Chapter 143 Chapter 143
[Chapter 143]
The nanny listened to Ruan Jun's words without revealing much surprise in her eyes, and remained as calm as usual.
Ruan Jun felt a little more admiration for her appearance, but she couldn't help thinking that it was not easy to survive under the control of the once favored Concubine Shu.
Without beating around the bush, Ruan Yun said directly: "Madame is also an elder in the palace. She also served in the palace for a long time. I have only been in the palace for a short time, so naturally I don't know as much as Madame."
The teacup in her hand was placed on the table. Ruan Yunyu pointed her finger and said after a moment of silence, "Madam has been keeping the secret for so many years. I guess she must have received the favor of the Empress. What I want to know is what secret could have allowed Madam to keep it for so many years."
Her almond-shaped eyes are slightly curved, hiding a smile, but if you look closely you will find that the smile does not reach her eyes.
Those standing around were all Ruan Yun's confidants, and there was only one person standing in the middle, the nanny.
If it is true as Ruan Yun said, the nanny is a smart person and she naturally knows that if she doesn't tell the truth today, she may not be able to leave the Linxuan Palace.
It is never too late to use courtesy before force.
The nanny bowed her head and remained silent for two moments, then said, "It has been so long, I have never thought that I could still tell you what happened back then."
Ruan Yun still had that smile on her face. "When Mammy was pretending to be crazy, she would go to the well from time to time. If I am right, she was trying to remind others that the Empress's sister fell into the water. Was there something else strange about that?"
Nanny suddenly knelt down in front of Ruan Yun and bowed deeply, her body still trembling. "I have been keeping track of this matter for so many years. I know that I saw the Empress's sister fall into the water with my own eyes, but I was afraid and didn't say anything to protect myself."
Ruan Jun's eyes were calm, "Go on."
The nanny took a deep breath and raised her head. "When I was in the palace, I was in charge of the flowers and plants in the backyard. At that time, the Empress' birthday was celebrated and she asked for a grand celebration. I dared not slack off. On the birthday, I stayed in the backyard the whole time, fearing that something might happen."
"There were not enough people in the front, and there were not many people from the backyard, so the steward only left a few people in the backyard, and the others all went to the front yard. I went to the toilet, and when I came back, the maids who were originally under my command had all run away."
After hearing this, Ruan Jun frowned slightly and stared at the nanny thoughtfully. No matter how she listened to it, it was very strange.
"I wanted to go look for someone, but just as I was about to turn back, I saw the Empress's sister appear in the backyard. I wanted to go over to her, but she looked a little strange, and I couldn't figure it out for a moment, so I just stood there without moving. Then I heard her mumbling something about a note or someone to the maid beside her. I was timid at the time, and I didn't dare to go out."
Yingning and Tingxu listened with their brows furrowed. Based on past experience, they could roughly guess what had happened.
"Later, I saw someone appear behind the Empress's sister. That person was none other than Consort Shu's personal maid, Liu Yu. Liu Yu called away the maidservant next to the Empress's sister and said something. I was too far away to hear clearly, but I only knew that the Empress's sister was in a difficult situation and waved her hand to let her maidservant go and take a look."
"She stood there waiting alone. After a while, a man appeared. However, he had his face covered with a cloth. I couldn't see who he was. Then I saw him stuff the cloth into the mouth of the Empress's sister and push her into the water."
"I was even more panicked at that time. His skills were obviously those of a martial artist. The Empress's sister was already motionless. I was really afraid that if I went to call for help, I would end up like her."
Ruan Jun clenched the handkerchief in her hand. There was intrigue in the palace, and the nanny did this to avoid getting into trouble. It was human nature.
With a glance, Tingxu understood Ruan Jun's meaning and walked over to help the nanny up. "Sit down, nanny. My queen is kind and kind. You don't have to kneel."
Tears welled up in Mammy's eyes. She sat down very carefully, her body still trembling slightly.
"I originally thought that after the people left, I would immediately call for help, and maybe I could save the empress's sister. But I didn't expect that the man waited until the empress's sister stopped breathing, tore off the cotton stuffed in her mouth, took out something from his sleeve, and pushed her into the water again."
Ruan Yun narrowed her eyes slightly. This was a punishment only used in the palace, and it was extremely cruel.
Stuff cotton cloth into a person's mouth and push the person into the water. The cotton cloth will absorb water and make it difficult for the person to breathe, and the person will lose response after struggling.
It seems that Concubine Shu and Concubine De did this with the intention of killing the Empress's sister.
