After meeting the third prince, Yun Xi felt a little relieved. Moreover, she saw that the third prince sincerely offered his help if Yun Xi ever needed it.
Yan Che was indeed kind, like his mother, who was the third concubine without ambition or greed, even though she had the potential to make her son the heir to the throne, but chose to live a quiet life with her simple daily routine. No wonder the Emperor respected and loved his third concubine so much.
Yun Xi came to see the third prince in secret, so she deliberately wore a hood and a face covering.
Yun Xi walked while observing her surroundings. Yun Xi deliberately took a secret path known only to the emperor's family. She walked straight towards the exit until her footsteps were forced to stop when her eyes caught a familiar silhouette.
Zhang Zhi Ning? Yun Xi sharpened her vision, confirming whether it was really Zhi Ning, Liu Qin Mei's personal servant.
What was she doing here?
After thinking for a moment, Yun Xi cautiously followed Zhi Ning.
The woman was also wearing a hood and face covering just like her, so it was certain that Zhi Ning wanted to do something secret.
Yun Xi quickened her pace to follow Zhang Zhi Ning, who was hurrying along.
Where was the maid actually going?
After following Liu Qin Mei's personal maid along a winding path, Yun Xi finally saw the woman leave the palace and meet a man who looked very familiar.
"Oh my God, isn't he the palace physician?"
Yun Xi couldn't hear their conversation because the distance was too far, so she started walking closer.
"The lady and I are grateful that you are willing to cooperate. We ask for your continued help in the future," said Zhang Zhi Ning.
"Hehehehe, I am also grateful because thanks to the great lady Liu Qin Mei, I was able to pay off my debts to the loan sharks."
"No problem. But remember, sir, this secret must not be leaked. Otherwise, you know that the Empress is not a forgiving person,"
"I understand. By the way, pretending to be pregnant is rather difficult because her stomach will get bigger. If Consort Liu wants, I can make something to help,"
"Do it, as long as it can help my mistress," replied Zhi Ning with a soft chuckle.
Yun Xi, who was standing behind the barrier between the three of them, unconsciously covered her mouth when she heard the two people talking.
Crack!
Yun Xi accidentally stepped on a dry twig scattered under her feet.
"Who's there!" snapped the physician. Zhang Zhi Ning was overcome with panic.
Was someone following her and listening to her conversation with the palace physician?
Yun Xi held her breath in panic. Especially when she heard footsteps approaching.
Meow...
Suddenly, a cat crossed the path.
A cat? Suddenly? Yun Xi was surprised because she hadn't seen this cat before. But thankfully there was this cat, so she was still safe!
"Phew, it was just a damn cat," Zhi Ning breathed a sigh of relief. She immediately ended her secret meeting with the physician and hurried away from that place.
Fortunately, the place where Yun Xi was hiding was very dense with wild plants, so Zhang Zhi Ning did not see her there.
After the two left, Yun Xi took another route back to her pavilion to be safer.
"Aaahh, so the pregnancy was fake? But why did she do it?"
Yun Xi muttered, then remembered Zhang Zhi Ning's words about the Empress. Yun Xi was sure she had heard correctly.
Zhang Zhi Ning said that the Empress was not forgiving. That meant the Empress was involved in all of this? Why?
"First, I must quickly return to my room before anyone becomes suspicious, then I must discuss this with Aunt Sumi. Can I tell Yan Xiao this secret?" Yun Xi thought, but then she decided to discuss it with Yan Xiao another time.
However, knowing such a big secret was really to her advantage, she suddenly had a special plan for Liu Qin Mei. In her previous life, she had no idea about this, so it was a good start. Yun Xi held the trump card! And her opponent was Liu Qin Mei! The person who had made her life miserable in her previous life.
On her way back to the Peach Pavilion, Yun Xi passed the Crown Prince and his second wife, Liu Qin Mei, who seemed to be out for a walk. Yun Xi did not notice the two of them because her mind was focused on her plans for tomorrow's banquet.
When she saw Yun Xi, Yan Ling was a little surprised, especially since Liu Qin Mei was clinging to him so affectionately. Without realising it, Yan Ling pushed away Qin Mei's hand that was wrapped around his arm, startling his second wife.
