Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"Master, although Yulian has some knowledge, Your Majesty has only met her once. Isn't it a bit risky to reveal all these things?"

After Yu Lian left, Tan Yin changed a cup of hot tea for Gu Youning and said softly.

"She won't betray me."

Seeing that Tan Yin still had some doubts on her face, Gu Youning chuckled and said, "Didn't you say that Yu Lian cares a lot about her brother? Just now, she asked me to take care of her brother, which was like putting her own weakness in my hands. Besides, she is a smart person, so I am looking forward to it."

Gu Youning took a sip of hot tea. She had also felt strange when she heard it in the main hall. Since Zhao Cainv had someone secretly replace the medicinal powder, she would naturally take away the original bag containing only oleander powder. How could the people in the imperial court find it in Lanfang Pavilion? That's why she asked Tan Yin to investigate. She didn't expect that the cause of this matter was actually this girl.

Concubine Shen was pregnant and Concubine Zheng regained her favor. In the next few days, Gu Youning and her son lived a very peaceful life in Ci'an Palace.

But the Queen Mother's health had not improved at all.

……

"Have you heard about it?"

Gu Youning looked at Tan Yin who came in from outside. Ever since the last time Princess Shouchang caught them off guard with her aggressive attitude.

"Since that day, the Queen Mother has had trouble sleeping and can't eat much. She's been drowsy all day long."

Tan Yin told the news she had just found out.

"I heard that the Queen Mother took a tranquilizer and even asked about the Second Prince while half asleep. This is strange, as the Queen Mother has always been indifferent to him."

Gu Youning also felt a little strange. Although she had plotted against Xiao Yun'an last time, Empress Dowager Cui's inner demon was the child she had killed with her own hands. She would not be so obsessed with Xiao Yun'an during her illness.

"By the way, I also heard that Princess Liang will come to the palace to visit after noon today."

"Is it the Queen's order?"

Gu Youning thought of Princess Shouchang a few days ago.

"It was summoned personally by the Queen Mother. I heard that she will also bring a Taoist priest from Ziyun Temple."

Tan Yin shook her head.

Taoist priest?

There is a Sitian Terrace in the palace, so why did Empress Dowager Cui ask Princess Liang to go outside and invite a Taoist priest back?

"Please have someone keep an eye on her. As soon as Princess Liang enters Ci'an Palace, come and report."

Gu Youning felt more and more strange.

……

After noon.

The main hall of Ci'an Palace.

"The daughter-in-law pays her respects to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with good health and happiness."

A beautiful and gentle woman was led by Sun Angong to the bed made of golden nanmu wood and inlaid with gems.

"Queen mother?"

The woman leaned forward for a while without hearing anyone calling her. She raised her eyes hesitantly and met a sinister gaze.

After all, Empress Dowager Cui was quite old. Although she had taken good care of herself, she had been going through a lot of trouble these days and her face quickly showed signs of aging. She had also become much thinner, as if she was about to die. Princess Liang was really shocked.

But she was used to being cowardly, so she lowered her head after shouting, her body trembling slightly.

"Has anyone in your family gotten pregnant recently?"

After a long while, the person on the bed uttered a sinister question.

"No, absolutely not! You know how filial the prince is to his mother. He has given pills to all the concubines. Even if there are occasional omissions, the prince will order Madam Gong to deal with them secretly. Moreover, every three days, the palace doctor will check everyone's pulse. There is absolutely no possibility of other children in the palace."

When Princess Liang heard this question, she knelt down in front of the bed and explained.

"I also believe in Qiong'er's filial piety, but I have one more question."

Queen Mother Cui snorted coldly.

"Go down and let Taoist Zhang come in."

"Yes."

Princess Liang stood up obediently, bowed, lowered her head and walked out.

A moment later, a Taoist priest with an immortal look was led to the main hall.

There were two layers of curtains in front of the bed.

"I have recently been feeling that I may not live to a ripe old age. Does the Taoist have any advice?"

