Chapter 11: Poisoning

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“Don’t worry, nanny. The Sixth Princess has a good temper and is lively. If I say a few words to her, she’ll have a whole lot to tell me. We get along quite well. As for Consort Cheng, it seems I won’t have any dealings with her for now. Even if we did run into each other, I’d take a detour to avoid any confrontation,” Wen Qiao said calmly.

She had always kept her distance from people she had little connection with in her previous life, especially someone like Consort Cheng, who was highly favored in the harem. Tangling with her would only bring trouble.

“As long as the Sixth Miss knows where she stands. You’re clever, Miss; this old servant won’t say more,” the nanny replied.

At that moment, Xiao Yunshu hurried back to the Chengfu Palace. As soon as she entered, she saw the meal already laid out, and Consort Cheng was scrutinizing each dish on the table.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Xiao Yunshu asked, noticing Consort Cheng’s sour expression, which made her uneasy.

“Nothing. Yunshu, are you hungry? Come, sit down and eat,” Consort Cheng said as if nothing had happened, beckoning her daughter to take a seat.

Xiao Yunshu was puzzled. She glanced at her brother, Xiao Zuo, who was just a little older than her—about the length of one incense stick—but his face looked grim as well. He shook his head, signaling her not to ask questions.

Xiao Yunshu had been well protected by Consort Cheng, and the consort preferred to keep such matters from her. However, she did not hide them from Xiao Zuo.

After all, Xiao Zuo was a prince. Although he had been made crown prince, and it might be disrespectful to say so, the emperor was still in fairly good health despite his age. Abdication was unlikely anytime soon. No one could guarantee the crown prince wouldn’t make mistakes over the years. If he ever displeased the emperor and lost his status, Xiao Zuo would be the most likely candidate to replace him.

Besides the crown prince, no other prince had the privilege of being personally tutored by the emperor.

Given this, Consort Cheng could not shield Xiao Zuo forever under her protection. She encouraged him to observe and learn more, so that no one could scheme against him in the future.

For example, recently, sensing a threat, the crown prince’s faction seemed to think he wasn’t indispensable and had started targeting Xiao Zuo. Although they still publicly acted like loving brothers, they were already locked in a fierce secret rivalry.

In the past, Consort Cheng often intervened to help Xiao Zuo, but now he was able to fight back on his own most times. The consort simply watched from the sidelines to prevent him from getting hurt.

“I heard that the young lady from the Hou residence, recently recognized back, also went to the imperial study today?” Consort Cheng asked.

At the Chengfu Palace, unless Xiao Zheng came to dine, there was no strict rule of silence at the dining table. In fact, Consort Cheng believed that mealtimes were better for fostering relationships. She often discussed various matters with her children during meals.

She did not intend to control her children’s lives, but she feared they might be deceived. Even though she already knew from her servants about how her children lived day to day, she still brought up certain topics during meals—sometimes casual conversations, sometimes advice, and sometimes lessons. Mostly, these chats were with Xiao Zuo, since Xiao Yunshu was too well protected to know much.

“Yes, Mother! Let me tell you, you don’t know how much Sister Qiao gets along with me. If only she could stay in the palace longer, then I could play with her every day,” Xiao Yunshu said happily.

Xiao Yunshu and Wen Qiao were about the same age, just six months apart. But Wen Qiao looked gloomy, as if her life was consumed by revenge, while Xiao Yunshu was full of energy every day.

“She’s from the countryside, don’t you think she’s uncouth?” Consort Cheng asked, gently stirring her soup.

“What’s wrong with being from the countryside? Mother, have you forgotten that a few years ago, Father went on a secret tour and brought us along? If it weren’t for having to return to the palace, I would’ve liked to stay there longer!” Xiao Yunshu said without hesitation.

Seeing the sincerity on her daughter’s face, Consort Cheng felt somewhat relieved.

“It’s good that you don’t mind. I’ve heard that the Sixth Miss is favored by the Empress Dowager. If you become friends with her, you could visit the Cining Palace more often when you have time. Your great-grandmother is old and needs company. Since the girl isn’t a bad influence, you should interact with her, but be careful not to be bullied,” Consort Cheng said after taking a sip of soup and wiping her mouth.

