Lin Shi's madness continued for more than ten years, but only the wet nurse witnessed it each time. It wasn't until later that the young heir of the Prince Bijing's mansion gradually grew up, becoming more and more outstanding and eye-catching.
Seeing the vast difference between herself and Leng Muran, and feeling that they could no longer be compared, Lin Shi's unwillingness and jealousy deepened, and the frequency of her madness increased rapidly. It eventually escalated to the point where any good news from Prince Bijing's mansion would push her to the brink of madness.
In Lin Shi's eyes, she was supposed to marry Huo Sizhun back then, not the current lame husband Huo Sice. Everything Leng Muran possessed now was stolen from her. This young general, who had repeatedly achieved military merits, was also supposed to be her son.
If she had truly married Huo Sizhun back then, the status of a Princess Consort of the highest rank would have been hers. Her current husband, who was doting on Leng Muran and publicly declared he would not take concubines, would have been hers. And the highly acclaimed, world-renowned young General Huo would have come from her womb!
The wet nurse, hearing her words, was so anxious she almost stomped her feet. She stepped forward, grabbed Lin Shi's arm, and shook her vigorously for a long time. "My lady, please wake up! If you continue to live with such dangerous thoughts, it will be truly perilous. Have you forgotten about your daughters? If your thoughts were to be known by others, how would your young ladies lead their lives in their in-laws' homes? At that time, a single spit from each person would be enough to drown them!"
Lin Shi felt a little dizzy from being shaken, but this somehow cleared her mind. Like a patient suffering from a mad illness, her consciousness returned to clarity after a while.
"Daughters, my daughters... yes, I still have daughters... I won't say anything more, I won't say it again. I can't let my daughters be unhappy." Lin Shi said, haphazardly wiping the tears from her face.
"By the way, has that bastard returned today?" Lin Shi, having composed herself, finally remembered that Huo Qixiao hadn't been home for several days.
Seeing that Lin Shi had finally stopped her madness, the wet nurse breathed a sigh of relief. She knew what Lin Shi liked to hear and quickly chimed in, "Not yet. I heard he hasn't returned for three or four days and didn't attend the celebration banquet today. When the old madam went out this morning, her expression was quite displeased! When the eldest young master returns after his fun, he'll surely face some family discipline."
Hearing that Huo Qixiao might be disgraced, Lin Shi felt an immense sense of relief. "Hmph! What kind of trash begets what kind of offspring. His mother was a woman of no repute, who gave birth to a son with her meager life, only to find that he too is not someone who can achieve prominence."
The wet nurse gently massaged Lin Shi's shoulders. She looked at Lin Shi's complexion and, seeing no signs of anger, confidently continued, "All of this is thanks to your meticulous planning over the years, my lady, that that bastard has not been able to rise above. Otherwise, if he were to discover the truth later, not only would he not show filial piety, but it's uncertain if he would even resent you."
Lin Shi snorted dismissively, completely unconcerned by such a speculative prediction. "Hmph! Why would he resent me? I wasn't the one who made the decision to take his mother as a concubine back then, nor was I the one who had her killed after she gave birth. After all, I've raised him for over twenty years. Parental kindness is not as great as nurturing kindness. I've allowed him to have the reputation of a legitimate son for twenty years. No matter who he resents, he won't resent me!"
"Enough, enough, let's not talk about him. Thinking of him makes me sick. Whether he goes out to indulge in debauchery or hangs out with those dissolute friends, that's his business. I'm happy to see him continue down this path. Ideally, he would die among the courtesans in those pleasure houses. That would surely make the old witch's expression very interesting!" As Lin Shi thought about it, she couldn't help but laugh, appearing truly somewhat abnormal.
Seeing the disgust and coldness on Lin Shi's face, the wet nurse felt pity for Huo Qixiao in her heart. After all, what relation did all these events have to him, who was just an infant at the time?
However, as Lin Shi's personal wet nurse, she had to stand on her side. Thus, she could only agree, "That's the right way to think! No matter what, you will always be the mistress of the Huo mansion, and your daughters are very filial to you, so your good fortune is yet to come!"
