Chapter 54

Chapter 54

After returning from Lanxiang Pavilion, Hong Nao was somewhat distracted.

Shiqie Han, fearing she might reveal clues and arouse suspicion, dismissed the other maids and had Hong Nao serve her alone.

She said irritably, "Can't you have some backbone?"

"A small matter like this has you scared out of your wits?"

Hong Nao smiled bitterly, "Mistress, my mind is full of Shiqie Ning's purple and bruised face... I don't want to be nervous, but I can't help it!"

"Her death has nothing to do with you—why are you nervous?"

Hong Nao fell silent.

Not long after, Lv Yu entered the courtyard and reported with a calm face.

"Mistress, Shufei Fang seems to have grown suspicious and has traced it back to Shiqie Wan. I've already ordered them to drop that lead at Xiuyue Pavilion."

Shiqie Han nodded, her expression turned cold. "You did well!"

"What must be abandoned must be abandoned. Otherwise, if someone traces it back to us, the consequences would be disastrous!"

With two months of peace in the manor and no sign of pregnancy herself, Shiqie Han had grown impatient and made her move.

Holding Shiqie Ning's network of contacts, she had plenty of ways to plant someone to stir up trouble in front of the eldest son.

All it took was for the attendants to speak ill of Fang Yuaner daily, and a four-year-old child like the eldest son would inevitably lose his temper and vent his anger on Fang Yuaner.

Following her covert guidance, the eldest son ran to Xiachi Courtyard to pick a fight with Fang Yuaner.

Though only four, the eldest son was physically strong for his age and could sometimes kick a young eunuch so hard he couldn't get up.

Even the ever-vigilant Fang Yuaner would let her guard down a little around a child.

If the eldest son had landed a kick on her belly, both mother and child might have been lost.

This plan killed two birds with one stone—it could ruin the eldest son and eliminate the pregnant Shufei Fang.

Even if it failed, the eldest son would be ruined, Fang Yuaner would come out the worse for it, and the blame would fall on Shiqie Ning.

None of it would implicate Shiqie Han.

Thinking of this, Shiqie Han gritted her teeth. "The plan was flawless, but who would have thought Fang Yuaner would be so hot-tempered and actually stormed Lanxiang Courtyard with the eldest son in tow!"

"The matter escalated, and it ruined my scheme!"

"What's going on in Fang Yuaner's mind to do something so absurd?"

Fang Yuaner's 'killing' of Shiqie Ning sent the eldest son into a frenzy, yet it only made Prince Jing pity her more.

With Shiqie Ning dead, Shiqie Han's plan to frame her became less feasible.

Prince Jing and the Princess Consort were no fools; they would surely investigate further.

Though Shiqie Han believed her actions were well-hidden, she knew that no secret could be kept forever.

Thinking of something else, Shiqie Han couldn't help but laugh. "Luckily, that fool Wan Linlang, who thought she was smart, ended up taking the blame—saved me a lot of trouble."

Wan Linlang had not allied with Shiqie Han.

She had just happened to see someone stirring up trouble near the eldest son and, in her own cleverness, meddled.

Skilled in medicine, Wan Linlang had long noticed Shiqie Ning had been poisoned.

She quietly intervened, making Shiqie Ning's poisoning worse and making her 'illness' more severe.

Shiqie Han had discovered this and secretly exploited it, redirecting all traces to Wan Linlang, using her as a scapegoat.

Her methods were covert, and Lv Yu had promptly cut ties with the people at Lanxiang Courtyard.

Even Prince Jing could only trace it back to Wan Linlang.

Now, with Shiqie Ning dead, anyone who suspects would point fingers only at Wan Linlang.

Seeing that Shiqie Han was in a good mood, Lv Yu quietly shared another piece of news. "Mistress, I've learned that the one at Qingzhu Courtyard may be pregnant."

Shiqie Han's eyes sharpened instantly. "What did you say?!"

"It's news from Shiqie Lu at Qingfeng Pavilion," Lv Yu said with a light laugh. "As you know, she has been pestering Shiqie Li frequently lately."

"This morning, she went to Qingzhu Courtyard again and happened to find Shiqie Li vomiting. Shiqie Li tore into her and threw her out."

"Quite a few people saw it."

"Are you sure she's pregnant?" Shiqie Han's gaze was piercing.

Lv Yu was silent for a moment. "Mistress, think about it—Shiqie Lu has been visiting Qingzhu Courtyard every few days. Why didn't Shiqie Li make a fuss before? Why did she fly into a rage today and kick her out?"

"The more she tries to hide it, the more suspicious it is!"

Shiqie Han gritted her teeth. "Send someone to investigate! If she really is pregnant, I can't afford to wait any longer!"

Lv Yu nodded. "I've already arranged for inquiries."

— Xiuyue Pavilion

Back at Xiuyue Pavilion, Wan Linlang reflected on the day's events and got more and more scared.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Her maid Suiyin brought in a cup of tea. "Mistress, please have some tea first."

Wan Linlang nodded absently. "Sit down and keep me company."

Having just gone through a harrowing ordeal, she wanted someone to talk to.

Her other senior maid, Suijin, was greedy and loose-tongued, with strong selfish motives—Wan Linlang didn't trust her.

She had found a way to make Suijin fall ill and confined her to bed, promoting Suiyin as her confidante.

Suiyin knew a bit about what Wan Linlang had done.

After taking a sip of tea, Wan Linlang spoke. "I think I've been set up!"