Dethroned the Crown Princess? Then she became your mother

Zhang Tianai finally spoke again, breaking the silence in the room.

"Grandma, Ai'er is suggesting that perhaps I could visit you in the palace? But I'm well aware of the situation in the Eastern Palace that you're worried about. Why not send someone back to inform them first?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan's expression was initially agitated, as if she were about to express her opinion immediately, but in the blink of an eye, she calmed down again. She had taken her son's words to heart. Finally, Yuan's words paused on her lips, dissolving into a soft sigh.

"Okay, I'll do as my son says."

Zhang Tianai nodded in agreement, her eyes gently falling on her grandmother's face, which was gradually calming down and no longer confused. Then, she turned her gaze to Li Ma and Chunmei, as if seeking their response.

Nanny Li responded softly, and Chunmei cast a questioning look. Ever since she had accompanied Zhang Tianai to the capital on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival and met Grandmother, a tacit understanding had formed between them, though it wasn't stated explicitly, to avoid touching on sensitive topics.

"Perhaps, we can let Nanny Yu go." Yuan suddenly spoke again, turning her gaze to Nanny Yu standing beside her.

Nanny Yu bowed slightly to show her agreement.

"Grandmother asked Nanny Yu to go back and inform you. Then the people around you..." Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai turned around and looked at her grandmother and Nanny Yu, with some concern in her words.

Yuan gently waved her hand and said with a smile, "That's fine. It would be more appropriate to let Yu Ma go back and see the boss. The boss knows about this matter. I know what to do."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai responded softly, and then instructed Nanny Li to accompany Nanny Yu.

After the two of them left, the room returned to silence. Yuan's eyes fell on Zhang Tianai's bulging belly, her eyes full of love and worry.

"My dear, you must take good care of yourself, protect the child, and take good care of yourself. Grandma knows you may be tired of hearing these words, but Grandma can't help but remind you again. You must not be like Ci'er. She is in such a state now. Grandma is really regretful and anxious. And you must be careful with your body."

"There are other women in the Eastern Palace. If they are also pregnant, you must be even more careful. Now that you are the only one pregnant, you are the thorn in everyone's eyes. Everyone inside and outside the palace is watching you. The emperor is not around and can't protect you. You must be extra careful."

Yuan's words were filled with worry and concern, pouring out all her anxiety and fear. Ci'er's situation made her even more afraid, fearing that her beloved son would suffer the same misfortune.

Over the past few months, the emperor has repeatedly praised Zhang Tianai in public, mentioning her ideas for hybrid rice and other projects. Although Zhang Tianai always modestly claims that she only helped a little, the outside world's praise has poured in like a tide, even surpassing the empress.

"Grandma, don't be like this. Don't worry too much about my second sister's matter. I have always been very careful and have been telling people around me to pay more attention. I know everything you said. As for whether other women in the Eastern Palace are pregnant, I don't know for the time being. But I can send someone to inquire about the situation with the Crown Princess." Zhang Tianai comforted her grandmother softly, trying to ease her worries.

"Yes, yes, my dear, please send someone to find out right away." Upon hearing this, Yuan hurriedly urged.

Zhang Tianai then ordered the newly arrived palace maid to inquire about the news. She continued to talk with her grandmother for a while until she calmed down.

Afterwards, Yuan went to check the situation in the room, while Zhang Tianai turned her attention to Chunmei.

"Chunmei." Zhang Tianai called softly.

"Master." Chunmei responded immediately.

Soon after, Nanny Li also returned to the room. As soon as she entered, she reported that everything had been arranged according to her master's instructions.

"Okay." Zhang Tianai responded softly, but her expression seemed a little unhappy.

"Also, I want to know if there is any new news from the Crown Princess? For example, those things I asked you to pay attention to before." Zhang Tianai asked Nanny Li again.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Li's expression darkened. She shook her head and said, "Not yet, Master. I haven't heard any new news yet."

Zhang Tianai's face suddenly darkened. She said unhappily, "Not yet? The Crown Princess already gave birth to a premature baby and a stillborn!"

Nanny Li knew that she was derelict in her duty by not finding out the news, and she quickly apologized to her master.

"Master, what do you want to know?" Chunmei asked cautiously.

Zhang Tianai did not answer immediately, but fell into deep thought. After a moment, she asked again:

"Have Luo and the other concubine admitted to murdering the Crown Princess? Are they refusing to admit it, or have they already confessed? Have they said anything? It's unlikely they'd admit it easily. Also, how was the Crown Princess's stillborn baby handled? Was it buried? How many people witnessed this? Which imperial physician was present? And who had been taking the Crown Princess's pulse?"

Zhang Tianai asked a slew of questions, clearly showing her deep concern for the Crown Princess's affairs. Hearing this, Nanny Li couldn't help but be amazed at her mistress's keenness and meticulousness.

"I haven't asked about these things yet. I didn't expect that the master would be so concerned. Could it be because of the old lady's matter..." Nanny Li secretly guessed the master's thoughts in her heart.

"If you don't know, go ask!" Zhang Tianai interrupted Li Ma and ordered unhappily.

Nanny Li responded helplessly, looked at her master again, then turned and left.

Seeing this, Chunmei called out again, "Master?"

Zhang Tianai turned around and looked at Chunmei, as if wanting some comfort or advice from her. But Chunmei just shook her head, indicating that she didn't know what to do either.

"We already know about the Crown Princess's premature stillbirth. We still need to write a letter to the Emperor. Otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves when he returns." Zhang Tianai suddenly said. She asked Chunmei to help her up as she went to the study to write a letter to the Emperor.