However, after that, all Yan Ling got was a blank expression from his first wife, Yun Xi. A strange feeling crept into his heart. A feeling of discomfort.
Liu Qin Mei, as usual, cast provocative glances with the aim of making Yun Xi upset or sad. However, she did not get any attention from the woman.
Suddenly, Liu Qin Mei held her stomach and said,
"Your Highness, my stomach hurts." Her face turned red as if she was really in pain, and Yan Ling immediately hugged her in a panic.
Only Yun Xi knew that it was just an act. Without realising it, Yun Xi laughed at Qin Mei's behaviour, which she found ridiculous.
Liu Qin Mei and Yan Ling turned to Yun Xi with surprised looks. Liu Qin Mei, in particular, saw the mockery in Yun Xi's eyes and for some reason felt embarrassed.
However, Yun Xi thought, it was not the time to expose Liu Qin Mei's lie about her fake pregnancy. Yun Xi had a bigger plan to destroy the cunning woman who had caused her so much suffering.
Yun Xi felt that there was no need to longer in front of those two annoying people.
Yun Xi then bowed respectfully, then walked away indifferently without looking back.
'She's just pretending not to be angry, but... Why did I feel like she was laughing at me earlier?' Liu Qin Mei thought to herself.
She then looked at Yan Ling, but unfortunately, he was staring at Yun Xi's receding back. Liu Qin Mei's heart was instantly filled with dark clouds.
After arriving in front of her pavilion, Yun Xi was surprised to find Yan Xiao there.
"Hello, sister-in-law, how are you?"
Yan Xiao said kindly. The man looked neat and handsome as usual.
Yun Xi smiled, then approached him calmly.
She then invited Yan Xiao to sit in the living room.
"I'm fine, how about you? Shouldn't you be in the Yu Long mountains looking for the source of the black magic?"
"Yes, I've been there, but my power alone is not enough, so I'm here to ask for your help."
"My help? What can I do?" asked Yun Xi.
Yan Xiao replied seriously.
"I need additional troops. It seems that General Wang Yibo can help me with his formidable army."
"My father?"
"Mhm."
"All right, then. I will send a letter to my father and ask for his help."
Yan Xiao was a little taken aback that Yun Xi agreed so easily. Wasn't this woman very naive?
"Do you really trust me?"
Yun Xi smiled. She knew that Yan Xiao was a little hesitant to hear her agreement. But Yun Xi was good at judging people's characters. Yan Xiao was willing to help her, not only because he sympathised with her, but also because he had his own goals. As long as it didn't harm either of them, there was no harm in helping each other. After all, if the black magic could truly be destroyed, her father would also be saved.
"Yes, of course. I would never doubt my ally. Besides, I'm sure you have your own goals too."
"Hehehe, I see... All right, thank you."
"You're welcome. Would you like to have some tea together? I happen to have some interesting news, and I need your help."
"Wow, what is it? Of course. I happen to have a lot of things I want to discuss with you, sister-in-law."
"All right, Auntie, please prepare tea and snacks for the two of us, and... Don't accept any visitors, I don't want to be disturbed."
Yun Xi said calmly. Sumi nodded obediently and then left to carry out her mistress's request.
***
"So you met the third prince?" Yan Xiao asked as she sipped her tea gracefully.
"Yes, and he agreed to work with me. I also gave him the antidote you gave me."
"Are you sure he can be trusted?"
"Of course, I can guarantee it. He's a good person."
At least Yun Xi knew that from her previous life. Yan Che had helped her several times when she was being bullied. Although his appearance was not much different from Yan Ling's, cold and quiet, Yun Xi knew that Yan Che was not evil.
Unfortunately, his life was short. Before Yun Xi gave birth to her son, the third prince suddenly died of a strange illness. But Yun Xi was convinced that Yan Che had been murdered. This time around, she planned to save Yan Che as well.
"Then, didn't everything go according to your plan?"
"Yes, you're right, but you should know, I also received other, more shocking news," said Yun Xi, a broad smile appearing on her thin lips, stunning Yan Xiao.
"Don't keep me in suspense, just tell me," urged Yan Xiao. Yun Xi sipped her tea calmly, then said,
"I saw Consort Liu's personal servant when I returned from my meeting with the third prince."
"Then?"