Unlike the two times Yan Ning had seen her before, when she wasn't dressed in elaborate robes and crowns, she was still poised and elegant, exuding nobility.
Today, Aunt Li is no different from a nun in a temple.
Yan Ning felt a pang of pity for her and asked Yunxia, who was standing beside her, "How long has Aunt Li been ill?"
Yunxia lowered her head. "On the day of the family banquet, I caught a cold. My aunt was afraid that her illness would spoil everyone's festive mood, so she didn't allow us to inform her. Today, my aunt fainted, so I took it upon myself to go and find the madam."
Yunxia's voice grew softer and softer until it seemed to come from her belly.
Yan Ning was about to say something more when Aunt Li spoke up, "Let them all leave. Since you entered the manor, I have never had the opportunity to meet you like this!"
Her smile was radiant and benevolent, unlike the Li Tai concubine that Yan Ning imagined had poisoned Fukang'an.
Yan Ning nodded, and Zhu Xiang, Yun Xia, and Yun Shi curtsied and withdrew.
Once the sandalwood curtains had settled and were firmly in place, Aunt Li spoke first, "You should be angry with me. For the sake of your husband, you should also be wary of me. Why did you go through all this trouble and create discord with her!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Ning immediately knew who the "she" Aunt Li was referring to was.
Yan Ning spoke, voicing the question that had been troubling her: "How could Aunt Tai have foreseen such a tragic end back then? Why did she still choose to gamble everything?"
Concubine Li stopped fiddling with her prayer beads, a faint smile curving her lips. "I truly don't know how you managed to rise to the position of Lady. You've been to the palace and witnessed the struggles for power and favor, yet you remain so muddle-headed!"
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