After closing her eyes and taking two deep breaths, Xiu Ning opened her eyes again, her expression becoming peaceful.
Yes, even if you're unhappy inside, you can't show it too obviously on your face.
She beckoned to Chunyu behind her and Xiuning once again confirmed the origin of the floral-patterned undergarment.
Chunyu's face was grim. "The wet nurse didn't say anything. The person is being held in the side hall."
This servant has investigated privately and discovered that this person has some connection with Yongshou Palace.
It's similar to having relatives working in Yongshou Palace, since wet nurses are generally from the Imperial Household Department, and the same goes for palace servants in the harem.
"It should be more than that; Qixiang Palace has been cleaned up several times before."
The people the wet nurse can openly contact aren't necessarily the ones causing trouble.
It's not that Xiuning looks down on Consort Shu; rather, given the current chaotic state of the Niohuru clan, Consort Shu really doesn't have the ability to extend her reach into Qixiang Palace and cause trouble.
"Does Your Highness mean that there is someone else involved in this matter?" Chunyu felt that this guess made some sense, but she had not found any trace of anyone else so far.
Xiuning didn't speak, but turned around and walked around the main hall. "Based on your guess, who do you think is most likely?"
Instead of answering Chunyu's question directly, he threw it back at her.
Upon hearing this, Chunyu first glanced at Xiuning, then pondered for a moment before speaking, "This servant thinks that Consort Nara is very likely to take a risky move in order to secure Prince Baoqing's position after Prince Baocheng's accident."
Besides, the Empress might also be involved. Currently, Prince Baocheng is still receiving treatment at the Qianqing Palace. If anything unexpected happens, targeting Prince Baocheng and the young master would be a prudent move.
Finally, Consort Tong might also take advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble, frame others, and reap the benefits.
In short, Chunyu used her little brain to suspect all the high-ranking concubines in the harem, making it seem like everyone was a murderer.
But this wasn't just Chunyu making baseless suspicions; rather, it was based on her analysis that she genuinely felt everyone had a reason to act, since this was the harem and everything was about self-interest.
After listening to Chunyu's analysis, Xiuning glanced at Chunyu's bright eyes and nodded with a smile. "You're right, but we can't forget about those insignificant low-ranking concubines in the harem. Smallpox can only occur in the harem if a few women are involved; there must be help from outside the palace. The families behind the concubines are the most important factor."
Thinking of the forces outside the palace, Chunyu couldn't help but feel anxious, "My lady, what should we do?"
Xiu Ning waved her hand, "Let's wait and see. We need to report to the Emperor about Yider's matter, but the Emperor's mind is currently focused on Bao Cheng. The outcome of the handling may not be as we wish."
This is not because Kangxi did not value Yider, but because compared to Baocheng, Yider was not as important.
Chunyu frowned, "Then the young master suffered a loss for nothing?"
Fortunately, the small garment was found, but what if it had been damaged? The consequences would have been unimaginable.
“I won’t let this go to waste,” she said, still alive, how could she let her own son suffer? “There’s still Baoqing on the other side. Now that Yider has run into trouble, Baoqing can’t stay at ease.”
Let's wait, wait for something to happen at Chuxiu Palace, wait for Consort Nala to cause trouble."
Looking up, Xiu Ning blew on her fingernails. "Chun Yu, go down and make arrangements. Protecting Yider is still the top priority. As for other things, there's no rush."
...
Jingren Palace Main Hall
After taking a bath, Tong Jiarong sat on the tatami mat, feeling refreshed.
Beside her was her maid, Qianli, who was massaging Tong Jia Rongyue's body.
With a hiss, Tong Jiarongyue frowned and then reached out to stop Qianli from continuing her actions.
"Your Highness, did I go too far?" Qianli couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Tong Jiarongyue waved her hand dismissively, then turned and sat up from the couch. "I suddenly remembered the medicinal herbs sent by the Imperial Hospital today. Is there any news from the Qianqing Palace?"
After Bao Cheng was diagnosed with smallpox, Emperor Kangxi, against all odds, took him to the Qianqing Palace for treatment, and an indescribable atmosphere permeated the harem.
Especially regarding news from the Qianqing Palace, the delays were severe.
Frowning unhappily, Tong Jiarongyue was still unwilling to give up.
Qianli replied, "I only heard that Prince Baocheng has broken out in smallpox, but I don't know the specifics."
Even this was only discovered by Qianli through the efforts of the Tong family; otherwise, there would have been absolutely no trace of it.
"Any updates on Prince Baoqing and Prince Yider?"
Tong Jia Rongyue thought of the two remaining princes in the harem and lowered her head to touch her wrist.
Qianli shook her head, "Our people planted in Chuxiu Palace can occasionally see Prince Baoqing coming out, but Qixiang Palace has been closed all the time, and no one knows the specific situation."
"Has Consort Shu stopped making any more underhanded moves?"
Tong Jiarongyue reached out and touched her lower abdomen, the smile on her lips slowly fading.
“Consort Shu did make a move, but it was probably blocked by these two places,” Qianli said, still somewhat disapproving of Consort Shu’s methods. “Her actions were rather crude. I helped her hide it, and Chuxiu Palace almost succeeded.”
Unfortunately, it was eventually discovered by Consort Nara, and two palace servants in Chuxiu Palace were punished as a result.
As for Qixiang Palace, things remained calm, but given the speed at which smallpox spread, it must have been safely contained, otherwise it would have been exposed long ago.
"As expected, she's still a useless piece of trash," Tong Jia Rongyue said without holding back. In her opinion, Consort Shu couldn't compete with the Empress back then, and now she can't even make a small move. She's really just occupying the position without doing anything. "Right now, Consort Nara and Consort Xitala are probably on guard."
It seems she can no longer rely on smallpox to achieve her goal.
"What a pity."
She went to great lengths to get the smallpox scab, but now she's only managed to get Bao Cheng, and might not even succeed. Tsk, what a loss.
"Qianli, tell our people not to make any more moves for now, lest the Emperor find something to use against us," Tong Jia Rongyue sighed. She was using the elderly people left by her aunt, the kind of people she would be heartbroken to lose. Moreover, she couldn't guarantee that the Emperor wouldn't remember them. If he suspected her because of this, it would really be a loss.
Upon hearing this, Qianli's expression shifted. "Your Majesty, we shouldn't take any further action, but perhaps we can find someone else to achieve our goal."
Tong Jiarong looked up, "What do you mean?"
Qianli glanced around and lowered her voice, "Her Majesty the Empress must suspect who did this."
We have no overt conflict with the Queen yet, so we can take advantage of that.
The Empress was dragged into this; she loves her son dearly and would surely want to avenge him.
No matter who the Empress removes from the harem later, it will be stable and beneficial for them.
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