Chapter 116 was all done by Eunuch Wang.
Late at night, in the west wing of Yanxi Palace, the doors and windows were tightly closed, and the flickering candlelight illuminated three faces, each with its own thoughts.
Lady Wanliuha sat in the main seat, with her trusted maid Qingzhu standing beside her with her hands at her sides.
Meanwhile, Wang Deyong, the head eunuch of Yanxi Palace, stood respectfully at the lower end, but his eyes gleamed with shrewdness.
Wang Deyong's years of service at Yanxi Palace were not comfortable.
The two mistresses in the palace were both concubines without official titles, and their statuses were equal.
He might offend the other side no matter which side he leans towards.
Fortunately, the two concubines had been relatively well-behaved and had not tried to win him over.
He was happy to have a leisurely life and just did his job in a routine manner.
But this balance was broken after the news of Nara's pregnancy broke.
Nara did not try to win him over because of her pregnancy, which surprised him somewhat, but he didn't pay much attention to it.
Until a few days ago, Wanliuhashi began to contact him through Qingzhu.
At first, it was just small favors, which he accepted with some reluctance.
Gradually, the benefits became more and more generous, and Wang De knew exactly what was going on.
While both were in Yanxi Palace, Empress Nara became pregnant with the emperor's child and was about to rise to the top.
Wanliuhashi could no longer sit still and was getting impatient, so he decided to take action.
He was happy to be won over, after all, the price offered by Wanliuha was really tempting.
And what reason did he, a disgruntled palace eunuch, have to turn down money?
Wanliuha looked at Wang Deyong's face, which was full of greed and calculation, and sneered inwardly.
However, his expression held one of reliance and discussion as he spoke.
"Chief Steward Wang, the rumors you've had your men spread these days have been quite effective. They're being whispered about all over the six palaces, and it seems that it's not just us; others are also fueling the fire, hoping that Empress Nala will suffer."
Those who take her money must do her a favor; the rumors circulating privately throughout the palace are Wang Deyong's pledge of allegiance.
From then on, Wang Deyong could only be on the same boat as her.
She paused, her tone turning cold.
"However, relying solely on rumors is ultimately ineffective; this is only the first step."
She leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
"I possess a medicine that is colorless and odorless, making it extremely difficult to detect. Its properties are also peculiar; a small amount will not be fatal, but if taken continuously, it can slowly erode the mind, causing hallucinations, anxiety, and frequent nightmares at night. In the long run, it may even damage memory. The most remarkable thing is that the medicine's effects are subtle, and ordinary imperial physicians cannot find the root cause when examining the pulse; they will only think that it is caused by the pregnant woman's own mental unease."
She looked at Wang Deyong and continued to paint a horrific picture.
"You say, if Nara really starts to show these symptoms, being mentally confused during the day and plagued by nightmares at night... wouldn't the previous rumors about her unstable pregnancy and frequent nightmares become true? If a person doesn't sleep well for a long time and is anxious, how can the pregnancy be stable? This dragon fetus... can she still keep it?"
Wang Deyong remained smiling and quickly flattered him.
"Your Majesty, your plan is brilliant! It's like killing someone without them even realizing it. I'm sure Consort Nara will never know who she fell for until she dies. I admire you!"
Wanliuha nodded in satisfaction and took out an item tightly wrapped in oiled paper from his sleeve, handing it to Wang Deyong.
"I have prepared the medicine, but the dosage is extremely small, so please use it with extreme caution. Chief Steward Wang, you have been operating in Yanxi Palace for many years and have many spies under your command. There must be many unknown tricks to secretly mix this medicine into Nara's food or daily necessities."
Wang De took the small medicine packet with both hands, and it still felt hot to the touch.
He took a deep breath, carefully tucked the medicine packet into his pocket, and bowed.
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have been in the palace for many years. I dare not say about other things, but I certainly have some skills. I will handle this matter properly and without leaving a trace."
Wanliuha revealed a meaningful smile.
"Once the matter is accomplished, the benefits I promised will be presented to you with both hands. Chief Eunuch Wang, think long-term. Who knows whose future this Yanxi Palace will hold? If you are loyal to me, you might become a truly respected chief eunuch like Zhao Deyi of Yongshou Palace. That would be truly glorious."
