Chapter 236
**Chapter 234: Under Another's Roof**
Li Wan'er’s demeanor was anything but that of a young girl. Liu Mama tentatively spoke up, “Little Mistress... do you know there’s something wrong with the medicine?”
Li Wan'er forced a bitter smile. “I know.”
At such a tender age, living under someone else's roof, Li Wan'er was more mature and sensitive than her peers. She understood that in this world, apart from her parents, no one would treat her kindly without a reason. The Empress had always ignored her, but suddenly showering her with attention was suspicious.
Having caught a severe chill, she had felt a sudden improvement after taking the medicine, but today she was drenched in sweat. Li Wan'er guessed that the medicine the Empress had given her was tainted.
Yet, she felt powerless to resist.
She had seen through her own future. Without her parents' protection, she was like a drifting reed, without a home. In a couple of years, when she came of age, the Emperor would use her as a pawn to win over the court, marrying her off to someone she did not love. That would be her life.
Tears streamed down Li Wan'er’s face as she held the bowl of medicine, the bitter and foul taste making her stomach churn.
Gritting her teeth, she prepared to drink it.
But Liu Mama snatched the bowl away, pouring the contents into a flower pot before placing the empty bowl into a food box.
“Liu Mama, what are you doing?” Li Wan'er was taken aback.
Liu Mama gently reassured her, “You don’t need to drink this poison. Trust me, when the time is right, you will naturally escape this suffering.”
Li Wan'er looked bewildered.
Liu Mama then left the Baozhu Hall with the food box. The cool breeze of late spring swept through the palace walls, and Liu Mama hurried back to Kun Ning Palace to report.
Inside, the Empress was removing her makeup.
Liu Mama stood outside the door, about to enter, when she suddenly overheard a conversation between the Empress and the head palace maid.
The Empress said, “Tomorrow, we’ll increase the dosage of the Empress Dowager’s health tonic.”
The head maid frowned, trying to dissuade her. “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager holds a revered position as the Emperor’s biological mother, and with the backing of the Xie family... if this is discovered, we’ll all be finished.”
While the head maid supported taking action against the concubines, she hesitated when it came to the Empress Dowager. Increasing the dosage of the tonic would slowly lead to the Dowager’s organ failure. If a child accidentally drank even a few sips, their delicate constitution would quickly lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
The Empress, removing her jade hairpin, sneered, “If we’re going to do it, we might as well go all the way. The Empress Dowager has targeted me repeatedly; it’s better to strike hard.”
Lately, the Empress had been haunted by dreams of her difficult days as the Princess of Yan. Back then, she had lost her power, her husband had turned against her, and her mother-in-law despised her. Trapped in a lonely courtyard, she spent her days burning incense and chanting, suffering greatly.
Filled with anxiety about the future, the Empress often recalled the words of Prince Heng—“If someone were to unexpectedly pass away, my nephew will inherit his father’s legacy,” and “You must think of the future; if one does not act for oneself, heaven will punish them.”
Prince Heng’s words were like nails driven deep into the Empress’s heart. Whenever she faced difficulties, his insidious encouragement echoed in her ears, leading her down a path of no return.
The Empress was terrified of losing power, afraid her child would not inherit the throne.
This time, she would strike first!
Gazing at her withered reflection in the bronze mirror, she realized she was aging, while Shu Fei and Chen Fei still bloomed like flowers. The Empress warned the head maid, “You are the maid sent by my mother to assist me, so you must obey my orders. Rest assured, once this is accomplished, I will reward you handsomely.”
The head maid lowered her head, concealing the hint of mockery in her eyes, and nodded slowly.
Outside, Liu Mama had overheard their entire conversation. Clenching the food box tightly, she felt like crying from the Empress’s cunning.
How audacious!
Not only plotting against the concubines but also attempting to poison the Empress Dowager—was she dragging the entire Dan Tai family down with her?
The Dan Tai family had a history of a hundred years, with ancestors who followed the Emperor of the Qing Kingdom to establish the nation, earning a century of prosperity through their remarkable military achievements. Yet, this generation had produced a short-sighted Empress, who, regardless of others’ warnings, was determined to leap into the abyss.
A gentleman’s grace can be severed after five generations.
The Dan Tai family would inevitably be destroyed by the Empress’s hands.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Mama knocked on the door, adopting a calm tone. “Your Majesty, this old servant has returned.”
“Come in,” the Empress replied from within.
Liu Mama lowered her head and stepped inside.
The Empress removed her earrings and casually asked, “Has Wan'er finished her medicine?”
Liu Mama maintained her composure. “This old servant kept a close watch; Miss Wan'er has finished her medicine.”
The Empress sneered, “At least she knows her place.”
Liu Mama felt conflicted and decided to try to persuade the Empress once more. It was not too late to pull back from the brink.
“Your Majesty,” Liu Mama spoke gently, “The harem is still under your management. As long as you don’t provoke trouble, I believe the Emperor and the Empress Dowager won’t take away your authority. No matter how the concubines vie for favor, you are still the one and only Empress.”
With a crash, the Empress threw a red hairpin onto the dressing table, glaring at Liu Mama in dissatisfaction. “How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside me? I was once blind and nearly fell victim to that wretched Shen woman. This time, I must crush Shen and clear all obstacles.”
Liu Mama opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her words of advice.
There was no reasoning with her; the Empress had gone mad.
Liu Mama lowered her head and quietly left the Empress’s chamber. The wind howled in the courtyard, causing the Kun Ning Palace to echo with the sound of rustling leaves.
...
...
Inside Ci Ning Palace, Le You was dozing off when the wind rustled the leaves outside, waking her. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and noticed the Empress Dowager was still awake.
These days, Le You had been sleeping alongside the Empress Dowager every night.
“Grandmother, are you thinking about Aunt Zhao Yang?” Le You asked, tugging at the sleeve of the Dowager’s robe, her voice filled with concern.
The Empress Dowager covered Le You with a soft blanket and sighed, “Yes, I’m thinking about Zhao Yang... The wind is strong at night, and the roads are dark. Zhao Yang has never traveled far; I wonder if she’s sleeping well these days and if she’s cold at night.”
Zhao Yang had been pampered since childhood and had never faced hardship. Now, married off to the Emperor of Yue, the journey was long and arduous, and the Empress Dowager was deeply worried.
Le You, with her innocent voice, comforted her, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. Uncle is escorting Aunt Zhao Yang, so no bad people will bully her. I gave Aunt Zhao Yang a thick fox fur blanket; she’ll be warm under it.”
The Empress Dowager was surprised. “The fox fur blanket—was it the one gifted by Dong Lin Kingdom?”
That blanket was extremely precious, providing excellent warmth. The Empress Dowager had been reluctant to use it herself and had given it to Le You upon returning to the palace.
She hadn’t expected Le You to generously pass it on to Zhao Yang.
Le You nodded obediently. “Yes! So Grandmother doesn’t need to worry; Aunt Zhao Yang won’t be cold. You should rest early. My mother always says that eating well and sleeping well leads to a long life.”
A warm feeling spread through the Empress Dowager’s heart as she affectionately held Le You close, saying, “My dear grandchild.”
Le You let the Empress Dowager hold her for a while, while the leaves rustled in the courtyard. She couldn’t help but think of Li Wan'er.
Sister Wan'er had just recovered from her illness; it was cold tonight, and she wondered if she was comfortable while sleeping.
Le You tugged at the Empress Dowager’s sleeve. “Grandmother, tomorrow I want to visit Sister Wan'er. She just got over her chill, and I want to bring her a tiger skin blanket.”
The Empress Dowager was taken aback. “Wan'er is ill?”
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