Upon returning from Cining Palace, Zhao Shu did not inquire about the Empress Dowager's specific background. It was only after returning to Prince Yong's residence that Xiao Zhuzi reported everything.
"Princess, yesterday Princess Chengping's maid went to the Empress Dowager and said that the Fourth Prince had a close relationship with the eldest prince of the Xiongnu. The Empress Dowager was about to summon the Fourth Prince for questioning when the Tenth Prince hanged himself. News came from the palace that he was murdered."
Zhao Shu frowned. "Logically speaking, Grandmother didn't intend to kill anyone, so why did my tenth brother hang himself? No, why did they kill my tenth brother? This matter didn't need to come to the point of death at all."
She couldn't understand why this matter, which was actually a small one—the Xiongnu prince wanting to marry a woman of higher status—had escalated to the point of causing death.
Xiao Zhu couldn't answer. He lowered his head and waited for a long time without hearing Zhao Shu continue. He thought for a moment and said, "Could it be the ladies in the palace?"
"By the way, what about Consort Ning's matter?" These two things are too strange. No matter how you look at them, they seem unrelated, yet they also seem to be connected.
Xiao Zhuzi recounted what he had found out, which was nothing more than the death of a young prince, a thorough investigation in the palace, and the uncovering of old secrets.
As they were talking, someone came to report something urgent. Without waiting for Xiao Zhu to return, they rushed directly to Zhao Shu to report it.
"What is it?" Xiao Zhu asked.
"Princess, Consort Ning was assassinated in the Cold Palace but was rescued, though she is barely alive."
Zhao Shu frowned; she didn't quite understand this scene. "Do you know who did it?"
"All the blame is being pointed at Weiyang Palace, but the Emperor doesn't believe it. Weiyang Palace claims that someone framed them, implying that it was the Empress Dowager."
Suddenly, Zhao Shu laughed, "What a brilliant plan."
“That is indeed a good plan.” Sun Yun walked in from outside.
Zhao Shu waved for the servants to leave, leaving only her and Sun Yun in Bao Xia Li. The two sat facing each other, and Zhao Shu personally poured tea for her.
"What did you find out?" Zhao Shu asked. One person's strength is ultimately limited, and it is necessary to share and coordinate with others in order to obtain the most accurate information.
Sun Yun blew on the still-hot tea and said slowly, "I didn't find anything else, but I heard some rumors."
"What rumors?" Zhao Shu asked, glancing at him.
"I just received the news. This matter did not originate among the common people, but rather within the families of officials, and it was not the servants or maids who spread it, but rather the officials in the court."
Zhao Shu listened quietly, without being in a hurry.
“You have a small family and never associate with other families. I have a large family. Today, my sister-in-law just came back from her parents’ home and told me to stay away from you.”
Zhao Shu became interested, put down her teacup, and asked, "Oh, why?"
"Nowadays, it is rumored among officials in the court that the Empress Dowager intends to wield power and has already sidelined the Emperor. Sure enough, the Tenth Prince died and Consort Ning was sent to the Cold Palace."
Zhao Shu stirred her teacup, seemingly unconcerned, but inwardly she was in turmoil. She had always known that everyone was looking for an opportunity, but she never expected that their opportunity would be right here.
"Yide is truly capable. She not only got rid of Consort Ning, but also disgusted the Empress Dowager, and made Zhao Bi cling to her. I'm starting to like her a little now," Zhao Shu said. She felt lonely and thought that only in this way could she rekindle the passion in her heart.
Sun Yun nodded, "You're right. I've started to like her too. This woman is my rival. You don't know, I used to be invincible."
"Guess who saved Consort Ning?" Zhao Shu suddenly asked.
Sun Yun paused for a moment, then said, "How about we make a bet?"
"Alright." Zhao Shu saw the spark in her eyes; it seemed she was about to make a big move. She was a little confused; the Sun family had practically retreated from the world, so why get involved in this mess?
However, considering Emperor Mingde's spying on her, it becomes understandable.
"I bet it is..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Shu interrupted, "How about this, let's follow the rules and see who finds the evidence first?"
"Are you asking for evidence of who killed the Tenth Prince and Consort Ning?" In a flash, Sun Yun was already thinking about what benefits he could gain from this matter.
In fact, this matter does not benefit either of them, but if it cannot be found out, the mother-son relationship between the Empress Dowager and Emperor Mingde will be completely destroyed, and the complex factional struggles of the past will be compounded by another struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
However, no matter how much they fight, the enemy will always benefit in the end.
After thinking for a moment, Sun Yun nodded, "Okay, if I win, you have to promise me one thing."
"What if I win?" Zhao Shu asked.
“I also promise you one thing, and I must do it, okay?” she said, then added, “Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do anything that violates morality, filial piety, loyalty, or affection.”
Zhao Shu thought about it and realized it was actually quite amusing. She grinned and said, "Okay, I agree, but we need to make three rules: you can't hurt the Crown Prince or the Empress Dowager. Can you keep that promise?"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," she said with a confident smile.
The difference between a woman who embroiders and engages in domestic power struggles and a woman who controls the fate of her family is like heaven and earth; their vision and mindset are on completely different levels.
"Oh, right, my brother the Crown Prince gave me a lot of things. I saw some trinkets that are quite fun. Why don't you pick a few?" Zhao Shu suddenly remembered the nice things the Crown Prince had given her and said casually.
Sun Yun paused, looking rather awkward, but quickly recovered. "I'm not a little girl, no need. I'm leaving. Remember, we'll have a two-week limit."
"Running so fast?" Zhao Shu watched her leave with suspicion.
Meanwhile, inside the Phoenix Palace, Hao Shumei sat under the Empress's command, looking at the autumn peonies on the tea table. The peonies were large, abundant, and beautiful.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com