The Black Chamber Dream: Daiyu's Revenge

After listening to the Empress recount the favoritism Xiao Tingjun's birth mother received, Daiyu couldn't help but think: No wonder the ancients said that the higher one's position, the less one should let others see one's preferences, otherwise trouble is likely to arise.

"Imperial Physician Lan told Imperial Physician Su that he had been clinging to life, hoping to see Imperial Physician Su and tell his family that he was seriously ill. The two families lived some distance apart, and if it weren't for his intentions, Imperial Physician Su might not have known that he was seriously ill."

"This matter is a thorn in the heart of Imperial Physician Lan. As he gets older, this thorn gets deeper and deeper. He can't sleep at night and often has nightmares. He even feels that he will definitely go to hell after he dies."

"So before he died, he wanted to tell the truth. He knew that everything was settled now, but his conscience had been uneasy for so many years. Only by telling the truth could he close his eyes in peace."

After the Empress finished speaking, she sighed and said, "Perhaps it wasn't a sudden change of heart, but rather that now that the third prince has become the crown prince, he's afraid that if the things from back then are discovered, the Lan family will suffer a catastrophic disaster."

"He's confessed now, so it's like he's taking the initiative to admit his guilt. Maybe the third brother will treat him leniently."

Daiyu also thought of this: the reason why Physician Lan chose to say it at this time was because he had thought it through carefully.

"Then, Mother seems to be in a difficult situation. Is there something wrong with her?" Daiyu asked.

The Empress nodded with satisfaction: The Crown Princess's observation skills are quite good.

"Imperial Physician Lan only told Imperial Physician Su the facts, but he couldn't produce any evidence." The Empress was also helpless. Not only was there no evidence, but even Imperial Physician Lan, who was a witness, had passed away a few days ago.

Daiyu pondered for a moment: "Didn't Physician Lan mention any verifiable information or direction?"

"That's why I'm having a headache." Although the Empress is the Empress, she cannot condemn someone based on a single sentence from a royal physician. Besides, the royal physician who actually spoke is dead, and Physician Su was merely relaying the information.

Daiyu pondered: This matter is indeed somewhat troublesome, both for the Empress and for herself.

But she absolutely couldn't ignore it; she was Xiao Tingjun's biological mother. Xiao Tingjun had been so good to her; if she just turned her back on him, it would be too unfair to their marital bond.

"Mother, could you allow me to go back and think about this matter?" Daiyu really didn't have a good solution for the time being.

The Empress nodded: "Of course, but this matter should not be known to anyone except the Third Prince, otherwise it will be difficult to handle."

Daiyu understood: "Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law knows what's going on."

Moreover, Daiyu rose and solemnly bowed to the Empress: "Mother has always helped your daughter-in-law and the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince and your daughter-in-law remember this well."

The Empress nodded with satisfaction, saying nothing more—as long as the couple remembered their kindness, that was enough.

After returning to Delin Palace, Daiyu pondered carefully, waiting for Xiao Tingjun to come back. She had already figured out how to tell him.

After his wife told him not to be anxious or angry, and after listening to Daiyu's concise narration, it would be a lie to say that he wasn't angry at all. However, he controlled his emotions and held his wife's hand, saying, "Don't be too nervous. I can handle this little thing."

"Actually, I don't remember anything when my mother passed away, so I was always raised by my mother."

"So, my true feelings right now are more anger than sadness."

Facing his wife, Xiao Tingjun disdained to pretend, nor did he need to. He bluntly expressed his feelings and thoughts: "But, this matter is really tricky."

“Once we need to investigate, we must strike decisively; otherwise, we may be falsely accused.”

Daiyu understood perfectly well that now that Xiao Tingjun was the Crown Prince, the Second Prince and Consort Wu were practically eyeing him covetously. If Delin Palace were to make a rash move, it would inevitably provoke their retaliation and easily arouse the Emperor's suspicion.

Once the emperor becomes suspicious, he will definitely be more inclined to suspect the crown prince. Recently, Xiao Tingkai has been behaving very well, as if he has completely accepted the status quo. He is happy to be a prince and wholeheartedly serves the court.

Moreover, even if the emperor does not suspect the crown prince, once the enemy is alerted, it will be difficult to find out the truth.

Daiyu already had a general idea in mind, and now she brought it up to discuss with Xiao Tingjun.

Chapter 258 A Repeat of the Past: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Daiyu's plan was approved by Xiao Tingjun and was soon put into practice.

Zuo Jiangqiu was the first link in the plan. Upon learning that Daiyu needed three weeks' worth of medicine, Zuo Jiangqiu immediately brought his maid Jinxiu into the palace. In Jinxiu's hands was a box made of huanghuali wood with a relief of lotus patterns.

Zuo Jiangqiu and his servant went directly to Delin Palace, and soon Consort Wu received the news.

