"Consort Liu is not pregnant. She is working with the court physician to fake her pregnancy."
Yan Xiao widened his eyes. He was quite surprised to hear this information from Yun Xi.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure I heard correctly. I will also investigate it further, especially to turn the court physician against them and make him side with me," said Yun Xi with determination.
'Interesting,' Yan Xiao grinned. He then said,
"Oh! Are you going to use this secret to separate the two of them? I mean my brother and his lover?"
"Kheh, I don't care about them, what's clear is that Liu Qin Mei has caused me a lot of suffering. But that's not the most important part, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"Of course, it's about the Empress's involvement. Isn't it very interesting that the Empress and the Emperor directly chose me to be the Crown Prince's wife, knowing that I had feelings for him? But isn't it very ambiguous that the Empress, who chose me, is working with the second concubine, whom she hates, to fake her pregnancy?"
Yan Xiao nodded. He agreed with Yun Xi's statement. He also knew a lot about the Empress. But he wanted to see what his sister-in-law was thinking. So he said,
"Then what do you think about this? If your answer satisfies me, I can also tell you a secret that will surprise you."
"What is it? Why should I give you a satisfactory answer?"
"Just tell me, what do you think about the Empress's involvement?"
"All right then, my opinion is simple. The Empress is targeting me," said Yun Xi bluntly.
"What? Why?"
"As you know, my family has a large following and is one of the strongest contributors of troops in this empire. If I become the crown princess, it will be difficult to control me. At the very least, my father will not allow me to be treated unfairly, right? But it's different with Liu Qin Mei's family. If she becomes the crown princess, even though she loves Yan Ling very much, for the sake of her position, she will be willing to become the Empress's loyal subordinate, in other words, the Empress's puppet.The Empress knew that Yan Ling loved Liu Qin Mei deeply, so the child born to Liu Qin Mei would surely become the next crown prince, and with that, the Empress's power and position would become even stronger because those people would be under her control. What about me? Ah... They must be planning their next move against me. So, shouldn't I fight back first? At least I have to hold their weakness, right?"
Yun Xi said, looking at Yan Ling with a challenging expression. Her brother-in-law laughed softly.
To be honest, he admired Yun Xi's vision. How could his brother not fall in love with such a clever woman?
"So, what's the secret? Tell me?"
"Alright, since we've both agreed, I'll tell you. Yan Ling and I are not the Empress's children."
"Wh-what did you say?" Now it was Yun Xi's turn to freeze in place.
Not the Empress's biological children, he said?
"My mother,Yan Ling and I came from a remote island. People often call it the magic island. Yan Ling and I were raised there until I was at least 7 years old and my brother was 9 years old. I remember very well when our hometown was burned to the ground by an iron-clad army. My mother and grandfather died there, then we were taken to the palace. It was only then that we found out we were the Emperor's sons. The Emperor had secretly married my mother. And it was the Empress who discovered the truth about my mother. She was barren. So she had no choice but to take us both, even though we were the children of the woman she despised."
Yun Xi was stunned once again. She had no idea about this story, even in her previous life.
"So, the empress dowager may also intend to harm you and the Crown Prince?"
"Not for now, especially Yan Ling. You may not know this, but he does seem very devoted to his father and the empress dowager, but he is not a fool. We both have the same goal, but I'm too disgusted to have to act in front of the people who killed my mother and my innocent loved ones." Yan Xiao smiled, but his eyes betrayed a deep hatred.
"I'll help you, let's help each other."
"Haven't we already started a long time ago?"
"Yes, but I know you still doubt me?"
"Not at all, it's just that your change is too sudden. Last week I still saw you clinging to my brotter like a leech."
Damn, that shame again! Yun Xi cursed silently, her face turning sour, making Yan Xiao laugh even harder.
"Alright, let's make this quick. What's your next plan? I'll try to help as much as I can."
"Of course, I'll focus on tomorrow's banquet. According to the plan, I have to teach Liu Qin Mei and her maid a lesson. I want to see what the empress will do to her unreliable people."
"What do you think she will do?"
"You don't understand the mind of a criminal. Of course, she will squeeze Qin Mei and her maid dry. If they still have some use, the Empress will keep them, but at the very least, Liu Qin Mei will lose face, and Zhi Ning will receive her punishment. Well, that's a show that will satisfy me for the time being."
"It turns out you're quite cunning, sister-in-law. I'm scared."
"Don't pretend. You're more cunning than me. I'm still a newcomer, not as experienced as you."
"Hahahaha, what should I say if I'm suddenly attacked like this?"
"No need to say anything, at least our cooperation is mutually beneficial, isn't it? As for cunning, as long as we don't stab each other in the back, there's nothing to be afraid of, right, sister-in-law?" Yun Xi asked. Yan Xiao looked into the woman's eyes, his gaze very bold. Yan Xiao liked her, and that was dangerous.
'Wake up, Yan Xiao, she's your brother's wife!
"Then what about that fake pregnancy? What will you do with that information?"
"Don't worry, I've already planned to send someone to gather evidence and information directly from the palace physician. Leave that matter to me, don't worry. I don't need to act too quickly; there's still evidence I need to find."
"Do you need my help?"
"Not for now. My messenger is quite reliable."
"All right then, I have to go, sister-in-law. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you for keeping me company."
"You're welcome. Aren't we good partners?"
"Of course. That's why I feel comfortable talking to you."
"I'm flattered."
Yan Xiao smiled, then gracefully walked out of the Peach Pavilion, before his steps halted in the middle of the doorway due to the cold gaze of her sister, Yan Ling.
"Well, it turns out you refused my visit because you were enjoying some alone time with my younger sister, Wang Yun Xi. Aren't you surprising me too much?" Yan Ling Said. His gaze looks so cold.