Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Inside the Pearl Pavilion, Hong Nao, the maidservant of Shiqie Han, lifted the curtain and entered.

She glanced around before lowering her voice and saying, "Mistress, thanks to your quick reaction, they've discovered the traces over at Xiachi Courtyard and are currently investigating."

Shiqie Han held a jade fan, gently fanning herself.

Her posture was charming and graceful, her jade wrist moving as the fan swayed, as if a fragrant breeze were wafting by.

When she spoke, her voice carried an infinite, delicate tenderness: "Has everything been arranged with Qiu Yu?"

Hong Nao nodded. "Her entire family is in the service of the Loyal Marquis’s estate; she would never dare betray you."

As long as Qiu Yu died, the trail would be cut off, and they wouldn't be able to continue the investigation.

As for who else had been involved in the middle, that didn't matter.

What mattered was that Qiu Yu was one of Shiqie Ning's people, so the poison would be attributed to Shiqie Ning!

Shiqie Han said with mock pity, "If she leaves early, she can protect her family and prove her loyalty."

Her voice was infinitely gentle and affectionate, yet when she spoke of human life, it was as if she were talking about a piece of paper.

Torn, and that was that, with a bone-chilling coldness.

"Qiu Yu was a pawn that Shiqie Ning had cultivated for several years, and now she's gone just like that."

Hong Nao said regretfully, "It won't be easy to interfere in the affairs of Xiachi Courtyard in the future."

Qiu Yu was originally cultivated by Shiqie Ning over several years to use against the Princess Consort.

By chance, she fell into Fang Yuaner's hands.

Now, Fang Yuaner's pregnancy is still intact, but Qiu Yu has been lost, which was truly regrettable.

Such useful pawns were few and far between.

Shiqie Han was unconcerned, stroking her bright red nails. "If she's gone, she's gone. After all, she's not one of mine. As long as it doesn't implicate me, it's fine."

Hong Nao smiled. "Mistress, you haven't done anything, so how could it involve you?"

Shiqie Han said casually, "After this, Shiqie Ning probably won't survive."

Hong Nao was slightly stunned. "But she has the eldest son. Would the Princess Consort dare to kill her?"

"It's probably not the Princess Consort, but the Prince."

Shiqie Han had been in the residence for over a month by now and had finally begun to understand Prince Jing's temperament.

"Our Prince is not one to be indecisive. Shiqie Ning has repeatedly overstepped her bounds, and she has already crossed his bottom line."

Hong Nao thought it best to drop the subject and immediately shifted the conversation. "I should congratulate you, Mistress, for gaining Shiqie Ning's network without lifting a finger."

Hong Nao smiled. "If you think about it, even if Shiqie Ning dies, it's a fitting end for her."

Shiqie Han sneered. "Without any effort? Where in the world is there such a good thing?"

"Shiqie Ning gave me her network, first to let me protect the eldest son in the future, and second... she also wanted to use me to stir up trouble in Prince Jing’s household."

Hong Nao said, "Mistress, you are destined to become a Shufei. Sooner or later, you'll have to wade into murky waters. Rather than being passively dragged in, it's better to take the initiative and control the situation yourself."

"As expected of my maid." Shiqie Han smiled charmingly.

This was her approval of Hong Nao's words.

Having said that, Shiqie Han raised her hand and touched her lower abdomen.

A hint of worry creased her brow. "No matter how much I scheme, it's never as good as being fertile."

If she could become pregnant early, the position of Shufei would be within easy reach. Why would she need to risk getting involved in Shiqie Ning's poisoning incident?

Hong Nao comforted her, "Don't worry, Mistress."

"Lv Yu went to Qingzhu Courtyard the other day to ask around. Shiqie Li has just finished her period too."

Shiqie Han gave a light snort. "That's true. Whether it's early or late isn't that important, as long as I get pregnant before Li Shi!"

Hong Nao thought of her mistress's newly acquired network from Shiqie Ning and was tempted.

"Mistress, what if we find a way to keep Shiqie Li from getting pregnant?"

Shiqie Han was also tempted, but after a moment, she shook her head.

"Not now."

"This is a turbulent time. It's not suitable to make a move. We'll wait a few days."

After all, she had just entered the residence, and there were still many days ahead.

The Princess Consort had just arrived at Xiachi Courtyard when a young maid rushed in shouting, "Mistress, it's bad!"

"Sister Qiu Yu has dashed her head against the wall and killed herself!"

The Princess Consort paused, then walked into the main courtyard without showing any emotion. She saw Fang Yuaner, who looked extremely unwell, dressed in full finery with meticulously applied makeup, and silently shook her head.

She'd rather suffer in silence than lose face.

Both had been poisoned.

Shufei Xie, on the other hand, wore no hair ornaments, her black hair half-hanging down, exuding a gentle, delicate charm. Even the Princess Consort felt a bit of pity for her.

Shufei Fang's complexion was much worse than Shufei Xie's, yet she insisted on dressing up to save face.

If the Princess Consort were in Prince Jing's position, she wouldn't feel any sympathy; instead, she might think that Shufei Fang didn't take her pregnancy seriously and was just being stubborn.

Just then, Prince Jing arrived.

As expected, Prince Jing frowned the moment he saw Fang Yuaner. "You look so unwell. Why aren't you resting in bed?"

If not out of consideration for Fang Yuaner's poor condition, Prince Jing's words would have been even harsher.

Fang Yuaner felt wronged and her eyes reddened at this. "Your Highness, someone is trying to kill me!"

Prince Jing thought that if Fang Shi kept on like this, even without anyone trying to kill her, she might not survive.

His expression darkened. "Qiu Xiang, take good care of your mistress."

Get to the point!

Qiu Xiang hurriedly steadied Fang Yuaner, "Your Highness, this afternoon the imperial physician discovered that the water in Guanyue Pond was poisoned."

"The poison is identical to the one used in Concubine Xie's case. Dissolved in water and masked by the lotus fragrance, it could kill silently. My mistress was terrified."

When the princess consort heard about the lotus, she recalled the trouble caused by the flower nursery's attempt to curry favor with Fang Yuaner, and her brow furrowed.

She feared this matter would again involve Manager Chen of the flower nursery.

The princess consort was secretly annoyed with Concubine Ning, but maintained a calm expression. "I just heard that Qiu Yu from your courtyard killed herself by hitting her head against the wall. What happened?"