TICIEC Chapter 31.1

The next day, Old Mrs. Ning was sent back to the capital to prepare for the fasting ceremony.

The Emperor continued to take Zhuang Fei hunting every day. Ning Wanyin no longer competed with Zhuang Fei, enjoying spending more time with her mother.

Such a wonderful time is rare.

“Cen Jieyu means that you should seek refuge with her…” Cheng Shi conveyed Cen Jieyu’s attitude in coming to see her.

Ning Wanyin shook her head and said, “You don’t need to pay any attention to her. Our Ning family has been very influential lately, so please be careful in everything you do.”

“You could also consider it, right? You have no one to take care of you in the palace, after all, His Majesty’s favor is not long-lasting…” Cheng Shi said with concern.

“But the Cen family’s high position is even less enduring than His Majesty’s favor. We can’t offer the benefits the Cen family demands, so such an alliance won’t last. I have my own plans regarding matters in the palace. By the way, you now hold the rank of Second-Class Noblewoman, which grants you the right to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and attend palace banquets, but please try to avoid entering the palace unnecessarily…”

After a pause, Ning Wanyin looked earnestly at Cheng Shi and said, “I miss you very much, but I don’t want to involve you in the turmoil in the palace.”

She could pretend that everything was fine and act as if she were doing well, but she was worried that her mother would become complacent, so she could only tell the truth.

Cheng Shi was no fool. Upon hearing Ning Wanyin’s words, tears welled up in her eyes.

Even a single visit to this inner palace would cause her daughter worry. And how perilous must it be for her daughter, who lives within it every day?

What daughter wouldn’t want to see her mother?

But all she could tell her was: Please don’t come unless it’s absolutely necessary.

“Mother understands everything. As long as I know you are doing well, I will be at peace whether I see you or not.” Cheng Shi held Ning Wanyin, tears streaming down her face.

Ning Wanyin’s eyes also reddened.

Just then, Lian Rui rushed in, “Master, something has happened in the palace!”

“What is it?” Ning Wanyin’s eyes were still glistening with tears, but her expression instantly calmed down.

“Shun Pin almost miscarried, supposedly because of Tang Meiren. Tang Meiren has now been arrested by Shu Fei…” Lian Rui reported.

Safflower had been laced with Shun Fei’s food.

It was Chun Ni, a palace maid who served her, who poisoned her.

Chun Ni insisted that she was acting under Tang Miaoling’s orders, claiming that the safflower was secretly given to her by Qiu Xia, Tang Miaoling’s head palace maid.

Furthermore, a passing eunuch testified that he saw Qiu Xia near Changchun Palace.

Shu Fei immediately sealed off Xianfu Palace, found safflower at Qiu Xia’s residence, and arrested Tang Miaoling and a group of palace servants.

“Qiu Xia was taken to the prison and refused to confess, so she was beaten to death. Tang Meiren was a concubine, and only His Majesty’s decree could be used to torture her. So Shu Fei specially sent a letter to request the decree…”

Lian Rui felt horrified as she spoke; a life was gone in an instant.

Ning Wanyin’s expression darkened slightly.

Let alone whether Tang Miaoling had the guts, she probably didn’t have the ability either.

“Wanwan, Miaoling doesn’t seem like the type to do something like this, does she?” Cheng Shi asked with some doubt.

Ning Wanyin said in a deep voice, “Whether she did it or not, once she’s in prison, it’s her doing. She’s spineless, unable to withstand torture. She’ll confess to whatever others say. Even if they say she was acting on my orders, she’ll confess.”

“What? This will involve you…” Cheng Shi’s face changed instantly, and she panicked.

Ning Wanyin remained calm.

“She’s my cousin. We’re related to the Tang family by marriage, so to outsiders, we’re naturally on the same side.”

She didn’t allow Ning Ziyin to enter the palace, not only because she disliked her, but also because if something happened to the Ning family, she would inevitably be implicated.

“Wanwan, what will you do then…” Cheng Shi’s heart clenched with worry.

Ning Wanyin, however, remained composed, looking at her.

“I’ll be fine. You should go back first. I need to go see the Emperor now and stop his decree.”

Firstly, they are cousins, so this matter might implicate her.

Furthermore, Tang Miaoling had helped her, so she had to help her out in return.

 

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