Chapter 279
**Chapter 277: Incitement and Threats**
The former dynasty is now in turmoil, with impeachment petitions against the Dan Tai family piling up on the emperor's desk like snowflakes. In the palace, Dan Tai Yin Xue finds herself utterly alone, without any support.
At this critical moment, a palace maid named Xiao Meng unexpectedly approaches Cai Lian, piquing her curiosity about the maid's intentions.
With a calm demeanor, Xiao Meng produces an old jade pendant from her sleeve and hands it to Cai Lian. "Aunt Cai Lian, you dropped your jade pendant."
It was a very old piece, dull in color and of poor quality—one of the cheapest jades available. It had clearly weathered many storms, at least a decade old.
Cai Lian's breath caught in her throat as she snatched the pendant back.
Her grandmother's jade pendant!
Cai Lian's lips trembled as she glared coldly at the maid before her. "Where did you get this?"
Xiao Meng smiled slightly. "My master found it by chance. Aunt Cai Lian, my master wishes to see you."
Cai Lian fell silent for a moment before instructing the palace maids behind her, "You two go to the flower room and bring back two pots of 'Yu Hu Chun' autumn chrysanthemums to Yong Ning Palace."
The maids complied and left.
Once they were gone, Cai Lian turned her full attention to Xiao Meng. "Take me to see Xue Jie Yu."
After navigating a couple of turns through a long corridor, Xiao Meng led Cai Lian to a secluded garden. There, surrounded by the vibrant autumn chrysanthemums, stood the elegantly dressed Dan Tai Yin Xue, admiring the flowers.
Cai Lian stepped closer.
Dan Tai Yin Xue plucked a striking purple-red chrysanthemum, playing with it in her hands as she tilted her head to scrutinize Cai Lian. "Lan Pin is both foolish and clumsy. A few months ago, she suddenly devised a clever scheme against me. At that moment, I thought she must have received guidance from someone wise. I sent Xiao Meng to investigate and uncover the rat hiding in the gutter—namely, you."
Cai Lian remained silent.
It was indeed true.
Back then, Lan Pin had come to Shen Wei to complain, claiming that Dan Tai Yin Xue had poisoned her, but she couldn't provide any evidence. Following Shen Wei's instructions, Cai Lian had discreetly nudged Lan Pin in the right direction.
Little did she expect that Dan Tai Yin Xue would catch wind of it.
Having served by Shen Wei's side for many years, Cai Lian remained calm in the face of adversity. "Is Xue Jie Yu here to settle old scores?"
Dan Tai Yin Xue shook her head, delicately pinching the chrysanthemum as she slowly approached Cai Lian. "Before your grandmother was taken away, she kept murmuring your childhood name. How pitiful."
Cai Lian's heart sank, her brows knitting together.
Her grandmother had been captured by Xue Jie Yu's people!
Cai Lian clenched her fists tightly, a tremor in her voice. "What do you want?"
Dan Tai Yin Xue let out a soft laugh, as if amused by a curious spectacle, sizing up Cai Lian. "No wonder you are the most capable maid by Chen Fei's side. Even now, you remain composed—too bad your grandmother wasn't as calm. When she was taken from the estate, she fainted on the spot."
Cai Lian bit her lip hard.
Dan Tai Yin Xue continued slowly, "I will give you two days to poison Chen Fei. Otherwise, your grandmother will end up feeding the fish."
With that, Dan Tai Yin Xue tucked the chrysanthemum into Cai Lian's hair, the flower blooming beautifully at her temple.
"You have no way out," she warned.
With a cold smile lingering on her lips, Dan Tai Yin Xue turned and leisurely walked away with the maid.
The chrysanthemums in the garden bloomed quietly. Cai Lian yanked the flower from her hair and crushed it underfoot, then spun around and dashed toward the Neiwufu (the Internal Affairs Office).
She made an excuse to leave the palace to buy cosmetics for Chen Fei, quickly taking a carriage to her grandmother's estate.
The estate was small and eerily empty.
In her grandmother's little bedroom, porcelain lay shattered across the floor, and a faint scent of blood lingered in the air. Cai Lian stood frozen, tears streaming down her cheeks.
...
In Huayang Palace, Dan Tai Yin Xue sat in the courtyard, admiring the flowers. Soon, Xiao Meng returned with news. "Master, just as you predicted, Cai Lian has indeed left the palace."
Dan Tai Yin Xue curled her lips into a smile, her delicate fingers playing with the autumn chrysanthemums in the garden.
Fortunately, the Dan Tai family had not completely collapsed; there were still a few people available to abduct Cai Lian's grandmother.
Having witnessed the scene firsthand, Cai Lian would no longer harbor any illusions.
Dan Tai Yin Xue said lightly, "Blood ties are strong. For the sake of her only grandmother, she will surely act against Chen Fei."
Once Chen Fei is dead, Dan Tai Yin Xue's family can escape unscathed.
Dan Tai Yin Xue slowly rose, turning to admire the garden full of chrysanthemums. A bittersweet smile crossed her face as she thought for a moment and grasped Xiao Meng's hand. "Tomorrow, I will find a reason to dismiss you from Huayang Palace. You won't have to serve me anymore."
Xiao Meng's eyes filled with tears. "Master..."
Dan Tai Yin Xue reassured her, "I have no way out. If you stay with me, it will lead to your demise."
Xiao Meng knelt, bowing her head three times to Dan Tai Yin Xue.
At that moment, footsteps approached from a distance. Lan Pin, holding a golden silk fan, sauntered over, a smug look on her face. "Oh, what are you two discussing? Struggling in vain?"
Lan Pin wore a triumphant expression.
Good fortune had been on her side lately.
The last son of the empress was gone, the Dan Tai family was on the verge of collapse, and the emperor was likely to depose the empress. Dan Tai Yin Xue would probably be cast into the cold palace—Lan Pin couldn't be happier.
With the empress deposed, either Shu Fei or Chen Fei would be elevated to empress, leaving one of the four consort positions vacant.
Previously, Lan Pin had racked her brain to frame Mei Fei in hopes of securing a consort position, but the opportunity never arose. Now, she wouldn't need to scheme against Mei Fei; all she had to do was plead with the empress dowager for a chance to ascend to a consort position.
Lan Pin had been in high spirits these days, to the point where her appetite had increased, and her face had grown rounder.
Dan Tai Yin Xue ignored Lan Pin and turned to leave the courtyard. Lan Pin, still unsatisfied, called out mockingly from behind, "Hey, where are you running off to? Did my words hit a nerve? Weren't you quite proud when you first entered the palace?"
Bang—
Dan Tai Yin Xue slammed the door to her chamber shut.
Lan Pin covered her mouth, laughing so hard she nearly trembled.
...
As night fell, Yong Ning Palace was brightly lit.
The palace maids moved in an orderly fashion, bringing in trays of exquisite dishes. With the arrival of autumn's chill, Shen Wei had specifically instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare a dish of chestnut chicken and a duck soup with lilies.
A maid carrying the lily duck soup was about to enter when Cai Lian stopped her.
Cai Lian calmly took the food box and gently told the maid, "Tonight, let me serve the two masters."
As the head maid of Yong Ning Palace, Cai Lian's words carried weight. The maid dared not argue and left with her head bowed.
The light from the main room spilled out, illuminating Cai Lian's dress; she stood half in shadow, half in light. The night breeze tousled the strands of hair at her forehead as she opened the food box.
The fragrant aroma of the soup wafted out.
Cai Lian stared at the soup in the box, her expression darkening.
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