Wang Qingyao skipped her morning meal, rushing to the Old Imperial Concubine's courtyard.
Both the Old Imperial Concubine and Consort Fang had received the news. Consort Fang had already tidied herself up and gone to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence.
Madam Huang was her own sister-in-law.
There was no further news from the Old Imperial Concubine's side.
"Could she have done something she shouldn't have again?" Wang Qingyao mused, her mind immediately conjuring images from the palace intrigue novels she had read.
Noble ladies and young ladies who committed grave errors were often killed by their families, with the official story being that they died of illness.
Given Madam Huang's character, it was highly probable.
The Old Imperial Concubine knew Madam Huang was not a good person, but she didn't know the extent of her wickedness.
After a brief discussion, they changed into plain clothes and headed to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence to mourn.
The Marquis of Zhongyong's residence was draped in mourning white, with sounds of weeping...
Well, there were sounds of weeping, but they lacked genuine emotion. When Wang Qingyao arrived at the mourning hall, she discovered that only the maids and servants were crying.
Although Madam Huang was a stepmother, according to ancient law, she was the mother of Fang Zheng and Fang Yuan.
The two, clad in sackcloth and mourning, stood guard before the mourning hall. Fang Zheng showed no expression, while Fang Yuan, being younger, couldn't hide the resentment and reluctance on his face.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao, he pursed his lips.
Wang Qingyao didn't understand what he meant.
Madam Huang's coffin was placed in the center, with the lid off. Wang Qingyao peered inside. She was dressed formally and had makeup on, her face painted stark white, revealing nothing.
She scanned with her clairvoyant eyes and then discovered a deep ligature mark around Madam Huang's neck.
Madam Huang had indeed not died of illness.
Fang Yuan found an opportunity to speak to Wang Qingyao, saying, "If you want to know anything, go ask my sister-in-law."
Zuo Yun, heavily pregnant, found it inconvenient to keep vigil. She had reportedly fainted from excessive grief and was still confined to her bed.
Wang Qingyao informed the Old Imperial Concubine, who nodded and granted her permission, her eyes seeming to say: Don't forget to tell me when you return.
Zuo Yun was indeed lying in bed, but she didn't look like someone overcome with grief. She was casually eating peeled grapes, her face displaying a rare sense of relaxation.
"Sister Yun," Wang Qingyao stepped forward and took her hand, "Please accept my condolences. Take good care of yourself and absolutely do not let this affect your pregnancy."
Zuo Yun dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and said "sadly," "My health has been quite good usually. I don't know why I suddenly fell ill this time. Life is truly unpredictable!"
Wang Qingyao echoed her sentiments for a few moments. Zuo Yun then dismissed everyone from the room except for Yu'er, her personal maid.
Wang Qingyao finally asked, "What exactly happened?"
Zuo Yun's face turned cold. Recalling something, her body began to tremble.
This Madam Huang had indeed done something significant.
"Don't be angry. She's dead now, and she got what she deserved. Don't let yourself get too upset and affect your pregnancy."
Zuo Yun took a few deep breaths, controlled her emotions, and slowly began to recount the story to Wang Qingyao.
The matter began with Yu'er.
Yu'er was Zuo Yun's dowry maid, considered a confidante. Since Zuo Yun became pregnant, Yu'er had been her primary caregiver.
Zuo Yun and Fang Zheng were wary of Madam Huang, and Yu'er meticulously inspected all gifts from outside before bringing them in.
As a result, Madam Huang targeted Yu'er.
Yu'er had a brother who habitually gambled. This time, for some reason, he had lost everything and incurred a substantial debt, leading to his capture by the gambling house.
Yu'er's parents came to her for help, asking her to raise money.
No matter how favored Yu'er was by her mistress, she was still a servant and didn't have that much money.
Madam Huang somehow learned of this and sent her confidante to find Yu'er, subtly proposing that Madam Huang would repay her brother's debt, but in return, Yu'er had to help Madam Huang harm the child in Zuo Yun's womb.
It was then that Yu'er realized her brother's debt was entirely orchestrated by Madam Huang.
If she refused, her brother's life would be forfeit.
Although Yu'er came from a humble background, she was not foolish; she was intelligent and perceptive.
If she agreed to Madam Huang, after Zuo Yun's child was lost, she would undoubtedly be silenced.
Even if Madam Huang didn't kill her, Fang Zheng would.
Serving by Zuo Yun's side, she had witnessed Fang Zheng's methods.
Furthermore, Zuo Yun had treated her well. She knew how long Zuo Yun had longed for this child, and losing it would be like taking her life.
She couldn't commit such a heinous act.
So, after some thought, Yu'er informed Fang Zheng and Zuo Yun about Madam Huang's attempt to bribe her.
Fang Zheng was already looking for a way to catch Madam Huang red-handed, living in constant fear and suspicion. After discussion, they instructed Yu'er to play along and pretend to agree to Madam Huang's terms.
Madam Huang was also cautious. To test Yu'er's loyalty, she orchestrated several minor, inconsequential schemes. Seeing them all succeed, she relaxed and began to implement her grand plan.
At this point, Zuo Yun said to Wang Qingyao, "You were also involved in this. If something had happened to me, you wouldn't have escaped unscathed."
Wang Qingyao clicked her tongue, "She was that capable? She could implicate me while trying to harm you?"
"Indeed," Zuo Yun replied. "Do you remember my father-in-law's succession banquet? She forced you to say whether the baby in my belly was a boy or a girl."