The fact that danger lurked around the children shocked both Yinzhen and Qingyan. The fact that even with layers of protection, their adversaries could still manage to infiltrate the area was undoubtedly a challenge to Yinzhen's authority and dignity.
"Let these people kneel until they understand their place, then they can stand up." Yinzhen sneered. These people really wouldn't shed a tear until they were in their coffins.
The Eighth Prince's people are all under close surveillance, so the possibility that Yin Si or the Jue Luo clan would do something is not high.
"My dear, have you received anything from the Crown Prince's Palace recently?" Yinzhen remembered that when the twins were born, the Crown Princess sent over a lot of things, causing the Fourth Prince's wife to lose face.
"No, the children haven't been sent over since they were two months old. Your Majesty, did someone from over there do this?" Qingyan looked at Yinzhen in horror.
If it were someone else who did the trick, and Yinzhen found out, Kangxi would definitely not tolerate it. However, if it were Yinreng, Kangxi might not be able to cover it up.
Of all the princes in the royal family, none could rival the Crown Prince in status.
"Judging from the current situation, it's more likely that the Crown Prince is behind this. The Crown Princess hasn't given birth to a legitimate son for many years, and Hongxi has basically been raised by the Crown Princess." Yinzhen nodded.
The people inside Yuqing Palace would never have allowed the Crown Prince to take such a risk; the Crown Princess must have chosen the best scapegoat.
Qingyan widened her almond-shaped eyes, turned her head to look at Yinzhen, and listened carefully to what Yinzhen said.
"Fourth Brother, what should we do?" Qingyan was really anxious.
“Master, the servants kneeling outside, someone told them a couple of days ago that something might happen to the two masters, and that they should leave Yuanmingyuan as soon as possible,” Su Peisheng said.
Qingyan was stunned. Who was this person planning to do?
"Taqibu's?" Qingyan asked anxiously.
Su Peisheng nodded, and an honest-looking servant stood bowing at the bottom right of the steps, waiting for a reply.
"Alright, who is it?" Yinzhen looked at the servant beside him, who appeared to be a gardener.
"This servant works with Taqibu and is in charge of the peonies in the garden. This servant is following Taqibu's instructions. If you are a contracted servant, it is best to leave. If the masters are sick, the servants will definitely be made to take the blame." The servant bowed and said, his voice was soft but loud enough for Yinzhen and Qingyan to hear.
Yinzhen frowned slightly. Taqibu clearly didn't want to implicate others, yet he still did it. It was obvious that he must have some kind of leverage over those people.
"What else do you know?" Qingyan was relieved that the two children were alright and had not been harmed, but she could not forgive those people who wanted to attack the children.
"It is said that those oleanders were obtained from outside the palace. That variety of oleander is extremely precious and cannot be afforded by ordinary people." The gardeners were very knowledgeable about all kinds of precious plants. This servant only glanced at the oleander and knew that it was definitely not an ordinary plant.
"Where have you seen this flower market?" Yinzhen asked sternly.
"It's in the flower market in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Some salt merchants like these things and send them to the backyards of government officials. If they're not careful, the children in those backyards might suffer." The servant knelt before Lin and told him everything he knew. "I am a servant from Suzhou and Hangzhou named Yu Dahai. My family used to be imperial merchants, specializing in supplying flowers and plants to the palace. Later, we suffered a terrible disaster because of these oleanders."
For the sea...for home...
“Back then, because of the oleanders that your family presented as tribute, the Sixth Prince Yinzuo died young, the Eleventh Prince became physically weak, and the whole family was demoted to the Sinzheku. Who was it that your family exchanged the oleanders for back then?” Yinzhen suddenly remembered Yinzuo, his younger brother who had followed behind him at that time.
Yu Dahai's face showed urgency. Back then, his family was truly wronged. His mother and sisters knew what they would face in the future. Before the imperial edict was issued, they all hanged themselves, hoping to preserve their reputation.
“Yes, it’s someone from the Uya clan. Back then, Uya was very powerful. Consort De loved peach blossoms very much, and that pot of peach blossoms was personally delivered by Lord Uya.” Yu Dahai’s eyes reddened. His family was completely being made a scapegoat for Uya. “Moreover, that pot of peach blossoms was not originally intended for Yonghe Palace, but for Chengqian Palace.”
When Yu Dahai entered the Yuanmingyuan, upon learning that his master was the Fourth Prince Yinzhen, he pondered whether to plead his family's grievances with this prince. Later, he learned that this prince was the biological son of Consort De and the adopted son of Empress Xiaoyi. He hesitated, fearing that this prince might have some reservations about Consort De.
Later, Consort De was demoted and completely disappeared from people's sight, which is when Yu Dahai had his eye on her again.
"So... what evidence do you have to prove it?" Yinzhen looked at Yu Dahai, observing the rise and fall of this family, and felt he should lend a hand.
The Uya family is too calculating; that pot of oleander must have been prepared for his mother and him.
“Yes, my father once said that when Wuyawei brought that pot of oleander, it was meant to be a birthday gift for Consort De. So, he specially wrote a few words of blessing in front of my father. However, my father insisted that it be examined by a doctor before it could be sent to the palace. Wuyawei stopped him and even wrote a guarantee for my father. I have the guarantee with me at all times.” Yu Dahai quickly pulled out a brocade pouch from his neck and took out a yellowed piece of paper from it.
Yu Dahai's actions were seen by his wife, whose eyes flickered slightly. Su Peisheng noticed this out of the corner of his eye, quickly took the bag from his hand, and turned to walk away.
Yu Dahai's wife immediately got up and ran forward, hoping to destroy the letter in Su Peisheng's hands.
Yinzhen glanced at him slightly; it seemed someone had done this on purpose.
Yu Dahai stood up and stepped forward, pushing his wife to the ground.
"I know you were sent by Wuyaweiwu. For so many years, I have been looking for an opportunity. Do you know why I would rather have a son born out of wedlock than let you have a child? I find it disgusting!" Yu Dahai, who always appeared well-behaved in front of his servants, was unusually domineering today.
Yinzhen's lips curled slightly as he reached out and took the letter from Su Peisheng's hand. Sure enough, it contained a note praising Wuya Weiwu's every action. Yinzhen had to admit that this could definitely help the servants who had made mistakes back then to turn their lives around.
"Yu Dahai, you're something else! No wonder that bitch was able to come in later and was kept under your protection in the other courtyard. It was all part of your plan," Yu Dahai's wife rebuked angrily.
Qingyan wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and listened to the two arguing in front of her with a good expression.
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