"What, you don't like it?" The princess naturally picked up her own white-glazed teacup with green branches and flowers, brought it to her lips, blew on it, and took a sip.
"No, it's just a little hot." Yeheshi glanced at the Fujin's sip just now, blinked, and took a small sip herself.
The Fujin (principal wife) took in all of Yehe's expressions without batting an eye. Her thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, like the black feathers of a crow fluttering at dusk, casting a gloomy shadow in her eyes.
A strange, slightly pungent smell emanated from the room. What could it be? Yehe Shi was quite fond of perfumes, but she had never smelled this scent before.
"Meng Yun, find a way to prevent Lady Niu from giving birth to that child," the Fujin suddenly said, enunciating each word clearly.
"Your Highness, I have had several encounters with Lady Niu, and the people around her are extremely cautious. Moreover, I heard that she intends to return to her separate residence. I am afraid that I will not be able to find a suitable opportunity in such a short time. Please allow me to think it over carefully, Your Highness," Lady Yehe said, frowning.
"I know it won't be easy to do this, but the women of the Yehe clan have never been to be underestimated, have they? Go back and think carefully about how to get rid of that child in her belly while she's still in the South Courtyard. I will naturally help you gain favor with the Fourth Prince," the Princess said.
"Yes, I will go back and make plans right away. Please rest assured, Madam." Yehe quickly stood up, bowed gracefully, and said.
After Yehe stepped out of the house, she suddenly leaned against a tree in the courtyard to rest for a while, and even her breathing became much easier.
"Princess, what's wrong?" Peach Blossom followed her out. She had just walked straight out of the main room of the Fujin (principal wife), ignoring Peach Blossom who was standing to the side.
"It's nothing, help me back," Yehe said, composing herself to look tired.
At this moment, the Princess Consort lay slumped on the couch, her eyes closed, her nostrils flaring rapidly, as if searching for some kind of scent. She had dismissed all the maids in the room.
At this moment, Lingxiu came out of the Fujin's bedroom, walked to the Fujin's leg, squatted down, took out an exquisite snuff bottle from her bosom, and handed it to the Fujin under her nose.
"Mmm, smells good. Adding tobacco to spices doesn't compare to this," the Princess Consort said, slightly closing her eyes.
“My lady, did Yehe notice something? I was observing her from behind the gauze window, and I saw her hesitate for a moment when she was drinking the tea,” Lingxiu said.
"Hmph, she's inherently suspicious. But no matter how suspicious she is, she still fell for it. Lingxiu, you did very well. You knew to put poison on the teacup she was using, instead of putting it in the tea," the Fujin said with a slight smile.
“Ever since the Yin and Wu clans, I’ve realized that the only way to get someone to do things for you is to threaten them with their life. Yehe is neither as gentle as Yin nor as straightforward as Wu. To control someone like that, I have to use poison,” Lingxiu said. “This Sanfu is truly a good person. He can make poison powder for the Fujin anytime, which really saves her a lot of trouble.”
"Reward him. In the future, I will give him more tasks, as long as he is loyal," the princess said.
“Yes, but Sanfu has already told me that he doesn’t want the Princess’s reward, he only hopes to serve the Princess.” Lingxiu carefully observed the Princess’s expression and said.
“This Sanfu is clever enough, let him come in and serve us,” the Fujin said.
"Thank you, Madam. This servant thanks you on behalf of Sanfu." Lingxiu's eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her head happily as she spoke.
The Fujin was completely absorbed in the fragrance of snuff. She waved her hand, signaling Lingxiu to leave and not disturb her enjoyment of the aroma alone.
Meanwhile, after leaving the main courtyard, Madam Song went straight to the south courtyard.
"Sister is here." Lanqin was sitting on the couch watching Cui Niang and Nianxue sitting to the side making little clothes, while Wuxiha was being led around the room by his wet nurse, learning to walk.
"Qin'er, are you really alright?" Madam Song walked up to her and took Lanqin's other uninjured hand.
"It's really nothing. I just fell sideways and didn't hit my stomach. Besides, babies aren't that easy to hurt," Lanqin said with a smile.
"I was truly terrified today. Even in the main courtyard, Madam Wu insisted she tripped over a stone and fell forward. Qin'er, what do you think? How could it be such a coincidence?" Madam Song still didn't believe it. The whole affair clearly reeked of conspiracy: first, the Fujin held a chrysanthemum banquet, then Madam Wu tripped over a stone and bumped into Lanqin. Thinking about it all together, it all felt too coincidental.
"The Wu family seems to have been silent for a long time. How did she suddenly reappear? How did she get behind you just now?" Lanqin asked.
"How would I know? I was so busy talking to you that I didn't pay any attention to the people behind me," said Madam Song.
"Sister Song, don't you think Wu Shi looks a little strange?" Lan Qin seemed to be recalling what she had seen Wu Shi today. Apart from catching a glimpse of her a few times on the day the eldest princess got married, this was only the second time Lan Qin had seen her in recent days. In fact, since Yin Shi was executed, Wu Shi had rarely appeared in front of others.
"She doesn't seem as talkative as before, and she seems..." Madam Song pondered how to describe Madam Wu today.
"He seems a bit dull and wooden," Lanqin added.
“Yes, she doesn’t seem like the Wu Ruyue of the past. The old Wu Ruyue relied on her beautiful face and spoke very loudly. Today, when she was with me in the Fujin’s presence, even when she was arguing, her voice sounded very dull,” said Song.
“So, there must be something strange about this, but we don’t know yet. Sister, I want to ask you for a favor,” Lanqin said.
"Tell me, as long as I can do it, I will never refuse." Seeing Lanqin's serious expression, Madam Song quickly became serious as well.
"Keep an eye on Yehe Shi across from my sister. Something's off about today. When the Fujin arrived, she should have gone to talk to her, but she stayed by my side instead. This woman might not be as she seems, and who knows what tricks our Fujin is up to. It seems I need to get back to the villa as soon as possible, or I'll stir up a storm," Lanqin said.
“How can you say that, sister? It’s clearly her narrow-mindedness that makes her unworthy to be the principal wife. Yet you’ve confined her to a separate courtyard to prevent her from causing trouble. That’s illogical. People who don’t know the situation would think you’ve done something shameful and that the Fourth Prince has confined you to a separate courtyard,” Madam Song said indignantly.
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