The cannon fodder heiress trembled with fear after being recognized as a member of her family.

The people in the palace didn't have the leisurely pace of the two sharing news in Ping An Lane.

When Consort Xu learned that Consort Rui had been promoted to the rank of Consort, she smashed everything in the palace.

"It's just a spiritual medicine, yet the Emperor is so generous, even going so far as to bestow a title upon his newborn son. Isn't he afraid that the child won't be able to handle such immense wealth!"

Her confidants dared not respond, and could only let her vent her anger.

“Tell my father to send a message to my great-uncle to also go and search for the elixir. I refuse to believe that the Xu family is inferior to the Lu family.”

The confidante gritted her teeth and told him about the Xu family's affairs, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid it won't work with the Imperial Advisor."

"Why? I thought Uncle Zeng was in a pretty good mood yesterday, so it shouldn't be difficult to ask him for help now." After venting her anger, Consort Xu's face returned to calm.

"A woman has appeared beside the Imperial Advisor, and she is pregnant. The Imperial Advisor has been staying by her side these days." After thinking for a moment, the confidant still told the truth.

This confidante was a servant born into the Xu family, and as she grew older, she became the head maidservant by Consort Xu's side.

Because her family members still worked for the Xu family, they were relatively well-informed.

"Who is that woman?" Consort Xu was startled. Her mother hadn't mentioned this matter when she entered the palace yesterday. "What is this woman's background? How did she become acquainted with my great-uncle?"

Xu Tianyun did have wives and concubines before, but they did not bear him any children. His wife had passed away peacefully, and the concubines were dismissed two years ago.

He only had a few maids by his side, and still no children were born.

The Xu family members are all skilled in martial arts, but none of them have reached the level of Xu Tianyun.

Xu Tianyun had no children, so he devoted himself to guiding these male members of the Xu family.

The Xu family doesn't have any particularly outstanding members, but even if you take them out individually, they're still much better than others.

Otherwise, the Xu family wouldn't have considered merging their clans, nor would they have sent the Second Master Xu to Xu Tianyun's side for guidance.

Moreover, the Xu family believed from the bottom of their hearts that he would never have any more children, and they already considered the things he had accumulated to be theirs for the taking.

Now that Xu Tianyun has offspring, regardless of gender, how can those of them with slightly more distant blood ties compare to him?

Why didn't her parents tell her?

My emotions, which had just calmed down, started to fluctuate again.

Seeing that Consort Xu was about to get angry again, the trusted nanny quickly said:

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Let's put aside whether that person can give birth for now. The woman's background is worth investigating."

"What is her background?" Consort Xu asked, suppressing her anger.

If you don't have anyone backing you up, then find a way to get rid of them.

"This person is a maidservant of Old Madam Han from Grand Secretary Han's residence! She went with the annual gathering in Chang Le County this year. Due to some misunderstanding, she was kidnapped by the Imperial Preceptor, and somehow..."

The trusted nanny didn't continue, but Consort Xu understood. "How did you determine that the child was Great-Uncle's? Han Zhen already knew, and went to Great-Uncle's place to curry favor?"

"The Imperial Advisor has his own methods of determination. When Grand Secretary Han sent the person away, he was unaware of the connection between the two of them."

"A few days ago, something happened at the Han family. The women in the family had nightmares every day, suffering from the torment of being struck by lightning. The Imperial Preceptor and Imperial Preceptor Mo were invited to help."

"Once, the Imperial Advisor went to the Han residence alone and happened to see that girl. He only glanced at her a few times, but a few days later, Grand Secretary Han sent her to the residence."

"At the time, no one in the mansion believed it, but the Imperial Preceptor was certain, and that's how it was."

"Madam didn't mention it to you, probably because she didn't want you to worry. The child hasn't been born yet, so it won't have much impact on the gentlemen in the manor."

The trusted nanny also learned this from her family members; as servants, they were sometimes very well-informed.

"Never mind, she's just a girl. What knowledge could she possibly have? Even if she were born, what difference would it make? She might not even have any talent." Consort Xu said she didn't care, but in her heart she was already planning to have a good discussion with her mother when she came to the palace next time.

"By the way, last night the First Prince was guarding the entrance to Consort Rui's palace, spying on the Emperor's whereabouts, and was subsequently placed under house arrest." The trusted nanny mentioned this, trying to divert Consort Xu's attention.

Consort Rui and Consort Xu each had half of their nights with the Emperor. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss, but in private, they were engaged in fierce competition, each with their own victories and defeats.

"Did Consort Rui give birth more than two months prematurely?" A thought crossed Consort Xu's mind, and suspicions arose. "Last winter hunt, the two of them disappeared overnight. Do you remember?"

Recalling this matter, Consort Xu's voice was somewhat excited, "There must be something fishy going on between those two! The Crown Prince's wife's visit two years ago was also suspicious, these two must have secrets. Send someone to keep a close eye on Consort Rui's palace, they might be having private dealings."

The trusted nanny was startled. "Your Highness, you can't say such things carelessly. If the Empress finds something on you, you'll be in trouble too."

"By the way, I heard that Wen Min is being raised by the Empress and has been searching for the whereabouts of the palace servants who serve the First Prince's wife. Could you send a message home and tell them to keep an eye on things as well? If we can find them sooner, perhaps my suspicions will be answered."

The trusted nanny had no choice but to comply.

That idea is so crazy, it probably won't happen.

If that's true, then the eldest prince and Consort Rui really have a death wish.

"Furthermore, Han Yueshi wanted to enter the palace to see me again, but I refused. She can't even handle the simplest matters; yesterday, she actually sent that Liu Min to the Emperor's presence."

"Yes! With the Liu family now holding official positions, I'm afraid the Emperor has taken a liking to that Liu Min. Your Majesty should make plans as soon as possible."

The trusted nanny also knew that the palace's selection of new women was probably just for show; the most important thing was Liu Min.

Having only met once or twice, Emperor Chu Yuan took it to heart and forced the Empress to select someone to enter the palace.

The three-way power struggle within the palace has lasted for many years, and this balance is likely to be broken.

Consort Xu knew exactly what her trusted nanny was thinking. The Empress probably couldn't wait for a new concubine to enter the palace, as it would just take away some of their favor.

"Go and do what I asked you to do, but don't let anyone notice anything amiss. Oh, and have Cun'er come over here; I have something to tell you."

After giving her instructions, Consort Xu felt a headache coming on just thinking about these things, so she went to lie down on the couch and let the palace servants clean up the mess on the floor.

Han Cuiyin was unaware of what was happening here. She didn't know that Consort Xu in the palace had the same suspicions as her and had sent people to investigate Consort Rui and the First Prince.

Luo Jingqian stayed in Ping'an Lane for a day and left after having dinner.

Han Cuiyin sat alone in the courtyard, her jade staff transforming into a fine brush as she carved on a jade bead.

Since her cultivation level has recovered somewhat, she no longer uses stone beads to carve runes, but instead uses jade beads.

This trip to the Pinglian Mountains is unlikely to go smoothly; she is simply taking precautions.

Just as she expected, she did run into many acquaintances on this trip, but that's another story.