Everything was just as she and Ji Zhaoyi had guessed. The note was not obtained by the Empress's sister early on. She just heard someone pass on the message at the beginning. The note was just used to frame the Empress and get away with it.
Ruan Yun thought about all this and asked hurriedly, "What happened next?"
The nanny wiped away her tears and said, "I went to call for help, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. The Empress had also given birth at that time, and the Virtuous Consort had obtained the key of the housekeeper at the time. All the people in the backyard were sold out. I pretended to be crazy and stupid to escape. Now that I think about it, they must have known that I was pretending, so they kept me here on purpose. For so many years, there have been people who wanted to execute me, but there were also people who stopped them from doing it. I really don't know what happened."
Ruan Jun suddenly let go of the handkerchief in her hand and looked at the nanny again. She felt that it was normal for the nanny not to know.
Concubine De never showed up from beginning to end. The Empress's younger sister was taken away by Concubine Shu's maid. Even if the person who did it was Concubine De's man, who could testify? In the end, all the blame would still be placed on Concubine Shu.
But this matter must have been planned by Concubine De and Concubine Shu together. They developed a rift because of this matter and gradually became distant. Perhaps it was because Concubine De had the power of a housekeeper at that time, while Concubine Shu did not. Comparing the two, how could Concubine Shu endure it with her personality?
It took Ruan Yun a long time to find her voice again. "I want you to keep all the things you said to me today to yourself. You can only speak when I let you. Do you understand?"
The maid stood up tremblingly and kowtowed, saying, "I have sinned deeply. Fortunately, Your Majesty has discovered my past mistakes. My life belongs to Your Majesty."
Ruan Yun frowned and said, "I will send someone to take you to the temporary palace first. You can continue to act crazy and stupid, but I will send someone to treat you. When I make you better, your madness will also be cured."
After a pause, Ruan Yun continued, "You won't have to work too hard. I will give you a separate courtyard. When there are people around, just tell them that you are a lunatic."
The nanny raised her head and glanced at Ruan Yun, her eyes full of gratitude, "I obey your command."
When she stood up, the nanny returned to the state she was in when she first entered the Linxuan Palace. Chunqing personally sent the nanny back, and everyone along the way saw it.
Ying Ning peeled the grapefruit and handed it to Ruan Yun, but Ruan Yun was now upset and had no use for anything, so she waved her hand and said, "No need."
She handed over some more pomelo, and Yingning advised, "Your Majesty has been very irritable lately, and eating some pomelo can help reduce your heat. Would you like to try some?"
Ying Ning said this, and Ruan Yun directly picked up a slice of grapefruit and put it into Tan's mouth.
His eyes fell on the stool where the nanny had just sat, "Do you think that Concubine De has done anything wrong in this?"
She did not doubt what the nanny said. If the nanny was Concubine De's person, Concubine De would send someone to protect her on the surface, but it would be hard to say what would happen behind her back.
Ying Ning said, "It's been so long since the events of that year that it's difficult to verify. Moreover, now that Concubine Shu has passed away, even if Concubine De is found to be involved in this matter, she will pin the entire thing on Concubine Shu. Now it seems that the people who know the whole story of that year are the palace maids around Concubine Shu."
Although Tingxu agreed with Yingning's words, she couldn't help but say, "Although Liujin and Liuyu who were beside Concubine Shu knew the truth, now that Concubine Shu is dead, why would they do such a risky thing? They still have families outside. If Concubine De knew, she would definitely not let their families go, and it is not impossible for her to force them to lie."
Ruan Yun suddenly thought of something after hearing what Xu said, "If I go to Madam first and then to Liu Jin and Liu Yu, Concubine De will know that I want to find out what happened back then, and she might think of this method first. As long as I have solid evidence, I won't be afraid of not being able to catch Concubine De."
Tingxu's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands and said, "Your Highness is right!"
It is not difficult to think of this method, but this matter involves outside the palace, so we need talents from outside the palace.
The first person that Ruan Yun thought of was Young Master Yu.
But now she has no relationship with the Duke's Mansion on the surface, and it is too difficult for her to borrow the relationship of the Yu family.
Ji Zhaoyi was not from the capital, and his family had no roots in the capital.
Ruan Yun rubbed her forehead, her brows tightly furrowed, feeling that this matter was difficult to handle.
However, no matter how difficult it is, we must get to the bottom of the matter and give the Empress some justice.
The most important thing is that Concubine De already knew her thoughts, and she also understood Concubine De.
Her movements are still so small, how can she move with confidence?
