Cailian entered the palace as Yun'an instructed, and on the way to the Cold Palace, she was absent-minded the whole way.
After killing someone, the princess will definitely kill her to silence her. Kang Mama is Consort Li's person, so no one will suspect that the princess was the one who did it. Even if they do suspect, the princess can put all the blame on her.
But if she didn't do as she was told, the princess could kill her right now; she had no choice!
Suddenly bumping into a procession ahead, Cailian hurriedly knelt down to the side. When she caught sight of the people sitting on the palanquin, she turned pale with fright.
The Empress looked at the young palace maid kneeling by the palace path, her expression calm: "I remember you. You served Yun'an, didn't you?"
Cailian was already feeling guilty, and when she heard the Empress directly name her, she immediately kowtowed to the ground and stammered in reply:
"Your Majesty, this servant...this servant is the princess's person."
The Empress was incredibly perceptive; she immediately noticed Yun'an's flustered and unnatural demeanor. Yun'an had always been arrogant and domineering, and her people always walked with their heads held high and their heads held high.
This girl's cautious and timid demeanor is quite intriguing.
The Empress asked calmly, "Where are we going?"
With the Empress personally inquiring, Cailian naturally dared not give a perfunctory answer. Her palms were sweating with nervousness as she forced herself to say, "This servant was ordered by the Princess to visit Consort Li in the Cold Palace."
The Empress nodded and didn't make things difficult for her: "Go, but don't delay the task your master assigned you."
Cailian's back stiffened. Only after hearing the palanquin depart did she dare to raise her head, her clothes already soaked with cold sweat.
Wenlan glanced discreetly behind her and asked in a low voice, "Does Your Highness find something amiss?"
The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, her nail guards gleaming brightly in the sunlight. She lowered her gaze thoughtfully: "Yun'an is under house arrest. Logically, she should be pleading with His Majesty for her life. What good would it do to see Consort Li now? She can barely protect herself, how could she possibly protect Yun'an?"
Wenlan frowned, also finding it strange: "That does seem odd. That girl's expression was evasive, as if she was hiding something." True to her seniority as an old hand by the Empress's side, she instantly understood. "Then, according to Your Majesty, should we send someone to keep an eye on her?"
The Empress gave a soft "hmm," her eyes flickering: "Although the Third Prince is already... for some reason, I don't feel entirely at ease."
Wenlan smiled and comforted her, "Didn't the imperial physician say that Your Majesty is worrying too much? With His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding just around the corner, there's hope for the future. Your Majesty should try to relax a bit!"
The Empress smiled slightly: "I hope so."
But she always felt that His Majesty's thoughts were unfathomable and not so easy to fathom.
He handled the Third Prince's case too hastily, which was not like his usual style.
Hopefully, she's just overthinking it.
...
Back at Kunning Palace, the Empress was checking Yan Jue's betrothal gift list when Wenlan hurriedly entered with her head down. Seeing that Wenlan looked hesitant and wanted to say something, the Empress guessed that something had happened.
She put the booklet aside and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Is there some noise over there?"
Wenlan stepped forward and whispered, "Kang, the old nanny who served Consort Li, was drowned in an abandoned well in the Cold Palace. No one has discovered this yet."
A look of surprise flashed in the Empress's eyes, and she slowly smiled: "Yun An has really left me somewhat puzzled this time."
She pondered for a moment, "No rush, let's see what they're planning. As for the palace maid next to Yun'an, keep her for now, I have my own plans."
This girl has no choice but to commit murder in the palace. If she goes back like this, she will surely be silenced.
Wenlan understood immediately and curtsied, saying, "This servant will take care of it right away."
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