I've been too busy lately and forgot. I need to review it properly.
Otherwise, with the enemy in the dark and us in the light, if we don't eliminate this major threat, there's no guarantee that big trouble won't follow.
Thinking of this, Jian Yang immediately set up her carriage and headed to Sihuang Residence.
As soon as we entered, she got straight to the point: "Do you want to talk about it now?"
The young palace maid had the piece of wood removed from her mouth, and it took her a long time to regain her ability to speak: "What does Your Majesty want me to say? Your Majesty insulted me before, and I held a grudge, so..."
"You've been in the palace all year round, with no relatives or connections. Where did you get your hands on arsenic?"
"Found it."
Where did you find it?
The palace maid retorted defiantly, sneering, "It's right here in Your Highness's palace. Your Highness can investigate for yourself."
Jian Yang didn't expect the little girl to be so stubborn.
She used every method of torture she could think of to extract a confession, because the person behind it all wanted her dead, and she wasn't one to be soft-hearted.
The tortures in the palace were not pleasant to endure.
But I just couldn't get any answers from them.
Her personal maid, Lianxia, offered a suggestion: "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it would be better to hand it over to the Dali Temple. I've heard that even the toughest江湖汉 (jianghu man, a term referring to the martial arts world) would have to obediently open their mouths when they get to Lord Xiahou."
Jian Yang hesitated, fearing that the person behind the scenes had a long reach and that the person would soon die a violent death after being handed over.
Lianxia was very considerate and could tell at a glance what she was worried about: "Your Majesty, rest assured, Lord Xiahou is a young talent personally promoted by the Emperor after his ascension to the throne. He is outstanding in ability and incorruptible."
Seeing Lianxia's praise, Jian Yang suddenly turned around: "Why did you suddenly think of him? Are you a fan of his?"
Lianxia didn't understand what the Empress meant by the second half of her sentence, but she answered honestly: "Today the Emperor summoned Lord Xiahou to the palace, and the news has spread throughout the palace. It's perfect time to let Lord Xiahou take him away directly."
Seeing how excited Lianxia was when she mentioned Xiahou Riyue, Jian Yang realized that she was no different from a modern girl chasing after a celebrity.
I can't get anything out of this palace maid, and keeping her locked up here indefinitely isn't a solution...
"Go and summon Lord Xiahou. I want to personally hand this maid over to him. I also have some clues to tell him."
"Your Highness, you mustn't!" Lianxia hurriedly stopped her. "Just leave him to Xiao Panzi. You can't see Lord Xiahou alone again!"
Jian Yang was stunned. Why was she reacting so strongly?
Could it be that Lord Xiahou is the original owner's ex-boyfriend?
Lianxia knew that the Empress had suffered some brain damage and couldn't remember many things from before; she probably forgot that matter.
Seeing that she seemed hesitant to speak, Jian Yang knew there must be something juicy going on, so she tactfully pulled Lian Xia aside and asked, "Did I have something going on with this Lord Xiahou before we entered the palace?"
Lianxia said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, it's not before entering the palace, it's after entering the palace."
"And it was you who seduced Lord Xiahou."
Jian Yang was stunned.
Lianxia continued, "And they were caught red-handed by Eunuch Zhang."
Although she wasn't really involved in this, Jian Yang still felt that it was good to be alive.
Her palms and back were sweating profusely: "Lianxia, what did the Emperor say afterward? What did the Empress Dowager say?"
Lianxia sighed: "Alas, the Empress Dowager is certainly very angry. She originally wanted to depose you and imprison you in the Cold Palace, but His Majesty persuaded her to stop. Your Majesty, His Majesty truly cherishes you."
So, does this mean the emperor truly loves her?
After all, no man can stand being cuckolded, even if there's no real affection involved.
Jian Yang felt like she was walking on thin ice. She had thought the Empress Dowager trusted her, but now she realized that might not be the case.
She had to inspect all the medicinal dishes. From now on, if there was any problem with the medicinal dishes, whether it was a real problem or a fake one, her life would be in danger!
She swallowed hard, realizing she had underestimated the imperial harem.
She definitely can't go to see Lord Xiahou in person.
However, this only strengthened her resolve.
She was not worthy of this treacherous and chaotic imperial harem.
Therefore, after this incident, Jian Yang pretended to be virtuous for several days, and began to speak in a pedantic manner, just like a well-educated and virtuous empress.
Wearing that facade was exhausting, and she couldn't keep it up for more than a few days.
When no one is around, he starts sprawling out in a coarse and vulgar manner.
However, in Lianxia's opinion, everything was fine after her empress survived the poisoning.
She placed a large plate of washed plums in front of her and said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister's residence has sent an invitation, saying that your sister wants to visit you."
Jian Yang opened her eyes.
younger sister?
Yes, the original owner had an older brother and twin siblings.
She didn't come when she was poisoned, so why did she come now?
Perhaps they have ulterior motives?
Sure enough, her idea was proven true after the younger sister entered the palace.
This younger sister, Jian Fei, was clearly after the Emperor in every word she spoke.
"Elder sister, everyone outside the palace says that His Majesty dotes on you. When does His Majesty usually come to visit?"
Jian Yang glanced at her sideways, but didn't rush to say anything.
It seems my younger sister wants to emulate the legendary beauties Ehuang and Nüying.
"His Majesty is busy with state affairs and does not come often."
Jian Fei lowered her head and chuckled to herself.
The rumors are nothing more than that. They even talked about the deep affection between the emperor and empress, but they seem to be nothing more than strangers.
Thinking of this, she casually asked, "Sister, I've heard that His Majesty is handsome and has the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. Father and brothers all say that he is a rare beauty in the entire Western Yue Kingdom, even surpassing Lord Xiahou. Do you think this is an exaggeration?"
"Shut up! How dare you discuss the Emperor like that?"
This is the imperial palace! The entire palace is filled with the emperor's eyes and ears. Does she dare say he's inferior to others?
However, her younger sister's intentions were obvious; if Zhou Jingzhi were sitting here now, she'd probably cling to him.
What a pity, little sister! No matter how handsome this guy is, it's useless to him!
However, this did open up new avenues of thought for her.
If Jianfei becomes empress, can she resign?
Thinking of this, she wished she could immediately hand over the Empress's phoenix seal with both hands, and then wish the two of them a long and happy life together...
Forget it, I might not be able to give birth to her.
Jian Yang's soul had already drifted to after she resigned when she heard Jian Fei say, "Sister, I haven't seen you in so long. I want to stay in the palace with you today."
"Great!" That's perfect, I was just worried about not having a chance to help out.
Jian Yang sat upright, displaying the poise of an elder sister: "It's rare for my sister to come and visit me, so let's have a family gathering. Lianxia, go and invite His Majesty, and tell him that I have prepared some snacks for him."
Fine wine, delicious food, beautiful women—the atmosphere is just right. I hope her good sister can step up her game.
When the emperor came in the evening, he seemed quite happy.
Maybe that's just how men are; they have an obsession with having twin sisters.
Jian Fei was stunned when she saw Zhou Jingzhi.
Your Majesty is indeed as your father and brothers said, even more handsome than Xiahou Riyue!
The jealousy in her heart grew wildly.
Why shouldn't she be the empress?
Both being daughters of the prime minister, what makes her inferior to Jian Yang?
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