, with a desolate figure and a haggard face after only a few days.

"younger sister……"

Wan Huaixing had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by the jailer behind him.

"Go quickly, and don't talk."

Their eyes met, but they could not speak.

After Wan Huaixing left, Wan suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed to the ground.

Upon seeing this, the jailer quickly came over, opened the prison door, and helped the man up.

Wan leaned against the wall, panting for a long time before she could catch her breath.

"I...I want to...see Du Shaoqing."

The jailer did not reply and turned to leave.

Du Zhengming was sitting in the yamen reviewing yesterday's interrogation statements when a jailer came to report that Wan wanted to see him.

So he said, "Okay, I understand."

Soon Du Zhengming arrived at the Dali Temple prison and met with Wan.

Wan was still in a daze. When she saw Du Zhengming arrive, she slightly raised her eyes and glanced at him.

"I can tell you anything you want to know, but please release my two children."

My maternal family, the Marquis of Wuwei, has absolutely nothing to do with my affairs.

"Promise me you'll release them, and I'll tell you everything I know."

Du Zhengming replied, "Okay, if it is verified that the matter has nothing to do with them, the Dali Temple will naturally release them."

Hearing this, Wan felt a slight sense of relief and continued speaking:

“This matter is of great importance. You, Du Shaoqing, cannot make the decision. Let someone who can make the decision take over.”

After hearing this, Du Zhengming asked, "Who can make that decision?"

"Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince, or Eldest Princess are all acceptable."

Wan said calmly with her eyes closed.

"Oh, and I can also give you a heads-up: the Empress Dowager is probably not long for this world."

Your message got back quickly; it might have saved her life.

Upon hearing this, Du Zhengming's forehead veins throbbed twice.

Is this really true?

"Do you really think that only the emperor was poisoned?" Wan sneered.

Upon hearing this, Du Zhengming immediately stood up.

"Someone, bring a team of men to keep a close watch on this Wan woman. No one is allowed to have contact with her."

Du Zhengming hurriedly rode his horse into the palace after leaving the Dali Temple.

First, go to the Eastern Palace to find the Crown Prince and report the matter.

The crown prince hurried to see the emperor, who then summoned a royal physician to examine the empress dowager.

Then, an imperial edict summoned Du Zhengming to an audience.

After carefully listening to Du Zhengming's report, he said:

"It is not appropriate for the Crown Prince and the Empress to leave the palace. I will have to trouble you, my elder sister, to go there."

While Princess Jinyang was worrying about the Empress Dowager's health, she was suddenly summoned by the Emperor.

After hearing the reason, he frowned and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will go to the Dali Temple."

Just here with the Empress Dowager?

The emperor rose from his dragon bed and slowly began to speak:

"I will oversee it myself, so please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"good."

The eldest princess acted decisively and followed Du Zhengming out of the palace.

Soon the eldest princess met Lady Wan.

When Wan saw the eldest princess, she sneered, "I knew it would be you."

The eldest princess calmly asked, "Why did you guess it was me?"

"Because you are the person His Majesty the Emperor trusts most. The Crown Prince and the Empress are not as important to the Emperor as you."

Wan chuckled lightly and said.

The eldest princess did not respond to her words, but instead said:

"Just say what you want to say. I don't have time to waste here with you."

Wan suddenly laughed upon hearing this: "Why are you worried about the Empress Dowager?"

Am I right? She's been poisoned.

The eldest princess's eyes turned cold as she spoke:

Instead of talking to me about the Empress Dowager, you should think about your children and your brothers from your mother's side.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wan's smile faded: "The Eldest Princess is indeed quick-witted and outspoken."

Since that's the case, I won't beat around the bush.

“I am the Northern Border’s mole in the capital,” Wan said directly.

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess narrowed her eyes slightly and leaned forward slightly:

"you?"

Then he chuckled and said, "It's not that I look down on you, but your brain isn't up to the task of leading this covert operation."

Madam Wan laughed: "Hmph, Princess Lanling was just like you back then, thinking I was just an ordinary person."

That's why they fell into my hands.

Princess Jinyang was furious when she heard that her sister had died at her hands.

Although I was already on my way here and knew about it, I had mentally prepared myself.

But now, hearing her admit it herself, he was still furious and slammed his hand on the table.

"You deserve to die."

"Hmph, Princess, are you angry?"

Wan actually chuckled.

The princess's eyes blazed with fury as she gritted her teeth and said:

"Men, go and give his son and brother ten lashes each."

"Here you go."

At the princess's command, people were immediately dispatched to search for Pei Zhuo and Wan Huaixing.

Soon, the sounds of whipping and screams echoed from the prison.

The smile on Wan's face vanished, and her expression turned gloomy.

"What, Princess, do you not want to listen to me anymore?"

Princess Jinyang stared at Lady Wan with an unfriendly expression:

“You, the Marquis of Wuwei’s mansion, and your two children are all in my hands.”

If I want them dead, it will happen in an instant.

Therefore, I advise you to recognize the situation clearly: now I am the butcher and you are the fish on the chopping block.

"If you know what's good for you, just say it now, or you'll make me angry."

Wan snorted coldly and looked at the Princess, saying:

"Am I not saying this now? You, Princess, must believe me."

The eldest princess composed herself and calmly watched Wan Shi as she continued speaking.

"Fifteen years ago, I went to Xishan to worship Buddha and met a person."

He was gentle and refined, with a handsome face and an air of nobility.

I fell in love with him at first sight.

The eldest princess frowned upon hearing this and asked, "Prince Rui?"

"Yes, that's him. I saw him again at a banquet later and learned who he was."

So I went back and begged my father to let me into the Prince Rui's mansion.

But my family disagrees.