Chapter 174 Huayang County Princess
"I was inspired by you to analyze the situation of several high-ranking concubines in the palace."
There are seven princes in the palace. The sixth and seventh princes are still infants and too young to be discussed yet.
After removing the crown prince, only four remain.
We are well aware that the eldest prince is ambitious.
The Second Prince's mother, Consort Xian, was a woman of a different ethnicity, so he had absolutely no chance of ascending to the throne.
The Fifth Prince was only thirteen years old when Consort Cheng passed away early, so he was raised by the Empress Dowager.
Moreover, the highest official position held by the Fifth Prince's maternal uncle's family was only a fourth-rank Grand Secretary in the Hanlin Academy, so by any measure, there was no chance for him.
On the contrary, the Third Prince and Consort Rong have quietly built up a considerable number of good relationships within the palace over the years.
Xie Yunman paused here.
"If we only consider the relationship between men and women, Prince Rui really did have an affair with a high-ranking concubine in the palace."
Consort Shu would likely disdain cooperating with Prince Rui.
Consort Xian, a woman from a different ethnic group, came to marry into the government. She was two years older than His Majesty and even older than Prince Rui.
Consort Cheng died young.
Therefore, after considering all the options, only Consort Rong remains.
After saying this, Xie Yunman looked up at Xie Yunyu and smiled:
"But like you, I have no evidence."
Therefore, Consort Rong is currently forbidden from approaching His Majesty, and Chunhua Palace is now under the Empress's supervision.
Xie Yunyu gave Xie Yunman a thumbs up.
Then I sat down next to him and helped him look at that mountain of files.
Xie Yunyu discovered that there was a lot of information, including records of people in the palace, some confessions, and files on people in the northern border.
Xie Yunyu was only interested in the recent interrogation confessions from the Dali Temple, and read through all the confessions that Du Zhengming had sent over.
Xie Yunyu read through the testimonies of Wan Shi, Wan Huaixing, and his wife several times.
Then he asked, "What about the Wan family's interpersonal relationships? Are they here?"
Xie Yunman looked up and pointed to the bookshelf on her left, saying:
"The second row contains records of interpersonal relationships. Go and see if her name is listed there."
Xie Yunyu got up and walked over there. After searching for a while, she took out a scroll covered with a red cloth and looked at it carefully.
Those are records of marriage alliances and relationships within the Xing State Duke's mansion.
Then, after searching for a while, I found a file with an ordinary yellow paper cover that listed the Wan family's relationships.
Xie Yunyu returned with two files and continued reading.
While watching, I scribbled and drew on the paper.
When the Crown Prince and Xiao Ling entered together, they saw the brother and sister, each doing their own thing, both very focused.
The difference was that Xie Yunman sat upright and formally.
Xie Yunyu, on the other hand, was extremely lazy, half-lying on the table like she had no bones.
Xiao Ling quickly stepped forward and blocked the Crown Prince's view.
Then he walked straight over, grabbed Xie Yunyu by the collar, and pulled her up.
Xie Yunyu suddenly came to her senses and quickly sat up straight.
Xiao Ling turned around and sat down next to Xie Yunyu.
Xie Yunyu gave the Crown Prince an awkward smile, then asked Xiao Ling:
What did Mother and the others say?
The Crown Prince ascended to the main seat and sat down. Xiao Ling then spoke:
"After reviewing the list, Mother and the Empress both agreed that we should start with Aunt Huayang."
"The Princess of Huayang from the Qin Prince's family?" Xie Yunyu asked.
"Yes, my great-uncle is too old to get involved in politics."
Over the years, Uncle Qin has been utterly loyal to his father, the emperor.
After Princess Huayang married, she is now widowed and living at home. The Empress Dowager takes good care of her and often summons her to the palace.
Both my mother and aunt felt that she was the most suitable.
Xie Yunyu nodded: "Then please invite Princess Huayang to the palace and tell her that the Empress Dowager misses her."
"Yes, Mother has already arranged for someone to summon her to the palace. She will be able to see her soon."
As Xiao Ling spoke, he took Xie Yunyu's hand and asked, "Have you found anything here?"
