Chapter 234: Attempted Assassination of the Empress Dowager
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xu Zhiyan shook his head and sighed. He had heard about how stubborn
Consort Dowager Ning was a few days ago, forcing Feng Yili to move out of the Prince Regent’s Residence. Unexpectedly, she would become so humble after learning about Yu Junjin’s identity.
After a moment, Xu Zhiyan slowly said, “The Empress Dowager wants you to accompany Junjin into the palace. Apart from wanting to see Junjin, she wants to ask for your opinion regarding Consort Dowager Ning.”
Yu Yunxi felt her head ache when she heard this. Feng Yili was dealing with the Emperor now so she could not wait for Feng Yili to resolve this matter with the Empress Dowager.
Apart from that, she also thought that the Empress Dowager was really cunning. The latter obviously knew about her good relationship with Xu Zhiyan so the latter sent Xu Zhiyan here. If she refurbished the invitation, then the latter would be able to make things difficult for Xu Zhiyan.
After thinking about it for a moment, Yu Yunxi nodded and said, “I’ll make preparations now. Junjin and I will enter the palace in an hour.”
Xu Zhiyan added in a low voice, “The Empress Dowager also wants you to bring Miss Gao along.”
“Why?” Yu Yunxi asked skeptically as her gaze darkened. The imperial palace was a dangerous place; she naturally did not want to put Gao Shixuan in danger.
Xu Zhiyan reminded in a low voice, “Since we’re going to discuss the matter between you and Consort Dowager Ning, it’s only normal that Miss Gao and her son, who are key players, to be present.”
Yu Yunxi pondered for a moment before she replied softly, “Then, I’ll ask Shixuan and see if she’s willing to enter the palace.”
When Yu Yunxi and Xu Zhiyan arrived at Gao Shixuan’s courtyard, she smelled a strange medicinal scent. Before she could further think about the smell, Gao Shixuan, who was drying herbs, saw her.
Gao Shixuan ran over and asked with a smile, “Yunxi, why are you here? Do you need my help at the medical hall?”
“No, the medical hall is under Qian Qing’s supervision now. There’s nothing pressing at the moment. What are you doing?” Yu Yunxi asked.
“Second Senior Brother brought Zixiu out for a walk to cheer him up. I was bored so I found some herbs to dry,” Gao Shixuan explained.
Yu Yunxi nodded before she relayed Xu Zhiyan’s words to Gao Shixuan.
Gao Shixuan hesitated for a moment before she nodded. “We’ve indeed caused trouble for everyone regarding Zixiu’s matter. It’s a good idea for me to follow you to the palace so I can explain this matter to the Empress Dowager.”
“Alright. Follow me into the palace then.”
When they walked out, the carriage was already prepared.
Yu Yunxi carried the sleepy little bun into the carriage.
At the same time, Xu Zhiyan warned in a grave tone, “Yunxi, I’ve already relayed the Empress Dowager’s message to you. I still have official matters to attend to so I won’t be able to accompany you into the palace. Please be careful.”
The imperial palace was naturally not an ordinary place. It looked calm on the surface, but in reality, it was surging with waves. Even the kindest person might hide a knife behind their smiles.
It was not appropriate for men to simply enter the harem so Qian Ji and the others did not follow.
Yu Yunxi turned around, planning to ask Qian Jiao to accompany her. When she did not see the other party, she only remembered that she had not seen Qian Jiao since this morning. She asked Qian Ji, “Where did Qian Jiao go?”
Qian Ji quickly replied, “Princess Consort, Qian Jiao went to the medical hall to help out.”
“Alright. Then tell Qian Mei to come over,” Yu Yunxi said softly.
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
When Qian Mei arrived, Yu Yunxi saw Qian Mei’s pale face and lifeless eyes. She asked worriedly, “Qian Mei, what’s wrong? Do you feel unwell?”
Qian Mei finally reacted when she heard Yu Yunxi’s voice. She hurriedly lowered her head and said, “Princess Consort, I’m fine.”
At this moment, Gao Shixuan said guiltily, “You must be tired. I’m sorry for making you brew medicine for Zixiu these past few days.”
“Miss Gao, you’re being too polite. It’s nothing,” Qian Mei said, shaking her head.
“When we return from the palace, I’ll prescribe you with calming medicine. You’ll be able to rest well after that,” Yu Yunxi said softly.
“Thank you, Princess Consort.”
“Let’s enter the palace first.”
When they arrived at the Empress Dowager’s palace, the palace servant did not lead them to the main hall. Instead, they were led to a side hall.
The old palace servant said respectfully to Yu Yunxi, “The Empress Dowager is still resting. Please wait for a moment, Your Royal Highness.”
“Alright. ”
When the palace servant retreated and only a few of them were left, Yu Yunxi noticed that Qian Mei’s expression was not right. She frowned slightly and said worriedly, “Qian Mei, come here. I’ll check your pulse and see what’s going on.” Gao Shixuan chimed in, “Miss Qian Mei, Yunxi is really worried about you.”
Qian Mei’s heart sank when she heard these words. Then, she quickly shook her head and said, “Princess Consort, don’t worry. I’m fine. I just didn’t have enough rest. Please excuse me. I’ll go out to get some fresh air. Perhaps I’ll feel better after that.”
With that, Qian Mei hurriedly walked out.
Yu Yunxi frowned as she looked at Qian Mei’s back, and she grew even more worried. Her worry only grew when she saw that Qian Mei did not return even after a long time had passed.
Just as Yu Yunxi was about to look for Qian Mei, a palace servant ran in, panicking.
“Princess Consort, Princess Consort, something has happened! Someone tried to assassinate the Empress Dowager! The situation is very bad now,” the palace servant said tremblingly.
‘Assassination?’
Yu Yunxi put the little bun down and said solemnly, ‘Quick, bring me to the Empress Dowager!”
“Are they grounding me? What are they trying to do?” Yu Yunxi asked angrily.
The palace servant took a deep breath before she whispered, “Princess Consort, that’s because… that’s because the assassin is your maidservant, and you..
you’re now a suspect..”