After a careful look, Empress Duan immediately ordered:
"Hurry and send someone out of the palace to fetch Yunyan's mother. Bring her back to the palace. I will interrogate her personally."
"Yes, my lady."
Qingdai took the order and hurried out to do it.
At this time, the main hall of Changchun Palace was unusually quiet.
Concubine De was embroidering on the couch.
Qiuyue, the head maid, came in and reported, "Your Majesty's guess is correct. The Queen has already sent people out of the palace."
Defei picked up a spool of red silk thread and Qiuyue sat down to help organize it.
"This vicious woman, Concubine Shu, will not let her go."
"Originally, the Queen didn't find anything wrong. Fortunately, the Queen asked me to do a thorough and secret investigation, and I actually found out that Lan Yan's mother worked as a nanny in the Zhang family, the home of the daughter of Princess E's sister, half a year ago. This time, Concubine Shu will definitely not get away."
Defei's father was originally a cabinet scholar, but he died of illness last year. Although the family has lost power, her eldest brother has been running the human trafficking business - buying and selling slaves, so he can investigate the slaves and their employers in the capital thoroughly.
"Your Majesty, Lan Yan's mother left the Zhang family half a year ago. Do you think Concubine Shu had evil intentions at that time?"
Concubine De said, "Not yet at that time. She wanted to get rid of Concubine Lian's dragon fetus after she raised the Second Prince. What a coincidence."
The next day after the morning court session, in the Cining Palace.
Prime Minister Feng came to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, Yu'er was demoted from Consort to Imperial Concubine because she was outmatched and was framed. We acknowledge this loss, but she has not been favored by the Emperor in over six years since entering the palace. If this continues, I'm afraid our power will wither."
The Queen Mother said slowly and steadily:
"I know what you mean. There are only two princes in the harem, and the emperor is young. There will be many more in the future. There is no need to rush this matter."
Prime Minister Feng's words have hidden meanings.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Jia and Yu'er are both your relatives, don't you think?"
The Empress Dowager's face was filled with anger.
"Master Feng, you have overstepped your bounds."
Prime Minister Feng bowed and said:
"Since twenty years ago, I have been working hard for you, overcoming all difficulties. Your Majesty should understand my painstaking efforts. I only have Yu'er as my daughter, and I hope Your Majesty can consider her more."
Twenty years ago...
The Empress Dowager's beautiful eyes reflected the past that she did not want to remember.
At that time, she was already a married woman and had just given birth to a daughter.
Her husband died tragically, leaving her orphaned and widowed, and she suffered from indifference.
Suddenly a powerful official appeared. It was Prime Minister Feng. At that time, he was the Minister of Rites. When he went to Jiangnan on business, he happened to see a stunningly beautiful woman.
Tell her,
"Meng Wanning, come with me to the capital. With your stunning beauty, you can become the most noble woman in the world."
She was unmoved and just wanted to spend the rest of her life with her daughter.
But not long after, her younger brother was beaten to death. In order to save her family, she decided to embark on an unclear path to power and wealth.
The Queen Mother came back to her senses and said majestically:
"Master Feng, I have restored the power and wealth of the Feng family to you over the years. You should be content. The ruler is the ruler and the minister is the minister. Do not overstep your bounds."
Prime Minister Feng knelt down and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am grateful and will keep this in mind. I will not mention the past again. Your Majesty, please calm down."
After he left, the Empress Dowager was so angry that she smashed her beloved jade teacup.
"You little dog slave, how dare you imply something about me."
The head nanny consoled her, "Your Majesty, calm down."
Having said that, the Empress Dowager had to fight for the custody of the Second Prince for her nominal niece, Concubine Liang.
In Jingren Palace, Empress Duan was waiting for news from outside the palace.
The little princess Le Yun cried incessantly, and Empress Duan impatiently asked her to be carried to the side hall.
Le Wen was having lunch nearby and pleaded in a low voice, "Mother, my sister is crying because she wants you to hold her."
She had never seen Queen Duan hug her sister Le Yun.
Empress Duan said anxiously, "Shut up, finish your meal quickly and go write."
"oh."
Le Wen drank the porridge timidly, and before he finished it, he quickly ran off the couch to the side hall.
When the hall was empty, the maidservant advised, "Your Majesty, please have some food and take care of yourself."
Queen Duan rubbed her temples. She was already in poor health and got a headache when she was anxious.
"My Lady."
When the palace maid came in, Empress Duan thought there was news, but it turned out to be a letter sent by General Duan.
When I opened it, I slammed my hand on the table in anger.
Ever since General Duan knew that she could no longer get pregnant, he had been urging her to have a prince by her side.
"Does he think I don't know? Doesn't I want to?"
The palace servants quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down."
It was not until noon that Qingdai finally came back, but she did not bring Yunyan's mother with her.
"Your Majesty, when our people arrived, Yunyan's mother had already hanged herself."
Empress Duan said angrily, "What a consort Shu is! She has calculated things so well."
Thinking of the fact that Concubine Lian's clothes had been soaked in abortion drugs, Empress Duan became suspicious and recalled that when she was pregnant with Le Yun, Concubine Shu came to serve her very respectfully every day to protect her pregnancy.
"Qingdai, do you remember when I was trying to protect my pregnancy, Concubine Shu also had an unusual fragrance when she came?"
Qingdai pondered:
"That's true. The eldest lady even asked what kind of incense Concubine Shu used. Could this be the reason why the little princess was born prematurely? Your Majesty, this matter must be reported to the Emperor!"
Empress Duan said dejectedly:
"The Emperor only believes in evidence. He won't believe me if I just say something empty. However, although Yunyan's mother is dead, she does have a connection with Prince E's Mansion. I must report this to the Emperor."
After one stick of incense, the phoenix chariot arrived at the Yangxin Palace.
Empress Duan reported the matter, and Xuan Ling said solemnly, "I understand what you said. I will go to the harem to deal with this matter tomorrow."
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