In Lin Wanwan's eyes, the "black ledger" that was enough to cause a huge uproar within the Imperial Guard was just the beginning.
She wants much more than that.
While removing a few corrupt officers might cut off some of the regent's henchmen, it's merely cutting off branches of the massive, intricately rooted tree; it doesn't damage its very foundation.
To completely collapse that seemingly indestructible building, we must find the core load-bearing column that is strong enough to move the entire foundation!
Lin Wanwan's goal, from beginning to end, has only been one thing—the Regent, Xiao Yuan!
In the days that followed, the intelligence network of female officials in Kunning Palace operated with even greater secrecy and efficiency. Like countless fine spider webs, they extended from this "cold palace," probing into every crevice of the imperial palace, sensing the slightest vibrations.
Lin Wanwan continued to have her female officials infiltrate the area from all angles and in all directions. She was like a master chess player, quietly placing seemingly insignificant pieces in various corners of the chessboard, waiting for them to play a fatal role at the most crucial moment.
On this day, the sky was overcast, making the Kunning Palace even more gloomy.
A low-ranking female official working in the Imperial Food Bureau was secretly led by Qin Zheng to Lin Wanwan.
This female official was named Chun Tao. She was one of the first female officials promoted by Lin Wanwan. She was usually inconspicuous and somewhat timid, but she was meticulous and conscientious in her work.
"This servant, Chun Tao, greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Chun Tao knelt on the ground, her body trembling slightly. This was the first time she had ever met the legendary Empress, who was said to possess extraordinary abilities, so closely. Even now that the Empress had "lost power," the invisible pressure emanating from her still made it difficult for her to breathe.
"Get up." Lin Wanwan's voice was as calm as ever, revealing no emotion. "Qin Zheng said you have something to report to me?"
"Yes...yes, Your Highness." Chun Tao stood up, still keeping her head down, not daring to look Lin Wanwan in the eye, her voice barely audible. "This servant...this servant only discovered a small matter, and did not dare to disturb Your Highness, but...but Sister Qin Zheng said that Your Highness instructed that any abnormality, no matter how small, must be reported."
"It's alright, go ahead." Lin Wanwan picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and remained composed.
Chun Tao took a deep breath, as if gathering immense courage, before speaking: "Your Majesty, I work in the pastry room of the Imperial Kitchen. In recent days, I have discovered... discovered that the pastries sent to our Kunning Palace are not only made with inferior, stale ingredients, but some are even... some are even slightly moldy."
As she spoke, a hint of anger and resentment crept into her voice. This was a classic case of sycophancy; seeing the Empress fall out of favor, even the servants of the Imperial Kitchen dared to treat her so harshly!
Qin Zheng, who was standing to the side, turned cold instantly upon hearing these words, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes.
However, Lin Wanwan's face remained completely expressionless.
She had anticipated this situation, and one could even say she orchestrated it. Her current role in the palace was that of a "disfavored empress," rejected by the emperor; it was perfectly normal for her to suffer some mistreatment. It would be strange if the servants remained as obsequious as before.
"Just for this?" Lin Wanwan asked casually, as if she didn't care at all.
"No...not entirely..." Seeing the Empress's calm reaction, Chun Tao became even more nervous and quickly revealed what she really wanted to say.
"Your Majesty, there's something else that I find strange!" She spoke faster. "The Imperial Kitchen is responsible for supplying meals to the various palace mistresses every day, as well as the guards on duty throughout the palace. Normally, the guards' meals should all be from the same large kitchen. But I've discovered that one guard's meals are served separately, and the quality is... shockingly high!"
"Oh?" Lin Wanwan finally put down her teacup, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. "Which place?"
"It's...it's the guard at that abandoned, A-shaped warehouse in the northwest corner of the palace!"
A warehouse of varying sizes, shaped like the Chinese character "甲"!
Upon hearing this place name, Lin Wanwan's eyes instantly sharpened!
Chun Tao continued in a confused and bewildered tone, "This servant accidentally saw the food boxes they sent over, and inside... every meal was filled with the finest wine and meat, along with fresh fruit and exquisite pastries every day! The ingredients for those pastries were even better than... better than the rations of many high-ranking ladies! This servant really can't understand why... why the servants guarding an abandoned house are fed better than... better than Your Majesty the Empress?"
"Bang!"
No sooner had Chun Tao finished speaking than Qin Zheng, unable to contain her anger, slammed her fist on the table next to her, making a dull thud.
"Outrageous! These lackeys!" Qin Zheng trembled with rage. "How dare they insult Her Majesty like this!"
In her eyes, this was a blatant humiliation! To let the servants guarding the abandoned house eat better than the mother of a nation—if word got out, it would be an absolute joke!
However, Lin Wanwan stopped her anger.
Instead of showing any anger or humiliation, her face slowly revealed a thoughtful expression.
She didn't speak, but instead gently and rhythmically tapped the table with her slender fingers.
"Tap...tap...tap..."
The crisp tapping sound was particularly clear in the quiet study, as if it had struck the hearts of everyone present.
An extremely unusual detail was rapidly magnified in her mind.
A guard who was supposedly watching over an "abandoned warehouse" was enjoying preferential treatment far exceeding what was expected of him.
A group of palace servants, who were being "coldly received" by the "disfavored empress," were eating moldy pastries.
These two events seem unrelated, but when they occur simultaneously and point to the same place, the information they contain becomes incredibly astonishing!
What does this tell us?
This shows that in Regent Xiao Yuan's mind, the value of that warehouse and the importance of those guards far exceeded that of her, the "disfavored empress"!
This suggests that the contents hidden in that warehouse are far more important than anyone could have imagined!
What was hidden there was not just a "black ledger" that could bring down a few Imperial Guard captains, nor just an old suit of armor that could convict him of "smuggling military equipment."
What's hidden there must be... the ultimate trump card that could completely turn the tide for him, or even deliver a fatal blow!
Thinking of this, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Wanwan's eyes, a glint so sharp it could almost pierce a person's heart!
The irrefutable proof that she had been searching for, the proof that would ensure the regent would never be overthrown, the "core pillar" she needed, must be right there!
"You did a great job."
Lin Wanwan raised her head and looked at Chun Tao, who was still in a state of panic. For the first time, she showed genuine approval.
"Don't mention this to anyone. From today onwards, you only need to do one thing: continue to keep an eye on all the food sent there by the Imperial Kitchen, and give me a clear record of every dish and every dessert."
"Yes...this servant obeys!" Although Chun Tao didn't understand why the Empress was taking this "trivial matter" so seriously, she still quickly agreed.
"Go down and collect your reward from Qin Zheng."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
After Chun Tao withdrew with profuse thanks, Qin Zheng finally couldn't help but speak, her voice still filled with anger: "Your Majesty, are we just going to let them treat us like this?!"
Lin Wanwan just smiled faintly. She slowly stood up, walked to the table, and looked at the plate of osmanthus cake that the palace servant had just brought. It looked unappetizing, and even had slight bluish mold spots on the edges.
This is the harsh treatment the empress suffered after falling out of favor.
However, the unusually preferential treatment given to the guards of his secret base by the enemy became the most fatal flaw.
She reached out and gently pushed the plate of unappetizing moldy pastries aside, as if brushing away some insignificant piece of trash.
Her gaze, however, turned cold and sharp, piercing through the layers of palace walls, and looked straight towards the northwest corner of the palace.
“It seems,” she began slowly, her voice carrying a chilling smile and an undeniable resolve, “that I must go and see for myself…”
What exactly is hidden in that warehouse...?
A gold nugget.
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