Upon hearing someone praise her daughters and say she was a fortunate person, Lin Shi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. "Of course I am fortunate. Although my poor son could not be kept, thankfully my daughters have married well, and their husbands treat them very well, saving me a lot of worry."
Thinking of her son who did not make it to birth, Lin Shi still felt some lingering regret. However, she soon found other things to comfort herself.
"Actually, when you compare them, that bitch Chen Miaomiao is truly pitiful. She thought that by carrying a son, she would definitely be elevated by her child. Who knew that she wouldn't even survive! She died trying to give birth to a son, only to be killed by the old witch. Her useless son still doesn't even know of her existence! Hahahaha~ It feels so satisfying to think about it!" Lin Shi wiped the tears that had welled up in her eyes, then extended her hand to be helped by the wet nurse into the inner room to rest.
Outside the door, Huo Qixiao tightly covered his mouth, tears uncontrollably streaming down his cheeks.
So that was it! So he was merely a lowly concubine-born son! So his proud status was nothing but a complete joke!
Huo Qixiao ran out of the main courtyard and, in a daze, returned to his own courtyard.
No wonder his mother had never been very close to him since childhood. Whether it was for his studies or his marriage, everything concerning him was always dealt with lukewarmly.
He had always felt that his mother's gaze towards him held a subtle, inexplicable hatred. Back then, Huo Qixiao would tell himself he was overthinking.
Only now did he realize that he hadn't been overthinking at all. His mother truly hated him. It was because he was not her biological son.
Just as Huo Qixiao was finding it difficult to accept this fact and was lamenting his misfortune, a voice suddenly sounded in the room, sending a chill down his spine.
Huo Qixiao looked up. Someone was already seated by the eight-immortal table, watching him with interest. "Why should Young Master Huo be so sad? So many years have passed, haven't you suffered enough neglect in this mansion? How about it? Are you willing to consider my proposal?"
It was the man who had already left, and Huo Qixiao recoiled slightly in fear. He didn't know how this man had entered the Huo mansion, nor how long he had been sitting in his room. Why hadn't he sensed any movement?
The vast Huo mansion had been trespassed upon by a living person, yet no one else had noticed. The thought of his elusiveness made Huo Qixiao extremely fearful. How could he possibly deal with such a formidable person?
"You, what do you want? This is the Huo mansion. I advise you not to do anything reckless..."
The thought that the man before him could kill him at any moment made Huo Qixiao's heart begin to tremble with fear. However, considering his current situation within the Huo mansion, his words gained a little more confidence.
Seeing Huo Qixiao's pathetic state, the man's eyes were filled with amusement. He raised the thin sword in his hand and, in a perverse manner, ran his tongue along the sharp blade. Despite the risk of his tongue being cut off, the man said indifferently,
"Even in your Huo mansion, what of it? Believe it or not, even if I killed you right here, I could live the rest of my life in leisure. These useless guards you keep in your mansion will never find out who the real murderer is."
Upon seeing the man's evil and frenzied actions, Huo Qixiao's newly acquired confidence collapsed instantly.
"No, Sir, Lord... Don't kill me. I, I know I was wrong. I'm willing to agree to what you said, as long as you don't kill me..."
Seeing that the man's psychological state was on the verge of collapse, he finally put down the sword. After all, the task he wanted him to perform was not yet complete. If he scared the person to death now, it would be a loss.
"Since Young Master Huo has made up his mind, then everything is arranged. You should get some rest. I will come to find you again when the time is right." The man said this and then stood up, preparing to leave.
Huo Qixiao suddenly thought of something and quickly called out to stop the man. "Lord... if, I mean, if I have any problems in the future, can I find you for help?"
Hearing his words, the man raised his eyebrows with a look of interest. His already effeminate face seemed to gain even more feminine features. "Of course. If you have someone you want to kill, or someone you fancy, we can help you with it all!"
Hearing the man's immediate agreement, Huo Qixiao thought that the task they required him to perform was more important, so they must value him highly. "I, your humble servant, dare to ask for your esteemed name. If, if I truly have a need in the future, how should I find you?"