The Crown Prince found Xiao Ling's current sullen and obnoxious behavior an eyesore.
He acts like no one is ever married.
The crown prince rolled his eyes.
Xie Yunman was used to it; the last time she went to his house for drinks, she even got jealous of herself.
He never expected Xiao Ling to be a decent human being.
"Yes, I have made some discoveries."
Xie Yunyu ignored his actions and handed Xiao Ling a piece of paper with messy writing in her other hand.
Xiao Ling looked at the mess of papers, and then heard Xie Yunyu say:
“I discovered that there are some overlaps between the Wan family’s interpersonal relationships and those of the Duke of Xing’s family.”
Xiao Ling frowned: "I'd like to hear the details."
Xie Yunyu clapped her hands, picked up the teacup next to her, took a sip, and said.
"A married woman's interpersonal relationships come partly from her maternal family, partly from her husband's family, and partly from her close female friends."
Broadly speaking, they can be divided into these three categories.
However, Wan's network of connections expanded to include a few more people: embroiderers, brokers, and money shop managers...
I've marked these out; please send someone to check if there are any problems.
Xiao Lingcai looked closely at the paper in his hand, and there were indeed several people circled in red ink on it.
So he handed the paper in his hand to the prince.
After reading the paper, the Crown Prince handed it to Le Shou and asked him to inform Du Zhengming to investigate these people.
Soon, Princess Huayang entered the palace, and the Crown Prince, Xiao Ling, and Xie Yunyu pretended to coincidentally visit the Empress Dowager together.
When the three arrived, the Empress Dowager was chatting with Princess Huayang.
Princess Huayang became a widow at a young age and lived alone without children.
The King of Qin had always wanted her to remarry, but she refused.
People say she's having a terrible time and is very pitiful.
However, Xiao Ling had heard the eldest princess say that the Princess of Huayang kept a male concubine, who was her childhood sweetheart and bodyguard.
He had been with her since childhood, and after she got married, the guard went to the border.
Later, after she became a widow, the guard returned.
And that's how the two got together.
The Empress Dowager supported her, so the Prince of Qin's residence dared not say anything.
When the Empress Dowager saw the three men enter, she looked behind them but saw nothing.
The old lady asked, "Why didn't you bring the child today?"
Xie Yunyu stepped forward with a smile and reported, "Grandmother, my grandfather took the child away. He's at the Xie family's house today."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager scolded, "This old fellow is even trying to take my great-grandson away from me."
Xiao Ling laughed and said, "Grandmother, don't worry, I'll go and snatch those two little brats back after I finish my duties today."
"I'll bring him to the palace tomorrow so you can see him."
The Empress Dowager laughed upon hearing this: "Alright, it's settled then. Bring the child tomorrow."
Xiao Ling smiled and repeatedly said yes.
The group chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while before she prepared to take her medicine and rest.
The Crown Prince led Princess Huayang to a side hall.
Princess Jinyang was already waiting in the side hall.
Princess Huayang stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Sister Jinyang."
"Yes, please sit down, Huayang."
Princess Jinyang said kindly.
"I invited you here today because I want to ask you about something from the past. Please help me recall it."
Upon hearing this, Princess Huayang looked at the Crown Prince, Xiao Ling, and Xie Yunyu, who then sat down.
His expression then turned serious:
"When my sister asks me a question, I will naturally answer it without reservation."
The palace maid at the door quietly served tea.
Princess Jinyang then asked, "I would like to learn about the Prosperous Flowers Poetry Society."
Hearing this, the Princess of Huayang breathed a sigh of relief and said with a contented expression:
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. It gave me quite a fright."
This poetry club was led by Ye Zhen back then. When we had nothing to do, we would take two days each month to get together.
They just went to chat, drink tea, play the piano, and write poetry; they didn't do anything else.
Princess Jinyang asked, "Does Prince Rui visit often?"
Princess Huayang frowned upon hearing the name of Prince Rui.
"Yes, I've seen him a few times."
However, they all went with Ye Zhen and left after staying in the house for a while.
"Does she only spend time with Ye Zhen every time she goes there? Doesn't she interact with anyone else?"
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