When Chunmei heard this, she quickly said she would go get the pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Zhang Tianai nodded in agreement.

"But master, you are not feeling well." Chunmei said worriedly.

"It's okay." Zhang Tianai shook her head slightly, indicating that Chunmei didn't need to worry too much.

Hearing this, Chunmei had no choice but to turn around and get her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. After a while, she brought everything back and placed them on the desk one by one.

Zhang Tianai stood up with the help of a palace maid, walked to the desk and sat down. She picked up a pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write on the paper. She first briefly told the emperor about the Crown Princess, and then asked where the emperor was at the moment.

After finishing the letter, Zhang Tianai blew the ink dry, folded it, and put it in an envelope. She gave it to Chunmei and asked her to send it off.

Chunmei took the envelope and left. Silence returned to the room, leaving Zhang Tianai alone. She picked up her purse, pulled out the crystal seal, and began to play with it.

The crystal seal was so translucent it seemed as if one could see the scene on the other side. Zhang Tianai examined it carefully, marveling at its exquisiteness and wonder. She gently rubbed the seal's surface, and the traces of cinnabar had been wiped clean, leaving no residue.

After playing with the seal for a while, she picked it up and examined it carefully. The transparent crystal shone charmingly in the sunlight, like a precious work of art. Zhang Tianai looked at it, and an inexplicable emotion welled up in her heart.

Meanwhile, the business of the Rouge and Powder Shop jointly opened by Concubine Xian and Zhang Tianai is also booming. With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, they decide to expand the shop again to meet the needs of more customers.

Concubine Wanwan was not in the palace garden. Her mind seemed to be focused on the shop. In order to ensure the smooth operation of the shop, she had to send her trusted people to look after it from time to time.

Soon, Nanny Li hurried back, followed closely by Chunmei.

"Master." The two called out in unison.

Zhang Tianai nodded slightly, her eyes wandering over them, wondering why they came together. As there was still no movement from her grandmother, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did you all come back together?"

Nanny Li stepped forward and replied respectfully, "I have completed my instructions and have come to report to my master." Chunmei blinked her round eyes and added, "I have delivered the letter to the designated person."

Zhang Tianai responded softly. Curious, Nanny Li quickly inquired, "What letter did the master write? And where is it being sent?"

Zhang Tianai turned to Chunmei with a deep look in her eyes, and then replied to Li Ma: "I wrote a letter to the emperor. This matter is of great importance, so of course I have to report it to the emperor."

Chunmei nodded in confirmation after hearing this. After hearing this, Nanny Li understood and felt that her master's approach was very appropriate.

However, Nanny Li didn't give up. She seemed to have something else to say. She called out again, "Master." Zhang Tianai noticed her hesitation and asked, "What else?"

Chunmei also looked at Li Mama curiously. Li Mama took a deep breath and said, "Master, when I was out giving orders just now, someone came to my door and told me something."

She paused and continued, "It's about that Miss He."

Miss He? He Qing? Zhang Tianai's heart skipped a beat; she already knew the eldest daughter of the He family was named He Qing. She frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding welling up in her heart.

Chunmei also fell into deep thought. Seeing this, Nanny Li continued, "My Lord, this young lady from the He Mansion seems no longer content with running the spicy hot pot shop. She has begun privately contacting people within the palace. Our spies have just discovered that she is not only looking for people connected to the palace, but is also inquiring about the Empress's family and the family of the former Imperial Concubine."

Nanny Li's voice was filled with worry, knowing that Miss He's movements had drawn the Master's close attention. Chunmei also wore a worried look, clearly uneasy about He Qing's intentions.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianai said softly, "It seems this Miss He no longer wants to keep to herself. She wants to take action simply because she knows we're watching her. However, since we've already discovered her movements, there's no need to worry about her doing anything drastic."

She turned to Chunmei and Madam Li and continued, "You don't have to worry too much. Since I've asked you to keep an eye on her, I won't give her the chance to do anything that would harm us. Once we find out her purpose in contacting these people, we can make any plans."

When she mentioned the word "plan", she gestured unconsciously with her hands, as if hinting at something. Seeing this, Nanny Li and Chunmei felt a little relieved.

"Yes," Nanny Li replied, her worries lessening considerably. Chunmei also widened her eyes, seeming to be filled with confidence in her master's decision.

Zhang Tianai smiled slightly at this. She hadn't expected He Qing to be so patient, waiting until now to act. However, now that she had revealed her true colors, there was no way she could escape their control.

At this moment, Yuan was pacing the room, unable to sleep, her heart still on Zhang Tianai. She wanted to know what her son was doing at this moment and why he had come so suddenly.

Soon, Zhang Tianai met her grandmother.

-

Time slipped by quietly, from midday to afternoon, and then to afternoon. Meanwhile, within the Weiyuan Marquis's mansion, he hadn't left for the autumn hunt. Although the emperor hadn't explicitly forbidden him to go, he felt embarrassed to show his face before everyone, so he chose to remain in the capital.

He was not alone in his sentiments. Consequently, no one in the palace went on the autumn hunt. Marquis Weiyuan knew that Ci'er and Ai'er were the two most important people to him in this world. Now that they were both in the capital, he began to learn to control his temper, no longer indulging in alcohol and sex.

What made him even happier was that the emperor's praise of his son made him feel honored. Even if outsiders didn't know about this, he knew it was a recognition of him.

Not long after, the emperor sent someone to take away Weiyuan Hou's mother, saying that he wanted her to accompany Ai Yatou. Weiyuan Hou thought this was a good idea. After his mother was taken away, he felt that his original decision was correct.

However, what he did not expect was that not long after his mother passed away, someone hurriedly came to report the news.