Ruan Jun picked up the teacup and took a sip, and the chill that permeated her body finally faded away.
…
Jingzhang Palace
Wang Yi deliberately placed the incense burner towards the Empress, and when Concubine De smelled the fragrance, she felt particularly comfortable.
"Your Majesty." Wang Yi's voice was soft. She knew she shouldn't disturb the Empress at this time, but it happened suddenly and she had to say it.
De Fei slowly opened her eyes and frowned, "Tell me, what's the matter?"
Wang Yi glanced at the door and confirmed that no one was there before saying, "It was the nanny from the West Third Residence. Today, Concubine Ying Gui's maid took her to Linxuan Palace."
Defei paused as she was fiddling with the Buddhist beads, then thought of something and started fiddling with them again slowly.
"Mammy, is there something wrong?"
Wang Yi shook her head and said, "No, he still looks crazy."
Concubine De smiled, "So many years have passed, and even I can't tell whether she is really crazy or just pretending. Do you think Concubine Ying Gui can tell?"
Wang Yi lowered her head even more fiercely, "I dare not speculate."
Then Wang Yi continued, "But I am sure of one thing, Madam must have seen that scene back then, which is why she became so crazy."
Defei spoke in a calm tone, and the strength with which she moved the Buddhist beads in her hand was the same as usual.
The crisp sound of Buddhist beads colliding in the inner hall and the white smoke slowly rising from the incense burner gave Concubine De a moment of peace.
"In the past, I kept her because she knew Concubine Shu's secret. Now that Concubine Shu is gone, she can no longer play her role. Keeping her here is a burden."
Wang Yi immediately understood what Concubine De meant and looked at her, "Yes, I understand."
Concubine De waved her hand nonchalantly and said lightly, "Do it discreetly. I don't want to hear any rumors."
Wang Yi had done these things for Concubine De more than once or twice. It was just getting rid of a useless nanny, which was not a difficult task.
It was only at night that Wang Yi saw the secret signal left behind and walked to a path in the palace at midnight.
The man looked around and whispered, "The person is gone."
Wang Yi frowned, "What does this mean?"
The man paused for a moment, then continued, "That nanny was sent to the temporary palace by Concubine Ying Gui, and she was even guarded by someone, so we couldn't do anything."
When Wang Yi heard this, she knew something was wrong, so she waved her hand and let the man go.
After telling Concubine De everything, Wang Yi was also worried, "Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
A fierce look flashed across Concubine De's eyes. "So what if she knows? I don't believe that Concubine Ying Gui really has something on me? She probably doesn't know that what happened back then was done by Concubine Shu alone. Does she think that she can make me panic just by using a nanny?"
“How ridiculous!”
Wang Yi was still somewhat worried when she heard Concubine De say this, "Could Concubine Ying... have already guessed it?"
De Fei was upset. She moved her hands slowly and swept the white smoke from the incense burner into her nose. "So what if she knows? Does she have any evidence?"
Closing her eyes, Concubine De tapped her fingers lightly, "How is Seventh Brother's marriage going?"
Wang Yi realized what Concubine De was asking about. She felt relieved after talking about this matter. "Don't worry, your Majesty. The Seventh Young Master's wedding was held with great enthusiasm."
De Fei nodded and sat back down. "As for the flower shop business, don't forget to tell the government about it. You must take good care of it and let them know who is in charge now so that they can live such a good life."
Wang Yi bowed, "I understand."
Defei looked at the white smoke and a sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
If you want to compete with her, I'm afraid you are still a little immature.
If the thing a person cares about most is destroyed, he will really live in pain for the rest of his life.
What Concubine Ying Gui cares about most is probably her infant Third Prince.
…
Linxuan Palace
Wen Baolin stood outside the palace gate, took a deep breath, and then said to the people around him: "Go knock on the door."
Tao Chu did not dare to make any mistake, so he walked forward and knocked on the door of Linxuan Palace.
Wanting to imitate last time, Taochu took out some silver from her sleeve and handed it to Chunqing with a smile. Before she could say a word, Chunqing said coldly:
"Please go back, Miss Wen. My queen will not see any guests today."
Wen Baolin's expression looked a little unhappy, but when she heard Chunqing say this, she realized that if she left now, she would not be able to gain any trust from Concubine De. Now, staying with Concubine Gui was her only way out.
Wen Baolin stepped forward and said in a friendly manner, "I have something to ask the Imperial Concubine. Could you please let me meet with her?"
Chunqing's words were exactly what Ruan Yun wanted to say:
"My queen is busy today, I'm afraid she won't be able to see you, young lady."