"Hmph, what a sycophant! He even used such a nice box to pack it. I wonder what valuable things it contains." Consort Wu didn't pay much attention. After all, Consort Zhou and her daughter-in-law both thought that the fifth prince was definitely not suitable, so they all supported the crown prince.

Especially the fifth prince's wife, she and the crown princess were always inseparable.

But after a few days, when the princess from the eldest princess's household came to the palace and also sent things to Delin Palace, Consort Wu became a little concerned. After all, the princess from the eldest princess's household had grown up a lot and did not come to the palace as frequently as before.

Consort Wu recalled the spy she had planted in Prince Yi's residence, who had now been successfully brought into Delin Palace. Although the spy hadn't accomplished anything significant so far, the information that had been sent out was still quite accurate.

This hidden piece, once activated, will become hidden again and could be sacrificed at any time. Consort Wu originally intended to leave it untouched for now, but at this critical juncture, it seems that something truly urgent has happened at Delin Palace, and it's time to use it.

Consort Wu then summoned her palace maids and gave them instructions.

Now that it was Delin Palace, it was no longer the same as when it was in Prince Yi's Mansion. Consort Wu only received the news about half a month later.

Send Panax notoginseng.

These three words instantly alerted Consort Wu: Although Lady Qiao had passed away many years ago, Consort Wu had never forgotten that matter.

Why Sanqi, specifically Sanqi?

Consort Wu became more cautious than before. She first sent someone to inquire about the former Imperial Physician Lan. For a long time after Imperial Physician Lan retired to his hometown, Consort Wu felt that everything was fine, until Xiao Tingjun was named Crown Prince.

No matter how much Consort Wu investigated, she found no evidence that Imperial Physician Lan would reveal the secret. Therefore, Consort Wu was completely relieved: upon careful consideration, she realized that Imperial Physician Lan and she were in the same boat. He would not dare to speak recklessly, otherwise not only would he lose his head, but his entire family would also be in danger.

The news they heard was that Physician Lan had passed away.

Now Consort Wu was completely relieved; the dead cannot speak. Thus, the secret of Qiao's death was buried forever.

Relieved, Consort Wu's mind began to wander again: since she had been able to seize the opportunity to kill Qiao Shi back then, perhaps she could seize the opportunity to kill the Crown Princess now. Even more so, if the plan was well-planned, she might be able to kill two birds with one stone—if the Crown Princess and her son died together… This outcome was so enticing that Consort Wu's heart began to race.

However, things are still quite troublesome. First, she no longer has an inside agent in the Imperial Hospital. Second, there is a female physician named Meng in Delin Palace, and it is said that everything the Crown Princess eats and drinks has to go through Meng.

Meng's medical skills must be quite good as well; I heard that even Physician He and Physician Su praised them.

But with an opportunity right in front of her, and she was just letting it slip away, Consort Wu felt very unwilling.

For several days in a row, Consort Wu tossed and turned, feeling very uncomfortable.

Another half month passed, and finally the informant brought Consort Wu some great news: Zijuan, the head maid of Delin Palace, seemed to be having some emotional issues.

Zijuan was one of the Crown Princess's most trusted palace maids. She was usually quiet but reliable, and even the Empress had praised her.

Granny Yuan immediately began to analyze for Consort Wu: "I heard that another palace maid by the Crown Princess's side, named Xueyan, is engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince's guard. It is said that Xueyan will leave the palace to get married after the New Year."

This explains it: both were personal maids of the Crown Princess, but one was to marry a sixth-rank imperial guard, someone the Crown Prince relied on, and who might even become a Lady of the Imperial Decree in the future, while the other could only grow old and die in the palace. The difference was quite significant.

"This old servant also heard that Zijuan was originally a maid in the Rongguo Mansion. When the Crown Princess entered the Rongguo Mansion, the old lady of the Rongguo Mansion assigned one of her second-class maids to the Crown Princess."

“That Xueyan is different. She came to the capital from Yangzhou with the Crown Princess. I heard that she even accompanied the Crown Princess to study when she was a child.”

Consort Wu fell into deep thought, and after a while she noticed something suspicious: "That's not right. I've heard that Zijuan is deeply trusted by the Crown Princess. Her family members were freed from slavery in the Rongguo Mansion and became commoners because of the Crown Princess."

"That's true, but that was in the past. People's hearts change. If Xueyan hadn't married well, perhaps Zijuan wouldn't have had so many thoughts. But seeing a girl who was once inferior to her now rising to a higher position, she's probably unhappy." Granny Yuan thought it was about 70% believable.

After careful consideration, Consort Wu instructed Granny Yuan: "Don't act rashly yet. Wait a little longer. We can also test this Zijuan and see if there's an opportunity to use her."

But what Consort Wu didn't expect was that another month would pass. Not to mention Granny Yuan, even Consort Wu herself was losing patience—the Crown Princess needed the three-week treatment now, but that didn't mean she would need it again in the future.

If you miss an opportunity, it's truly gone forever.