“Oh, Mother, don’t worry. I actually wanted to invite her to dine with us today, but just as I was about to, Madam Song, who serves the Empress Dowager, came by and took Sister Qiao away. Otherwise, I would have brought her for you to meet my new friend,” Xiao Yunshu said brightly.

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Consort Cheng smiled and exchanged a few more words, and the previously heavy atmosphere in the Chengfu Palace lightened considerably.

After finishing their meal, with Consort Cheng resting, Xiao Yunshu immediately grabbed Xiao Zuo’s arm and hurried to a corner of the corridor.

“Brother, what’s really going on? Why did Mother look so troubled when I got back, and you told me not to ask? Did someone upset her?” Xiao Yunshu asked.

Xiao Zuo and Xiao Yunshu were twins, a brother and sister pair, sharing the same mother, so their bond was strong.

However, Xiao Zuo disapproved of Consort Cheng’s way of raising Xiao Yunshu. He thought she was overprotecting her, which might make it easy for her to be fooled by a man’s sweet words later, just like Lady Changle back then, which would break both him and Consort Cheng’s hearts.

With this in mind, Xiao Zuo decided not to keep things from her.

“Mother has barely been eating lately. Today, since you no longer have to go to the princes’ quarters, she had the kitchen prepare extra food, hoping you’d eat more when you came back. But one of the young eunuchs who was testing the food collapsed right after tasting it...” He stopped himself from mentioning the bleeding from seven orifices, fearing it would scare Xiao Yunshu.

“What? But the kitchen staff are all Mother’s people. How could this happen? Could someone in the palace have been bribed to poison the food during delivery?” Xiao Yunshu, though simple-minded, was sharp.

“We don’t know yet. Mother will investigate thoroughly. You be careful with your food too. If some careless person tries to harm you, Mother would be frantic,” Xiao Zuo warned earnestly, and Xiao Yunshu nodded repeatedly.

Although it was time to rest after lunch, Xiao Yunshu didn’t seem to tire, bursting with energy, running here and there. Even Xiao Zuo was worried.

That sister of his was a bit reckless.

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Xiao Zheng had just finished his affairs and was about to rest when he was informed that the Marquis of Yongning had arrived.

“He’s been quite active these past two days,” Xiao Zheng remarked meaningfully.

The usually low-profile Marquis of Yongning had been seen frequently indulging in wine and women. It was probably because Wen Qiao had entered the palace to study, and people in the capital thought the Marquis’s house was rising again, so they kept inviting him out. Whether Wen Congqing would treat Wen Qiao well remained to be seen.

Jiang Cong’an, the chief steward, noticed the displeasure in Xiao Zheng’s tone and knew the Marquis was unlikely to receive a warm welcome. He was unsure whether the emperor would see him or not.

“Send him in. I want to see what schemes he’s up to now,” Xiao Zheng said.

Jiang Cong’an responded and hurried out to notify Wen Congqing but said nothing more.

Having served Xiao Zheng since childhood, he knew the emperor’s temper well. He avoided unnecessary interactions with people Xiao Zheng disliked, or he wouldn’t have lasted so long in his position.

Wen Congqing entered and performed a deep kowtow. Just as sweat began to bead on his forehead, Xiao Zheng finally graciously acknowledged the man kneeling before him.

“Rise. Marquis of Yongning, what brings you to the palace at this hour?”

Wen Congqing had long felt guilty about Princess Changle’s death. If not for wanting to secure some favors for his household, he wouldn’t have dared enter the palace, fearing any misstep might arouse Xiao Zheng’s suspicion.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Wen Congqing said as he scrambled to stand, quickly gathering his thoughts before speaking. “Your Majesty, Qiao Qiao is my daughter, whom I just brought back from the countryside. These days, she has gotten along very well with my other daughter, Wen Qi. I come boldly seeking a favor for my other, less capable daughter...”

