Xiao Yun returned from the palace not long after, and the first thing he did upon his return was to visit the Old Imperial Concubine’s courtyard. The well-wishers had not yet dispersed, and his arrival brought about another round of laughter and chatter.
When the time was right, everyone else took their leave, but Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun remained alone.
Seeing this, the Old Imperial Concubine knew they had something important to discuss. With a glance, Madam Jing ushered out the maids serving in the room, and then guarded the doorway herself.
“Grandmother,” Xiao Yun said gravely, his expression heavy, “Xiao Mo’s kidnapping in Yunnan and Guizhou this time was not the work of ordinary bandits…”
Such a sensitive matter could naturally not be written in a letter, nor even mentioned. Thus, everyone believed Xiao Mo had been kidnapped merely for ransom.
The Old Imperial Concubine’s eyelids twitched, and she looked at Xiao Yun in surprise. She had a bad premonition.
Xiao Yun recounted the events starting from when they tricked Grand Tutor Wei in Duanjing, all the way to their scheme against Steward Ji. In his anger, Steward Ji revealed a secret from the imperial palace over twenty years ago!
The Old Imperial Concubine’s face grew increasingly grim and peculiar, as if startled. She picked up her hot tea and took a few sips. After drinking, she appeared less shocked, though her expression remained complex and filled with meaning.
“Heh, Grand Tutor Wei’s audacity is truly astounding!”
“Grandmother,” Xiao Yun asked, “Have you heard any whispers about this matter from over twenty years ago?”
A fleeting hesitation crossed the Old Imperial Concubine’s eyes, so quick that neither Xiao Yun nor Wang Qingyao noticed.
“I haven’t heard anything,” the Old Imperial Concubine replied. “When the First Prince was born, your mother was also in labor. My entire focus was on her, so I had no leisure to listen to palace gossip. Later, no rumors emerged. Since Grand Tutor Wei dared to commit such an act, he must have made thorough preparations. If my guess is correct, the palace maids and wet nurses present in Empress Xiaoxian’s birthing chamber at the time have likely all been silenced.”
Indeed, this was what Steward Ji had said.
Therefore, it was understandable that the Old Imperial Concubine had not heard any whispers.
Xiao Yun was somewhat disappointed. To find the First Prince now, they first needed to locate the palace maid who had taken him away twenty years ago. However, with even the prime culprit, Grand Tutor Wei, offering no clues, finding them was even more difficult.
The Old Imperial Concubine said softly, “It’s all ancient history from over twenty years ago. Even if you find the First Prince, what use would it be? We know nothing of where he grew up or what kind of person he has become. What if he is a person of low character or an ignorant commoner? How would His Majesty accommodate him if he were brought back? Would he be made Crown Prince? Would the court officials agree?”
Wang Qingyao said, “Grandmother, you mustn’t assume the worst about things that haven’t happened. What if he is a handsome, talented, kind, and righteous noble young master? That’s not impossible, is it? We’re not saying we want to bring him back to inherit the throne or anything. It’s just that since we know Grand Tutor Wei committed such an outrageous act, we can’t pretend not to know, can we? Moreover, he still believes I know the inside story and wants to silence me! This is merely appropriate retaliation!”
The Old Imperial Concubine’s gaze flickered over Xiao Yun’s face, and she sighed, “You talk back to me for every word I say!”
Wang Qingyao snuggled up to her side, “Grandmother, you said more than just one word.”
The Old Imperial Concubine could do nothing with her. She reached out and stroked her head, saying, “Be careful, and don’t put yourselves in danger for other people’s affairs.”
Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun nodded.
Upon returning to Kangping Courtyard, Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao conferred. They decided that this matter still needed to be approached through Consort Chen.
Consort Chen had been close to Empress Xiaoxian in those days and had remained in the palace. She would likely know more about what happened that night than the Old Imperial Concubine. When the Empress gave birth, other consorts would certainly have been paying close attention, let alone Consort Chen’s relationship with Empress Xiaoxian.
Logically, she should have been by Empress Xiaoxian’s side at the time, right?
Even if she wasn’t by Empress Xiaoxian’s side, she should have been waiting for news in the Empress’s central palace.
Xiao Yun: “Didn’t you often visit the palace to chat with Consort Chen? Did you find any clues?”
Wang Qingyao thought for a moment, “It wasn’t often, only once or twice. I couldn’t ask her directly. I remember last time we were talking about how Empress Xiaoxian saved her life.”
Xiao Yun pondered for a moment, “After the New Year, use the excuse of paying New Year’s greetings and visit her again. Consort Chen and Empress Xiaoxian had an extraordinary relationship. Perhaps you can be a bit more direct.”
“What if Consort Chen reports it to His Majesty?”
“Do you think that’s possible?”
Wang Qingyao recalled Consort Chen’s world-weary face and thought the possibility was unlikely.
“Alright, I’ll go to the palace after the New Year. Everyone in the palace needs to pay their New Year’s greetings too.”