"Wait," Wang Qingyao's eyes lit up, and she stood up excitedly. "This matter is extremely secretive. The mastermind won't easily change the poisoner. So, in your generation, the one assassinating you is either Shunfeng's father, or Shunfeng taking over his father's mantle."
Judging by the timeline, Shunfeng's father would have been eighteen or nineteen twenty years ago, and now he wouldn't be forty yet. If nothing unexpected had happened, killing someone wouldn't be a problem for him.
"No, no," Xiao Yun shook his head. "Twenty years ago, Shunfeng's father was only eighteen or nineteen. What about further back? Who poisoned grandfather?"
Wang Qingyao was stunned for a moment: "Shunfeng's grandfather?"
Regardless, the Shunfeng family was highly suspicious.
"So, you first send people to investigate Shunfeng's background. Dig up everything about three generations of his ancestors. If his father is still alive, strike first and kill him! If his father is long dead, then just kill Shunfeng!"
When Wang Qingyao said "kill," her face contorted.
Xiao Yun reached out and pinched her cheek. "Don't be afraid, I won't die. I have a wife and children now, I'll be very, very careful."
Despite his words, Wang Qingyao was still worried.
A person who wants to kill you won't send you a notification. Who knows when this green demon might silently enter your body?
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun split into two groups. One went to investigate Shunfeng's background, and the other went into the palace to see Consort Chen.
As the New Year was approaching, it wasn't unusual to go into the palace to deliver New Year gifts to the masters of various palaces.
The Empress Dowager only had suspicions, no evidence, so the New Year gifts were similar to those of previous years.
Consort Wei's situation was different. She had plotted against Xiao Yun and intended to harm Wang Qingyao. In such circumstances, did she still expect New Year gifts from the Xiao family?
Heh!
However, not sending them was not an option. This was the troublesome part about ancient times; no matter how much you gnashed your teeth in hatred, you still had to maintain appearances.
Consider it as doing it for the Emperor to see.
Wang Qingyao put a lot of effort into the New Year gifts for Consort Wei. They were all flashy and impractical, looking like a riot of flowers but utterly useless.
Several carriages, a grand procession, were pulled into the palace.
There was a rule in the palace that no matter what rank an external female official was, she could not bring servants with her into the palace.
However, Xiao Yun had pleaded for leniency for Wang Qingyao, saying that the trauma of childbirth had left her afraid to enter the palace without company.
Therefore, the Emperor specially granted Wang Qingyao permission to bring one maidservant, Zhenzhu, into the palace.
The palace was very strict about this. Wang Qingyao could only bring Zhenzhu, not any other maids. Furthermore, Zhenzhu's personal information had to be registered, and after the Imperial Guard investigated and found no anomalies, she would be allowed into the palace.
With Zhenzhu accompanying her, Wang Qingyao felt much more at ease when visiting the Empress Dowager's palace.
The Empress Dowager was as kind and amiable as ever. She held Wang Qingyao's hand, saying she had lost weight, and asked if it was due to the two children. She also told her to bring the children to the palace next time for her to see.
The Empress Dowager had also prepared large red envelopes for the two children, which were quite heavy. Wang Qingyao felt a blush of shame for doubting the Empress Dowager as she held them.
Honestly, if the mastermind behind it all was truly the Empress Dowager, then her acting skills were too superb.
However, the palace was fraught with danger, and Wang Qingyao truly dared not risk the two children. She could only vaguely offer excuses to get by.
Wang Qingyao did not personally visit Consort Wei's palace; she only had the palace servants deliver the New Year gifts.
Consort Wei, being so intelligent, would surely guess why she was unwilling to come to Huayang Palace.
Wang Qingyao finally went to Rihui Palace.
She not only brought New Year gifts for Consort Chen but also a gift for the Seventh Prince – a bow and arrow personally chosen by Xiao Yun.
Consort Chen understood the situation. After chatting with Wang Qingyao for a while, she sent the attendants to wait outside.
She inquired about the matter of the First Prince.
"Have you found him?"
Wang Qingyao knew she would ask about this, and she had discussed it with Xiao Yun before coming.
The more people who knew Xiao Yun's identity, the greater the danger.
However, it would be wrong to not tell Consort Chen, who was so concerned about the First Prince, given her affection.
So, Wang Qingyao said softly, "I found him, but for his safety and yours, I cannot tell you who he is or where he lives."
Consort Chen completely understood, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Empress," she murmured, "your child has been found, found..."
This had been a knot in her heart for over twenty years. With it suddenly untangled, her emotions became uncontrollable, and she cried for a long time before stopping.
Wang Qingyao helped her wash her face and reapply her makeup.
"Your Highness, actually, I came today because there is something I need your help with."
"Tell me."
Wang Qingyao leaned in and whispered in her ear.
Consort Chen's face flushed, and she let out a soft gasp, "Ah!"
Wang Qingyao did not tell Consort Chen the specifics, only the method, asking her to convey a message to the Emperor.
"Your Highness, can you do it?"
Consort Chen hesitated. She hadn't been favored for five or six years. To suddenly vie for favor now felt shameful just thinking about it.
"Is this matter very important?" she asked Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao's expression was serious. "Very important. It concerns the survival of Prince Ding'an."
Hearing it stated so gravely, Consort Chen sighed. "I'll try, but..."
But it might not succeed.
"I know. Thank you so much, Your Highness."