Chapter 290

Chapter 0290: Death

"Dan Qing, I can let go, but I can't just watch them die. I must save them one more time, right? The Lin family can't just be exterminated," the Empress Dowager said.

"Your Majesty, if the Lin family would just listen, there would be no issue. But now they've become ambitious. Don't you know what kind of men the head of the family and his second son are?" Fan Gu Gu sighed.

Lin Xin and Lin Chen are both incompetent.

It's one thing for incompetent people to obey orders, but it's problematic when they're disobedient and act behind your back.

"If they won't listen to you, they will inevitably cause trouble. How will you clear your name then? You should give up. No matter who becomes the next emperor, you will still be the Grand Empress Dowager. Besides, His Majesty is still young. Even if he finds out about the He family, what can he do? He has to acknowledge you. Consort Hui has been in the palace for many years to no avail. Why bother yourself? You might as well rest," Fan Gu Gu advised.

"Enough. Please ask the Emperor to come here," the Empress Dowager suddenly said with a smile.

She was not one to hesitate. If she dared to switch sons back then, why would she hesitate now?

If her natal family treated her this way, she needn't be too concerned.

"Just saving them is enough."

"She was able to find out because she focused solely on Ning Xiuyuan, specifically investigating in that direction."

"But wouldn't the emperor suspect? Even if he's a step behind, he would find out eventually. Would he believe she was unaware?"

"'Yes,'" Fan Guigu sighed in relief. "That's how it should be. Your Majesty should rest now. You can't win the battles of the harem."

"In the morning, Emperor He Jingxin visited the Ci'an Palace."

"He stayed for about an hour."

"After he left, the Empress Dowager summoned Yun Li."

"'Greetings to the Empress Dowager. May I know why I have been summoned?'" Yun Li inquired.

"'I've just discussed something with the emperor. The main culprit behind your poisoning was Ning Xiuyuan, my own niece,'" the Empress Dowager revealed.

"Yun Li was taken aback: 'If so, why has the Empress Dowager summoned me?'"

"'Because I told the emperor that I was unaware of the incident. But for the sake of the Lin family, I cannot shirk responsibility. Now that it's come to this, I no longer plan to protect her,'" the Empress Dowager said, looking at Yun Li. "'I know you're clever, I underestimated you before. It's better to be upfront with you about this matter today.'"

"'In fact, whether the Empress Dowager was aware or not, if it truly involves the Lin family, the emperor would not act against them,'" Yun Li said.

"'You're right, but I don't wish to be your enemy. I don't want to be misunderstood for things I haven't done,'" the Empress Dowager stated calmly.

"'Fan Guigu is heading to the Yong'an Palace, you should go with her,'" the Empress Dowager instructed.

"'I will obey,'" Yun Li responded, understanding the situation clearly.

It must be said, in the harem, the Empress Dowager is the woman with the most decisiveness.

Yunli had no doubts because if it truly was the Empress Dowager's doing, she wouldn’t expose herself for no reason.

Even if He Jingxin found out, at most, Ning Xiuyuan would be put to death.

The Lin family and the Empress Dowager would not be touched.

But if she confessed herself, it could only mean she was indeed innocent.

The Lin family betrayed the Empress Dowager.

This is indeed the boldness of someone who dared to switch a prince.

Yun Li pondered, if she were in the Empress Dowager's shoes, facing the same situation, she would make the same choice.

In doing so, it would cut off the Lin family's retreat, ensuring they wouldn't dare to act rashly again, to avoid irreversible actions.

In Yong'an Palace, after Yun Li and Fan Gu Gu arrived, Ning Xiu Yuan sensed something was wrong.

The new attendant, Wu Shi Yu, came out to pay her respects, also looking quite uneasy.

"You are Wu Shi Yu, right?" Yun Li said.

"Yes, Your Highness, it is I," Wu Shi Yu replied cautiously.

"There are some matters to attend to here, you should take a walk outside," Yun Li instructed.

"Yes, I will leave right away," she was only too eager to comply.

"Isn’t it inappropriate for Sister Qiong to come here and give orders?" Ning Xiu Yuan protested.

Yun Li ignored her.

"The Empress Dowager sent a servant to bring a jug of wine," Fan Gu Gu said coldly.

As she spoke, four eunuchs entered, the one in the lead carrying a jug of wine.

Not even a wine cup was brought along.

Ning Xiu Yuan's face paled dramatically: "What... what do you mean? Fan Gu Gu, have you betrayed the Empress Dowager?"

"Betrayal? It’s rich hearing that from you, Fifth Lady. After all these years of the Empress Dowager's heartfelt care for you, what have you done? Enough, you are heartless, there's no need for more words. Drink this jug of wine yourself, it's better than having it forced down and suffering." Fan Gu Gu truly despised her.

Her heart was only for the Empress Dowager; how could she bear to see her distressed?

"No! You can't do this to me, I am the mother of the Fifth Prince! I demand to see His Majesty!" Ning Xiuyuan stood up, attempting to flee.

"You won't see him," Fan Gu said with a wave of her hand, and four eunuchs stepped forward.

Ning Xiuyuan’s servants dared not intervene, except for her personal maid, Jasmine, who shouted: "Stop her at once! Has Fan Gu gone mad? The Fifth Prince is still here, who dares to make Her Majesty drink poison?"

At this, some stepped forward, and Fan Gu looked on coldly: "Anyone who dares to interfere will share her fate."

Yunli nonchalantly remarked, "The entrance is guarded by royal guards, where could you possibly run?"

"Yunli, it's you who have doomed me!" Ning Xiuyuan exclaimed angrily.

"Actually, no. I only just learned about this myself. But before seeing me, the Empress Dowager met with His Majesty. So, your death is with His Majesty's tacit approval. If you die now, it will be deemed as due to illness. You might retain your dignity or even be posthumously promoted. But if you cause a scene and are executed by His Majesty's order, it's a different story," Yunli explained.

"You... then why are you here?" Ning Xiuyuan's mind was a mess.

"Perhaps the Empress Dowager kindly wanted me to see how the person who almost killed me dies?" Yunli took a deep breath. "The Empress Dowager is considerate, and I am indeed willing to witness this."

"Proceed," Fan Gu commanded.

The four eunuchs were all very strong.

Those in the hall who wanted to help, upon seeing the guards outside, truly dared not move.

The only two who dared to resist were Jasmine and Gardenia, but unfortunately, their strength was limited.

Two eunuchs held Ning Xiuyuan, while another forced the mouth of the wine pot against her lips and poured it in.

Another eunuch alone restrained both Gardenia and Jasmine.

They screamed and struggled in vain as a eunuch kicked each of them down.

Gardenia couldn't get up, while Jasmine continued to struggle until a eunuch kicked her in the face.

Not a drop of wine was spilled; it was all forced into Ning Xiuyuan's mouth.

When released, she staggered back, barely keeping from falling by clutching a pillar.

As she attempted to induce vomiting, a eunuch twisted her arms behind her, rendering her unable to struggle.

"Auntie is so cruel! She's so cruel!" With a wave from Fan Guigu, someone went out to dismiss the guards at the door.

Suddenly, Yun Li said, "Staying here now, if you hear what you shouldn't, you'll die."

Her words were directed at the servants in the corridor.

Fan Guigu glanced at her without speaking.

A eunuch took the lead and ran out.

Shortly, over twenty people rushed out in a flurry.

Only those four eunuchs, along with Gardenia and Jasmine who couldn't rise from the floor, remained.