Chapter 39 Fire
Ye Wanning sat on the railing, clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain. She had lost count of how many times this had happened, but her stomach still ached terribly.
Seeing that Ye Wanning's complexion was not good, Qiu Shan hesitated for a long time before asking, "Your Highness... how are you feeling now..."
"How do you feel..." Ye Wanning was on the verge of tears. How could she possibly feel? This was the first time in all her years that she had been so embarrassed! Thinking about it, she felt somewhat resentful. If it was just the drinks, everyone present had consumed them, so why was she the only one who had a problem? Besides, if someone wanted to frame her, they could have just poisoned her. Why give her a laxative? Ye Wanning pursed her lips and said with some difficulty, "Qiushan, go and secretly find out who handled the things I used at the banquet."
Qiu Shan was taken aback. Although she was somewhat puzzled, she did not refute it and nodded, "Then, Your Highness..."
"It's nothing." Ye Wanning waved her hand, enduring her discomfort, indicating that Qiu Shan should leave first. "I'll rest here for a while and then go back. Don't worry about me."
Hearing this, Qiu Shan nodded, "Then Your Highness, this servant will take her leave now."
"Let's go." Ye Wanning waved her hand and didn't say anything more.
After Qiu Shan left, Ye Wanning sat alone on the railing as darkness fell. Ye Wanning pursed her lips; she had just squatted in the outhouse for a while, and her stomach felt much better now. But after thinking about it, Ye Wanning couldn't help but feel a little annoyed again.
She looked distressed, her brows furrowed. Who had done this to her? Giving her laxatives didn't seem like an attempt to kill her; it appeared to be just a prank. But choosing this particular occasion was clearly intentional. Who could it be?
Ye Wanning licked her lips. Since entering the palace, she had only met three masters. The Crown Prince was out of the question, it was completely pointless. As for Consort Wen, judging from her attitude towards Su Wenzhen, she certainly didn't want to pay any attention to them. So the remaining person... could it be... Ye Wanqing?
Ye Wanning frowned. If it really was her, then what was the purpose? Was it simply to embarrass her? As soon as Ye Wanning thought this, she immediately dismissed the idea. Ye Wanqing would never be so kind! She pursed her lips, her mind racing with countless possibilities, completely unaware that someone was approaching her.
"Is she the Princess Consort of Jin?"
Ye Wanning was startled by the sudden sound. She looked up and saw a dark figure not far away. She swallowed hard. "Who's there?"
"Your Highness, I am a palace maid under Consort Wen." As she spoke, the palace maid walked forward carrying a lantern, and only then did Ye Wanning see her face.
It was a new face. Ye Wanning looked at her suspiciously. She didn't think she had seen this person when she went to Huilan Palace last time! Ye Wanning composed herself and asked softly, "What is it?"
The palace maid slowly bowed. "Consort Wen asked me to invite you over. She said she felt that her attitude towards you that day was bad and wanted to apologize to you."
"Your attitude was bad, should you apologize?" Ye Wanning looked at the palace maid in confusion. This wasn't Consort Wen's style at all! She frowned, feeling increasingly suspicious. She glanced at the palace maid and asked, "How did you know I was here?"
"I happened to see Miss Qiushan when I came here, so I asked her where the princess was. She told me to look for her here, and if I couldn't find her, to go to the crown prince's palace."
The palace maid's cold voice, combined with the night, sent chills down Ye Wanning's spine. She felt as if she had encountered a ghost... Ye Wanning couldn't help but shiver. She looked at the palace maid and felt that what she said didn't seem to have any flaws. Moreover, the maid's tone was somewhat similar to that of someone from Huilan Palace. Thinking this, Ye Wanning nodded, "Alright, I'll go to the Crown Prince's Palace to pay my respects first, and then I'll go to Huilan Palace with you."
"No need." The palace maid blocked Ye Wanning's way. "The Imperial Concubine just went to see the Emperor and came out from there. She's not far from here." The palace maid's voice was still cold. "The Imperial Concubine said that it was just a casual chat and wouldn't take up much of the Princess's time. The Third Prince is returning today, so don't spoil the mood."
Ye Wanning nodded, agreeing, but she still felt that something was off about what the palace maid was saying, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. After a long while, Ye Wanning replied, "Alright, let's go then."
Ye Wanning followed the palace maid's steps and walked a short distance before stopping by a pavilion. Ye Wanning looked at the pavilion hidden in the night and saw no one there. She frowned and asked, "Where is the Imperial Concubine?"
The palace maid was also taken aback. "Your Highness said it was here..." She glanced at Ye Wanning and said timidly, "Your Highness...Your Highness...this servant..."
"Alright, alright." Ye Wanning interrupted her impatiently. She knew this Consort Wen was no good person; was she deliberately making fun of her? She looked down and saw the palace maids trembling with fear. She couldn't help but sigh. Did they not treat them like human beings at all? After a pause, Ye Wanning said softly, "Alright, perhaps the Consort Wen has been waiting too long and has gone for a walk elsewhere. Why don't you go and look for her around here? I'll wait for you here."
Upon hearing this, the palace maid breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll go right away," she said, and quickly got up and ran over.
Watching the palace maid's retreating figure, Ye Wanning couldn't help but sneer. She was clearly terrified, yet she pretended not to be afraid, just like Cui'er. Thinking of Cui'er, Ye Wanning sighed. Alas, she wondered when she would be able to return to the manor.
After the palace maid left, Ye Wanning stood outside the pavilion for a few minutes as a formality, but no one came. Even the palace maid was gone. Ye Wanning shook her head, knowing that people's hearts were unpredictable. She composed herself and turned to walk towards the Crown Prince's Palace.
Upon entering the Crown Prince's Palace, Ye Wanning found it completely empty. She was taken aback; even Wen Zhen was nowhere to be seen. What had happened? Had he gone back? Ye Wanning frowned and turned to walk quickly toward her own palace.
Ye Wanning returned to her palace in confusion, only to find it still empty. She was stunned. What was going on? Why was everyone gone? Just as she was about to go out and ask someone, she suddenly saw Qiu Shan rushing in from outside the palace.
When Qiu Shan saw Ye Wan Ning, her face turned pale. "Your Highness! What are you still doing here!"
Ye Wanning was taken aback, looking at Qiushan with amusement. "If I'm not here, where would I be?" she asked, then looked at Qiushan with some confusion. "Oh, right, I was just about to ask you something. Why is there no one left in the palace? And have you seen the Prince and the others?"
"Your Highness..." Qiu Shan was about to say something when she heard a call from behind her.
"The Princess Consort of Jin is here! Come quickly!"
Upon hearing this voice, Qiu Shan's expression changed drastically, and she shouted at Ye Wan Ning, "Your Highness, run!"
Before Ye Wanning could react, a group of soldiers walked in. "Your Highness, someone has reported that you set the fire. Please come with us."
Ye Wanning's eyes widened. Arson? Where did the fire start? Who said she started it? Ye Wanning's heart sank. What exactly happened during that time?
VVVVV
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