Kunning Palace.
"Xi Yan and Xiling were disrespectful at today's flower - viewing banquet," the Successor Empress said slowly. The Crown Princess beside her turned pale. "But Ah Huan really exceeded my expectations."
"It seems that she has spent a lot of time on etiquette and rules in private. She is a good girl."
"Imperial Grandmother, you're overpraising me," Song Shihuan replied with a faint smile. She really had to thank Song Xiyan for this.
In her previous life, she was confined in the Eastern Palace. Every day, so - called etiquette tutors forced her to learn rules.
For every wrong move, she would be hit with a wooden board until her hands were swollen.
So those etiquette rules were deeply engraved in her mind.
"Ah Huan, why don't you stay in Kunning Palace with me for a few days?" The Successor Empress looked kind - faced. "I really took a fancy to you today. Coincidentally, you're about to enter the girls' school. How about I teach you myself?"
As long as Song Shihuan was in her Kunning Palace, she would have countless ways to kill Song Shihuan quietly.
"Imperial Grandmother, do younger sisters Xi Yan and Xiling have the same honor?"
Hearing Song Shihuan's words, the Crown Princess's body began to sway. "Mother, this is against the rules."
"I want my granddaughter to accompany me. What's against the rules?"
Seeing that her scheme was blocked by the Crown Princess, her own ally, a look of impatience flashed across the Successor Empress's face.
"Imperial Grandmother, I'm naturally willing to accompany you," Song Shihuan pretended to be in a dilemma. "It's just... today, younger sisters Xi Yan and Xiling made a fool of themselves in front of everyone. If I move into Kunning Palace for a short stay at this time, I'm afraid the two younger sisters will be sad."
"What's the big deal? Xi Yan and Xiling are magnanimous children."
Just as the Successor Empress was about to breathe a sigh of relief after Song Shihuan's agreement, the Crown Princess's cold and firm voice rang out again:
"If a daughter of a prince wants to live in the palace for a long time, the Emperor's permission is required."
"I didn't know there was such a rule," Song Shihuan pretended to walk outside. "Imperial Grandmother, I'll go to see the Emperor now and ask for his approval."
"Stop."
The Successor Empress's face turned ashen. How could she let Song Shihuan, with such a face, go to see the Emperor?
The reason she wanted to keep Song Shihuan for a short stay was to get rid of her before the Emperor saw her again.
"If this gets to the Emperor's ears, Xi Yan and Xiling will surely be scolded," the Successor Empress pretended to be distressed. "In that case, I won't keep you in Kunning Palace."
"What a pity," Song Shihuan looked disappointed. "It's a pity that I don't have this good fortune. Then I'll take my leave first."
The moment she stepped out of Kunning Palace, Song Shihuan couldn't help raising her eyebrows.
Today was really a trip full of joy and fruitful results.
Behind her.
The Successor Empress picked up the teacup beside her and threw it at the Crown Princess's feet.
"Are you out of your mind today? Can't you see that I want to keep Song Shihuan in Kunning Palace?" The Successor Empress was furious and roared at the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess was extremely aggrieved. "Xi Yan was also a child you watched grow up. She made a fool of herself today because of Xiling. If you directly bring Song Shihuan to Kunning Palace, what will others think of Xi Yan?"
"Xi Yan, Xi Yan. Can't you think about something else?"
The Successor Empress pointed at the Crown Princess's head in frustration.
The Crown Princess also got angry. If people outside spread that Xi Yan was not favored by the Empress, what face would she have?
"Kneel down for me."
The Crown Princess looked at the Successor Empress in shock. After being married to the Crown Prince for so many years, this was the first time she was ordered to kneel down in front of the servants.
When her knees touched the cold ground, the Crown Princess felt a bone - chilling cold all over her body.
"I'll tell you today. You must get rid of Song Shihuan as soon as possible. Otherwise, everything you have now will be just a dream."
"Get rid of her?"
The Crown Princess's eyelids twitched. "She is also my child. How can I..."
How could she kill her?
"She looks exactly like the late Empress!"
"If she doesn't die, your other children will." The Successor Empress waved her sleeves. "You just kneel here. Get up when you figure it out."
...
After returning to the Qin Prince's Mansion, Song Shihuan let out a long sigh of relief.
"Your Ladyship, nothing bad happened, right?" Yingchun asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. Apart from Song Xiyan and Xiling getting soaked to the skin, nothing serious happened," Song Shihuan waved her hand. "This face of mine is both a blessing and a curse."
"The guards sent by the Emperor are all highly skilled in martial arts, much better than me," Baoxia muttered. "Your Ladyship, just relax."
Song Shihuan nodded.
The Successor Empress didn't want her to see the Emperor, but she didn't know that Mei Zhilin had already reported this matter to the Emperor.
It really seemed that fate was not on the side of Kunning Palace.
"By the way, where are Father and Teacher Shen?"
"Just after you entered the palace, the Prince and Teacher Shen went to investigate what happened on your way to the palace. They haven't come back yet. I'm afraid they still have no clues," Yingchun replied. "The horse was acting so strangely that it almost threw you off the carriage and made you late."
"Who is in charge of the horses in the mansion?"
"Your Ladyship, it's Uncle Zhang," the Nanny explained. "Uncle Zhang has been in the mansion for more than ten years. He is diligent and doesn't talk much. So last time when the Prince was cleaning up the servants in the mansion, he specially kept Uncle Zhang."
"Is there anyone else left in the mansion besides Uncle Zhang?" Song Shihuan's eyes narrowed.
"No."
Song Shihuan nodded. It seemed there was still one fish that slipped through the net.
"Is there any special relationship between Father and Uncle Zhang?" Song Shihuan didn't think an ordinary and honest servant was worth the Prince's special order to keep.
"Uncle Zhang used to drive the carriage. Once, when he was taking the Prince through a steep place, the horse suddenly went crazy. If it weren't for Uncle Zhang protecting the Prince with his own body, the Prince might have fallen off the cliff," the Nanny sighed as she recalled the past. "Uncle Zhang hurt his foot, so now he can only take care of the horses."
"The Steward didn't mention Uncle Zhang when introducing the mansion before."
"He is a reclusive person, and people don't remember him very well. If you hadn't asked today, I would have forgotten about him too."
Such an unnoticeable person, yet the Prince still remembered him.
No wonder they hadn't found any clues after such a long investigation.
The Prince probably wouldn't even suspect Uncle Zhang and just skipped him to investigate others.
The on - looker sees most clearly while the person involved is often muddled.
Song Shihuan's eyes flickered. It was a pity that Uncle Zhang probably let down the Prince's gratitude.
"Yingchun, find a chance to remind Teacher Shen that there is an Uncle Zhang in charge of the horses in the mansion," Song Shihuan said with a cold face. Shen Qingping was a smart person, and just a hint would be enough.
"Okay."
Watching Yingchun's back as she left, Song Shihuan closed her eyes.
If possible, she would rather it wasn't Uncle Zhang.
