For two consecutive days, Yan Qing did not show her face. The departure of Consort De this time was a blow to her, so she remained ill for several days.
However, she wasn't idle during these days. After all, she would not let Consort De die without knowing the truth. Therefore, she had been investigating these past two days. But the results... were not satisfactory. Overall, she did not believe the outcome!
Yan Qing had ordered many thorough investigations, and each time the result was that Yang Baolin had instigated the Eldest Princess to harm Consort De... (Yang Baolin, formerly Yang Zhaoyuan, the birth mother of the Eldest Princess, refer to chapters 209 onwards.)
The motive was that Yang Baolin was unwilling to have her daughter raised by Consort De. If Consort De died, and the Eldest Princess missed her mother, she would have a chance to have the Eldest Princess back under her care. Thus, she instructed the Eldest Princess to drug Consort De, as no one would suspect such a young girl of having such audacity. Afterward, she would use this as an excuse to evade responsibility, creating a false impression that the Eldest Princess was being manipulated by someone with ulterior motives.
But... what could a child hide? Yan Qing had ordered an interrogation, and the girl revealed everything. Yang Zhaoyuan initially denied it, but later directly confessed her guilt. The matter seemed to be as good as settled, but... Yan Qing did not believe it.
She felt something was wrong, yet she couldn't pinpoint it. For instance, how did the Eldest Princess meet Yang Baolin? Yang Baolin was still under house arrest and located in a secluded area. How could a young girl manage to visit her?
Furthermore, with so many people around the Eldest Princess, how did she escape their notice and go alone? Yang Baolin had been confined, so where did her medicine come from? Yet, despite so many questions, the final outcome was Yang Zhaoyuan's confession, which was highly illogical.
But this was all Yan Qing could uncover... Although Consort De had a bad temper and was usually forthright, she had no direct conflict of interest with anyone. If there was any... it seemed to be only Yang Baolin.
However... Yan Qing hesitated. Was someone using Yang Baolin? But she had indeed confessed...
"Your Highness," Si Ying entered, interrupting Yan Qing's thoughts.
"Lu Ruo Ruo has entered the palace," Si Ying stated. Upon hearing this, Yan Qing directly overturned the tea set beside her.
"The Lu family is truly audacious! Ying Yue has only been gone for a few days, and they are already this impatient? I am not dead yet, and they dare to think of having Lu Ruo Ruo replace Ying Yue!" Yan Qing's emotions became somewhat agitated.
"What did His Majesty say?" Yan Qing asked Si Ying.
"Lu Ruo Ruo has not yet met His Majesty, but... Lu Ruo Ruo's mother has some connection with Consort Xian's maternal family, so Lu Ruo Ruo went to Consort Xian's palace. Later, she will likely use Consort Xian's influence to gain His Majesty's attention," Si Ying replied.
"How presumptuous! Does Consort Xian not know what she is herself? She actually dares to accept this favor. Since they are seeking death, I shall send them on their way!" Yan Qing was clearly angered by this matter.
Lu Ruo Ruo, a daughter from a collateral branch, what was she to warrant such treatment? In these past two days, she would deal with these disgusting people!
"Later, bring Yang Baolin over. Since she wishes to die, her death must have value. She harmed Ying Yue, so she shall atone for Ying Yue's death," Yan Qing had a plan in mind.