Chapter 627: The Heavens Wanted Her Dead
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Now that the case of cheating in the examination had been exposed, Ning Yuanbo’s residence was sealed and her maiden family had lost their power. Naturally, the Xu family would not let her and her son off.
Instead of guarding against Imperial Consort Xu’s sneak attacks, it was better to take the initiative to go to the Cold Palace to lie low and find a chance to counterattack.
Concubine Lu sneered. “There’s a saying that goes, if the heavens want you to die, they’ll definitely make it happen.”
The little palace maid’s pupils constricted, and she quickly lowered her head again. Thinking about what had happened in Duke Rong’s Residence today, she vaguely understood Concubine Lu’s scheme.
As expected, Concubine Lu chuckled. “Think about what happened to the Ning Residence, to Grand Tutor Yang’s family, and to my Ning Yuanbo Residence. Does Consort Xu really think that the Xu Residence, which is also a distant relative, will have a good ending? Wealth, glory, flowers, and brocade will come and go.”
After Ning Yuanbo’s residence was locked up, she finally understood.
Be it the Ning Residence, Grand Tutor Yang’s entire family back then, or her Ning Yuanbo Residence, when they were useful to the emperor, they were rewarded. Once they lost their value, they would be useless and sacrificed…”
Concubine Lu seemed to have had enough of laughing, and her expression gradually turned cold. “Imperial Consort Xu is actually very easy to deal with. Look, as soon as I entered the Cold Palace, she controlled the phoenix seal and became the head of the concubines. With the backing of the Xu family, she thinks that she can do whatever she wants behind the palace. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
How glorious.”
If the heavens wanted her to die, they would definitely make it happen!
After being suppressed by her for decades, the feeling of gaining power overnight was too wonderful. If she did not want to give up on her desire for power, she could only rack her brains and be smart.
But!
Concubine Lu rubbed the pink color on her teacup with her fingers. “Since the emperor doesn’t have the heart to choose an heir, fighting for the throne isn’t just a normal fight. Instead, it’s called rebellion. If you do too much and make too many mistakes, it will arouse suspicion.”
The little palace maid quickly flattered, ‘Your Highness, you understand the situation best.”
Concubine Lu said calmly, “Go and pack up briefly. When the emperor’s decree arrives, it’s time for me to return to Lanyi Palace.”
Since she dared to step into the Cold Palace, she naturally had a backup plan. When Consort Xu lost her power, it would be time for her to return to the harem.
At that time, no one in the harem could threaten her anymore.
On the way back to the residence, Yu Youyao had a heavy heart.
No matter how Yu Shuangbai or Yu Jianjia asked, she did not say a word about what had happened at the flower festival.
It wasn’t that Yu Youyao wasn’t willing to say it, but it was a serious matter that involved the imperial family, the prince, and her reputation. Before this matter spread, it was naturally not appropriate for her to say anything.
After returning to the residence, Yu Youyao went straight to The Green House.
Her cousin was not around.
Chang An said, “Not long after Young Miss left, Young Master also followed you out.”
She felt an inexplicable certainty that her cousin’s sudden departure must be related to the Duke Rong’s Residence. Yu Youyao’s heart calmed down, and as soon as the tense tension in her body relaxed, her limbs immediately softened.
Chun Xiao helped Yu Youyao back to the Jade Courtyard.
After washing up, Nanny Xu personally cooked a simple bowl of white jade sea cucumber soup. Yu Youyao was worried about her grandmother and did not have much of an appetite. After forcing herself to eat a small bowl, she lost her appetite.
Time passed especially slowly as Yu Youyao waited anxiously.
After an unknown period of time, Xia Tao finally came over to report, “Young Miss, Matriarch is back…
Before Xia Tao could finish speaking, Yu Youyao quickly left. She walked along the corridor and quickened her pace to the Flower Gate in the backyard. The two carriages entered the Flower Gate one after another.
Parked in front was her cousin’s low-key gray-topped carriage. Yin San was wearing a brown suit and pushed his cousin out of the carriage first.
Her cousin was wearing a black robe with dark python dragon patterns, making him look even more dignified.
All the nobles of the Great Zhou Dynasty liked the python robe. The royal family used yellow, and the imperials relatives used purple. The scholars and officials used green and blue. Other than the color of the clothes, the number of python dragons and the number of scaled toes had strict rules. Her cousin was considered a scholar who worked in the Teng library. Naturally, he could wear a python robe.
Yu Youyao had a well-managed weaving workshop in Dingzhou, Hebei. Previously, she had sent over a few pieces of silk material. There was a rare silk embroidery cloth that combined various crafts in silk making, embroidery and painting. The python dragon patterns on it were made of dark golden threads. The python dragon patterns were well-defined, had clear outlines, and were lifelike.
When she saw this, she was overjoyed, so she drew a mock up and asked Jinxiu Manor to create this python robe for her cousin.
This was the first time she had seen her cousin wearing a python robe. He was sitting in a wheelchair, and the python dragon patterns on his clothes were motionless. He looked dignified. With every move, the python dragon patterns became lively. They bared their fangs and brandished their claws. They looked so ferocious that they seemed to be able to overturn rivers and seas.
Yu Youyao’s eyes turned red as she called out aggrievedly, “Cousin!”
Zhou Linghuai’s gaze darkened as he said calmly, “Don’t worry, I’m here!”
The person in front of her had a peerless appearance that was as deep as water. His casual attitude gave her a lot of confidence, as if she did not have to be afraid even if the sky fell.
He would hold up the sky for her.
She suddenly felt very at ease.
Just as Yu Youyao was about to ask about her grandmother, she saw Nanny Liu get out of the carriage and turn around to help Old Madam Yu down.
After entering the palace, Old Madam Yu’s expression darkened again, as if she had aged more than ten years. Yu Youyao felt a lump in her throat.
‘Grandmother!”
Old Madam Yu patted her hand. “Good child, everything went well in the palace just now.”
Madam Yao had hired a doctor who was good at curing Yang deficiency. When she was waiting in An Shou Hall, Old Madam Yu had finished washing up and changed out of her cumbersome outfit. She looked a little more energetic.
The doctor took Old Madam Yu’s pulse, and it was roughly the same as Imperial Physician Hu’s diagnosis.
Madam Yao heaved a sigh of relief and quickly ordered someone to bring over the medicine that had been brewed. She personally fed it to Old Madam Yu.
This was the prescription that Imperial Physician Hu had prescribed in Duke Rong’s Residence previously.
After returning to the residence, Madam Yao immediately ordered someone to get the medicine and instructed the servants to brew it.
Old Madam Yu had been working hard for most of the day and was already mentally and physically exhausted. After drinking the medicine, she reluctantly ate some Rogue rice porridge and laid down.
Yu Youyao finally heaved a sigh of relief.
Madam Yao glanced at Yu Youyao and said coldly, “You’ve had a long day. Go back and rest. I’ll take care of Matriarch.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “Thank you, Second Aunt.”
She was usually the one taking care of her grandmother. Although Second Aunt’s filial piety to her grandmother was not bad, her grandmother was not feeling well. As her daughter-in-law, she naturally had to attend to her mother-in-law to show her filial piety.
Unknowingly, the sun had already set.
Seeing that Yu Youyao had returned, Zhou Linghuai closed the book in his hand. “I passed by the restaurant just now and bought your favorite peony cake. Chun Xiao said that you haven’t eaten much all day..”