Ever since Song Xia said those words last time, Liu Fangniang, who was filled with fear and anxiety, has fallen ill again.
Zhou Yongli came to question her once, but what right did he have to do so? Besides, Song Xia didn't say anything; she was just kindly informing Liu Fangniang about Zhou Ying.
Song Xia tormented Liu Fangniang day after day, until she finally caught the Liu family in the act of obtaining the secret medicine again and sending it to Zhou Ying.
She knew these people wouldn't be content with the status quo, and just as she expected, the old woman did manage to contact her clansmen.
But who will Zhou Ying deal with after getting the medicine? The princess who holds power in the inner palace? The concubine who stole her time with the emperor? Or the three concubines who have been constantly making things difficult for her?
A few days later, after hearing some news, Song Xia's heart began to pound. Could it be...?
How could they be so bold?
Song Xia walked back and forth, but if it weren't for the unexpected events, why would Prince Huai have favored Zhou Ying so many times and bestowed upon her so many gifts?
No, she must tell the Empress whether it's true or not.
Song Xia was a county princess, so it was easy for her to enter the palace and meet the empress. When she presented the things she had collected to the empress, the empress couldn't help but spill her teacup.
Can you guarantee that?
"I dare not guarantee it. After all, even the imperial physicians could not find out about that secret medicine back then. But it was indeed because of that secret medicine that I gave birth to Yuqing prematurely, which caused my child to be weak for more than ten years after birth. Moreover, after that, several servants of the Liu family suddenly disappeared, and the old lady stopped making incense. I was unwilling to accept what happened back then, so I kept sending people to investigate until I found out that they had contacted that clan again and gave the things to Zhou Ying."
"Such a serious matter, if there is no evidence... Song Xia, do you know the consequences I will have to bear?"
"Your Majesty, there is no need for a big fuss. Just check if His Highness Prince Huai or Consort De have recently presented His Majesty with anything, especially sachets or food."
The Empress gave Song Xia a deep look, and after a long while, she said, "If what you said is true, then you have done me a great service."
"I am only being cautious, not wanting anything to happen to Your Majesty."
“Very good. With a mother like you, it’s no wonder you can raise such a good child as Zhou Yuqing. Prince Ding has always told me that he admires Yuqing very much.”
Song Xia smiled faintly as she listened: "That child loves traveling and playing in the water. He's still a child at heart. I hope His Highness Prince Ding will forgive him."
"If it is indeed found that there was collusion, rest assured, you have performed meritorious service, and it will not implicate you and your child."
"It's best if nothing happens. I was just afraid of delaying Your Majesty's important matters. Thank you for trusting me, Your Majesty."
"It's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't. I can't afford to lose."
When Song Xia returned from the palace, she brought back some rewards. She happened to run into Zhou Yongli and Zhou Shuqing, who were all beaming with joy. Seeing the box in Furong's hand, they all assumed that the Empress had given the rewards to her because of Zhou Ying.
So Zhou Yongli said matter-of-factly, "I was wondering why you suddenly came to the palace. Just now, news came from the Prince Huai's residence that Ying'er is pregnant. Tomorrow, prepare some good things and tonics to send to Ying'er. You can also share some of these with Fangniang."
Song Xia was so angry she laughed; this misunderstanding was huge.
The Empress rewarded her because of Zhou Ying? How can she be so shameless?
"When Consort Zhao of the Prince Huai's Mansion gave birth to the Emperor's grandson, we didn't see Her Majesty the Empress bestowing anything upon Consort Zhao's family. Why would Her Majesty the Empress specially reward a concubine's family when she is pregnant? Young master, don't make assumptions. A concubine who is just pregnant is not as important as you think."
Zhou Yongli's face turned ashen: "It's not about that. Why did Her Majesty the Empress suddenly bestow this upon you? Everyone knows that Ying'er is very much favored by Prince Huai. Even the two concubines in the mansion have to avoid her. Now she is being personally cared for by the Princess. If Prince Huai didn't value her, would he do this?"
"The Empress bestowed this upon me because I received Yuqing's painting. I didn't know anything about it and yet I made a fuss. Luckily, it didn't get out, or people would have thought our Zhou family was a joke."
"you……"
Song Xiahan said with a cold face, "You want to use this to make me give Zhou Ying a generous gift? If Her Majesty the Empress really values her, why doesn't she just bestow it on the Prince Huai's residence?"
Zhou Yongli was speechless at these words. It was true. Why was it given to Song Xia instead of Ying Jie'er?
Song Xia scoffed at Liu Fangniang: "Do you deserve something bestowed upon you by the palace?"
Liu Fangniang's face was pale: "This concubine dares not."
"snort!"
Seeing her arrogant departure, the group was filled with resentment.
Zhou Shuqing stepped forward and comforted her, saying, "Father, my sister is currently pregnant with His Highness Prince Huai's child. The most important thing is to ensure a safe delivery. Rewards and lavish gifts are not important."
Zhou Yongli's expression softened somewhat: "You're right. If this child is a grandson of the emperor, then Prince Huai will succeed to the throne in the future..."
He immediately shut his mouth after saying those two words, afraid that someone who shouldn't hear them would overhear and cause trouble.
Although it's almost a done deal, it's always good to be cautious in your words and actions.
If Song Xia knew what he was thinking, she'd probably laugh her head off. "Be careful what you say?" she thought. "Them?"
That's wishful thinking. Even if Prince Huai were to actually ascend the throne, he probably wouldn't be able to tolerate Zhou Ying.
Now Zhou Ying can contribute the secret medicine to Prince Huai's succession. After Prince Huai ascends the throne, will he think that Zhou Ying will try to harm him and the other children for other purposes?
People in that position are rarely without suspicion. Zhou Ying's move, which seemed to have won the favor of Prince Huai, actually planted a seed of doubt within herself.
Moreover, the Empress is now aware of this matter, and the entire harem is under her control. How can your plan possibly succeed?
On the second day of the second lunar month, the Flower Festival, a banquet of a hundred flowers was held at the Prince Huai’s mansion, inviting people from all the mansions to appreciate the blooming flowers. Because Zhou Ying was pregnant, Zhou Shuqing was also invited.
Song Xia was dressed in her finest attire, but unfortunately, Liu Fangniang was a concubine, so even if Zhou Shuqing could go, even if it was her daughter Zhou Ying, she was not qualified to go.
Liu Fangniang saw him to the door, feeling a deep sense of regret.
Even though Yingjie is already so favored, she is still restricted by her status as a concubine, and cannot do this or that.
Therefore, Song Xia must be eliminated in the future, and she must be made the principal wife so that she can openly enjoy the flattery of others.
But Song Xia was thinking that after today, Zhou Shuqing's marriage should be settled.
She had already found out that the concubine's daughter of Imperial Censor Wu would cause trouble today, and Zhou Ying secretly instructed her maid to create an opportunity for Zhou Shuqing to be alone with Bao Ning.
Ha, you haven't given up on scheming against Bao Ning after all. In that case, I'll give you a big surprise.
Upon arriving at the Prince Huai's residence, Song Xia quickly found Ye Wanrou and Song Baoning, but before she could exchange more than a few words, she was interrupted by Zhou Ying, who was being supported by a maid.
Although Zhou Ying is now a concubine of Prince Huai, Song Xia is also a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty, and Ye Wanrou is the heir apparent of Prince Cheng. Therefore, apart from Bao Ning giving a curtsy, neither of them moved.
To show her filial piety, Zhou Ying had her maid help her gently bend Song Xia's knees.
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