Chapter 18 The Dry Well
Noble Consort Wen had specially chosen a dignified color, a dark purple Ruyi cloud-patterned overcoat, and the white jade hairpin on her head was also standard. She had specifically waited in a side chamber of Xingqing Hall after breakfast.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping, having fasted and prayed for seven days, had just returned from Qiandao Temple. Due to the stable condition of the illness of Nanzheng State's royal brother, his diet had also normalized in the past two days, and he had even gotten out of bed yesterday, which was a better condition than before.
"This matter, Your Majesty, I dare not decide on my own, so I can only come to seek your opinion." Noble Consort Wen took the teacup from the palace maid's hands and respectfully handed it over, slowly speaking out the situation but not daring to reveal everything. She only mentioned that a eunuch from her palace had suddenly disappeared and was found in Xingqing Hall.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping, Xiao Heyu from the Xiao Family of Lanling in Nanzheng, belongs to a family that was a key pillar in the state and one of the most prestigious clans in Nanzheng. However, the descendants dwindled, leaving only two brothers in the generation of the Empress Dowager's father—Xiao Yongwang and Xiao Yongping. Xiao Yongwang had a son and a daughter, Empress Dowager Xiao Heyu and her sibling brother Xiao Luo, who inherited the Xiao noble title and was known as Duke of Xiao. Xiao Yongping had only one daughter, Xiao Huayue, the current Empress of Nanzheng State.
Empress Dowager Yan Ping glanced at Noble Consort Wen. Although Noble Consort Wen was not particularly likable, the Empress Dowager didn't wish to interfere with the affairs of the harem, thus she needed a reliable person.
"Noble Consort Wen, from the looks of it, it seems you have found solid evidence?" Empress Dowager Yan Ping glanced at Noble Consort Wen, who suppressed her urgency, as this was not a matter to be rushed. The other party was the offspring of Prince Duan, although not favored, still a legitimate Commandery Princess. However, Noble Consort Wen knew that Princess Chao Ren was a thorn in the Empress Dowager's side.
As long as the Empress Dowager was involved with Princess Chao Ren, her aim would be half achieved.
Noble Consort Wen glanced at Kang Ning.
"Bring the person in."
Hong Chou was brought in by two nannies, her face pale and terrified, daring neither to struggle nor to flee, and she trembled as she knelt down.
"To report back to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort, on the day after the heavy snow, I went to the Imperial Garden to gather some flowers. Eunuch Yu told me that there were still intact flowers in the southeast corner, and I followed Eunuch Yu near the east gate of Xingqing Hall when I encountered several strange palace maids and eunuchs, along with their master who was dressed lavishly. I didn't recognize them and thought they were one of the noble consorts; just as I was about to speak, they suddenly attacked and killed Eunuch Yu..." Hong Chou stutteringly spoke, "Seeing that the situation was wrong, I quickly fled..."