Chapter 267

Chapter 267 Where on earth did Wan Linlang get all this ability to investigate the backgrounds of these maids and servants so thoroughly? None of this was in the original script either?! Xie Run paused, suddenly remembering something! In her previous life, Wan Linlang loved collecting all kinds of information most of all, starting from the smallest details, and killing people without a sound. Back then, when circumstances allowed, she had the family histories of the maids serving her investigated all the way back three generations. After becoming Consort De, Wan Linlang had enjoyed a period of prominence, and her desire for control had grown even stronger. The first thing she did upon rising to that position was to plant spies in every palace, then investigate the backgrounds of the palace staff. Those she could use, she would quietly buy off; those she couldn't use and who might pose a threat to her in the future, she would directly eliminate. In truth, whether in her previous life or this one, Wan Linlang had always had this personality. It was just that in this life, she had been kept suppressed in the position of concubine, which had limited her ability to display her full power. To the point that Xie Run had grown somewhat contemptuous of her. Now Wan Linlang had proven with her actions that she was still the same Consort De from the previous life. In the previous life, it had always been Nanny Mu who cared for Eldest Young Master, and in the end, Eldest Young Master had indeed died over a trivial matter. But at that time, it had been Fang Yuan'er who had schemed it. Given Wan Linlang's temperament, even if Fang Yuan'er hadn't made a move, she would have eventually done so herself. Making preparations in advance and investigating Nanny Mu's background was only reasonable. The eunuch below continued: "That hunter also said that the first time, he fathered a son with Nanny Mu. He had only thought it was a chance encounter, a single night of passion." "Who would have thought Nanny Mu's husband and mother-in-law were unsatisfied—after getting a son, they wanted another son—so they coaxed and threatened Nanny Mu into a second meeting, and she bore a daughter." "The second time, the hunter developed some feelings for Nanny Mu, so he would secretly go to see his son and daughter." "At first he was furtive, going only once a month. Later, when he saw that Nanny Mu's husband and mother-in-law could do nothing about him, he started going every few days." "Two months ago, an old woman suddenly found him and asked him for information." "The hunter refused to speak at first, but the old woman suddenly poisoned him and threatened him. The hunter lost his nerve and spilled everything." When Xie Run heard the word "poison," she couldn't help but sit up straight. "Poison?!" "Indeed! The hunter said the poison was utterly tormenting—day after day, it felt like thousands of insects gnawing at his body, causing him to wail in agony." Hearing those words, Xie Run was basically certain this was Wan Linlang's handiwork. "The hunter was terrified of the poison, so he followed the old woman's instructions and went to harass Nanny Mu's family every day." "Nanny Mu's family was afraid that if the matter got out, none of them would have the face to live, so they could only urge Nanny Mu to comply." "The hunter was afraid of trouble, and since the old woman hadn't come looking for him, he hadn't come to see his son and daughter much during this period." "Tonight, we servants were lucky. He simply couldn't bear it anymore—he happened to have hunted a rabbit and found an opportunity to deliver it, and that's when we ran into him." The Princess Consort's people really were efficient. Not only had they obtained the information, but they had also delivered Nanny Mu's entire family directly. "The Princess Consort said in detail that once this family is brought before Nanny Mu, there's no fear she won't be willing to speak." Xie Run: "...The Princess Consort truly acts with swift decisiveness." Nanny Mu had previously refused to speak no matter what because she knew that once she opened her mouth, she would be condemned as a wanton woman. Her son and daughter would also suffer contempt, shunned like rats crossing the street. Her in-laws, who had forced her to bear children, would absolutely not protect her—instead, they would unhesitatingly abandon her, sever ties with her, and trample her into the mud. She had still held a faint hope, wanting to use her own life to preserve her family's lives. But when she saw her husband and children delivered before her, her resolve instantly crumbled, and she spilled everything. It was late at night, so Xie Run didn't make a special trip herself. She only sent her personal maid to listen, and report the information back to her afterward. Xiaoshu went once and told Xie Run everything she had heard in full detail. "Nanny Mu was originally serving properly in the residence when one day she suddenly received a note from Concubine Wan, which mentioned