"This……"

Taoist Zhang was speechless for a moment. He was suddenly invited into the palace by people from Prince Liang's Mansion today. They only said that the Queen Mother was unwell, and they knew nothing else. He also had not seen Prince Liang.

He didn't know the cause and effect of this, so he didn't dare to make up anything.

"Master, just keep saying it. With me here, no one dares to touch you."

Empress Dowager Cui thought that Taoist Zhang was worried and did not dare to speak frankly.

"The root of the Queen Mother's illness must be in the palace, and in the people who have been close to her recently. The rest is a secret of heaven, which even this old Taoist cannot fathom."

Taoist Zhang's mind raced as he tried to come up with an answer that wouldn't be too wrong. He flicked his whisk, pointed his right hand in front of his eyes, and spoke slowly in an unfathomable and distant voice.

The only people in the palace who could be close to the Empress Dowager were either the Emperor, or the Emperor's women and offspring. His master, Prince Liang, should also be happy to see the Empress Dowager and the Emperor become even more at odds with each other.

"Someone close to you in the palace? Ahem!"

Queen Mother Cui coughed violently twice behind the bright yellow curtain and muttered a few words.

"Long live the Queen Mother."

Taoist Zhang recited another sentence in a clear and loud voice outside.

"Sun Angong, please send the Taoist priest out."

"I'll take my leave, old Taoist."

Taoist Zhang touched the heavy gold-threaded brocade bag in his hand, suppressed the joy in his heart, and maintained the demeanor of a clear and noble man on his face.

"Sun Angong."

After a long time, a dry and gloomy voice was heard from behind the curtain.

"Empress Dowager, I am here."

Sun Angong hurried forward and lifted the curtain.

"You go……"

Queen Mother Cui had not slept for several nights in a row, and her voice was very soft. Sun Angong leaned over and listened for a long time before he understood what his mistress meant.

"Queen Mother, this..."

Sun Angong's expression changed immediately.

"No one else is allowed to know about this, especially the Emperor."

After Queen Mother Cui finished speaking, she couldn't help but faint due to her weak body.

Princess Liang, who was waiting in the side hall, had just learned from the palace maids in Ci'an Palace that she could leave the palace. Before she even reached the palace gate, she met Gu Youning.

"Is it Princess Liang?"

Gu Youning said with a look of surprise and doubt.

"I am, Your Majesty is..."

In the palace, only concubines of the second rank and above can address the guest as "Niang Niang". However, as a sign of respect, ladies from other courts would not be disrespectful if they did not know the guest's identity.

"Our master is Consort Gu!"

Seeing that Princess Liang didn't recognize her master, Tan Yin's face was a little strange.

"It turns out to be the Empress Zhaoyi. I apologize for my disrespect."

Princess Cui of Prince Liang blushed and quickly stepped aside and bowed.

"Princess, you didn't recognize me, so why are you being disrespectful? Please stand up."

Gu Youning had never met the Princess of Liang alone in his previous life, and seeing her now was really beyond his expectations.

"Princess, are you here to see the Queen Mother? Why don't you stay a little longer? I wonder if the Queen Mother is doing well?"

Gu Youning asked in a friendly manner.

"The Empress Dowager is...well, thank you for your concern, Zhaoyi. I have important matters to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave now."

"Then take care, Princess!"

Gu Youning stood by the flower garden, watching Princess Liang and her maids hurried out with increasingly stiff and unsteady steps.

"Master, this Princess Liang..."

Tan Yin frowned in confusion.

"Different from what we expected, wasn't it?"

Gu Youning glanced at the main hall where Queen Mother Cui lived, and was really confused.

Prince Liang has been married for many years and has many beautiful concubines, but he only has one son, Prince Rong, in his mansion. He doesn't even have a daughter.

Everyone would have thought that it was Princess Liang who had such a trick that all the concubines in the mansion were childless, but seeing Cui's words and actions today, her cautiousness and fear of danger were definitely not an act, and she did not seem like someone with such ruthless means in the backyard of the mansion.