TICIEC Chapter 43.2

And then, Ning Wanyin would be the only suspect.

Only her death could quell the matter.

As for her cousin’s daughter, who was also living in Linlang Palace, she felt that it couldn’t be better.

If it were a prince, she would have gone to great lengths to get him.

But she was just a useless princess; her death was no use.

The Emperor will have to give the Xue family an explanation when the time comes, making the best use of her.

If it weren’t for Li Guiren’s appearance, Xue Zhaoyi would have planned to arrange things this way from the beginning.

The reason it had been delayed until now was that Shun Pin suddenly became pregnant, and Lingxue Pavilion was heavily guarded.

She couldn’t get in touch with Cai Ye.

Cai Ye, carrying a box of pastries, went to Linlang Palace openly.

The palace was full of maids and eunuchs on call, so naturally, no one stopped or questioned her.

She arrived smoothly near Linlang Palace.

Two eunuchs were already waiting in the nearby rockery and bonsai garden, distributing the tools for Cai Ye’s crime.

“Cai Ye, this is a tinderbox and fire powder…”

Cai Ye carefully took it.

Two other palace maids, acting as spies, led them to sneak into Linlang Palace through the back door.

Cai Ye was responsible for setting fire to the main hall of Linlang Palace.

The other four people dispersed to set fires in the four corners.

Cai Ye had just taken out a tinderbox and was about to light a fire when—

Bang!

A kick came from behind, instantly knocking Cai Ye to the ground.

Cai Ye fell to the ground, turned around, and looked shocked, “Xiao Xiazi… Lian Rui…”

Meanwhile, the other four palace servants who set the fire were also caught on the spot.

It wasn’t just Xiao Xiazi and Lian Rui who were following Cai Ye; there was also a group of eunuchs from the Weilin Division.

…

Let’s rewind to this morning.

Ning Wanyin went to Qianxin Palace to deliver ginseng soup to Helian Qi.

Helian Qi was reviewing memorials, his brow furrowed with worry about state affairs. Without looking up at Ning Wanyin, he casually said, “Put it here.”

“This concubine has something to report.” Ning Wanyin said.

Helian Qi disliked being interrupted while reviewing memorials, but Ning Wanyin wouldn’t bother him for trivial matters, so he unusually patiently accepted it.

“What is it?”

“A palace maid named Cai Ye from Lingxue Pavilion went to Xue Zhaoyi’s Qionghua Garden today. I don’t know what she did there. This is a tip-off from Xiao Xiazi. I just found out and immediately came to report it to Your Highness.” Ning Wanyin said directly.

Xiao Xiazi is the Emperor’s man; even if Ning Wanyin doesn’t say anything, Xiao Xiazi will report it to the Emperor.

Ning Wanyin deliberately used Xiao Xiazi to follow Cai Ye.

Firstly, he possessed some martial arts skills, so even if discovered, he could escape. Ning Wanyin was worried about letting Lian Rui do such a thing alone, in case she was discovered and silenced.

Secondly, His Majesty valued the imperial heir. If he discovered spies in her palace, His Majesty would deal with it for Shun Pin’s safety, allowing her to use this opportunity against the enemies.

Helian Qi’s eyes darkened slightly. Was the Xue family planning to harm Shun Pin?

“This concubine dares not presume to guess what Xue Zhaoyi intends to do; perhaps she merely summons my maid to gossip. However, as I am responsible for caring for Shun Pin, I must treat this matter with utmost care. I implore Your Majesty to assign more personnel to keep a close eye on this maid…” Ning Wanyin reported in a deep voice.

Helian Qi nodded slightly. “I understand. You have done your best.”

After leaving Qianxin Hall, Ning Wanyin fell into deep thought.

There were only two possibilities for Xue Zhaoyi bribing Cai Ye.

First, she plotted to harm Shun Pin. Second, she plotted to harm her.

The Emperor, wholeheartedly protecting the imperial heir, suspected Xue Zhaoyi of plotting against Shun Pin, but Ning Wanyin felt that Xue Zhaoyi was more likely after her.

In Xue Zhaoyi’s mind, killing her was definitely more important than killing Shun Pin.

Then she remembered what Tang Miaoling said about the fire at Linlang Palace.

This further fueled her suspicions.

She used the pretext of protecting Shun Pin to specifically ask for instructions. As long as the Emperor sent more men, regardless of whether the target was Zhuang Fei or Shun Pin, she could wait and see.

 

 

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