"When I went there, the second young lady had already left. Chuan'er said that it was the princess's intention. She said that it was the second young lady's first time attending such a palace banquet, so she should go earlier to get to know more people and not say the wrong thing again." Yuan Dong said as she stepped forward and brought Meng Qi the soft-soled cotton shoes she usually wore at home.
Meng Qi sat up straight and let Yuan Dong put on her shoes. "With Second Sister's intelligence, this will definitely succeed today."
After helping Meng Qi put on her shoes, Yuan Dong stood up and continued, "Chuan'er said you shouldn't worry, the Second Miss had everything ready yesterday. The Second Young Master came home very late yesterday, saying he was with Master Gao and Master Li."
Meng Qi nodded. Young Master Gao Yang was the Empress's nephew, Gao Zhan's only legitimate son. Young Master Li He was the nephew of Consort Xian. The Empress and Consort Xian were at odds, and Prince Cheng and Prince Jing were fighting openly and covertly, but these two lords got along well. They followed Zhou Yu around all day, playing cat and dog, annoying everyone.
Since Zhou Yu was able to get along with these two people yesterday, it proves that Zhou Yu has already arranged the things that Song Chengze asked him to do today.
She hadn't asked Song Chengze how he was going to deal with Prince Duan, and Meng Qi had never taken the initiative to inquire about any of Song Chengze's plans. Even if she did ask, it was only when Song Chengze brought up the topic, and she would just say something.
It was Song Chengze who told her about this matter. She asked him that day if she did not enter the palace, would it affect his arrangements? If his arrangements also required her help to cover up, she could just go into the palace and ignore Hong Zhe or Princess Jing.
But Song Chengze said that was not necessary, as he had already arranged multiple lines and explained what each person was supposed to do. Finally, Song Chengze also said that everyone was doing a single line, and they only needed to do their part well.
At that time, Meng Qi asked if Zhou Yu wanted to help too. Song Chengze smiled and said, of course, not only Zhou Yu, but also his two good friends, and this plan requires them to take the lead.
Seeing that Meng Qi didn't ask any more questions, Yuan Dong thought for a moment and said, "When I just walked in, I saw Yuan Yue. Where did Concubine Wu hear the news? You haven't spread any rumors recently, and you haven't seen the doctor. How could she have thought of that?"
Meng Qi walked around the room twice. "During the Emperor's birthday, I was afraid of getting cold in the hall so I asked you to put on an extra jacket underneath. Then, it was the Crown Princess or Princess Cheng who asked if I was pregnant. I don't remember if I ignored the question or clarified it. I think this rumor only happened that one time. Could they have spread it?"
Yuan Dong thought of what happened two months ago. That day, Meng Qi really made herself look like a Yuanxiao, which made people think of that.
"Then we'll have to see where the letter came from." Yuan Dong said softly.
Meng Qi nodded. Could there be some hidden clues in this palace that she hadn't discovered? Meng Qi rubbed her forehead. The Rui Palace was relatively simple, but the Rui Prince was incompetent. The inner court was always full of problems, and she had never noticed anything in her previous life.
In the evening, Xiao Shunzi entered Jing'an Garden.
"So, he's from Huamuyuan?" Meng Qi frowned.
Xiao Shunzi nodded respectfully. "The little maid who served Liunian heard it from him. On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, when Concubine Lin brought the eldest young master back to the Lin family, Liunian said that Madam Lin had heard the news from somewhere. When they were riding back in the car, Concubine Lin was very unhappy and said a lot of things she shouldn't have said."
Meng Qi frowned. Who had told the Lin family about this? While the Lin family held the title of Viscount Yongkang, they had no foundation at all and relied entirely on Prince Rui for survival. There weren't many prominent families who could interact with their family, and there probably weren't many who could speak to them about their situation either. Could someone have deliberately lured them this way?
"Could that little girl be Concubine Wu's woman?" Yuan Dong asked.
Xiao Shunzi shook his head and said, "No, I learned that the little girl is good friends with Jin Moju's mother Jin's little daughter."
Meng Qi was stunned. Li?
Yuan Yue said, "Princess, didn't Wang Chenghai say that Concubine Li went to Yinyan Pavilion today?"
That's right. Wang Chenghai said at that time that he still thought Li was always a quiet person and would not easily go to other people's yards, especially Wu, who was said to have not been there for a long time.
"Can you find out why she went to Yinyan Pavilion?" Meng Qi asked Xiao Shunzi.
"It is said that she embroidered a pair of socks with the same pattern as the second young master's for the eldest young lady. Once, the eldest young lady and the second young master went to the eldest young master's yard together. They went to play on the kang, and the eldest young lady said that the pattern on the second young master's socks looked nice." Xiao Shunzi said.
Meng Qi looked at Xiao Shunzi in surprise. This little eunuch who didn't like to talk much actually had something on his mind.
Xiao Shunzi looked at Meng Qi's admiring eyes and said with a bow, "My master taught me that he often takes Brother Xizi out. He told me to listen carefully and remember everything that happens in the mansion, especially in the courtyards. Even if the princess doesn't ask, I must not miss any details."
Meng Qi chuckled, "Very good. From now on, I'll leave the investigation of the various courtyards in the inner house to you. If you need people or money, go find Mama Liu."
Xiao Shunzi was delighted but did not show it on his face, and kept thanking him.
What's so hard to guess? This stupid Wu was used by Ms. Zhang before, and now it's Ms. Li.
She had originally thought that Li was indifferent and content, but it turned out that she had a heart that was eager to move. Li also wanted to verify whether she was really pregnant, so she used Wu to check.
Xiaolin knew the news but never asked about it, nor did she show it, which proved that she didn't care at all whether she was pregnant or not. But Li came to visit as soon as she heard the news, which seemed to indicate that she cared a lot about it.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
