Chapter 42

Chapter 42

As the gates of Linxuan Pavilion closed, Yueya'er knelt before Xie Run and voluntarily confessed, "My lady, actually the unmarked bucket was mine."

After speaking, she cautiously looked up to gauge Xie Run's reaction, afraid that her lady would be angry and send her to the Consort for punishment.

Not only was Xie Run not angry, but she smiled instead. "You responded quickly today, so the Consort and I both protected you."

"Old Lady Ma's poisoning incident likely has many hidden details. I suspect there's more you want to tell me."

Having gained her lady's trust, Yueya'er's eyes instantly reddened, feeling her loyalty hadn't been wasted.

She immediately said, "When the buckets were first assigned, I deliberately pretended to be happy and shouted that I would carve a mark on the bottom. But I didn't actually do it at the time."

"My lady, you had me watch Old Lady Ma. By chance, I discovered that Old Lady Ma secretly took laxative powder. That's why I followed her to the latrine five times that night."

Xie Run looked down. "The fifth time, did you really see a figure?"

Yueya'er answered honestly, "Actually, I didn't see clearly."

"The shadow moved only once. It could have been a tree shadow or a cat's shadow. I was afraid I might have been mistaken, so I didn't dare tell you, my lady. I just secretly watched Old Lady Ma, waiting for her to slip up again."

Yueya'er's face fell. "But I was careless after all. Old Lady Ma poisoned you, my lady, and I didn't notice a thing!"

If only she had seen the figure clearly back then, she could have helped her lady avoid this disaster.

"When did you carve the mark on Old Lady Ma's bucket?"

"Half a month ago. She reminded me for three days straight to bring my own bucket for watering. I thought it was suspicious, so while she was away, I carved the mark on her bucket and covered it with mud."

Yueya'er was quite sharp.

When Old Lady Ma had cheerfully teased her about the marked bucket for three consecutive days, Yueya'er got suspicious.

She marked Old Lady Ma's bucket that very day.

"When Mama Li brought people and found the poison in my trunk, I immediately thought of the bucket and had already guessed how she would frame me."

Since Old Lady Ma intended to frame Yueya'er, she couldn't have just placed the poison powder in Yueya'er's trunk.

The bucket marked with Yueya'er's mark was a perfect tool for framing.

If Yueya'er's bucket were found to be poisoned, combined with the poison powder discovered, Yueya'er would have taken the blame.

That confidence Old Lady Ma showed when Yueya'er mentioned the bucket came from this.

Dan Tao and Xiaoshu shuddered after hearing this.

"Thank goodness you were sharp, girl; otherwise, you'd have been framed today."

Yueya'er was also nervous. "I was scared to death today as well."

Once she understood the whole story, Xie Run's tone softened. "You're not only blameless today, but you've done a great service. I plan to promote you to a second-rank maid. Are you willing?"

Yueya'er hesitated. "My lady, may I ask for a favor?"

"Go ahead." Xie Run smiled gently.

Yueya'er bravely said, "I have a younger sister who works as a maid in the flower nursery. I don't need the promotion. My lady, would you let her come to Linxuan Pavilion as a maid?"

After asking, Yueya'er was very nervous, afraid that her lady would think she was being presumptuous.

"That's simple," Xie Run said softly. "Since you earned merit, the promotion still stands. Tomorrow, I'll have Dan Tao ask the Consort to assign her."

"Dan Tao, give Yueya'er another ten taels of silver."

This sudden generous reward stunned Yueya'er.

"My lady, I can't accept..."

"If I reward you, you deserve it."

Dan Tao smiled and helped Yueya'er up, reassuring her, "You performed a meritorious service. My lady's generous reward sets an example for others."

Xie Run nodded. "Exactly."

Reward good deeds, punish mistakes.

This way, those who follow Xie Run can see the benefits and be willing to help her.

After calming Yueya'er, Dan Tao asked, "My lady, have you considered who might be trying to harm you this time?"

Xie Run glanced at her. "Who do you think it could be?"

Dan Tao's expression grew serious. "My lady, you have always been kind to others. But now you are a Shufei and pregnant with the royal heir. Shufei Fang, Shiqie Li, Shiqie Han... all are possible."

Currently, Xie Run poses the greatest threat to Fang Yuaner, so Fang Yuaner is the most suspicious.

Next are Shiqie Li and Shiqie Han.

One word from Prince Jing set the two against each other, both vying for the Shufei position.

But look at it from another angle.

If they could bring down another Shufei, both of them could advance in rank. Wouldn't that be even better?

Xie Run shook her head and laughed. "How did you skip over Shufei Yun?"

She added, "Shiqie Li and Shiqie Han haven't been in the mansion long. They have weak foundations and lack the ability to extend their reach this far."

Such secretive yet vicious actions must be the work of someone who's been in the mansion a long time.

Dan Tao paused for a moment, seeming to ponder. "Shufei Yun... probably not."

Xiaoshu also nodded. "Shufei Yun has already secured her position as Shufei and only has a daughter who is a princess. What benefit would harming you, my lady, bring her?"

Whether Xie Run gave birth to a boy or girl, it wouldn't affect Shufei Yun's status or interests.

Xie Run also nodded. "That's true."

Dan Tao frowned. "There's also Shiqie An, who is pregnant. Maybe she wants to become a Shufei too?"

Xiaoshu said, "Shiqie An is known as an honest person. If she had the skill, she wouldn't be where she is now."

They discussed for a long time but couldn't reach a conclusion.

Inside the Pine Courtyard, there was deathly silence, and the atmosphere was especially tense.

Nanny Li furrowed her brows and leaned close to the Princess Consort. "Your Highness, it's fortunate we didn't continue the interrogation in Linxuan Pavilion."

The Princess Consort maintained an elegant posture, holding her teacup and taking a delicate sip.

Her voice was cool, like fine jade, striking a chill into one's heart.

"What did you find out?"

Nanny Li, barely able to contain herself, said, "That damned Old Lady Ma actually claimed she obtained the croton seeds and poison from Manager Chen of the flower nursery."

The Princess Consort narrowed her long, slender eyes and cast a cold glance at Nanny Li.

A chill ran through Nanny Li's body, and she immediately knelt at the Princess Consort's feet.

"Your Highness, spare my life! I never imagined it would lead to Manager Chen..."

Manager Chen of the flower nursery was Nanny Li's distant relative.

When Xie Run first entered the Prince's mansion, it was this Manager Chen who took bribes but failed to deliver, even mocking her.

Since Nanny Li had followed the Princess Consort from the Xia Dynasty, finally encountering a distant relative in the Great Yu Dynasty felt especially close, so she had promoted him all the way to the position of flower nursery manager.

Precisely because of this, once Manager Chen was implicated, the Princess Consort could not escape suspicion.

Nanny Li shuddered with lingering fear at the thought. "Thank goodness we didn't interrogate him in Linxuan Pavilion."

If word got out, the Princess Consort's authority would be ruined, and Prince Jing would not take it lightly.

The Princess Consort set down her teacup. "So now I'm being dragged into this too?"

The porcelain struck the wooden table with a crisp sound, each sound seeming to strike a blow to one's heart.