strictlysupreme Chapter 315 is very likely the Emperor's man.
Chapter 315 is very likely the Emperor's man.
"Your Majesty, your actions at Anning Palace today were indeed somewhat risky," Tingxue gently reminded her after returning to Cuiwei Palace.
Tingxue had practiced martial arts since childhood and had exceptionally keen senses, so even if Su Nuannuan and the Empress spoke in hushed tones, she could hear everything clearly while guarding the door.
"I didn't want to be so rash either," Su Nuannuan said slowly, sitting on the small couch. "But someone has to do this. Besides, if I don't act a little reckless, how can Her Majesty the Empress trust me?"
Tingxue looked puzzled and pressed on, "But Her Majesty the Empress clearly knew what you were thinking!"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and explained, "It's one thing for her to know, but if she doesn't have any real leverage over us, Her Majesty the Empress will still find it hard to feel at ease. Rather than letting Her Majesty the Empress plot against me in secret, it's better for me to take the initiative and present this leverage to her. That way, at least we won't be too passive."
After speaking, Su Nuannuan noticed that Tingxue seemed to have something else to say, so she said directly, "Are you trying to say that I have always had a good relationship with Her Majesty the Empress, and that Her Majesty the Empress would not scheme against me?"
Tingxue nodded thoughtfully, indicating that she understood Su Nuannuan's meaning.
Su Nuannuan continued, "Tingxue, you must know that there is no true friendship or kindness in this deep palace. The Empress may seem kind, but she is actually ruthless. Otherwise, how could she have maintained her position as Empress in this treacherous harem? As for me, in order to survive in this harem, I have no choice but to become like her."
Tingxue looked worried and said softly, "But Your Majesty, poisoning the Emperor is no small matter. If we are not careful, it could lead to the extermination of our entire clan."
Su Nuannuan raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a sly smile, and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Of course, I won't do such a dangerous thing myself. Don't forget, there's still Consort Qi in the Hall of Diligent Governance."
Upon hearing this, Tingxue asked in confusion, "But Your Majesty, didn't the Empress say that Consort Qi was the Emperor's person? How could she possibly poison the Emperor?"
Su Nuannuan smiled gently and explained, "Nothing in this world is absolute. As long as we can find something to hold against Consort Qi, she will naturally follow our arrangements."
Tingxue seemed to understand Su Nuannuan's plan, and then asked, "So, how does Your Highness intend to find something to hold against Consort Qi?"
Su Nuannuan picked up a teacup from the small table, casually playing with it, and slowly said, "This requires sending someone to investigate thoroughly. I believe that as long as we search diligently, we will always be able to find some clues."
Tingxue lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, even if we find something on Consort Qi, she may not obey us obediently. What if she tells the Emperor about this? Wouldn't we be in even greater danger?"
Su Nuannuan's smile widened. She put down her teacup and said with a half-smile, "I know nothing. Even if Consort Qi told the Emperor that someone wanted to harm him, they wouldn't be able to find out from me."
"If I cannot protect myself, I will not take action."
"Go and call Li Quan here," Su Nuannuan said softly to Tingxue as she sat upright on the couch.
"Yes." Tingxue lowered her head and responded, then turned and quickly walked out of the room to summon Li Quan.
A short while later, Li Quan limped in. Upon seeing Su Nuannuan, he quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, did you call this servant?"
Su Nuannuan nodded slightly, looked at Li Quan, and said slowly, "Help me find out all the information about Consort Qi, including what she was like before she entered the palace. This needs to be done as soon as possible."
Li Quan quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, this servant will go and find out right away, and try to send the results over before dinner."
Su Nuannuan nodded in satisfaction and added, "Also, send someone unfamiliar to the Cold Palace to inquire about the health of the deposed Consort Yi."
"Yes." Li Quan bowed again in response, then stood up, left the room, and went to arrange the matters that Su Nuannuan had instructed him to attend to.
After Li Quan left, Su Nuannuan turned to Tingxue and asked, "Is Jingcheng still handling state affairs with His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Before Tingxue could answer, a slight noise came from outside the door, and then Jinse walked in.
"Why did you take so long?" Su Nuannuan asked Jinse with a suspicious look on her face.
Jinse quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the person from the Duke's Mansion who delivered the invitation was not waiting at the palace gate as usual. I waited for quite a while but no one came. I had no choice but to leave the palace and go to the Duke's Mansion myself."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan became even more puzzled and pressed for an answer: "Did Mother say anything?"
Jinse hesitated for a moment, then reported truthfully: "Your Majesty, Madam said that she did not send anyone to the palace to deliver a letter. Not only that, Madam also sent people to inquire about the Lady of Ding'an Marquis, the Second Young Mistress, and the Third Young Mistress. The result was that no one had delivered a letter to Your Majesty."
After hearing Jinse's words, Su Nuannuan's relaxed brows furrowed tightly again, and she muttered to herself, "That's strange."
Seeing this, Jinse quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The Madam is already investigating this matter. When I came back, I specifically asked the guards on duty today. From their description, I suspect that this matter may be related to the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was taken aback. Her eyes widened, and she asked incredulously, "How do you know?"
“Your Highness, although our Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion is a military family, the servants in the mansion are strictly ranked, unlike ordinary military families.”
"I remember the servant system in the manor was quite simple. When did it change?" Su Nuannuan asked, recalling the past.
"It was after the Third Young Mistress made progress and discussed it with the Duke and his wife that the decision was made," Jinse explained.
"What's the current hierarchy?" Su Nuannuan asked curiously.
"Your Majesty, the top maids in the manor are dressed just as well as the daughters of officials of the fourth or fifth rank. Moreover, the clothes they wear are made of special fabric provided by the weaving workshop owned by the Third Young Mistress. It seems to be called brocade, which is not sold on the market and is only supplied to the manor."
First-class maids wore light blue clothes, second-class maids wore orange clothes, and junior maids wore light blue clothes. The clothes of the nannies and servants were also assigned fixed colors according to their rank.
However, the person who delivered the invitation was wearing cotton and linen clothes, and they were dark blue. In our household, only children and undergarments wear cotton and linen clothes. Moreover, the servants in our household do not wear dark blue clothes, only sapphire blue ones. Therefore, I judge that this person is very likely to be the Emperor's man.