Whether from fear or guilt, Wen Congqing felt a cold sweat down his back and hesitated, unsure how to continue. Yet Xiao Zheng sat on the dragon throne, clearly expecting him to speak.

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Wen Congqing rubbed his hands nervously and cautiously continued, “Though my other daughter is already grown, she clings to Qiao Qiao. Knowing Qiao Qiao entered the palace to study, she has been restless at home these days. As a father, I don’t understand girls’ feelings well, but Qi Qi always adores Qiao Qiao. I had to come to the palace to ask if she could accompany Qiao Qiao in her studies.”

As soon as he finished, Wen Congqing thought he saw a smile flicker on the emperor’s face, which relaxed him somewhat.

If the emperor was in a good mood, perhaps he would grant this request.

What Wen Congqing did not see was that Xiao Zheng’s smile was not one of pleasure but mockery.

Years ago, it was Wen Congqing’s sweet words that fooled Changle into marrying him despite his and the empress dowager’s warnings. In the end, his beloved sister died in childbirth. Though Xiao Zheng never found concrete evidence implicating Wen Congqing, he was convinced there was a connection.

He had not yet dealt with Wen Congqing’s past troubles, and now Wen Congqing had come to bring more.

“Is that so? When Qiao Qiao stayed in the palace overnight, I visited the Cining Palace the next day to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and happened to see a wound on Qiao Qiao’s arm. I thought she had suffered some grievance in the Hou residence, yet you say the household is harmonious? Tell me, does Wen Qi not feel that Qiao Qiao is taking her place?” Xiao Zheng said, his tone neither harsh nor gentle.

Startled, Wen Congqing knelt down again shortly after rising, which only annoyed Xiao Zheng further.

With such behavior, what kind of spell had Wen Congqing cast on Princess Changle to make her marry against their advice?

“I dare not say so, nor would my daughter. I have been so busy rejoicing over bringing Qiao Qiao home that I neglected to care for her properly. The wound on her arm likely happened in the countryside. Qi Qi respects Qiao Qiao deeply and would never harbor such thoughts. Once I return home—or rather, once Qiao Qiao finishes her studies and returns—I will visit her courtyard to check on her properly,” Wen Congqing said hastily.

“Enough. Rise. Don’t kneel at every turn; I won’t eat you. After all, you and Changle are husband and wife. Even if I don’t give you face, I must show some leniency for Changle’s sake. I understand this matter. I will consider it and speak to you later. You may leave now,” Xiao Zheng said, his tone softening.

Wen Congqing stood up quickly, nodding repeatedly with relief. Only after leaving the study did he feel the heavy weight on his forehead lifted.

“Did Qiao Qiao dine at Cining Palace today?” Xiao Zheng asked, rising.

Jiang Cong’an responded immediately and began arrangements to accompany the emperor to the Cining Palace.

When Xiao Zheng arrived, Wen Qiao was comforting the Empress Dowager. The dowager, who should have been napping due to fatigue, was instead sitting and chatting with Wen Qiao, which surprised the emperor.

“Why are you not resting in the Yangxin Hall, Your Majesty? It’s just after lunch, and I have no extra to offer,” the Empress Dowager teased, her mood light.

“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. May the emperor be blessed with great fortune and health,” Wen Qiao bowed deeply.

“Rise. Today’s court affairs are light. I came to pay respects to Mother and to see how you are adapting,” Xiao Zheng said kindly.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well, and the princes and princesses are all easy to get along with. I am very happy,” Wen Qiao replied.

Even if things were not good, one had to say so—she thought, silently annoyed by the pointless questions.

“By rights, I should be your uncle. You already call the Empress Dowager ‘Great-Grandmother.’ Why not call me ‘Uncle’ for a change?” Xiao Zheng teased, in a good mood and willing to joke with the young girl.

“What nonsense, Your Majesty! Qiao Qiao is young and not used to teasing. If you want her to call you ‘Uncle,’ you’ll have to give her more treasures first. Only when she sees your kindness will she change her address. Coming empty-handed and expecting her to call you ‘Uncle’? Even if it’s little Qiao, I wouldn’t allow it!” the Empress Dowager chided with a smile.