Hearing that Baolian was asking for an audience, Songxue couldn't help but spit, "People in the Shufei Palace, can they also ask our beautiful lady for a favor?"

In the past, when Concubine Shu was still Concubine Gui, all the palace maids in Jianing Palace looked down on everyone.

In addition, when Qin Yanning first entered the palace, Concubine Shu took Baolian to Tingyuxuan to cause trouble, so Songxue has always disliked the people in Concubine Shu's palace.

Although both Concubine Shu and the people in her palace have restrained themselves a lot since she was released from house arrest, hatred still exists between the two palaces.

Their beautiful queen is about to give birth, how could she condescend to see Bao Lian?

Qin Yanning looked at Song Xue's indignant expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Since she's come to ask for it, she should at least meet him. After all, there are so many of you guarding her. What else can she dare to do?"

Qin Yanning was really curious. Baolian was the maid that Concubine Shu brought into the palace from the Wan family. Why did she come to see her for no reason?

Qin Yanning doesn't like crowds of people. On the surface, it seems that there are only Songyue and Songxue serving her in the inner hall of Ganning Palace.

Privately, Helian Jue didn't know how many secret guards he had dispatched to hide in places where she couldn't see them.

It was precisely because of this confidence that Qin Yanning was willing to meet Bao Lian. She would not risk herself and the two children in her belly.

Now that she is about to give birth, the two children kick their little feet in her belly every day. Qin Yanning can't describe how precious they are.

Strangely enough, Qin Yanning experienced fetal movement when she was five months pregnant. Although the two children were active, they moved very carefully and never hurt Qin Yanning.

If Qin Yanning hadn't known that it was a boy or a girl in her belly, she would have thought they were two caring little princesses.

Seeing that Qin Yanning had given the order, Songxue went out to tell Baolian to come in.

As soon as Bao Lian entered the inner hall, she knelt down in front of Qin Yanning.

Looking at Bao Lian, who was kneeling on the ground, thin and haggard, Qin Yanning couldn't help but be stunned.

The last time she saw Bao Lian was when she had just entered the palace. Only seven or eight months had passed. How could that lively little palace maid become like this now?

Helian Jue only confined Concubine Shu to her quarters and did not withhold the expenses of Concubine Shu's palace. How could Baolian become so thin?

Qin Yanning took a sip of the bird's nest soup Song Yue handed over and asked, "Why did you come to see me?"

Seeing Qin Yanning asking, Bao Lian dared to answer.

"What Baolian said is very important. Lady Ning, could you please ask the two girls to step aside for a moment?"

Qin Yanning looked at Baolian, put the bird's nest soup in his hand back on the tray, and said with a smile, "Songyue and Songxue are both my senior maids, so you can just speak without worry."

Hearing this, Bao Lian no longer hesitated, kowtowed and said, "The Concubine Shu wants to harm the two children in your belly!"

Songyue and Songxue were so frightened by Baolian's words that their mouths opened wide. Could it be that Concubine Shu was desperate to kill herself and dared to murder the royal heir?

Qin Yanning wasn't too surprised to hear Bao Lian say this. After all, in the original owner's memory, Concubine Shu was a ruthless woman who would do anything to achieve her goals.

She was more curious about why Bao Lian chose to tell her about it.

Bao Lian noticed Qin Yanning's inquiring gaze. After all, she was a daughter of the Wan family and had been working in the palace with Concubine Shu for many years. Naturally, she knew what Concubine Ning was guarding against.

Thinking of this, Bao Lian no longer cared about shame and took off her outer clothes one by one, leaving only a thin inner shirt.

Her movements were so fast that no one could react.

Song Xue couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing?"

Bao Lian did not answer, but silently rolled up her sleeves, revealing the bruises on her arms.

"Ever since His Majesty confined Consort Shu, she has gone mad. She pricks me with needles day and night to vent her anger."

"At first she only pricked her fingers, but later when the weather turned cold and the maids changed into thicker clothes, she began to prick the slaves' arms and backs."

"I couldn't bear it any longer, so I came to you, my lady, for help."

Seeing the horrific scars on Baolian's arm, Songyue and Songxue couldn't help but widen their eyes.

When they first entered the palace and were ignorant, they were also beaten by the maids in charge, but the maids usually just slapped their palms and that was it.

After following the beautiful queen, she was kind and never beat or scolded them.

Now, seeing the scars on Baolian's body, they thought of the rumors that Concubine Shu had beaten many palace maids to death, and both of them couldn't help but turn pale.

Qin Yanning wasn't frightened at all. "So you told me this behind your master's back. What do you want to ask of me?"

Bao Lian gritted her teeth and said, "If I were alone, I wouldn't be able to endure this kind of suffering. Killing myself would be a relief."

"But my parents, brothers and sisters are still servants in the Wan family. If I die, given the nature of Concubine Shu, she will definitely not let them go."

"I would like to ask Your Majesty to spare my family's lives because I reminded you. As for my own miserable life, I do not deserve to die!"

Since Bao Lian could say such words, Qin Yanning couldn't help but look up to her.

Although she used to be domineering because of her status as Concubine Shu, she was ultimately just a servant who made a living under Concubine Shu.

"Then do you know how Concubine Shu is going to murder the child in my belly?"

Bao Lian was stunned and shook her head. "The Concubine Shu recently asked me to go to the palace gate twice to get the cakes that the women brought into the palace."

"There's a note hidden in the cake. Every time the queen reads it, she's always very happy and says that even if the baby in the beauty's belly is born..."

Having said that, Bao Lian swallowed, not knowing whether she should continue.

"Go ahead, since it's Concubine Shu who said it, I naturally don't blame you."

Bao Lian then continued, "The Queen said that the beauty's child would not survive past a full month, and by then, Prince Liang's youngest son would eventually become the Crown Prince."

Qin Yanning didn't expect that Prince Liang, who had already been imprisoned in the clan house, could still get involved in this matter.

However, judging by Prince Liang's performance at the family dinner that day, he must have hated and feared himself and Helian Jue.

It's not surprising that he wants to get rid of his own child.

Seeing that Qin Yanning didn't say anything, Bao Lian thought she was dissatisfied with what she said.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I also know that the fire at Tingyuxuan was also orchestrated by Concubine Shu."

This was a pleasant surprise. Qin Yanning looked at Bao Lian with interest.

After Concubine Li committed suicide, the Tingyuxuan fire case was left unresolved, although Helian Jue and Qin Yanning felt it was strange.

But Concubine Li died, and the case was shelved.

But I didn’t expect Bao Lian to reveal this big news.

"What evidence did your Majesty have against Concubine Li that would make her risk her life for your Majesty?"