As if afraid that Yu Wan would not understand which mother it was, she added, “His Majesty and Prince Yan’s biological mother.”

Yu Wan understood. After the late Empress was banished to the Cold Palace, she did not regain her throne until the late Emperor passed away. The late Emperor married a successor. It was only after His Majesty ascended the throne that he conferred the title of Empress Dowager to both the successor and biological mother.

“At that time, Grand Marshal Xiao proposed to His Majesty to marry Princess Consort Yan. Prince Yan’s corpse had yet to turn cold, and he proposed to marry Prince Yan’s widow at this critical juncture. His Majesty was furious and punished him to return to his room to reflect on his mistakes. Because of this, the Empress Dowager did not hold a large-scale birthday banquet, but she did not want to be careless with Cong’er’s birthday. She asked the princes and ministers to bring the children into the palace and wanted to celebrate Cong’er’s birthday. I drank a little too much at the banquet and went outside the hall to sober up. As I walked, I walked to the Taiyao Pool, and I heard someone talking.”

At this point, the Empress’s eyes paused.

“Does it have to be today? Is your Nanzhao Royal Family so intolerant of a child?”

“It’s not up to you to decide. In short, remember to do a good job. We will definitely do what we promised you! I saw him come to the banquet. This is a good time for you to make a move!”

After recalling, the Empress sighed. “I drank too much that night. I don’t remember what else happened after that. I only vaguely know that it was a woman and a man.”

“A woman in the harem?” Yu Wan asked.

The Empress shook her head. “I didn’t see her face clearly, but I feel that she should be from the harem, and she’s not a palace maid, but a master with status.”

That’s right, why would the royal family of Nanzhao make a deal with a palace maid?

“After that, that man left. I wanted to see who she was, but she also left. I was so hungover that I actually slept for three days and three nights. When I woke up, I remembered about the Taiyao Pool, but I’m not sure if I had drunk too much and thought of it out of thin air. I asked the eunuch if any children at the banquet had an accident. The eunuch said no, there were more than twenty children who came to the banquet that day. I sent someone to carefully observe for more than half a month and saw that no one had an accident. I thought that this was indeed because I had drunk too much. How could anyone harm the children who attended the banquet? It was all my imagination.”

It was probably not an illusion. That child should be Yan Jiuchao. The woman had succeeded. She gave Yan Jiuchao the Fragrance of Hundred Miles. However, the Fragrance of Hundred Miles was suppressed by the poison curse in Yan Jiuchao’s body, so it had never acted up.

There was no need to tell the Empress this. Yu Wan asked, “Your Majesty, you thought it was an illusion back then. Why do you think it’s real now?”

The Empress smiled bitterly. “I’ve been grounded in the Fengshai Palace for ten years. How do you think I survived these ten years? Even if I’m a fool, I should understand some things.”

Yu Wan looked at the Empress. “Then the owner of that voice…”

The Empress recalled, “I really can’t remember this clearly, but the direction she left seems to be in Chuxiu Palace. That year, only Consort Li, Worthy Consort, Consort Yu, and Lady Wan of Bright Deportment lived in Chuxiu Palace. Consort Li is already dead. If it’s her, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. You don’t have to doubt Consort Yu. She’s a blockhead.”

Consort Yu was Prince Cheng’s biological mother and would never cause trouble. Yu Wan also felt that she was not a big suspect.

Then only Worthy Consort Xu and Lady Wan of Bright Deportment were left.

The suspicion of these two people was even lower. Worthy Consort Xu had never seen Yan Jiuchao as a threat, even if they had a falling out now. From the beginning to the end, the only person Worthy Consort Xu wanted to kill was Yu Wan. In Worthy Consort Xu’s opinion, Yan Jiuchao would die sooner or later. There was no need to personally get herself into trouble.

As for Lady Wan of Bright Deportment, she was Master Xiao Wu’s biological sister and she’s on Xiao Zhenting’s side. What reason did she have to frame Yan Jiuchao?

Could it really be the deceased Consort Li? Consort Li’s reason for framing Yan Jiuchao was—

The Empress and Yu Wan thought of the same thing. “Consort Li and Mrs. Xiao are not on good terms. Mrs. Xiao once humiliated her in public. It seems reasonable for her to bear a grudge and frame Cong’er.”

If it was Consort Li, Yu Wan would be too indignant. Yan Jiuchao had been poisoned for so many years. Why should she die and be done with it?

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” She had already obtained the information she needed. Yan Jiuchao was still waiting for her to go back and take care of him. Yu Wan stood up and bade farewell to the Empress.

The Empress nodded.

“But—” The Empress suddenly began.

Yu Wan turned around.

The Empress thought for a while and shook her head. “Nothing. I must have thought too much. Go back to the manor and take care of Cong’er first. If I think of anything else, I’ll send someone to inform you in time.”

Yu Wan bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Empress asked Emissary Cui to send her out of Zhaoyang Palace. When she passed by the imperial study, Yu Wan saw a tall and mighty figure from afar. Who else could it be but Xiao Zhenting?

Xiao Zhenting had just come out of imperial study.

Yu Wan was about to go forward and greet him when she saw a woman in a light blue palace dress walking towards Xiao Zhenting on another path. Beside her was a palace maid in pink armor.

The woman had exquisite makeup on. She did not look like a girl in her early twenties, but she did not look old either. On the contrary, she had the charm and gentleness of someone who had been baptized by time.

She and Xiao Zhenting bumped into each other. Xiao Zhenting was stunned for a moment before cupping his hands and bowing. From Yu Wan’s angle, she could coincidentally see most of the woman’s face. The woman was smiling like a flower, and her phoenix eyes were sparkling.

“That person is…” Yu Wan asked Emissary Cui.

Emissary Cui looked around and said, “That’s Lady Wan of Bright Deportment.”

So she’s Master Xiao Wu’s biological sister. No wonder she spoke to Xiao Zhenting.

“Big Brother Xiao, there’s no need to be so polite,” Lady Wan of Bright Deportment said gently.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Xiao Zhenting straightened his body without looking sideways.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment smiled at him. “Like I said, Big Brother Xiao doesn’t have to be so polite when there’s no one around.”

Xiao Zhenting said matter-of-factly, “The etiquette of a ruler and minister can’t be abandoned.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment smiled. “How’s Old Mrs. Xiao health?”

“Mother is fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“How are Eldest Master Xiao and Eldest Madam?”

“Alright.”

“What about you, Big Brother Xiao? How are you?” Lady Wan of Bright Deportment’s eyes sparkled with heat.

“I’m good too.” Xiao Zhenting did not look at her. He was only staring at the ground in front of him.

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment wanted to ask something, but Yu Wan walked over.

Yu Wan calmly bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Lady Wan of Bright Deportment had never seen Yu Wan before and did not recognize her for a moment.

On the other hand, Xiao Zhenting’s eyes instantly softened and he said dotingly, “Why are you here?”

Yu Wan smiled sweetly and said, “I entered the palace to greet the Empress. I saw Father just now, so I came to greet you.”

The word ‘father’ made Xiao Zhenting’s eyes widen.