Chapter 251: Marquis Yongning Conquers Rouli Kingdom

Chapter 251: Marquis Yongning Conquers Rouli Kingdom

After returning home, Tang Shuyi asked Xiao Yuzhu, "If we were to expose the matter now, would there be any loopholes?"

Xiao Yuzhu furrowed her brows in thought, then said, "If I were Consort Min, I could claim that the palace maid is spouting nonsense. After all, so many years have passed, the person is dead, and there's no evidence to prove anything."

Pleased with the response, Tang Shuyi smiled, "Exactly. So, how do we prevent Consort Min from denying the allegations?"

Xiao Yuzhu pondered deeply, her brows still furrowed. After a while, she shook her head, "I don't know."

Tang Shuyi explained, "In cases like these, where the outcome is known, we need to seek evidence to substantiate it. Even if we can't find compelling evidence, we can create it."

Xiao Yuzhu listened intently as Tang Shuyi continued, "In this case, the palace maid who administered the drug is a key witness, and another crucial witness is Consort Min’s childhood sweetheart."

"But isn’t he already dead?" Xiao Yuzhu asked.

Tang Shuyi replied, "Yes, but though he's dead, the traces he left behind may still exist. For instance, if someone could attest that his death was faked, who arranged for him to enter the palace, and surely his family must know a fair amount."

Xiao Yuzhu looked up to her mother in admiration, "Mother, you're so brilliant."

Tang Shuyi flicked her forehead gently, saying, "Before taking action, even if we can't guarantee a foolproof plan, we should prepare as much as possible."

Xiao Yuzhu giggled and said, "Mother, I've remembered."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, then summoned Steward Zhao and instructed him to investigate the childhood friend of Consort Min.

After Steward Zhao departed with his orders, Tang Shuyi turned to Xiao Yuzhu and said, "It's been many years; this won't be an easy investigation and will take some time. But we're not in a rush. It would be more interesting if this came to light when your father returns from his campaign."

At the mention of her father, Xiao Huai, Xiao Yuzhu's eyes lit up. "When will father return?"

Tang Shuyi spread her hands. "How would I know?"

"I'll write to father and ask when he'll be back." Saying this, she rose to go to the study. Tang Shuyi leaned back in her chair with a long sigh. The future seemed so uncertain!

………

Tang Shuyi's guess was correct. With so much time passed and the Tuifu's residence thoroughly covered its tracks, Steward Zhao, usually efficient, took more than ten days to report back.

"After days of investigation, I found that the Tuifu's sister-in-law married into the He family in Baozhou. Many years ago, He Chengping, the elder brother of the Tuifu's sister-in-law, came to the capital for an official post and stayed at the Tuifu's residence. It's said that at that time, Consort Min was quite close to He Chengping's eldest son, He Siyuan."

"Later, with the Tuifu's assistance, He Chengping secured a position in the capital. But not long after, his eldest son, He Siyuan, passed away due to illness."

"What's the He family's current situation?" asked Tang Shuyi.

Steward Zhao replied, "Before Consort Min's incident, He Chengping resigned and returned to Baozhou. He should be there now, but further details need more investigation."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, "The He family won't testify; after all, if this comes out, they'll be ruined too. Investigate how He Siyuan became a guard in the palace. His household registration must be fake; we need to find out how he got it."

"Understood."

Steward Zhao left upon his agreement, and Cuiyun brought over a visiting card. Tang Shuyi took it and saw it was from the Empress's sister-in-law, Madam Wu the Second.

Annoyed, she tossed the card onto the table. "Let's meet her."

After Cuiyun left, Tang Shuyi said to Cuizhu standing by, "They keep coming to our residence, aren't they afraid of what the Emperor might think?"

Cuizhu didn't know how to respond and could only smile.

The next morning, Madam Wu the Second arrived. Tang Shuyi greeted her with a smile, and then Madam Wu expressed her desire for a marital alliance, eyeing her handsome eldest son.

Tang Shuyi was too exhausted to comment. Did they really think they could pick and choose any noble son because they had an Empress in the family? Of course, she maintained a smile and said she couldn't decide on such matters without Xiao Huai's consent.

Madam Wu left with a displeased expression, and the next day, Tang Shuyi began to decline visitors, claiming illness.

The Imperial Study Room in the Palace

The Emperor listened to Jiao Kangsheng's report: "The wife of the Grand Tutor went to the Marquis of Yongning's residence, and later, the crown prince's wife sent a card to the Marquise of Yongning. The next day, the Marquise visited the crown prince's residence. Yesterday, Madam Wu also went to the Marquis of Yongning's residence, and today, the Marquise claimed illness and refused all visitors."

"Smash!"

Enraged by the report, the Emperor hurled his teacup to the floor, "I am not dead yet! What are they scheming? Go, summon those two traitorous sons of mine. I will see what they are really up to."

Jiao Kangsheng hurriedly scampered out, instructing a young eunuch to call the princes. In a short while, the crown prince and the third prince rushed over. As they entered the Imperial Study, the Emperor greeted them by smashing another teacup at their feet.

The two princes immediately knelt down.

The Emperor stepped forward and glared down at them: "Aspiring to be Emperor? Seeking to replace me?"

"We dare not."

"Your son wouldn't dare."

The crown prince and the third prince hastily kowtowed. The Emperor's eyes darkened as he said, "Then what business did you have at the Marquis of Yongning's residence?"

The princes kept their heads low, silent. The Emperor's rage mounted. He kicked each one, then said, "Go back and reflect behind closed doors. Without my permission, you are not to step outside."

The crown prince and the third prince hurriedly got up and scurried out. Watching their panicked departure, the Emperor closed his eyes briefly, feeling as if this was divine punishment.

Taking a deep breath, he said to Jiao Kangsheng, "Summon several cabinet ministers."

Considering the current situation, there was a high likelihood that Xiao Huai would conquer the Kingdom of Rouli. He needed to prepare in advance for how to take over the kingdom.

After Tang Shuyi claimed illness, her days became much quieter. Now, her daily routine consisted of reviewing accounts and instructing Li Jingyi and Xiao Yuzhu. Several months flew by and the weather gradually turned colder.

One day, Steward Zhao hurriedly arrived at Shi'an Garden, reporting: "Madam, the matter of He Siyuan faking his death and becoming a palace guard has been clarified."

He handed over a document that clearly outlined how He Siyuan obtained his fake household registration and later became a palace guard.

"All relevant physical evidence and testimonies have been properly arranged," said Steward Zhao.

"Good," Tang Shuyi said with a smile, confident that this time, there would be no loose ends.

Amidst a tumult of noise outside, Cui Zhu parted the curtains and entered, her voice alight with excitement, "Madam, Lord Hou has conquered the Kingdom of Rouli."

"Where did you get this news?" asked Tang Shuyi.

Cui Zhu, overwhelmed with excitement, failed to notice the overly calm tone in Tang Shuyi's voice. She replied, "The courier soldiers announced it."

Mimicking the courier soldiers, she proclaimed, "A great victory at the border! Lord Yongning has taken down the Kingdom of Rouli."

Seeing her awkward imitation, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh. Just then, the curtains were drawn aside and Xiao Yuzhu ran in, asking excitedly, "Mother, is father coming back?"