Chapter 250: Such a Cunning Plan!

Chapter 250: Such a Cunning Plan!

Hearing half the story, Tang Shuyi could guess the situation; the old woman's mention of "Lady Jiang from the Grand Tutor's household" solidified her suspicions.

The Crown Prince's mother, Consort Min, hailed from the Jiang family and was the Grand Tutor's eldest daughter. That meant when Consort Min entered the palace, her childhood sweetheart followed. Their affair was discovered by Li Jingxi's mother, Consort Ming, leading to their conspiracy against her.

However, something puzzled Tang Shuyi. Given the deep affection between Consort Min and her childhood sweetheart, why would they plot against Consort Ming, ensuring his certain demise?

She posed this question to the old woman, who replied, "The exact details are unclear, but after the incident, the Noble Consort ordered an investigation. It was found that Consort Min's cousin's family had moved away from the capital before the debacle. The Noble Consort speculated that the Grand Tutor had learned of Consort Min's affair with her cousin and chose to sacrifice him."

Tang Shuyi nodded, the explanation made sense. If the emperor were to discover the clandestine affair between Minfei and her cousin, the Jiang family would certainly face annihilation. Therefore, it was imperative that any link between the two be severed, and the cousin's death was the best solution, for only in death could future threats be truly eliminated.

Additionally, Mingfei had become aware of the affair, and thus, she too had to die. Hence, they orchestrated that grand charade.

The Grand Tutor's family had taken ruthlessness to the extreme!

"How does Lady Liang want me to cooperate?" Tang Shuyi inquired.

The nanny said, "After that incident all those years ago, Lady Liang caught a palace maid trying to flee from Mingfei's side. She detained and interrogated her, and that's how she uncovered the whole affair. The maid attempting to escape was the one who had drugged Mingfei."

Tang Shuyi lowered her gaze upon hearing this. The women of the imperial palace placed their own interests above all else. Lady Liang had secured a witness but had kept silent at the time because Mingfei posed a threat to her as well.

She kept this leverage hidden; it served to watch Mingfei die and to strike a fatal blow to Minfei when the time came.

Such crafty calculations!

"Later, Lady Liang sent that maid outside the palace, and now she resides in the capital. Her intention is for Prince Kang to reveal this matter before the emperor," the nanny added.

A cold laugh escaped Tang Shuyi's lips, Lady Liang was indeed cunning. Once this issue came to light, it would certainly cause a great upheaval, and the one who exposed it would become the center of attention. Not wanting to be that person herself, she intended to draw Li Jingyi into it.

"Prince Kang is not an option; the Imperial Noble Consort won't agree," Tang Shuyi directly refused.

At this time, she wouldn't allow Li Jingyi to expose himself.

The wet nurse was momentarily stunned upon hearing her words, then heard her continue, "I will arrange this matter."

"Then, this servant will take her leave." The wet nurse rose and curtsied, and Tang Shuyi gestured for her to leave.

Once alone, Tang Shuyi began to ponder deeply. This matter, though seemingly a simple case of revisiting the past, involved too many complex issues and individuals. Naturally, the crown prince and the Grand Tutor's family were the prime targets, and even the emperor would suspect whether the crown prince was his own blood.

Then there was the family of Consort Ming, who had been exiled back then, and also Li Jingyi. Would the emperor consider taking him back? Could this be an opportunity to uproot the Grand Tutor and the crown prince once and for all?

However, even if the crown prince and the Grand Tutor couldn't be completely taken down this time, once Xiao Huai returns and their treason is exposed, they would have no power to turn the tables, no matter how capable they might be.

After meticulously reviewing the situation, Tang Shuyi rose and headed to the Marquis's mansion. After recounting the events to Marquis Tang, his face showed no small amount of shock. "I had never expected that the events of those years were actually like this."

After Consort Ming's affair was exposed, most people were rather incredulous, suspecting that there must be more to the story. Yet, nobody had anticipated that it was all orchestrated by the Grand Tutor's family.

Marquis Tang furrowed his brows and after a moment's thought said, "Court matters are interconnected. Uprooting the crown prince and the Grand Tutor means their influence needs to be replaced. So, who shall fill the void? One faction falls, inevitably another rises."

Tang Shuyi nodded, having already considered this. Her fear was that the rising faction would be hostile toward them.

"The emperor is wary of Xiao Huai and will surely be on guard against us, so our people won't be able to fill the void," Marquis Tang continued, "It's very likely that the emperor will turn to the queen's maternal family, the Wu family."

"Even if the Wu family rises, it won't be too disadvantageous for us," Tang Shuyi said. "Our interests don't clash with those of the Wu family and the queen."

"True, we bear no grudges with the Wu family," Marquis Tang thought for a moment and then added, "In the future, we should also avoid getting too close to the queen and the Wu family."

"I understand," Tang Shuyi nodded in agreement.

After further discussion, the father and daughter returned to the Marquis of Yongning's residence. In the afternoon, Tang Shuyi, accompanied by Xiao Yuzhu, paid a visit to Prince Xiao's mansion. The matter was related to Li Jingyi's birth mother and certainly warranted a discussion with him and the Imperial Noble Consort.

Upon arrival at the mansion and meeting with Li Jingyi and the Imperial Noble Consort, she recounted the entire matter. After listening, the Imperial Noble Consort sighed deeply and said, "So that's what happened back then."

Li Jingyi, having heard the whole story, clenched his fists tightly, silent and motionless. Seeing his state, Tang Shuyi felt a pang of sorrow and said to him, "At least now the truth has come to light, and the wronged will soon be vindicated... it's... somewhat of a relief."

The Imperial Noble Consort added, "Yes, the Ming family was exiled because of that incident. Once the truth is revealed to the world, they can return."

Li Jingyi knew they were trying to console him. He loosened his fists and stood up to bow to Tang Shuyi, "Thank you, Madam, for lending your aid."

Without Tang Shuyi, he had no idea when his birth mother's grievances would be cleared.

Tang Shuyi waved her hand dismissively, "There's no need for such formalities between you and me."

Li Jingyi acknowledged respectfully, "Yes, Master."

Tang Shuyi smiled and gestured for him to sit. "After the matter comes to light, the Emperor will likely summon you. You’ll need to adapt to the situation accordingly."

Li Jingyi nodded in understanding; this was an indication for him to continue lying low.

After chatting with the Dowager Duchess for a while, Tang Shuyi stood up to leave. The Dowager Duchess had Li Jingyi escort them out. At the gate, Xiao Yuzhu whispered to Li Jingyi, "My mother says you shouldn't punish yourself for others' mistakes. The misdeeds were theirs, not yours, so don’t be too hard on yourself."

Li Jingyi nodded earnestly, "I'll remember that."

Xiao Yuzhu smiled at him again, then followed Tang Shuyi into the carriage. Li Jingyi watched their carriage disappear into the distance before turning back. He wasn't overly saddened; it was hatred that consumed him—the hatred for the Crown Prince's mother, Consort Min, for her ruthless actions that led to his own mother's death.

He also despised the Emperor, for his narrow-mindedness and selfishness. Everyone else could guess that his mother had been framed, yet the Emperor didn't pursue the truth and even exiled his maternal grandfather's family.