The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 74

Song Luoning pondered, her expression solemn, and after a long period of silence, she said, “Things are probably not that simple. Since they killed Xiao Chengze and deliberately let us know, it’s very likely they are targeting us. Once Xiao Chengze is dead, who will be the first to be suspected?”

At Song Luoning’s prompt, Xiao Yu immediately realized.

Damn it, it’s clearly directed at her?

Who hates the male lead the most? Everyone in the world would probably think it’s her.

In the court, she disregarded the opposition of her officials and insisted on sending Xiao Chengze to guard the imperial mausoleum. He was killed on the way, and anyone would suspect her.

Who did she provoke? Who wants to harm her this way?

When she was fighting the male lead before, at least she knew who her enemy was. Now, they are in the dark while she is in the light, completely passive and being led by the nose.

However, one thing is for sure: the original owner never offended any powerful figures, and neither did she. Since there is no old grudge, why would they harm her? So, it’s highly likely that they are after the throne.

And who covets the throne?

The original novel, apart from the male lead, never mentioned anything about this, and after the male lead ascended the throne, there was no one who vied with him for it.

Could it be the butterfly effect caused by her transmigrating and taking away the male lead’s luck? Now the male lead is also dead, and the imperial princes in the capital were all killed by the male lead. Could there be a hidden imperial prince in the capital?

Of course, these are all her guesses.

The most important thing now is to find out who the mastermind behind the scenes is.

At this moment, a palace servant rushed in and knelt down, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song is asking for an audience outside.”

Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment.

The fact that her father-in-law came at this time meant he must have already known.

The killing of Xiao Chengze was no small matter. Xiao Yu closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Tell Prime Minister Song to wait in the Imperial Study. I’ll be there soon.”

“Yes, this servant will go now.” The palace servant bowed and withdrew.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Xiao Yu, with a hand on her forehead, picked up a teacup, drank it all in one gulp, stood up, and took a deep breath. She had to face it sooner or later.

“Your Majesty…” Song Luoning pursed her lips, looking at her with a hesitant expression.

Xiao Yu also looked at her, her eyes shifting slightly. She knew her worry and gave a faint smile, comforting her, “Don’t worry, my wife. It’s good to have my father-in-law to offer some advice. I’ll be back soon.” With that, she squeezed her hand, her youthful warmth like spring.

How could she not worry? Song Luoning said nothing but nodded, watching her leave.

Xiao Yu hurriedly entered the Imperial Study. As Song Yunzhou was about to kneel in salute, she stopped him and said, “We are family. Prime Minister Song, there is no need for such formalities.”

“Yes, this old official has a matter to report,” said the Prime Minister.

Xiao Yu walked over and sat on the dragon throne. The personal eunuch, Fu Shun, immediately poured her some tea and then stood back.

“Prime Minister Song, why are you in such a hurry? What is the matter?” Xiao Yu asked.

The Imperial Study fell silent for a moment. Then, Song Yunzhou knelt down on the ground, his voice urgent, “Your Majesty, something big has happened. That Prince Chang’s son was killed on his way to the imperial mausoleum. This matter could be disadvantageous to Your Majesty…”

As expected, it was about this. Xiao Yu sighed softly and, without concealing anything, said truthfully, “I have already ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to jointly investigate this case and give an explanation to the people of the world. However, Prime Minister Song, do you have any good strategies?”

“Your Majesty, subordinate officials have just reported that the murder case you were involved in has caused a great stir among the populace. Some scholars are even publicly denouncing Your Majesty in writing…”

“What?” Writing to denounce her?

Xiao Yu bit her lip and laughed in anger. These self-proclaimed scholars dared to incite public sentiment without knowing the truth. It was truly hateful.

She scowled, “Have you found out who spread the rumors?”

Prime Minister Song: “This official has already sent people to investigate.”

“That’s good. I’ll have to trouble Prime Minister Song with this matter.”

“It’s this old official’s duty, how can you say it’s trouble?”

Xiao Yu raised her eyes.

“This old official will take his leave now.”

Xiao Yu thought for a moment and nodded.

As soon as he left, Xiao Yu immediately told Fu Shun to invite Liang Chengqiu.

It would be more reliable to have her own people investigate some matters. But as soon as Fu Shun returned, he brought her more bad news. It turned out that Liang Chengqiu had received a letter from the Linyang County yamen after she returned to the palace and, without a moment’s delay, had already gone back to Linyang County.

Why was the timing so coincidental?

To go back at this very moment, Xiao Yu let out a sigh of relief, placing both hands on the desk, and said, “You go again and bring my mother and them into the palace.”

With Liang Chengqiu gone, she was really uneasy about leaving her cheap mother and the others outside. It would be better to bring them close so they could be looked after.

“This servant obeys the decree.”

“Wait a moment.” Xiao Yu stopped him, “Make sure to arrange everything for them.”

“Yes.” Fu Shun bowed and exited the hall.

Xiao Yu sighed, leaning back on the dragon throne. Who was targeting her, and what about those scholars…

She pinched the bridge of her nose. The rumors were likely spread by the culprit.

With so many things happening lately, she had completely forgotten about that case, forgotten to clear her name. She remembered her father-in-law had said the records in Linyang County had been destroyed. Was it not the male lead who did it? Had she been wrong from the very beginning?

Had the culprit already started to plot against her from that time? Or was it the culprit who killed Chen Ziyi?

He led her to the capital step by step and then made her sit on this throne…

The thought was terrifying.

Xiao Yu’s eyes suddenly flew open. What a deeply sinister mind.

But what was his benefit in plotting against her?

What exactly did he want from her?

Was it really just the throne? Why didn’t he take it directly? Why wait until she became emperor to seize it from her?

Or was there some reason he couldn’t take it directly?

Xiao Yu was at a loss.

The heat of June was unbearable. Although the sun was setting and there was ice in the Imperial Study, a fine layer of sweat beaded on Xiao Yu’s nose.

She asked a palace servant for a bowl of cooling soup. The chilled soup was the most refreshing. The white jade bowl was covered with a layer of condensation. After two gulps, she finally felt more comfortable.

Xiao Yu paused and then instructed, “Send a bowl to the Empress as well.”

The palace servants were already accustomed to their Emperor’s affection for the Empress. The fact that the Emperor and Empress lived in the same palace was unprecedented, not to mention the Emperor’s usual thoughtfulness towards the Empress.

It was truly enviable.

The palace servant secretly smiled and withdrew.

The entire Imperial Study fell silent again. Xiao Yu sat quietly for a while before getting up to return to Funing Palace.

The sweeping palace servants knelt all over the courtyard. Xiao Yu didn’t even look at them and went straight into the sleeping quarters.

As soon as Song Luoning saw her return, she stood up to greet her, straightened her lapels, and asked with concern, “Did your father say anything?”

Xiao Yu glanced at the palace servants in the hall and said, “You are not needed here. All of you may withdraw. No one is to enter and disturb us without my decree.”

With that, without waiting for the servants’ reply, she pulled Song Luoning into the inner chamber and sat on the dragon bed. She looked at her wife and spoke with hesitation, “My father-in-law said that the old case has been brought up again, and it has caused great dissatisfaction among some scholars towards me.”

She was being reserved, but Song Luoning could tell at a glance that it wasn’t that simple.

“Wife, I suspect that the person who killed Chen Ziyi and the person who killed Xiao Chengze are in the same group.”

Song Luoning frowned, “What makes you say that?”

Xiao Yu held Song Luoning’s hand. On the table, there was a half-finished bowl of cooling soup. She sighed softly.

Support