"I heard that the Crown Princess prepared a very generous dowry for Xueyan, including two hundred taels of silver."

Consort Wu glared at Granny Yuan: "I want information about Zijuan. What use are dowries and such?"

"Your Highness, don't worry. Think about it, only those who leave the palace to get married will have a dowry. So, if Miss Zijuan doesn't leave the palace and doesn't get married, won't she have no dowry?" Yuan Mama's words enlightened Consort Wu.

"Then, Granny, is there any way to get Zijuan to work for me?" Consort Wu was indeed tempted: if Zijuan made a move, Meng Shi probably wouldn't even notice.

Granny Yuan was an insider of the Qiao family's 37 incident. As Consort Wu's wet nurse, she was absolutely loyal to Consort Wu.

Therefore, Granny Yuan naturally supported Prince Rui.

Now that the Crown Prince has a son, this matter is indeed very troublesome for Granny Yuan—the Crown Prince and his wife have never made any mistakes, so it will not be easy to bring them down.

Now, an opportunity is presented to them. But it requires taking a bit of risk.

After thinking for a while, Granny Yuan said, "Your Highness, perhaps you should not get involved in this matter. Just act as this old servant. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility."

All they need to do is insist that they acted on their own initiative and couldn't stand the emperor's favoritism towards the crown prince and his wife. At worst, they'll just die.

Consort Wu was stunned; she looked at Granny Yuan in disbelief.

“No, Granny, if something really happens, it won’t just be you who will be implicated. Your son, daughter-in-law, and even your grandson might also be affected.” Consort Wu shook her head.

Granny Yuan is not alone; if something really happens to her, her whole family will be in trouble.

Upon hearing this, Granny Yuan was deeply moved, her eyes glistening with tears. Just as she was about to speak, Consort Wu spoke first.

Chapter 259 A Scheme Within a Scheme: Testing Consort Wu

Upon hearing Consort Wu speak, Granny Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

What Consort Wu said next made Granny Yuan's heart sink even further.

"Granny, I've thought about it for you for a while. First, send a message to your son and daughter-in-law, and tell them to send all your grandchildren to their aunt. After all, if something happens, you can't hold the married daughter responsible. If the children are registered under their aunt's name, then if something really happens, the children won't be implicated."

Consort Wu's words, seemingly considerate, actually indicated that she had agreed to Yuan Mama's plan: let Yuan Mama contact Zijuan, leave everything to Yuan Mama, and if anything goes wrong in the future, then Yuan Mama will bear all the responsibility.

"Don't worry, when the time comes, the Empress and Prince Rui will naturally find a way to avoid implicating Granny Yuan's family." As if afraid that Granny Yuan would not agree, Consort Wu quickly added.

In Granny Yuan's mind, a sentence from more than half a month ago flashed by: Granny, there is something the Crown Princess asked me to tell you. She knows everything about Sanqi, whether it is the present or the past.

Granny Yuan was startled because the Crown Princess had specifically mentioned that, whether in the present or the past, the only thing Granny Yuan knew about the past related to Sanqi was that Consort Wu had used Imperial Physician Lan to kill Qiao Shi.

How could that be? How could the Crown Princess know? And even though she knew, she didn't do anything? Or is the Crown Princess planning something else?

The informant added another point: the Crown Princess wanted to give the nanny a chance, and if the nanny was willing, she would guarantee that the nanny's family would not be implicated.

But if the nanny is unwilling, then I'm afraid her whole family will be doomed.

You can think about it carefully, or you can try it out and see if Consort Wu will push you out as a scapegoat if something goes wrong.

The scapegoat's words touched Granny Yuan, because she knew Consort Wu too well. Over the years, several of those who had followed Consort Wu had been pushed out for one reason or another.

Those people all met tragic ends. There was one in particular that Granny Yuan remembered very clearly: her parents were also implicated and lost their lives.

At the same time, the Crown Princess gave Yuan Mama a guarantee that was too attractive to her: to ensure that Yuan Mama's family would not be implicated.

A few days ago, Yuan Mama's second daughter-in-law gave birth to a grandson. Now that both of Yuan Mama's sons have children, Yuan Mama has a total of three grandsons and two granddaughters.

If something really happens, what will happen to my little grandchildren?

Now that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are so favored by the Emperor, Granny Yuan is also very clear about the Emperor's favor towards Lady Qiao when he was still a prince.

If the emperor finds out that he helped Consort Wu kill Lady Qiao, then he'll probably lose his whole family's heads.

No, I can't let my sons and grandsons suffer. I've worked so hard all my life so that my descendants can have a bright future and not have to be slaves anymore.

Granny Yuan had already come up with an idea. She finally came up with a method that she considered perfect—to test the waters. If Consort Wu was not so selfish, then she would be loyal and inform Consort Wu that the Crown Princess knew about Qiao's murder. If Consort Wu was unkind, then she would not be blamed for betraying her.