Yun Xiao frowned, and immediately thought of it. Had Ye Yu Yun become pregnant? As she stepped out of the palace hall and onto the white jade steps outside, she heard Shang Guan Yao’s joyous voice from within the hall.
It seemed her guess was correct.
Yun Xiao’s expression darkened. As she was contemplating, Eunuch Ting, who was walking behind her, ordered to the side, "You four, come here and escort Young Master Leng to Qingfeng Pavilion. Serve him well."
After speaking, Xiao Ting took a step back, maintaining a distance from Yun Xiao, as if afraid of being tainted by something.
Yun Xiao took no offense, raising her eyebrows lightly. "Eunuch Ting, can Leng Yue ask you something?"
Xiao Ting said nothing, his eyes full of wariness. However, Yun Xiao spoke softly, "Are there any recent developments in Jingfu Palace?"
Xiao Ting didn't understand what Young Master Leng meant and stared at her.
He originally didn't want to pay attention, but remembering that Young Master Leng had never been a difficult master, he couldn't help but shake his head, and then walked into the main hall without saying another word.
Yun Xiao was taken aback, a cold glint in her eyes.
Xiao Ting's gaze was clear, not like he was lying to her. Could it be that Murong was not in Jingfu Palace, or was Shang Guan Yao hiding him too well? This kind of thing shouldn't be known by a mere eunuch.
However, Consort Xian was pregnant. She could use this matter and smiled indifferently, her mood finally a little lighter.
"Let's go."
Two young eunuchs led the way in front, and two followed behind. The group headed towards Qingfeng Pavilion.
Yun Xiao was familiar with Qingfeng Pavilion. The clear jade lake, the flowers and grass on the bank had been replaced with cold-resistant varieties, blooming vividly and swaying in the gentle breeze.
The bluestone path led directly to the main residence of Qingfeng Pavilion. Everything was familiar, but her current state of mind was different.
She was no longer the benevolent Yun Xiao with a physician's heart. Now, she seemed to have become a demon, a demon who had come for revenge.
Thinking of the suffering Murong was enduring ignited a burning fire within her. Since Shang Guan Yao was so ruthless, why should she not be a little ruthless herself?
In the main hall, she was alone. The two attending palace maids had retreated, and the eunuchs stood guard outside the door.
"Liu Xing."
Liu Xing was familiar within this imperial palace. She had something to instruct him to do.
Liu Xing responded and emerged, his clear and moist face solemn and cold, awaiting Yun Xiao's command.
"I will write a letter. You will send it immediately to Zhaoyang Palace. Remember not to let anyone discover it."
"Yes, Master."
Yun Xiao wrote a few brief words, mentioning that Consort Xian of Jiaofang Palace was pregnant. She believed this news would provoke Ye Su Xue.
She was the Noble Consort, no longer as before. Now that Consort Xian was pregnant, her status would rise with her child. Once the child was born, Consort Xian would likely become the Empress.
Although doing this herself would have been easy, firstly, she did not wish to harm the child innocently. Secondly, it would be more beneficial for Ye Su Xue to do this than for herself. As long as this child was lost, the palace would surely be thrown into chaos.
This way, it would be convenient for her to search the palace and see where Murong was hidden in Jingfu Palace.
When Liu Xing went to deliver the letter, Yun Xiao went into her chambers to rest. After traveling day and night without stopping, she was extremely tired.
In Zhaoyang Palace, the news was received quickly.
Noble Consort Ye Su Xue, holding the letter, swept her beautiful eyes towards Yue Mei beside her, then asked the young palace maids in the hall, "Where did this letter come from?"
"Reporting to Noble Consort, someone threw it in from an unknown place. This servant picked it up."
The young palace maid reported cautiously. Ye Su Xue's pretty face had already turned green. Although she didn't entirely believe it, she was still panicked. The Ye family was now commoners. Only if she ascended to the position of Empress would the Ye family rise in status. This was something she was determined to achieve.
She absolutely could not let Ye Yu Yun ascend to the position of Empress.
"Yue Mei, what do you think about this?"
"This servant will immediately go to Jiaofang Palace to see if this matter is true."
"Good, hurry."
Ye Su Xue was almost impatient. She waved her hand repeatedly and stood up, pacing back and forth in the hall.
The eunuchs and palace maids in the hall dared not speak, only cautiously hiding in inconspicuous corners, standing silently.
Yue Mei, as Ye Su Xue's personal maid, had no less wit and judgment than her mistress, in fact, she had more. She had already placed her own people in Consort Xian's Jiaofang Palace. Therefore, after a short while, she received news and came in to report.
"Noble Consort, there's news, there's news!"
Yue Mei exclaimed repeatedly as she walked in, then glanced at the people in the hall and waved her hand.
If they could place people in Jiaofang Palace, then others could also place people around them. Therefore, it was better to be cautious. After everyone in the hall had retreated, Ye Su Xue anxiously cried out, "What's going on?"
"Reporting to Noble Consort, it is true. I heard the imperial physicians have just confirmed that Consort Xian is pregnant."
"What?"
Ye Su Xue sank onto the phoenix couch behind her, her hands clenched tightly. She had waited and longed, but her stomach had remained empty. The Emperor had not visited her any less, so why could she not get pregnant?
Instead, Ye Yu Yun conceived so easily. Was she to watch the position of Empress be taken by her?
"Noble Consort, what should we do now?"
Yue Mei, being from the Ye family, naturally knew why her mistress cared so much about the throne. It was because it concerned the Ye family's comeback.
If her mistress became Empress and gave birth to the young prince, the Ye family would surely regain its glory. But now, they could only watch Ye Yu Yun get pregnant and ascend to the throne.
"I will not let her be pregnant."
Ye Su Xue's face suddenly contorted, and she gritted her teeth and cried out, then slammed her slender hand forcefully onto the armrest beside her.
"I heard the Emperor has already issued an decree forbidding any concubine from visiting Jiaofang Palace. What does this mean? It means the Emperor fears a repeat of the incident with Zhao Zhaorong last time. And Consort Xian is favored. Do you think the Emperor isn't careful?
He will surely protect the young imperial prince with layered security. Moreover, we cannot leave the palace, nor can we obtain medicine from the imperial kitchens. If it is discovered, Noble Consort will also face the death penalty. If Noble Consort dies, the Ye family will also be ruined."
"Must I just watch the position of Empress fall into the Ye family's hands?"
Ye Su Xue felt a touch of despair, even a hint of hatred. She couldn't help but think that this was all Shang Guan Yao's idea.
He must have deliberately let Ye Yu Yun become pregnant because he didn't want her to be Empress. But after every time he favored her, he didn't make her take any medicine. She could only blame herself for her barren womb.
Thinking this, Ye Su Xue hit her own stomach hard with her hand.