Chapter 54

Chapter 54 After returning from Orchid Fragrance Pavilion, Hong Nao was somewhat distracted. Concubine Han, afraid that she might reveal something suspicious, sent away the other maidservants and had only Hong Nao attend to her inside. She said irritably, "Can't you have a bit more backbone?" "Such a small matter has scared you out of your wits?" Hong Nao gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Mistress, all I can see in my mind right now is Concubine Ning's bruised and swollen face... I don't want to be nervous, but I can't control myself!" "Her death has nothing to do with you. Why are you nervous?" Hong Nao immediately fell silent. Before long, Lv Yu entered the courtyard and reported with a composed expression. "Mistress, Consort Fang seems to have grown suspicious and has already traced things to Concubine Wan. I've already had our people abandon the lead at Embroidery Moon Pavilion." Concubine Han nodded, a hint of coldness coloring her face. "Well done!" "What must be sacrificed must be sacrificed. If someone follows the trail back to us, the consequences would be unthinkable!" The household had been peaceful for two months, and Concubine Han herself had still failed to conceive, so she could no longer restrain herself from acting. With her connections to Concubine Ning's network, she had plenty of ways to arrange for people to sow discord before the Eldest Young Master. So long as those attending him spoke ill of Fang Yuan'er day after day, the four-year-old Eldest Young Master would inevitably lose his temper and take it out on Fang Yuan'er. Following her covert guidance, the Eldest Young Master ran to Summer Pond Courtyard to pick a fight with Fang Yuan'er. Though the Eldest Young Master was only four, his hands and feet were heavy—one kick from him could leave the young eunuchs at his side unable to get up. No matter how strong Fang Yuan'er's vigilance, she would let her guard down somewhat when facing a child. If the Eldest Young Master landed a kick on her abdomen at that moment, both mother and child might not survive. This move killed two birds with one stone—it could cripple the Eldest Young Master and also deal with the pregnant Consort Fang. Even if it failed, the Eldest Young Master would be half-ruined, and Fang Yuan'er would gain nothing good either. In the end, suspicion would fall on Concubine Ning. Not a trace would implicate Concubine Han. Thinking of this, Concubine Han clenched her teeth. "My plan was flawless—who would have thought Fang Yuan'er had such a violent temper, actually bringing the Eldest Young Master to storm the gates of Orchid Fragrance Courtyard." "The matter blew up and ruined my scheme!" "Who knows what's inside Fang Yuan'er's head, to do something so outrageous!" Fang Yuan'er had 'beaten to death' Concubine Ning, which enraged the Eldest Young Master into a public fit—yet it only made Prince Jing feel more pity for her. With Concubine Ning dead, Concubine Han's frame-up scheme no longer worked smoothly. Prince Jing and the Princess Consort were no fools; they would certainly investigate further. Concubine Han believed her actions were hidden, but she also knew that walls have ears. Suddenly thinking of something, Concubine Han couldn't help but laugh. "Thank goodness for that self-important fool Concubine Wan standing in front as a shield—she's saved me a great deal of trouble." Wan Linlang had not joined forces with Concubine Han. She had merely happened to witness the instigation by those around the Eldest Young Master and, thinking herself clever, made some moves of her own. Wan Linlang was skilled in medicine and had long since noticed that Concubine Ning was poisoned. She quietly extended her hand toward Concubine Ning, intensifying the poison and worsening Concubine Ning's 'illness.' Concubine Han discovered this and secretly exploited it, directing all the clues toward Wan Linlang and using her as a shield. Concubine Han's methods were covert, and Lv Yu had promptly abandoned the people at Orchid Fragrance Courtyard. Even Prince Jing could ultimately trace things only to Wan Linlang. Now, with Concubine Ning's death, anyone who grew suspicious would suspect only Wan Linlang. Seeing that Concubine Han was in a decent mood, Lv Yu quietly shared another piece of news. "Mistress, I've learned... that one at Clear Bamboo Courtyard may be with child." Concubine Han's eyes instantly turned piercingly sharp. "What did you say?!" "It's news passed along by Concubine Lu of Clear Breeze Pavilion." Lv Yu said with a light laugh. "As you know, Mistress, she's been constantly bothering Concubine Li these past days." "This morning she went to Clear Bamboo Pavilion again and happened to catch Concubine Li vomiting. Concubine Li completely burned bridges with her and threw Concubine Lu out." "Quite a few people saw it." "Are you certain she's pregnant?" Concubine Han's brows were sharp. Lv Yu paused for a moment. "Mistress, think about it—Concubine Lu has been running to Clear Bamboo Courtyard every few days. Why hasn't Concubine Li made a scene before? Why did she fly into a rage today and throw her out?" "The more she acts like that, the more suspicious it is!" Concubine Han clenched her teeth. "Send people to find out! If she really is pregnant, I'm afraid I can't wait any longer!" Lv Yu nodded. "I've already arranged for people to investigate." —Embroidery Moon Pavilion Wan Linlang returned to Embroidery Moon Pavilion and, recalling the day's events, began to feel afraid herself. Her heart pounded wildly. The maidservant Sui Yin brought in a cup of tea. "Mistress, have some tea first." Wan Linlang nodded absently. "Sit down too, and keep me company." Having just experienced a harrowing incident, she wanted someone to talk to. Sui Jin, the other senior maidservant at Embroidery Moon Pavilion, was greedy, loose-tongued, and deeply self-serving—Wan Linlang didn't trust her. So she had devised a way to make Sui Jin fall ill and take to her bed, promoting the current Sui Yin to be her confidante. Of the things Wan Linlang had done, Sui Yin knew a little. She took a sip of tea before speaking: "I'm afraid I've fallen into someone's trap!"