Consort Zhen left with those words and said nothing more.
She stood at the door, waiting for Zhao Qianlan to enter the house, then turned to look at Song Xizhi and softly said, "No need to see me off."
So he went out the door.
After Consort Zhen's figure disappeared, Song Xizhi turned and went back into the house, and she couldn't help but sigh:
"Consort Zhen is indeed vigilant in every way."
At this moment, Granny Wu also sighed: "It was precisely because she was careful and cautious that she discovered the clues to the Empress's death, which allowed you to find the clues."
"What Consort Zhen said earlier was clear, but that last sentence..."
"She is very shrewd. She told you so many life-or-death secrets without any defenses, and she didn't even answer when you asked her what she wanted."
"It is far more difficult to guard against having no demands than making an equal exchange, young lady, you must be careful."
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi simply smiled and slowly turned his gaze toward the direction outside the window.
Zhao Qianlan entered Madam Zhao's room and has been there for so long without coming out. They must have been having a very pleasant conversation.
“Consort Zhen is a smart woman. The information she just told me is probably not all that she knows. She must be holding something back.”
"I asked her what she wanted, and she seemed to say nothing, but at the same time she said everything."
Granny Wu's expression suddenly turned serious: "She said it?"
What does she want from you?
Song Xizhi narrowed his eyes: "She wants to pave the way for Prince Xiu, to make me deal with Prince Yu and Consort Liang. She even found a method for me. It just so happens that I am dealing with the same person as her."
"...Lord Zhao, there might be a problem."
Song Xizhi took a sip of tea, recalling the meaningful look in Consort Zhen's eyes earlier. In a flash, he realized that a very strange possibility had come to mind.
However, she doesn't have any evidence yet.
In the next room, Zhao Qianlan had just stood in front of the door with some things when she heard Madam Zhao sobbing inside.
All the food in the room was taken away. Not only did Madam Zhao lose face, but she also had to fast for five days while she was sick, and her maids and nannies had to go hungry as well.
Now all her clothes and bedding have been washed several times, and even this room has been repeatedly wiped clean by the maids, but the faint stench just can't be washed away.
The stench seemed to mock her, or perhaps it was a reminder, a reminder of Madam Zhao's shameful moment, and of the horrified looks in everyone's eyes.
Madam Zhao truly felt like the sky had fallen.
"It's all ruined! Everything's ruined! I've lost all face in front of everyone now! Everyone knows that I, the dignified matriarch of the Zhao family and the legitimate daughter of the Zeng household, have been accused of being unclean by the imperial physician!"
"I've become a complete laughingstock, and it'll probably be all over Heyan Mountain by tomorrow!"
The old nanny was also in a terrible predicament, and pleaded with her, "Miss, please don't cry. Save your energy. What if you get hungry from crying? There are still four days left..."
The daughter of a military general ate a lot from a young age, but she didn't gain weight and couldn't stand being hungry.
Hearing this, Madam Zhao cried even louder: "Granny, I'm hungry, I'm sure I'm hungry! I didn't have breakfast this morning. How could Consort Liang be so heartless? I'm her sister-in-law!"
Upon hearing this, the nanny quickly covered her mouth: "Miss, be careful what you say! There is a difference between ruler and subject. You destroyed that Buddhist scripture, and Consort Liang's punishment of you as a minor offense is already considered merciful."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao dared not speak further.
Hearing this, Zhao Qianlan, who was standing at the door, finally knocked on the door, startling the two people inside.
When the old woman opened the wooden door and saw the person who had come, and then saw the wooden box she was carrying, she was even more surprised.
"And you are, Madam?"
"Zhao Qianlan is Madam Zhao's cousin. Upon hearing about what happened to her sister-in-law, she came to visit her."
The old nanny hurriedly welcomed her in, her face showing a hint of surprise and delight.
Now that Lady Zhao is in trouble, Consort Liang is determined to punish her severely as a warning. The other ladies are avoiding her like the plague, but at this moment, even her cousin is willing to come.
That was truly a timely help.
Madam Zhao, lying on the bed, wiped away her tears, her expression showing some surprise and doubt: "This box of yours?"
Zhao Qianlan smiled and said, "There are some medicinal herbs inside that can be applied to my sister-in-law's wounds. I informed the Empress before I came and got her approval."
As she spoke, she opened the wooden box again, and Madam Zhao saw that it contained some ginseng, deer antler, and some ointment for applying to wounds.
Madam Zhao's eyes lit up, thinking that if she were extremely hungry, she could eat ginseng and deer antler.
But Zhao Qianlan's hands didn't stop. She looked down at Madam Zhao and slowly opened the hidden compartment of the box, where she saw a dozen or so pastries neatly arranged.
Madam Zhao and the old nanny both stared wide-eyed. Before they could speak, Zhao Qianlan made a shushing gesture.
She lowered her voice: "I am Song Xizhi's stepmother. Today's events all started because of Song Xizhi. She has ulterior motives and deliberately framed me. I know this, and so does Consort Liang."
"But in front of everyone, Consort Liang had no choice but to give her a small punishment as a warning. These pastries are also a small token of my appreciation."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and gratitude. She remained silent for a moment, then clenched her fists: "My husband is right after all. Song Xizhi is truly a despicable woman!"
"I underestimated her before! That's why I fell into her trap and lost face!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan looked ashamed: "What? Lord Zhao also said that?"
"It's all my fault! It's my fault as her stepmother for not disciplining her properly! But she's so unruly that she even bullies me!"
As Zhao Qianlan spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, making it seem as if she were about to kneel down and beg for forgiveness: "Madam Zhao, it is my fault for failing to discipline her children properly!"
Madam Zhao quickly pulled her back and helped her to sit down by the bed: "There's no need to address me so formally. I am your cousin-in-law, and your husband is your cousin. You should be more affectionate and call him 'brother' as you would like to."
She despised Song Xizhi, a vixen who dressed smartly and flaunted herself while her husband was bedridden, and she found Zhao Qianlan, a kind and understanding wife and loving mother, very agreeable.
Especially when she learned that Zhao Qianlan was the only woman in Song Juncai's harem, her attitude became even more enthusiastic:
“I can distinguish right from wrong. Song Xizhi’s mistake is not your mistake. You even brought me food, and I am very grateful.”
"It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. I don't have any relatives to begin with, but from now on you will be my own sister!"
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