Yun Beiye paused for a moment, then remembered: "Duoduo, do you want to go to the Zheng family mansion where the official was dismissed?"
Yun Duoduo nodded.
"Duoduo, why do you want to go to the Zheng residence?"
"The Zheng residence is quite remote, and there are no good cooks. There's nothing good to eat there."
Yun Beiye was somewhat puzzled, and Zhao Zhongquan was also looking at Yun Duoduo, wondering why she wanted to go to the Zheng residence.
Yun Duoduo's hands gripped the corner of the table. Why did she want to go to the Zheng residence?
Because she needed to know everything about the Zheng family.
Ah Xiang had previously learned that Consort Zheng and Consort Yu lived in the Cold Palace, along with some concubines who had been imprisoned for many years and were not considered important.
Consort Zheng, whose real name was Zheng Yi'er, was once a prominent figure in the harem. Later, the Empress discovered that she was practicing curses in the palace. It is said that on that day, dozens of clay figures resembling the Empress Dowager were found in flowerpots in Consort Zheng's bedroom, each of which was covered with silver needles.
After that, Consort Zheng was banished to the Cold Palace, and her father was also dismissed from his post.
[The time the Buddhist hall caught fire and nearly burned her to death, the Empress discovered it was done by Consort Zheng's younger sister, Lady Ling, who was also a concubine's daughter in the Zheng family.]
Consort Ling lived in Fanghua Palace near the Buddhist temple. On the day the Buddhist temple caught fire, Consort Ling transferred all the palace servants in the vicinity away, which is why no one came to help with the fire.
Last time, on the day Shangguan Qin'er gave birth, she asked Physician Xu.
"Mother, someone planted oleander on it. Oleander is grown in the Cold Palace..."
[And there was also the heart-breaking herb that the Fifth Prince had put in Prince Rui's sweet soup.]
Ah Xiang has already inquired and found out that the Fifth Prince often goes to the Cold Palace after finishing his studies. The Heartbreak Grass was probably given to him by a concubine in the Cold Palace. The Cold Palace is definitely involved in this matter.
[Also, there's the musk that Qiu'er put in the chestnut cake.]
Oleander blossom powder, Buddhist temple fire, Gelsemium elegans, musk...
Yun Duoduo couldn't help but shiver.
This person is really amazing!
Even though he never left the Cold Palace, his reach was incredibly far!
Given all the events that have occurred, all pointing to the Cold Palace, and the person who once held the highest position in the Cold Palace is Consort Zheng, someone who could climb to that position in the harem must have been extraordinary.
Why don't we go and take a look at the Zheng residence first?
She decided that before meeting Consort Zheng, she should first go to the Zheng residence to find out more about her background.
Consort Zheng is alone in the Cold Palace, so it must not be easy for her to do these things. There must be someone in the Zheng residence to help her.
This royal visit is a perfect opportunity.
...
The Zheng Mansion is located on the east side of Shiya Road. According to the palace servants who accompanied us, the Zheng Mansion was originally very grand, with one mansion occupying an entire street.
But now, in a corner of the street, the Zheng family only has an inconspicuous little courtyard.
The entrance to the Zheng residence was very deserted, with not even a vegetable vendor. It was said that the Zheng residence was very unlucky, and even pedestrians would take a detour.
Zhao Zhongquan had already sent someone to inform the Zheng family.
Knowing that the princess would be arriving today, the Zheng family stood at the door early to wait.
As soon as Yun Duoduo's sedan chair arrived at the gate of the Zheng residence, the Zheng family's servants rushed over to move a small stool so that Yun Duoduo could step down from it.
Lord Zheng then called upon his entire family to kneel on the ground.
After receiving the message from the palace, Zheng Duohai instructed everyone in the mansion that since the princess was now greatly favored by the emperor, they must treat her well and be careful in every way, and never neglect the princess.
If he can win the princess's favor, his reinstatement will likely be just around the corner.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects!" Jung Da-hae shouted.
"May Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!" shouted the servants behind Jung Da-hae.
Yun Duoduo lifted her little skirt and walked up to Lord Zheng with a smile, giving Zheng Duohai's arm a light touch: "Uncle Zheng, we're all family, there's no need to be so polite."
Upon hearing this, Jung Da-hae was visibly taken aback.
“Empress Zheng often made fruit for us to eat in the palace, so we are naturally one family.”
Yun Duoduo made up a story on the spot, hoping to use it to get closer to the group and make Zheng Duohai and the others lower their guard against her.
Sure enough, when Jung Da-hae saw the adorable cloud, his guard lowered slightly.
He had heard rumors that the current Ninth Princess was a very powerful figure, and that the sensational case of the Marquis of Chi Nan was orchestrated by her.
But now it seems he was just a gluttonous, naive, ordinary child, nothing like the rumors made him out to be.
She was simply raised in the palace, had seen some of the world, and knew a bit about etiquette.
"Oh, Princess is right, Princess, please come inside."
Jung Da-hae smiled and invited her in.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Yun Duoduo was held by Madam Zheng and seated in the main seat. The chair was too high, so Yun Duoduo swung her legs around, feeling quite uncomfortable.
"Princess, have a taste. This is a freshly brewed grape drink from yesterday."
Emma, this person has ulterior motives; they're trying to get me drunk.
Yun Duoduo took a small sip.
This fruit wine is very sweet. If it were an ordinary child, they would definitely be unable to resist drinking a few more cups. But she knew that she couldn't hold her liquor and would get drunk easily.
Jung Da-hae raised an eyebrow slightly as he watched Yun Duoduo's movements.
[As expected of someone from the palace, they are very wary.]
Yun Duoduo overheard Zheng Duohai's thoughts and wondered what other tricks this family could come up with.
"Princess, what do you think of this fruit drink?"
Yun Duoduo nodded slightly: "Yes, it tastes very good."
"Then drink more."
Jung Da-hae poured some more into Yun Duoduo's cup.
Yun Duoduo didn't want to waste any more time on irrelevant things, so she went straight to the topic she cared about most: "Seven years ago, Ling Meiren Zheng Ling'er..."
Yun Duoduo said calmly, observing Zheng Duohai's reaction.
The fire in the Buddhist hall seven years ago was started by a eunuch on Zheng Ling'er's orders. After the incident was discovered, Zheng Ling'er was sentenced to death.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Duo's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Princess, please forgive me! It is all my fault for failing to properly raise her, which has resulted in such a vicious and wicked child as Zheng Ling'er!"
It's such a pity that the fire back then didn't kill you and the Empress Dowager.
Ling'er died in vain.
Madam Zheng, standing beside Zheng Duohai, thought bitterly to herself.
[Once that old woman dies, Yi'er, with her own abilities, will surely be able to escape the Cold Palace and regain the Emperor's favor. At that time, the Zheng family will be able to restore its former glory.]
Madam Zheng clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
Look, look, this family's true colors are about to be revealed.
Yun Duoduo sneered inwardly.
"Uncle Zheng, please get up quickly. Fortunately, Mother Zheng is still in good health."
Consort Zheng was the legitimate daughter of Madam Zheng, and Yun Duoduo pricked up her ears to listen to Madam Zheng's thoughts.
If we want to find a breakthrough, we have to start with Madam Zheng.
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