When Cui Niang carried the quilt into the south courtyard, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Judging from her mistress's expression, this quilt must be very important.
"Cui Niang, have you found it?" Lan Qin was actually standing in the courtyard sunbathing when she saw someone walk in and immediately asked instinctively.
Lanqin had actually been guarding the door the whole time. She was worried that the Fujin had sent someone to take away the bedding, but then she thought that since the Fourth Prince and the Fujin had returned from the palace, they had immediately moved the Third Prince out, and the room had been sealed off immediately, so no one should be able to go in anymore.
"Master, we found it at the laundry room. Luckily we got there in time, otherwise it would have been thrown into the water." Cui Niang finally relaxed and walked to Lan Qin with the quilt in her arms.
Looking at the quilt in Cui Niang's hands, Lanqin suddenly felt a sense of reassured peace.
“Let’s go to the front yard,” Lanqin said.
"Master, should we check on her first? Besides, you haven't eaten yet since you just got back!" Nianxue, who was standing nearby, noticed that Lanqin had been pacing in the courtyard since returning, and they couldn't persuade her to come inside. Now that things had finally taken a turn for the better, she was worried about Lanqin's health and wanted her to come inside to warm up.
"No, we have to go right away. Otherwise, the Fujin will say that we brought these beddings into the South Courtyard, and she can use them to frame us again," Lanqin said hurriedly.
“There’s no time to lose, Nianxue. Hurry up and go inside to get the master’s hand warmer. Then call Xicha and help the master go.” Cui Niang added, “I’ll go first. Just pretend I didn’t come back and go directly to the master’s place.”
"Go ahead, you should know what to say!" Lanqin felt a surge of confidence again. She believed that good deeds would be rewarded and evil deeds would be punished! It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet!
"Have Si Hua inform Sister Song; she still hopes to see the Fujin receive the punishment she deserves. Lan Qi, go and call Sister Geng, and also that Lady Yin," Lan Qin said to Nian Xue.
Cui Niang had already left. Nianxue, following Lanqin's instructions, let them all go before she and Xicha helped Lanqin out of the South Courtyard and headed towards the Main Courtyard.
When Cui Niang arrived at the front yard, Zhao Quan was talking to Xiao Zhuzi at the door. Seeing Cui Niang carrying a quilt and pillow, he sneered, "Master has ordered that no servants in the South Courtyard are allowed to leave without permission. How could Aunt Cui knowingly violate this rule!"
"Quickly go and inform our master that he has found important evidence of lily of the valley." Cui Niang dared not barge in without prior notification.
Zhao Quan was reluctant to report it, but he was afraid that Su Peisheng would see it, so he could only give a sarcastic "hmm".
At this moment, the Fourth Prince was sitting in the house, looking at the list of officials from all over the country who were coming to visit him.
Actually, he couldn't concentrate on reading; his mind was still preoccupied with the Third Prince's poisoning. He didn't believe Lanqin would have any intention of harming the Third Prince, but he couldn't completely trust her either, because he was the master of the Fourth Prince's residence, and he had to consider evidence and balance in his actions.
Was the Princess Consort really the mastermind behind all of this?
"My lord, Cui Niang from the South Courtyard requests an audience. She says that Consort Niu has found crucial evidence related to the secret of the lily of the valley!" Su Peisheng said, bowing slightly at the door. As an old servant who had served the Fourth Prince for over a decade, he naturally understood the Fourth Prince's predicament. If it weren't for the Ulanara family's status in the court, the Emperor's arranged marriage, and the bond between husband and wife, he wouldn't be so conflicted. Consort Niu was truly blessed to have won the Prince's heart. Although she wasn't the principal wife, aside from the title, in what way was she inferior to the principal wife?
Fourth Master looked up at Su Peisheng with slight surprise, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Let her in."
Cui Niang was led to the Fourth Master's study, where she was still clutching the quilt and pillow. She frowned and said, "What is this? Is this the quilt you're talking about as evidence?"
Cui Niang bowed to the Fourth Prince while carrying the bedding and said, "Indeed, these bedding and pillows were used by the Third Prince at Lady Yin's place. Our master said that lily of the valley pollen should be found on them. This bedding was almost washed in the laundry room, but I arrived just in time to carry it out. I didn't dare to delay and carried it all the way here to our master. Our master said that he should immediately have someone check if there is any lily of the valley pollen on it."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Master heard greetings from outside; it was Lanqin and Madam Song who had arrived.
Lanqin walked to the door of Fourth Master's study and saw Cui Niang standing in front of him.
"Come in and sit down!" Fourth Master said gently.
Lanqin and Song Shi went in together and sat down according to their rank.
"Qin'er, you said there's lily of the valley pollen on these bedding?" Fourth Master asked.
"Whether it exists or not, please have Wu Youcai check it." Lanqin specifically looked at Madam Yin, but saw no sign of doubt.
"These beddings were a gift from the Fujin to the Third Prince, weren't they?" the Fourth Prince asked, seemingly asking a question but not actually asking one.
“Indeed, this was a gift from the Third Prince when he moved in with me. I have been giving it to him ever since!” Madam Yin said, rising to her feet.
"Since it involves the Fujin (principal wife), then let's invite the Fujin over!" said the Fourth Prince.
However, a short while later, the Princess Consort arrived, supported by Lingxiu's hand, and everyone greeted her as before.
As soon as the Fujin entered the room, she caught a glimpse of what Cui Niang was holding.
She looked surprised and asked, "What is that?"
"May I take a closer look, my wife?" the Fourth Prince asked, looking at his wife.
"Oh, I remember now, isn't that the bedding I gave to the Third Prince? What's wrong? Why did you bring it here?" The Princess Consort said with a calm and composed smile.
Lanqin truly admired the Fujin's composure in the face of adversity, but it was a pity that she didn't use it for good.
"Please sit down, Madam. Has Wu Youcai arrived?" Fourth Master didn't reveal anything, waiting until Wu Youcai had thoroughly investigated before discussing anything further.
"I wonder why you summoned me here, my lord? Have you found out anything?" The princess asked, noticing the awkward atmosphere.
"My lady, the concubine says that there is a high possibility that there is lily of the valley pollen on that bedding. I wonder what my lady said?" The Fourth Prince's tone remained calm.
"Really? Where did you find this bedding set, Miss Cui? Didn't you already seal that room?" The Fujin asked with a hint of surprise. "Does Your Highness mean you think I put the lily of the valley on this bedding? I am the legal mother of the Third Prince. The First Prince is no longer here. I have always treated every son of a concubine as my own. How could I possibly harm them!"
The Fujin's words were incredibly heartfelt; if it were the old Lanqin, she would definitely have believed that she truly wouldn't do such a thing.
The Fourth Prince seemed to share a similar sentiment and said gently, "We haven't checked yet, so it's unknown whether there's any lily of the valley pollen on it. My lady, there's no need to be so agitated."
When Song heard the Fourth Prince say this, she looked at Lanqin with concern: The Fourth Prince still has feelings for his wife, but I'm afraid it will be difficult to convict her without direct evidence!
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