the matter of Nanny Mu bearing children through the arranged encounters." "Nanny Mu was scared half to death, but she was skeptical and didn't dare easily harm anyone." "It was only when Concubine Wan ordered the hunter to harass her family daily, and her family pressured her, that she agreed to do Concubine Wan's bidding." "She followed Concubine Wan's instructions, damaged the rockery, and assisted Consort Jiang in framing you for the miscarriage." "During this entire period, she indeed only exchanged information with Xing'er once." Xie Run raised an eyebrow after listening. "That's all?" Xiaoshu nodded. "That's all." Xie Run laughed. "Wan Linlang went through all the trouble of gaining control over this pawn, just to help Jiang Baobao stage a miscarriage drama?" "If that's the case, couldn't Xing'er or Guiyuan have done it?" Xiaoshu: "Nanny Mu said that the people around Consort Jiang were watched too closely, and there was no opportunity to tamper with Feihe Pavilion. Only someone like her from the front courtyard, with little connection to the rear courtyard, could quietly make some moves without anyone noticing." "Additionally, Concubine Wan had Nanny Mu frequently whisper divisive words into Eldest Young Master's ear, making him resent the household's offspring." Xiaoshu paused, then added, "Not just the offspring. Those who had clashed with Concubine Ning before and have now become Side Consorts—all of them are targets of Eldest Young Master's hatred." "Especially Side Consort Fang and yourself, mistress." After listening, Xie Run asked in confusion, "Did she ever explain why she was scolding Eldest Young Master by the rockery that day?" Xiaoshu said, "Nanny Mu said it was an accident. Eldest Young Master heard he was to attend Fifth Young Master's birthday banquet and suddenly threw a tantrum, running off to the rockery to make a fuss." "Eldest Young Master cursed Fifth Young Master and you near the rockery, and you happened to be close by." "Nanny Mu feared you might notice something amiss, so she made up a random excuse." Xie Run raised an eyebrow. "You mean Eldest Young Master doesn't know the rockery was tampered with?" "That day he and Consort Sun were chatting under the rockery and got hit by Jiang Baobao—it was just an accident?" Xie Run asked this because she didn't believe it in the slightest. Xiaoshu nodded. "This servant confirmed with Guard Jin and Nanny Mu several times. Nanny Mu was very certain." "She said Eldest Young Master has a stubborn and ruthless temperament—young as he is, he has his own strong opinions." "Nanny Mu didn't dare reveal anything to him, afraid he'd ruin things, and even more afraid he'd take the opportunity to harbor ill intentions." "Eldest Young Master being accidentally knocked silly and Consort Sun's disfigurement were entirely beyond Nanny Mu's expectations. She knew nothing about them either." Xie Run smiled. "Nanny Mu didn't tell Eldest Young Master, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know." "It seems we need to question those around Eldest Young Master to see if he has any trusted confidants." Now that Eldest Young Master had become a fool, even the most devoted maids and servants would worry about their own futures. Xie Run said, "Now that the matter has been investigated thoroughly, have Guard Jin write it up as a case file, have these people affix their fingerprints, and await the Princess Consort's judgment." "When the Prince returns, I'll have something to report." Xiaoshu said softly, "Consort Jiang's affair caused too great a stir. Everyone in the household has been keeping their heads down these days, afraid of being dragged into even a hint of it." "Consort Jiang brought it upon herself—there's little to say. But Eldest Young Master has become a fool, and the Prince will surely be angry when he returns. Who knows how he'll be settled." "As for Consort Sun, though her injuries were the lightest, a woman's face is of utmost importance... She's stopped managing household affairs entirely, secluded in her own courtyard without a word leaking out. This servant feels she won't simply swallow this injustice." Xie Run said, "Now that the case has come to light, Consort Sun has someone to resent. She won't stay idle." Xiaoshu blinked. "The culprit, Concubine Wan, is still in Qiangwu. If Consort Sun wants to resent someone, her first target would be Consort Jiang..." Xie Run sat before the vanity mirror and undid her hair, with Xiaoshu assisting by her side. Xie Run said slowly, "She's been wronged—she'll need somewhere to vent her anger." "Though this matter doesn't involve us, since we're now in charge of household management, we must act cautiously and not be used by others." Xiaoshu immediately nodded. "This servant understands." That evening, Xie Run was still worried about Consort Sun making a move against Jiang Baobao. Before dawn the next day, she was shaken awake. "Mistress, something terrible has happened!" Xie Run took a moment to gather her senses before asking, "What's happened now?"