“Just tell me. How do you want me to help you?” Ning Wanwan understood. For someone like Chan Meiren to come to her for help meant that another fierce tiger had likely appeared in the palace—and this tiger truly devoured people. Chan Meiren had probably been targeted.
“I have only one request. It is about the child in my womb. I hope Your Niangniang can treat her with kindness,” Chan Meiren said, her eyes filled with extreme reluctance.
“Although I am still the Guifei, I hold no real power. Your child might not necessarily be adopted under my name,” Ning Wanwan said truthfully. Pei Jinxu had probably spread the word that Chan Meiren’s child would be given to her just to stir up hatred against her.
If that was true, then Pei Jinxu was a terrifying man. Coupled with the dream she had, it was obvious that Pei Jinxu had approached Ning Yuanzhou and her with a purpose. His previous affection was likely all a sham.
“No, I believe in you.” Chan Meiren seemed to have immense confidence in Ning Wanwan, but did she have any idea about the Ning Family’s current situation?
“Everyone says I am arrogant and domineering, but ask yourselves honestly, have I ever done you any substantial harm?” Ning Wanwan said. “So if your child is truly given to me, I will not mistreat him.”
“However, I would suggest, dear, that it’s still better to raise the child yourself.”
“I might not live that long,” Chan Meiren muttered.
“What?” Ning Wanwan cupped a hand to her ear.
“Thank you, Your Niangniang. This servant will take her leave.” Before she left, Chan Meiren handed a bundle of clothes to Ning Wanwan.
Ning Wanwan took the bundle and opened it. It was full of baby clothes, and tucked deep inside was an exquisite, collar-style longevity lock.
Ning Wanwan’s heart felt a complex mix of emotions. Why did this feel so much like she was entrusting her final affairs?
Though she couldn’t leave Ruyi Palace, Ning Wanwan was no longer anxious. She had recently received a letter from the Ning Family Manor saying that Ning Yuanzhou had been found. However, he was gravely injured and would likely never be able to set foot on a battlefield again in this lifetime.
The world lamented the fate of this great young general. Pei Jinxu had granted Ning Yuanzhou a higher official rank and a larger stipend, but he had stripped him of the real power he held. In effect, Ning Yuanzhou was now just an idle general with a title but no authority.
Ning Wanwan could only find Pei Jinxu terrifying. As expected of an emperor, the greatest taboo was a subject whose achievements overshadowed the sovereign.
Meanwhile, at court, Ning Yuanchen was facing fewer impeachments but had gained many more political enemies. It was said that the former Lin family had been reinstated.
Ning Wanwan ordered someone to inquire about recent events in the palace. Only then did she learn that the reinstated Lin family was Lin Xi’s clan. They had supposedly been framed and demoted to Lingnan, where they became merchants to survive, and had only now re-entered the court to serve.
And Lin Xi was Lin Jiaoyan. Now that the Lin family’s name was cleared, to compensate them, Lin Zhaoyang had made a magnificent turn and become the current Grand Tutor. Lin Xi, too, had soared to the rank of Yan Fei, head of the Four Consorts, second only to her.
That wasn’t even the most important part. Chan Meiren’s visit had also delivered a very dangerous piece of information: there was a spy by her side.
Who could it be?
Lüqiu, Huang Xia, Qingchun, and Bai Dong were her dowry maids, personally selected and trained for her by Madam Ning. It couldn’t be them, could it? But she had even less direct contact with anyone else. Who could be the spy? And what was their purpose?
“Lüqiu, call the other three over. I have something to ask you all,” Ning Wanwan instructed.
Once the four of them had gathered, Ning Wanwan looked at them seriously, trying to spot any differences.
Lüqiu seemed a bit foolish and spoke as thoughtlessly as she did, like a jock with strong limbs but a simple mind. She was the first to be crossed off the list. Huang Xia appeared cold and aloof, rarely smiling, but she was skilled in medicine. She was the one who had saved her when she transmigrated. It couldn’t be her, right?
Of the other two, one played with poison and the other with gu-insects. To be honest, Ning Wanwan was terrified of such people. What if she made them unhappy, and one poisoned her into an idiot while the other controlled her with gu?
“How long were you all with my mother?” Ning Wanwan asked. Madam Ning was the original owner’s birth mother; she wouldn’t harm her, would she?
Lüqiu replied, “This servant was adopted by Madam Ning at the age of twelve. After that, I underwent secret martial arts training until Your Niangniang entered the palace. I was in the Prime Minister’s Manor for a total of four years, and I’ve been by Your Niangniang’s side for almost four years.”
Huang Xia said, “This servant is an orphan. I was saved by General Ning at the age of eight. I am indebted to General Ning, and this servant only listens to the General’s orders. Taking care of Your Niangniang is my mission.”
Qingchun said, “This servant is a poison master hired by Madam Ning from Du Shuge for eight thousand taels of silver. The term of employment is five years, and this is the fourth year.”
Bai Dong said, “This servant is a sorceress hired by Madam Ning from the Miao Region for ten thousand taels of silver. The term of employment is also five years, and this is the fourth year.”
Ning Wanwan was speechless.
So the Ning Family was this wealthy. Lüqiu was personally trained by Madam Ning, so she was unlikely to be the spy. Huang Xia was repaying a debt of gratitude. The other two were hired…
Ning Wanwan shook her head forcefully. She really couldn’t figure out who the spy was. After all, these four were the only ones by her side, and Chan Meiren had said it was someone close to her. It was hard to guess among these four.
Forget it. She would cross that bridge when she came to it. Whatever. If she was going to die, she might as well have some fun before it happened