Chapter 186 Learning About the Mastermind
After learning about the Empress Dowager from Liu Xiangxiang, Magistrate Li immediately went to the Zhou family again the next day.
Upon seeing him arrive, Zhou Ruiyuan quickly asked, "How did it go? Did she say anything?"
Magistrate Li nodded emphatically and followed Zhou Ruiyuan into the house. "I've told you everything."
Zhou Ruiyuan was overjoyed. Holding the baby in his arms, he turned around and went to the backyard to call over Aunt Zhou and the Third Prince.
When Magistrate Li saw that they had all arrived, he told them everything that Liu Xiangxiang had said the night before.
After hearing this, Aunt Zhou was stunned for a long time, and it took her a while to finally understand what she meant: "You mean Consort Duan?"
Magistrate Li nodded. "Yes, now only this Dowager Consort remains in the harem."
Aunt Zhou slowly stood up, her eyes still somewhat unfocused. "I've been in the palace for over ten years and have been quite close to Consort Duan. She's always been kind to people and has always taken good care of me. How could it be her?"
The Third Prince slowly walked to her side, frowned, and said, "As the saying goes, you can know a person's face but not their heart. Zhou'er, you may have been deceived by her."
Zhou Da Niang grew up pampered by her father, mother, and elder brother, and had never been exposed to any intrigue or power struggles. It was only after entering the palace that she realized how terrifying the women in the harem were.
But Consort Duan was different; she not only took care of her often, but also taught her how to manage the harem.
So even though there were many concubines in the harem over the years, she remained empress for more than a decade.
Now, however, someone tells her that it was all a lie.
After thinking for a moment, she raised her head slightly and asked Magistrate Li, "Lord Li, has Madam Liu said why Consort Duan did this?"
Magistrate Li pondered for a moment, then glanced out the window and said cautiously, "She did mention some things about that, it seems that the relationship between Consort Duan and the Emperor is somewhat unclear."
"It's just that this kind of relationship is really inappropriate and it's really not easy to talk about it openly."
Aunt Zhou suddenly realized that Consort Duan was indeed beautiful and understanding, no wonder the emperor liked her.
"I never imagined that she would harm my four children like this just for a man." She sighed and sat down.
Zhou Ruiyuan, who was listening to their conversation, was holding the child and seemed to be deep in thought. After a while, he suddenly stood up and said seriously, "Something's wrong! Something's happened!"
Aunt Zhou and the Third Prince turned pale. "What's wrong? Ruiyuan?"
Zhou Ruiyuan slowly said, "If this was done by Consort Duan, she would never have let it go so easily. Now that the Emperor has sent people to Changliu Village to look for us in such a grand manner, Consort Duan must have also sent people to follow us."
Aunt Zhou and the Third Prince were also startled.
"What should we do?"
Magistrate Li reassured them, "Don't worry, the people who came looking for you last time have already taken a fake portrait to the neighboring village. They shouldn't be able to find this place anytime soon."
Aunt Zhou gripped the chair tightly and said coldly, "If she really sends someone to find me, then we'll fight to the death. If she doesn't want me to live, I'll drag her down to hell with me."
The Third Prince helped her sit down. "Don't worry, with me here, even if her people find their way here, I won't let anything happen to you."
After hearing what the Third Prince said, Aunt Zhou's expression improved.
Just then, the child in Zhou Ruiyuan's arms suddenly started crying.
Everyone looked at the baby in his arms. "What's wrong with this child?"
Aunt Zhou reached out to take the baby in her hands. "It's probably hungry. I'll take it to Wanchun to feed it."
Zhou Ruiyuan reluctantly handed the child to Aunt Zhou.
Aunt Zhou held the rosy little face, and the displeasure on her face instantly vanished. She quickly smiled and said, "You two chat first, I'll go to Wanchun's room."
After saying that, she turned around and walked towards Du Wanchun's house with the child in her arms.
Hearing the child crying, Du Wanchun sat up and smiled, "Mianmian must be hungry."
Aunt Zhou slowly handed the child to her, saying, "Yes, this Ruiyuan holds the child in his arms all day long, and doesn't even know when she's hungry."
Du Wanchun took the child in her arms, gently touched the baby's nose, and smiled, "This child also likes her father. When she's being fussy, all she needs is for her father to hold her."
Aunt Zhou gently touched her little face with her hand, "In a few days, I will go to the county to find a wet nurse for the children, so you can have an easier time."
The children need to be fed every hour on weekdays, and having three children a day is quite tiring.
Zhou Ruiyuan has been inquiring about wet nurses in the village for the past few days, but has not yet found a suitable one.
Aunt Zhou plans to go to the county again in a few days to look for her.
However, because of the matter concerning Consort Duan, she is now somewhat afraid to go out on the street.
Du Wanchun overheard some of the conversation outside. She comforted Aunt Zhou, saying, "Mother, don't worry. Our lives are getting better and better. My second brother has his own troops outside the Great Wall. We are not afraid of that Empress Dowager."
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