Chapter 148 Teasing

A few days later.

The atmosphere in the dining hall was relaxed. Jiang Nan was having breakfast with Niohuru, Consort Wang, and Daijia.

After the poisoning incident, Chunlan became even more meticulous in her investigations.

But nothing else happened after that. Just as they were chatting and laughing, they heard some noises outside the door.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was seen carrying little Erhe, and being supported by Sumala as they walked in.

Empress Xiaozhuang's eyes were noticeably dark and her expression revealed an undeniable weariness.

Even his steps were heavier than usual.

As soon as she entered, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang spoke with a hint of complaint, her voice revealing her helplessness.

"You little brat, what kind of mother are you? You just leave this little one here with me and then disappear for days on end. Poor me, at my age, I still have to take care of your child day and night. My old bones are about to fall apart."

Jiang Nan looked up at the sound and saw that Xiaozhuang looked like she had been tormented.

He chuckled inwardly, but quickly stood up and greeted her with a somewhat ingratiating air.

"Oh, Empress Dowager, you've arrived! I was just thinking that you rarely get to be close to your great-grandson, and I didn't want to disturb you from enjoying your family time."

As she spoke, she naturally reached out to take the child.

"What's wrong? Did the little one disturb you at night? Let me tell you, babies at this age are the most difficult to handle. They're especially restless at night, making a complete mess!"

She thought to herself that Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang must be reluctant to part with her great-grandson and insisted on having him live with her in her own bedroom.

That's why the little one's crying at night really wore me out.

Unlike her in Yongshou Palace, where she could simply have her wet nurse put her to sleep, leaving her with a carefree life.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang handed the child back to Jiang Nan, rubbed her throbbing temples, and sighed.

"You silly girl, you're too carefree. What kind of mother are you? I really can't stand it anymore. I've come today to return this little darling to you exactly as she is."

Jiang Nan took her sleeping son and happily agreed.

"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. When the child is older and more sensible, I'll bring him to you to play with, and I promise he won't bother you anymore."

"Please don't!"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang waved her hands repeatedly, looking as if she still had lingering fears.

"If you can make me like this now, what will you do when I get older? You should keep me for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan looked down at her son in her arms and deliberately spoke in an exaggerated tone.

"Oh dear, little Erhe, did you hear that? Your ancestor has given up on you and doesn't like you anymore. But don't worry, little one, your mother will love you."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was both amused and exasperated by her sarcastic tone, and scolded her playfully.

"Girl, speak properly, you're so unruly."

Jiang Nan then stopped joking, but a smile still lingered in her eyes and brows.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang took a breath, her expression straightened, and her gaze swept over everyone in the dining hall.

Finally, the voice fell on Jiang Nan, carrying concern but also understanding.

"By the way, I heard from Sumala that things weren't peaceful here a few days ago. Some servant dared to be so audacious as to cause quite a commotion, and you even had that servant beaten to death in public?"

Jiang Nan nodded, her tone indifferent.

"Yes, that's true, but it's been taken care of. Thank you for your concern."

"It's good that you're alright."

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang nodded slightly, her face showing little surprise or worry, but rather as if she had confirmed something she had long expected.

Seeing her calm reaction, Jiang Nan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask with a hint of teasing.

"Aren't you curious about who did this?"

When Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang heard this, it turned out that it was just a casual question, and her tone was even somewhat perfunctory.

"Oh? Who did that?"

Jiang Nan was at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.

"Empress Dowager, isn't that a rather insincere question?"

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was finally amused by her appearance, and a genuine smile appeared on her face as she patted the back of her hand.

"I trust your abilities. If such underhanded tricks could harm you, you wouldn't be the Consort Jin who could manipulate the Emperor and me. You're as cunning as a monkey, what do I have to worry about?"

As she spoke, she covered her mouth and yawned slightly, clearly extremely tired.

"Alright, I've given you my little darling and asked about the matter. I need to go back and rest now. These past few days, I've really been worn out by this little darling."

Seeing that she was really tired, Jiang Nan quickly said.

"You should go back and rest well; you need to recover your strength."

Everyone stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager."

With Sumalagu's careful support, Empress Xiaozhuang left the dining hall with slightly unsteady steps.

The dining hall fell silent again. Jiang Nan held her son and watched Xiaozhuang's departing figure.

A hint of interest appeared at the corner of her mouth; this old lady was becoming more and more to her liking.

——————

At this moment, the candlelight inside the Kunning Palace's sleeping quarters was dim.

Empress Hesheli slumped on the edge of the phoenix bed, her hair disheveled as she hadn't properly washed or combed her hair for several days.

Her once magnificent phoenix robe now hung wrinkled on her body, making her appear even more emaciated.

The medicine arranged by Niohuru was not stopped, and the toxicity of the datura was eroding her mind day by day.

Coupled with the family's misfortune, the blow of her father's dismissal, and the torment of losing her son day and night, she was already at her limit.

She seemed to hear the baby's mournful cries again, each sound like Chenghu questioning her.

"Mother, why did you harm people? Why did you make your son suffer this retribution..."

"It's not retribution, it's not."

Hesheli suddenly clutched her head, retorting in a shrill, nervous voice that echoed in the empty hall.

Her eyes stared blankly into the void, as if arguing with an unseen phantom.

The palace maid Ning Wei stood at her sides in the corner.

Seeing the Empress's mad appearance, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but more than that, there was indifference and a hint of disgust.

Imperial physicians are becoming increasingly rare these days.

Each time, it's just a routine greeting and a few perfunctory words of greeting, along with some harmless calming medicine.

Everyone can see that the Empress, this great tree, has completely fallen.

“Ning Wei…”

Hesheli suddenly raised her head, her eyes unfocused and fixed on Ning Wei, with a sickly urgency.

"Listen... it's Chenghu crying. He's crying so hard, he must be hungry... Go quickly and bring Chenghu here, I want to comfort him myself..."

Ning Wei sighed inwardly, but on the surface she had to respond respectfully, her voice flat and emotionless.

"Your Majesty, Prince Chenghu has been dead for quite some time."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Hesheli suddenly shouted angrily, her finger trembling as she pointed at Ning Wei.

"How dare you curse my Chenghu! He's clearly crying over there in the side hall. Go and bring him to me right now, now!"

Ning Wei lowered her head and stopped arguing.

He simply stood there silently, letting the Empress scream hysterically.

She knew that the Empress had gone completely insane and could not be relied upon.

At this moment, she was still thinking about the task assigned to her by Lady Hesheli—to deal with Lady Magia.

Compared to the powerful Guarjia clan, Ma Jia's father was just a minor official in the Ministry of Works, with no power or influence.

It's much easier to deal with, without causing any deaths.

If you simply ensure she remains childless for life, she will never have a chance to rise again in the harem.

As for Consort Jin... she doesn't know if Chun Tao has succeeded, there's been no news yet, which makes her uneasy.