As time passed, Chu Hewang sent people to secretly investigate Xu Xiang, but Xu Xiang was able to do his job to the utmost, so he was naturally an old fox and would not let anyone catch him easily.
Chu Hewang also knew about it, so he sent people to check on Xu's descendants and brother-in-law.
These people had long been well-supported by Prime Minister Xu, and they lived a luxurious and extravagant life, abusing their official power, selling official positions and titles, and forcibly occupying women. They were extremely arrogant, licentious, and absurd.
On a calm day, Prime Minister Xu was suddenly impeached on twenty clear charges, and the evidence had already been presented, so much so that the emperor's desk was almost full.
Ning Yu had passed her three-month safe period by this time, and her belly was slightly bulging, but it was not obvious because of the covering of her clothes.
Ning Yu glanced at the sky outside. The warm breeze was just right. "Lixiang, I'm getting a little bored staying in Kunning Palace. Let's go for a walk in the Imperial Garden."
She had already received a letter from Chu Hewang. The Xu family was in a difficult situation at the moment and could no longer care about Concubine Xu.
Since the Xu family was impeached, the emperor has not stayed overnight at Concubine Xu's house for a long time.
This was the best time for her to deal with Concubine Xu.
That's why she planned to go to the Imperial Garden to give Concubine Xu a chance to take action.
In late summer, there is a slight coolness of autumn breeze, but it is not hot.
The Imperial Garden is not far from Kunning Palace and it only takes a moment to get there. Although it is autumn, the flowers are still in full bloom and extremely gorgeous, and the air is filled with rich fragrance.
The surrounding pavilions, towers and rugged rocks are reflected among the green pines and cypresses, which is pleasing to the eye.
On the way, Ning Yu met several concubines who came to appreciate the flowers. They all saluted her when they saw her, but they did not dare to get too close to the queen for fear of bumping into something.
Ning Yu didn't care either.
At this moment, Ning Yu suddenly heard a cry coming from not far away. When he walked over, he saw a little girl in pink clothes lying on the rockery, holding the surrounding stones tightly with her hands. Her tender little face was full of fear, and her eyes were shining with tears.
It was Concubine De's daughter, Wanwan, who was only five years old.
When Wanwan saw Ning Yu, her crystal tears fell even faster, "Mother, please save Wanwan, I'm so scared..."
Seeing that the stone Wanwan was holding was about to loosen, Ning Yu didn't care about anything else and hurried over to ask Lixiang and other eunuchs to go up and carry Wanwan down.
It was too late to call the strong palace maids and eunuchs over.
By the time they arrived, Wanwan would have already fallen to the ground.
"Wanwan, don't be afraid, I'll carry you down right away." Ning Yu comforted her softly.
Wanwan's heart seemed to be soaked in warm water, and she didn't seem so scared anymore.
At this moment, the stone that Wanwan was holding suddenly loosened. Ning Yu didn't think about anything and quickly caught the person.
Fortunately, one or two clever palace maids also saw it and caught the person together with the queen.
There is nothing to do every night.
When Wanwan saw herself coming down, she wanted to hug the queen, but her mother had told her that there was a baby in her belly and she couldn't touch it, so she had to hold Ning Yu's fingers.
Wanwan looked up at Ning Yu pitifully, a few tear marks on her chubby little face. She begged, "Mother, can you please send me back to my mother? I'm afraid my mother will tell on me if she finds out I've been out here."
Ning Yu burst out laughing, thinking Wanwan was adorable. She ruffled her hair and said, "Alright, if Concubine De scolds you, Wanwan can just hide beside the Queen Mother."
Li Xiang looked at Ning Yu's belly with some concern, "My Lady, how are you?"
Ning Yu waved her hand, "Nothing."
Zhongcui Palace.
When Concubine De saw that Wanwan had disappeared, she became extremely anxious. Just as she was about to send someone out to look for her, a slim figure slowly walked towards the palace gate.
The queen had beautiful eyebrows and eyes, a face like a flower in the spring morning, red lips and a beautiful nose. She was holding a little girl in her hand, and it was her Wanwan.
Defei hurried over, her heart full of confusion. Why did the Queen come to Zhongcui Palace, and why was Wanwan by the Queen's side?
Concubine De suppressed her thoughts and slowly bowed to Ning Yu, "Greetings, Her Majesty the Queen."
"Get up." Ning Yu said softly.
When Wanwan saw Concubine De, a smile spread across her face. She threw herself into Concubine De's arms and said in a sweet voice, "Mother, it was you who saved me..."
Although Wanwan is young, she speaks clearly and can explain things in just a few words.
After saying that, Wanwan made a prompt decision and blinked her big eyes to apologize to Concubine De, "Mother, I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again next time."
Defei pinched Wanwan's nose and said, "There are no snacks for this week."
Ning Yu had already sent Wan Wan away and had no plans to stay in Zhongcui Palace any longer. "De Fei, I have some matters to attend to, so I will leave first."
De Fei lowered her eyelids and said, "Farewell, Her Majesty."
Concubine De looked at the receding figure, her graceful figure, her expression flickering with emotion. Suddenly, she said, "Your Majesty, I haven't thanked you for saving Wanwan yet. Could I make you some tea to express my gratitude?"
Ning Yu paused for a moment. He had heard that Concubine De was an excellent tea-making expert, so he couldn't help but feel curious.
Li Xiang's face was full of vigilance as she warned, "Your Majesty, although Concubine De is cautious and intelligent, she is also quite cunning."
Ning Yu chuckled, "It's okay, she won't."
She couldn't believe that a mother who loved her daughter would do such dirty things.
Moreover, Concubine De would not harm her in her own territory, as it would be too conspicuous.
Concubine De waved everyone away and invited the queen into the inner hall.
Concubine De slowly ground the tea leaves into fine powder, poured it into the teacup, and then poured in boiling water. Her posture was graceful, and every move was elegant and pleasing to the eye.
"Please taste it, Madam."
Ning Yu slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip. The fragrance of the tea leaves slowly flowed in his mouth. The taste was slightly astringent, but extremely refreshing, with a faint sense of a different flavor.
De Fei also took a sip, feeling the richness of the tea, and then slowly put down the teacup, "I have something to report to the Queen."
A hint of doubt flashed in Ning Yu's eyes, "What's the matter?"
Concubine De took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "On the day the little prince passed away, Your Majesty must have known that I had been to the Taiye Lake. Before I even got close to the lake, I witnessed the little prince being pushed overboard by a palace maid from a hidden spot. At the time, I only had one personal maid, Xia Mei, by my side, and since she couldn't swim, I asked her to go and find someone to rescue him..."
"My father was only a small prefect, and I didn't dare stay in Taiye Lake any longer, so I returned to Zhongcui Palace. Not long after, I received the news that the little prince had drowned. Since then, Xia Mei has never returned..."
When Concubine De said this, she paused slightly, with a hint of fear in her tone.
"So, I suspect the murderer knew Xia Mei was planning to find someone to rescue the little prince, so he murdered her. I was afraid Wanwan would lose her mother, so I kept this matter to myself..."
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