Chapter 324 Gone Mad
Dou Wenyi seemed to understand something. It turned out that Yu'e had used Pei Shuyue as a stepping stone, which would indeed make people lower their guard.
At this moment, Pei Shuyue walked in with tears in her eyes. Upon seeing her, she could no longer hold back and said in a hoarse voice, "Sister-in-law Crown Princess, Yu'e is dead..."
Dou Wenyi and Consort Zhang exchanged a glance and understood instantly.
Consort Zhang couldn't bear to hurt Xiao Qi, so she didn't dare tell her the truth.
“She’s been with me for three years. How could she possibly jump into the well for no reason? Someone must have harmed her.” Pei Shuyue cried bitterly.
Dou Wenyi felt terrible. She had been a mother herself, and no mother wants her children to be hurt by those close to them, or to feel the cruelty of reality firsthand.
This is a mother's instinct to protect her child.
However, Consort Zhang concealed the truth, which would indirectly sting Pei Shuyue whenever she brought it up.
Dou Wenyi took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "Shuyue, have you ever heard the saying, 'You can know a person's face but not their heart'?"
Pei Shuyue stopped crying and was startled to realize that none of the palace maids around her mother spoke up for Yu'e.
Even the Crown Princess didn't sympathize with her. Could it be that Yu'e really committed some unforgivable mistake?
Seeing that Consort Zhang looked listless and exhausted, Dou Wenyi ordered the palace servants to help her rest before leading Pei Shuyue to a side hall.
Pei Shuyue sniffed, her clear, bright eyes filled with confusion. "Mother, you're not sick, are you?"
She recalled Consort Zhang's once round face, which had suddenly become thin and pale, and felt a sudden, inexplicable panic. "Sister-in-law Crown Princess, what exactly happened? Do you think I'm too young to tell me the truth?"
She had already sensed that something was wrong.
Dou Wenyi nodded with relief, "The Empress has been poisoned and is on the verge of death. If it weren't for the timely antidote... the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Pei Shuyue trembled and burst into tears again, "Mother...she didn't tell me because she was afraid I would worry?"
Dou Wenyi patted her back, "Were you scared? Don't worry, it's alright, your mother is fine."
Pei Shuyue nodded, looking ashamed.
She suddenly realized, "It's related to Yu'e, isn't it?"
Dou Wenyi couldn't help but admire her keen insight. "Hmm. This matter is too complicated. Yu'e may have been sincere to you, but the fact that she was able to come to your side is itself a conspiracy."
Pei Shuyue understood. How much of their relationship over those years was genuine and how much was calculated remained unknown.
She felt empty inside, but thankfully her mother was alright.
“Sister-in-law Crown Princess, my mother always takes care of me, yet I repeatedly break her heart…”
Dou Wenyi suddenly felt a little cruel, "No, you just never thought that Yu'e would betray you and poison your mother."
"Okay, it's alright now."
As she spoke, she took out a plate of small desserts and handed it to Pei Shuyue. Pei Shuyue picked up a piece but did not put it in her mouth. Suddenly, she stood up and bowed to her. "Sister-in-law, thank you for teaching me so much. Brother Shen Yanzhou also often taught me to stay calm when I encounter problems, to think things through, and not to jump to conclusions."
"I will not act impulsively again. My mother must have been heartbroken just now. I will go and apologize to her right away."
Dou Wenyi patted her head and smiled, "Mmm."
The two returned to their bedchamber. Dou Wenyi chatted with Consort Zhang for a while before leaving the palace.
Princes and princesses face far more schemes and dangers from a young age than ordinary people. Pei Shuyue, always protected, naturally developed a pure and sunny soul. But what if she turned out like Pei Siyan?
The sudden loss of one's only support forces one to grow up quickly, whether one likes it or not.
In the palace, simply surviving and growing up was already a skill in itself.
What life challenges will her and Pei Siyan's child face in the future?
At the same time, the atmosphere inside Chongzheng Hall became particularly solemn.
Pei Siyan acted swiftly and quickly arranged matters related to the Northern Barbarians. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that he had given up the idea of personally leading the expedition.
After the court officials withdrew, Shen Yanzhou entered and respectfully said, "Sheng Xiyue attempted suicide at the Imperial City Palace, but was discovered in time and saved. However, she suffered a brain injury and is likely to have gone mad."
Pei Siyan raised an eyebrow. "Not dead?"
"It must have been the Sheng family who bribed the jailers," Shen Yanzhou said calmly.
Pei Siyan could not deny it; after all, as long as Sheng Xiyue lived, it was a disgrace to the Sheng family.
The Sheng family must remember Pei Siyan's 'kindness and benevolence' towards them. Even if they are not grateful, they must at least show humility and respect.
They dared not openly contradict him regarding matters large and small in the imperial court.
Pei Siyan asked coldly, "Has there been any progress on Yu'e's identity?"
Shen Yanzhou shook his head. "It's not certain yet, but Yu'e has a cousin who used to work at the Duke of Mu's mansion."
The Duke of Mu's mansion once angered Emperor Muzong by refusing to repay the imperial debt. Later, it was ordered to be investigated and its property confiscated because of the campaign against the rebellious prince. Could this be the seed of disaster sown at that time?
Pei Siyan had a feeling that things wouldn't be that simple; perhaps this identity was deliberately released by the person behind it to mislead them.
"Investigate again!"
Shen Yanzhou accepted the order and left.
Pei Siyan glanced at the lush green branches outside the window. It was at this time of year that he met her, and a complex emotion welled up in his chest.
Since his mother's death, his only wish has been revenge. He lives like a walking corpse, devoid of any joy. Even though he knows he has been poisoned by Consort Tan, he doesn't take it seriously at all.
But ever since he met her, his world has become vibrant and full of anticipation. He sees everything and everything differently now.
He longed to spend his life with her, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and to grow old together in loving harmony.
Pei Siyan suddenly spoke up, "Are the cherries ripe?"
Eunuch Anxi was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, the cherries in the Imperial Garden have only just turned a little red, so they are probably... still a bit sour."
"It's not ripe yet?"
Pei Siyan repeated the sentence in a low voice, seemingly with some regret, and unconsciously tapped his fingertips on the imperial desk.
What appeared before his eyes was the scene from this time last year, when she picked a basket of cherries from the Dou family and delivered them to the Zhang family.
“It’s alright,” he stood up, the sleeves of his dark robe brushing against the corner of the table. “Go find the reddest ones, pick a basketful, and give them to the Crown Princess.”
Anxi, not daring to say anything more, quickly agreed and quietly withdrew to make the arrangements.
Pei Siyan slowly walked to the window, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing through layers of palace walls, looking towards the future.
The news brought by Shen Yanzhou was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, leaving ripples that did not subside.
Yu'e's cousin worked in the Duke of Mu's mansion... When the Duke of Mu's mansion was confiscated, it had a wide-ranging impact, and when the tree fell, the monkeys scattered. It's not impossible that Yu'e's cousin was implicated.
However, things behind her are definitely not that simple. Who exactly is stirring up trouble?
Pei Siyan sat back on the throne, opened the memorial, and saw that several senior ministers of the cabinet had jointly submitted a memorial, urging him to consider the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty and to expand the imperial harem!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
