The investigation at Prince Rui's residence was not without results. After several twists and turns, they discovered that the death of Xiao Yi's second wife was not an accident, and there were traces of poison on her remains.
Someone deliberately caused the Crown Princess of Prince Rui to die a violent death! And the high monk from Xiangguo Temple who gave Xiao Yi his divination was traveling far away at this time, which seemed more like a deliberate attempt to avoid the situation.
Especially after Princess Rui became suspicious, she had someone take Xiao Yi's birth date and time to a nearby city and, with the help of others, had his fortune told.
The final result was not that he was destined to be a widow.
"Your Highness, how could we be so foolish as to be deceived for so many years? Yi'er is not destined to bring misfortune to his wife!" Princess Rui was so angry that she smashed several antique vases.
Prince Rui was also furious. It was such a coincidence that all the fortune tellers in the capital said that their son would bring misfortune to his wife, and even the high monks at Xiangguo Temple said so. They never thought that someone was trying to fool them.
"The one who can set up such a grand scheme is probably no ordinary person; they want our Prince Rui's mansion to be wiped out!" Prince Rui said solemnly, pondering in his heart who the enemies of Prince Rui's mansion were.
"Your Highness, we need to increase the number of guards protecting Hongzhu. We can't let anything happen to her again!" Princess Rui said solemnly. She had been worried about Hongzhu's safety before, but now she was certain that it wasn't an accident, but murder!
Prince Rui nodded. The previous assassination attempt had failed, and he feared there would be even more ferocious attacks to come.
"If you don't have to go out, then don't. I'm going to the palace to find out if Yi'er should be back!"
Princess Rui nodded, but still reminded Prince Rui, "This... Yi'er, let's not tell the Emperor about the framing by others yet, since we haven't found the culprit."
"Yes, I know what's going on." Prince Rui had guessed who could do those things, and the Emperor was on his list of suspects. But he just couldn't understand why the Emperor would do such a thing. So he still felt that it couldn't be the Emperor.
This incident made Hongzhu realize that the atmosphere in the Prince's mansion was unusual. The number of guards in her courtyard had doubled, not to mention that she was not allowed to go out for a stroll.
"Hongzhu, don't be impatient. Once the Prince's Mansion finds out who's behind this, I guarantee no one will want to kill you. Then you can go out and have some fun," Princess Rui comforted Hongzhu.
“Mother, but if I don’t go out, how can those who want to harm me do so?” Hongzhu said. “If I stay in the palace every day, with such tight security, those who want to hurt me won’t be able to do so!”
Princess Rui didn't want such a possibility to arise. "Hongzhu, you can go on a trip together again after Yi'er returns!"
Hongzhu couldn't reason with Princess Rui no matter what she tried, so she had to settle for second best.
"Mother, did that cook learn how to make desserts from the Star-Picking Pavilion?"
"So you're craving something." Princess Rui smiled. She genuinely hoped that Hongzhu, the Crown Princess, could stay by her son's side and ensure the continuation of the Rui Prince's family line! "What would you like to eat? Have the kitchen prepare it."
Hongzhu smiled then. If they couldn't go outside, they could stay in the Prince's mansion and enjoy good food and drink!
Tao Wanniang had something on her mind and felt uneasy, while Shishi came again after considering it for a few days.
“Mother, I’ve thought it over. I still want to see Brother Dapeng. I’m carrying his child. Whether to keep the child or not depends on Dapeng’s decision,” Shishi said firmly.
Tao Wanniang was surprised; she thought Shishi would choose to ask for money!
"Oh, is that so? Then let's have the baby," Tao Wanniang said calmly. "After the baby is born, we'll do a blood test to determine paternity. If it's from the Ling family, then we'll raise it. But since you're a concubine, you can only give it to Xiaoyun to raise. If not... you'll have to raise it yourself."
Shishi's eyes widened in shock. Tao Wanniang's words were truly heartless! But thinking of the promise made by the person who found her—that she must enter the Ling family—she still endured it.
"Mother, why are you questioning my loyalty to Brother Dapeng? I'm definitely carrying Brother Dapeng's child!" Shishi lowered her head and wiped her eyes, her voice choked with emotion.
“Ling Dapeng is still working at the estate in the suburbs,” Tao Wanniang continued. “My son is not of good character. The prosperity of the capital will only blind him. He doesn’t have much ability. Farming is what he’s good at. So, are you sure you still want to find him?”
Shishi was taken aback. Ling Dapeng was still at the manor?
"Mother, Dapeng is also your son, he is also the son of a great general, how could you..."
"What, you want to teach me how to discipline my son? The child's father doesn't even think there's anything wrong with it, so what right do you have to tell me what to do?" Tao Wanniang retorted. Her attitude had changed. What was Shishi relying on?
"Shishi wouldn't dare, but please tell me where Brother Dapeng is. Shishi will suffer with Brother Dapeng," Shishi said immediately.
If she really got entangled with Ling Dapeng, Tao Wanniang doubted she could shake him off. So... Tao Wanniang looked Shishi up and down again and slowly said, "If you want to see Ling Dapeng, you should at least go see Zhou Xiaoyun first. After all, she was spared from your clutches."
Shishi was startled again. Thinking of Zhou Xiaoyun's resentful look towards her, she thought, "If I really see her, won't I grab her and beat her up?"
"Mother, I'm afraid my sister has too much prejudice against me. I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to see her right now. I'll see her after my pregnancy is more stable," Shishi said, changing the subject.
Tao Wanniang did not stop her, letting Shishi leave with her heart full of thoughts.
Now that Shishi knows about Zhou Xiaoyun's existence, Tao Wanniang thinks it's okay for Zhou Xiaoyun to take the child back to her own home. Hmm, I'll talk about it when I have time!
Tao Wanniang was also secretly keeping an eye on the Princess's movements. Logically speaking, Zhao Zhe was afraid that the Princess would reveal his embarrassing secrets, so he could only agree to the Princess's request. But it seems that no news of a marriage decree has been sent out!
"Have you heard? The eldest princess is ill, very seriously ill. His Majesty has even posted an imperial edict, seeking a renowned folk doctor to treat her."
"Why did you suddenly fall ill? Could it be lovesickness?"
The story of the eldest princess blocking Lingyunzhou at the Star-Picking Tower had already spread far and wide, but the fact that a royal princess was so eager to woo someone had certainly given people plenty of gossip to talk about.
Tao Wanniang also heard about this. The princess was ill? In an instant, she thought of Zhao Zhe's words and broke out in a cold sweat. Wasn't that his own sister, who shared the same mother and father? How could he do such a thing?
Tao Wanniang had no idea what the truth was, and since she had also had a falling out with Ling Yunzhou, he stopped coming to Zhaixing Tower. This left Tao Wanniang with no way to investigate. However... good news came from the Prince Rui's mansion: Xiao Yi was coming back!
It is said that the pirates have been dealt with, the imperial court has won a battle, and has returned to the capital in triumph!
"Sister Tao, I can finally come out!" The news that Xiao Yi was coming back also allowed Hongzhu to leave the palace. "These pastries are still the most authentic ones made by your Zhaixinglou. The cooks in the palace still haven't learned enough!" As soon as Hongzhu arrived, she ordered several desserts and also called Tao Wanniang over to chat.
Seeing that there were twice as many guards, Tao Wanniang understood that the Prince Rui's residence had probably discovered something, and she was particularly concerned about Hongzhu's safety. "If you like it, then eat more. When Xiao Yi comes back, I will give him a surprise." Or rather, a shock! Tao Wanniang said solemnly.
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