"My surname is Wang, given name Bingchang, courtesy name Wentu. If you have any matters in the future, simply place a pot of flowers and plants by your bedroom window. When my subordinates see it, they will report back to me," the man said, revealing that peculiar smile on his face again.
Huo Qixiao looked shocked. What did the man mean by that? Was he warning him? If he put a pot of flowers in his courtyard, he would know. Was he spying on the Huo mansion, or were there servants in the mansion who were his informants?
The man ignored his bewilderment, raised his hand, patted his shoulder, and whispered into his ear, "Remember, you can place anything!"
"Your humble servant, re, remembers, Lord Wang..."
In the end, Huo Qixiao agreed to conspire with them to harm Huo Qiyuan. However, because Huo Qiyuan was a very cautious person, all imported items were strictly inspected. Therefore, Huo Qixiao had no way to poison him in full view of everyone. Even if the poisoning assassination were successful, he himself could not escape.
Thus, the group had to find another way. Huo Qixiao and Wang Bingchang spent several years making arrangements. On the surface, the former still maintained the demeanor of a prodigal son. However, in secret, relying on Wang Bingchang's influence, he had secretly cultivated his own forces.
At the same time, they began to implement their plan, befriending those close to Huo Qiyuan in various intentional and unintentional ways. However, those close to Huo Qiyuan were as vigilant and defensive as an iron bucket, making it absolutely impenetrable.
Several months passed, and despite all his efforts, Huo Qixiao could not infiltrate their inner circle. Thus, he had to settle for the next best thing and target those around Huo Sizhun.
Finally, he found a suitable person – Xu Zhipeng!
He was once a very ordinary soldier by Huo Sizhun's side, only running errands when he had nothing else to do. Therefore, he often accompanied Prince Bijing's men to the Huo mansion for business. Gradually, Huo Qixiao discovered some clues about him.
Outwardly, he was considered honest and diligent, and it was because of this trait that Huo Sizhun was willing to cultivate him. However, on a certain day, his displayed depth of character and the hidden cunning he revealed in private happened to be encountered by Huo Qixiao on several occasions.
Later, holding evidence against Xu Zhipeng, Huo Qixiao repeatedly threatened him and tempted him with immense benefits. Xu Zhipeng had always been a two-faced person, outwardly honest but inwardly cunning. His usual feigned demeanor was merely to gain favor.
Therefore, under the great benefits promised by Huo Qixiao and his group, Xu Zhipeng quickly agreed to defect. At this time, his status had also changed significantly. Huo Sizhun felt that although this person lacked strategy, his loyalty and honesty were commendable, so he kept him by his side.
Time passed quickly. When Huo Qiyuan was twenty-one years old, the former emperor suddenly passed away. Huo Sizhun, against all odds, supported Prince Rui's ascension. The other princes were deeply unwilling, but they could only express their anger in their hearts without daring to speak.
Six months after the new emperor's enthronement, Xu Zhipeng found a good opportunity and poisoned Huo Qiyuan, who was on the frontier.
Huo Qiyuan, struck by a potent poison, was sent back to the capital at full gallop. Huo Sizhun and the emperor sought renowned physicians for him, but ultimately could not save his life. After several months of resisting, he finally succumbed to the poison and died.
Originally, when Huo Qixiao saw that Huo Qiyuan was poisoned but did not die, he worried that it was because of his deep inner strength that he had held on. Seeing him dead later, he finally felt relieved.
Prince Bijing's mansion fell into a period of grief due to Huo Qiyuan's death. After a period of deep sorrow, Huo Sizhun, enduring his own suffering, vowed to investigate the cause of his son's poisoning.
Finally, through meticulous investigation step by step, the clues pointed to Xu Zhipeng, his personal guard. Huo Sizhun initially refused to believe it, but as more and more evidence emerged, it strongly suggested that he was most likely involved.
Upon learning this, Huo Sizhun was furious. He never expected that the person who had caused his son's death would be someone close to him. If that was the case, did it mean he had killed Yuan'er?