Wang Deyong plastered a fawning smile on his face and echoed his agreement repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, this servant understands. I am entirely dependent on your patronage, and I will do my utmost to serve you."
He was calculating in his mind that the immediate benefits were the most important.
As for the grand promises made by Wanliuha, if that day ever comes, it would be better to rely on them.
Even if he didn't, he wouldn't have lost out by taking real money.
Watching Wang Deyong's retreating figure, Wanliuhashi revealed a cold smile.
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Qingzhu approached Wanlili only after hearing Wang Deyong's footsteps fade into the distance.
With a hint of worry on his face, he lowered his voice and said.
“Your Majesty, it’s certainly convenient to entrust this matter entirely to Eunuch Wang, but… what if he’s dishonest, or slips up halfway through and we get a handle on him? To protect himself, he might implicate Your Majesty, what then? Consort Jin’s methods…”
Upon hearing this, Wanliuhashi not only did not feel nervous, but instead sneered.
"You've come up with this much, that's a good improvement. But do you think your master wouldn't have thought of this crucial point?"
She picked up the warm tea beside her and took a slow, deliberate sip.
His tone carried a calm confidence.
“We gave him that packet of mandalas, and from this moment on, this matter has nothing to do with us anymore. You also remember that we have never given Wang De anything, nor have we ever instructed him to do anything. Everything was Wang De’s own idea. Perhaps he had an old grudge against the Nara clan, or perhaps he was instructed by someone else, but it has nothing to do with the West Annex Hall.”
She put down her teacup, tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, and analyzed.
"Even if things are exposed and Wang Deyong is caught, what can he use to implicate others? Just empty words? Does he have any written instructions? Does he have any third-party witnesses besides himself? Does he have any gold or silver vouchers that we provided that can be traced? He has nothing. If he dares to make baseless accusations, I can even countersue him for the serious crime of framing his master. In that case, he will be the one who dies, and he will die even faster!"
Her gaze turned serious as she stared at Qingzhu, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Qingzhu, you must remember this well: from this moment on, keep everything about Nara to yourself. We know nothing and have done nothing. Whether Nara is blessed or cursed, whether her pregnancy is stable or she is plagued by nightmares, it has nothing to do with the West Consort. When you see her, act as usual, and even... you can show some concern appropriately. Do you understand?"
Qingzhu shivered at the emotionless admonition in her master's eyes and quickly lowered her head in response.
"Yes! Your Majesty is very insightful. I understand. I didn't hear anything and I don't know anything."
Wanliuha nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand.
"Okay, go down. Do what you need to do, stay calm, and don't give yourself away."
"yes."
Qingzhu respectfully withdrew, gaining a deeper understanding of her master's ruthlessness and meticulousness.
The hall was completely silent, and Wanliuhashi sat alone.
The game has been set up, the pieces have been placed, and she only needs to sit back and observe the situation.
She could almost see Nara, the woman in the East Annex, being poisoned without anyone noticing.
She grew increasingly haggard, her pregnancy faltered, and ultimately... her hopes were completely shattered.
Meanwhile, Wang De returned to his residence with the hot packet of datura powder in his pocket.
He closed the door tightly, took out the small oil paper packet again under the lamp, his fingertips trembling slightly.
He knew he had embarked on a dangerous path.
However, the silver promised by Wanliuha was indeed tempting, and the amount offered was far too much.
Fortune favors the bold!
He carefully considered how to administer the drug.
Empress Nara's diet was personally overseen by her personal maid, Jiqing, as adding ingredients directly to her food would have been too risky.
Perhaps... we could start with the daily tea supply?
Alternatively, they could bribe an inconspicuous eunuch in the East Annex Hall to mix a small amount of medicinal powder into the incense.
It is absorbed slowly through breathing, making it less noticeable.
Wang Deyong's gaze gradually became somber and resolute.
He decided to take a two-pronged approach tomorrow, as this would be the safest course of action.
——————
Why do you all say that Nan Nan is following in the footsteps of Consort Hua?
Consort Hua's walking posture was indeed somewhat arrogant.
But as for the rest, forget about it. Nan Nan's suppressive power is such that even if Consort Hua came, she would have to be punished severely.
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