Tao Chu looked at Chun Qing's arrogant and rude look. After all, her mistress was Baolin. How could a servant like Chun Qing say such things?
But Wen Baolin, who was standing next to Tao Chu, pulled her back. Not only was he not angry, but he put on a smile and said to Chun Qing, "What I want to say is about Concubine De. Please let the eunuch pass on the message for me. I am here. Thank you, eunuch."
Chunqing did not dare to accept Wen Baolin's greeting and said quickly, "I dare not. Please wait for a moment, my lady."
Wen Baolin breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately Concubine Ying had met her.
But Tao Chu, who was standing aside, felt a little indignant for the young lady. After all, Concubine Ying shouldn't use a servant to treat her own young lady like this.
Tao Chu had been with Wen Baolin for a long time, and Wen Baolin knew what Tao Chu was thinking at a glance. He patted the back of Tao Chu's hand and said, "It's not easy for Concubine Ying to be willing to see me. Don't say anything else and annoy Concubine Ying."
Tao Chu responded to Wen Baolin's words sullenly, and couldn't help but think of Wen Baolin's proud and gorgeous appearance in the past.
Ji Zhaoyi got the news and arrived at Linxuan Palace. After hearing what Chunqing said, she put down her needlework and looked at Ruan Yun.
Ruan Jun raised her eyebrows and said, "I didn't expect that she would be the first to come."
Ji Zhaoyi also smiled and said, "I think Wen Baolin was forced into a corner, but she sent people to keep an eye on Concubine De every day, but Concubine De didn't notice."
Thinking of the incense that Wen Baolin mentioned, Ruan Yun didn't know what the purpose of Wen Baolin placing the incense in Concubine De's palace was.
“She’s also a smart person.”
As soon as the words fell, Ruan Yun held the needle in her hand and did not move for a long time, "Wen Baolin is also a noble lady who grew up in Shangjing."
Ji Zhaoyi looked up when she heard this and happened to meet Ruan Yun's eyes. "Wen Baolin has always wanted to show his loyalty to Sister Ying. If she really wants to, she probably won't refuse this."
Ruan Jun naturally thought of this, and a smile appeared on her lips, "Let her in."
Recently, she has been thinking about how to go to the Zichen Palace to convince the emperor and recognize her own identity.
But she had never paid attention to this matter before. If she suddenly mentioned it, it would definitely arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Before she could come up with a good idea, Wen Baolin appeared in front of her.
Wen Baolin knew when he looked at Ying Ning in front of him that the Royal Concubine would definitely be interested in what she knew.
He walked quickly towards the inner hall, fearing that Ruan Yun would regret it if he was a step late.
"Your Highness, Ji Zhaoyi."
Wen Baolin knelt down to greet them. The two people at the top did not speak for a long time, and she did not dare to raise her head.
Ruan Jun's eyes were not smiling, and she looked at Wen Baolin indifferently, "Sister, please get up. What's the matter?"
Wen Baolin nodded eagerly, but remembering that Ji Zhaoyi was still there, his eyes first fell on Ji Zhaoyi.
Ruan Jun did not miss Wen Baolin's eyes and said, "Just say it straight."
With Concubine Ying Gui's words, Wen Baolin naturally would not hide it. She bit her lip and said, "I have been secretly keeping an eye on Concubine De. I found that Wang Yi, who was beside Concubine De, went to a deserted palace near West Sansuo yesterday. She saw a man there, but the man was dressed in black and it was night, so I couldn't see who he was."
Ruan Yun comforted Wen Baolin and said, "It is rare that you have such a heart."
Wen Baolin did not look happy after hearing this, and continued: "Although I don't know whether this news is useful to Your Majesty, I just want to help you so that Your Majesty will not be too tired."
Ruan Yun raised her eyebrows and said, "I am very satisfied that you have this intention. There is no need for you to do anything else."
He picked up the teacup, and the next thing he said was very stiff, "It's just that I have encountered a troublesome matter recently, which is quite a headache."
When Wen Baolin heard what Ruan Yun said, she did not show any embarrassment, but said, "It is a great honor for me to be able to work for the noble concubine."
Ruan Yun picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said slowly: "I have no one at home, so I can't do anything in Shangjing, but you are different."
"This matter is extremely dangerous. If you are not careful, your family will be implicated. You can't escape it either. It's up to you to do it or not. But I want to tell you that I will not tell you why you have to do it. If others find out, I'm afraid your life in the palace will be even more difficult."
"Do you still want to agree to this matter from me?"
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