The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 40 - Poisoining

"There are no outsiders here; can you clear up some confusion for me, Momo?" Bai Jingxian wanted to know more, as it would be beneficial for her.

She hadn't forgotten those officials who wanted to execute her.

Chun Feng and Chun Yu were very considerate and immediately went to carry out the task.

Once they were alone in the room, Wang Momo finally began to speak about some past events.

As Bai Jingxian listened, she felt dazed. How could things be like this? It was as if the Fourth Master was not cherished by his mother, and his birth mother had wholeheartedly given the position to her younger son.

"Momo, is His Majesty truly the biological child of the Empress Dowager?" She felt there was something very suspicious about the situation. For one, the idea of Empress Dowager scheming against the emperor's offspring was dubious, especially considering that no matter how much she disliked her son, her grandson should be her own flesh and blood.

If she truly disliked him, it could only mean one thing: the emperor was not her biological child.

Otherwise, why would Emperor Rui, who had been on the throne for seven years, still have the Empress Dowager scheming for her younger son?

Wang Momo nodded, "Naturally. This matter was witnessed by everyone in the harem back then; His Majesty is indeed the Empress Dowager's biological child." Though Wang Mama had been transferred to serve the emperor later, she had originally served in the Empress Dowager's palace.

Bai Jingxian frowned slightly, "But even if the Empress Dowager favored her younger son, His Majesty has been on the throne for seven years. Could she still overthrow him?" She couldn't understand a mother's heart.

"When His Majesty was still a prince, there were several princes in the rear courtyard, such as the First Prince born of the Empress, and the Second Prince born of Consort De. They were all beloved by the late emperor. Later, an epidemic broke out in the capital, and somehow it spread to the rear courtyard of the prince's residence, causing the deaths of the two princes."

Recalling the events of that time, Wang Momo felt a shiver of fear. "Later, we discovered that someone had deliberately brought the disease into the prince's rear courtyard, resulting in the two princes getting infected." Wang Momo whispered these words very softly into Bai Jingxian's ear.

Bai Jingxian was shocked, connecting it with what Wang Momo had said earlier, "Was it that person?" She pointed upwards.

Wang Momo nodded, "Yes. His Majesty later investigated this matter, but as it involved his biological mother, he kept it hidden. Many servants died in the residence back then."

"Did this happen two years before His Majesty ascended the throne?" Bai Jingxian felt a chill. It was terrifying—her own grandmother scheming against her grandson. Was she out of her mind?

"Yes, if I remember correctly, it was indeed the year when the fight for the crown prince was most intense."

Bai Jingxian closed her eyes, "I understand now. It was truly a well-calculated scheme. It's a pity that Consort Shu left behind a spark of hope."

"It was also the year before the ascension when Consort Shu gave birth to the Third Prince, but she was always in poor health." Wang Momo also felt pity for the emperor.

"Momo, I have a guess." Bai Jingxian recalled all the palace intrigue dramas she knew and concluded, "That person probably wanted the older brother to die so the younger brother could inherit the throne, or was planning to adopt him."

This might explain why, after so many years, no prince had been born in the harem.

If her guess was correct, then both she and the Empress would be in great danger.

It seemed she needed to prepare more strategies.

"Momo, help me with another matter." That person was too ruthless, and she couldn't gamble on their mercy.

"What does Your Highness need?"

Bai Jingxian took out several pills, "Have these pills administered to those high-ranking concubines."

Seeing the white pills, Wang Mama guessed, "Are they the same as the ones given to the Empress?"

"Yes." Bai Jingxian nodded, "Rest assured, having more people pregnant will be our greatest protection."

For now, there was no point in vying for favor; ensuring a safe delivery was more important.

And she was not just pregnant with one, but three—three!

She felt some regret in her heart. It shouldn't be this way. The harem was far more terrifying than the big cat's harem. They had only one abortion leader, but here, there was a genocidal tool.

Sigh.

"Understood. My lady, don't worry. Once we get to the temporary palace, I will ensure His Majesty will be exceedingly pleased."

As the saying goes, the greater the target, the more dangerous it is. If Empress Dowager was as ruthless as Mistress guessed, she certainly wouldn't let anyone give birth to a prince. Even if the Empress protected them, the Empress Dowager would likely not allow it.

"Don't forget about the Consort."

Wang Momo was certain the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare to kill all the pregnant women in the harem.

If she did dare, Emperor Rui would not ignore it, especially if his legitimate son was killed by his own mother.

"Yes, I won't forget the Consort."

After Wang Momo left, Bai Jingxian drank several cups of warm water to calm herself, then called for Xiao Li.

"Why did you call for me, Your Highness?" Xiao Li had been under house arrest in Lan Yue Pavilion, and since it was inconvenient for him to go out, he had been waiting there, as there were no errands for him to run.

"Xiao Li, do you still have family outside the palace?" The more Bai Jingxian learned about the secrets, the more she felt her own people were insufficient.

"Replying to Your Highness, I no longer have any family." Speaking of his family, Xiao Li's eyes reddened. "My family perished in a disaster, and I saw them die with my own eyes."

His family had succumbed to an epidemic years ago, and he had been the only survivor. After burying his family, he sold himself, only to be sold into the palace.

A single cut had left him with no thoughts of escape. At that time, he was weak and lost a lot of blood, almost not surviving. If not for the kindness of an older man who helped him, he might have long since become a mere dust of the earth.

He did not hide anything and laid out all his background.

Without family, Bai Jingxian was somewhat troubled. To develop some external forces, she needed palace servants who still had family outside. "Do you know anyone in the palace who still has family outside? It could be a maid or a eunuch."

Xiao Li immediately listed everyone's details.

"I remember Xiao Shuzi was sold into the palace by his family. He doesn't have a good relationship with his family, right?" Xiao Shuzi was also a pitiable person, and when they heard his story, Chun Feng and others cried.

"Yes, Your Highness, your memory is good." Xiao Li nodded, "Although I don't know what you need the outside people for, I think Xiao Shuzi's family could be very useful. After all, Xiao Shuzi's situation is not a secret, and no one would use his family to threaten him."

Bai Jingxian's eyes brightened, "You are quite clever. Go and bring Xiao Shuzi in."

Xiao Shuzi was only about twelve or thirteen and had been in the palace for about five years.

The fact that Xiao Li had noticed him indicated that the boy had some merit.

Soon, Xiao Shuzi came in with Xiao Li.

Seeing the child, Bai Jingxian was momentarily stunned. How could this child be so innocent?

And without makeup, he was truly strikingly pure. "How old are you?" Even the entertainment industry in modern times did not have children as pure as Xiao Shuzi.