Chapter 55: Old Affairs Part 1

More than an hour ago, they had still seen Empress Shao Yun in her red robe and phoenix crown. How had she been confined to her palace in just half a day’s time? Given the Emperor’s tolerance for Shao Yun, he would never have confined her unless she had done something unforgivable to His Majesty, enraging him to the point that he disregarded even the Shao Family’s influence.

Wei Lingci nodded lightly, her long lashes fluttering open as she gazed at the bright spring day outside. A jolt of shock stirred in her heart, and she tapped her fingertips on the floorboards before issuing an order: “Xian Yun, keep a close eye on everyone from the Shao Family who contacts Xun Yiran these days. Record everything in detail and report back to the Wise Noble Consort. We must ensure Shao Yun never sees any Shao Family members or Xun Yiran again.”

The connection between Xun Yiran and the Shao Family had been maintained solely by Shao Yun’s unyielding efforts. After the incident with Shao Tang, Xun Yiran had abandoned him to his fate, leading to Shao Cheng losing his legitimate son. It was only through Shao Yun’s mediation on both sides that Shao Cheng resumed his support for Xun Yiran.

Now that the Empress was trapped in confinement, cut off from the outside world, those on the outside would naturally panic. In this tangle of chaos, Xun Yiran would lose his bearings, and the Shao Family would desperately try to save her. At such a precarious moment, with the Shao Family unaware of why the Empress had been confined, chaos was bound to erupt.

The more chaotic they became, the more beneficial it was for Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.

After receiving her orders, Xian Yun withdrew.

Xun Changqing had no idea what mistake the Empress had made to be caught by the Emperor. She immediately sidled up to Wei Lingci, seeking answers.

Wei Lingci had no memory of what happened while she slept, but from her own actions upon waking, she knew she had taken the initiative to embrace her. She couldn’t blame Xun Changqing for it, though next time they napped, she resolved to chase away this rogue who teased her from time to time.

As Wei Lingci remained silent, Xun Changqing thought she was upset about what happened during the nap and feared she might lash out and drive her away. She quickly summoned an innocent smile on her face, and Wei Lingci didn’t call her out on it.

Xun Changqing then spoke about the confinement: “Many years ago, the Eldest Prince died young. It was thought to be due to an illness he carried from birth, but now it’s revealed that the Empress bribed the imperial physicians and wet nurses to quietly poison him to death, disguising it as a congenital deficiency. The Wise Noble Consort investigated extensively before finding the evidence. That’s the first matter.”

Palace secrets like these could not withstand public scrutiny. Xun Changqing had long heard rumors. With His Majesty having few heirs and cherishing those raised in the Rear Palace, once this was exposed, the Empress’s position was untenable.

Wei Lingci’s expression remained calm as she explained methodically: “The second matter concerns the Fifth Prince’s idiocy. He was born lively and adorable but gradually became listless and unresponsive. When it came to studies, he was like a three-year-old child, ignorant and oblivious. The imperial physicians claimed it was congenital, and at the time, with the clever legitimate son Xun Yiran and the gentle, sensible third son Xun Yishu, His Majesty paid little attention to the Fifth Prince. Thus, no one uncovered that it was the Empress’s scheme.”

The princes had met with successive misfortunes because the Empress controlled the Rear Palace. Now, with the Wise Noble Consort presenting the evidence before His Majesty—heaven’s justice was clear, and as the father of the victims, how could he not be furious? Confinement was a minor matter; execution was the real threat.

As a member of the imperial family, Xun Changqing was accustomed to such events and showed no surprise. Recalling her childhood, a complex shadow flickered in her eyes. “When the Fifth Prince began showing signs of idiocy, I was still young. My mother consort confined me to the mansion and rarely let me leave. I suppose she suspected it was man-made.”

With one move, the Wise Noble Consort had shattered the Empress, revealing her unfathomably deep schemes. Wei Lingci patted Xun Changqing’s shoulder in slight comfort before saying: “The Wise Noble Consort raised her own child to adulthood in the Rear Palace, becoming the only prince to rival the Empress’s faction. That alone shows her formidable methods and profound cunning. When she approached me, I agreed easily. If Pingnan Prince’s Mansion triumphs, Xun Yishu will be named Crown Prince.”

Xun Changqing lowered her lashes, pondering the implications, though some parts puzzled her. She studied the calm and confident Wei Lingci closely, growing increasingly astonished. Her expression wavered as she asked: “Why did the Wise Noble Consort place her bet on Pingnan Prince’s Mansion? How did she know His Majesty would give the throne to my father? Succession is typically from father to son, not brother.”

This touched on old matters from years past, unknown to outsiders and known only to a few from that era—including Wei Lingci’s mother, Wei Xiao.