Investigating Yuanyang's background was just a precaution. But based on the current situation, it was very likely that she was the one who had poisoned Fu Zhen.
"She must have chosen to poison me when you were extremely busy," Fu Zhen said. "Before that, we don't need to get rid of her for the time being."
What's the use of getting rid of just her? The queen and Xie Guang hadn't made their moves yet. Even if they got rid of Yuanyang, there would surely be a second Yuanyang. It was better to keep this exposed mole by their side and keep a close eye on her every day, rather than having another one sneak in without being detected.
Chen Tingfeng disagreed. "Many things have changed between this life and the past. We can't be sure that she won't act earlier."
"Don't you have the antidote?" she said. "That kind of poison should be colorless and odorless. I didn't notice it at all. I just gradually felt abdominal pain, and even the doctor couldn't find out what was wrong."
The poison in Yuanyang's hand must have been given by the queen. They still didn't know how many poisons Xie Guang had. But if they really wanted to get rid of her without anyone noticing, they would probably use the same poison as in the previous life.
Chen Tingfeng lowered his eyes and thought for a while. Suddenly, he frowned. "There is such a medicine, but I'm not sure if it's the one. How about finding someone to test it?"
Fu Zhen said, "... Who should we find to test it? This is a chronic poison. I suffered for a long time before I died in pain."
Who would be willing to test poison among ordinary people?
Chen Tingfeng clicked his tongue. Hearing about Fu Zhen's death always grated on his ears no matter how many times he heard it. He picked her up and sat her on his lap, putting his arm around her waist and tightly holding her in his arms. "Don't ever say such things again."
"There are still many death - row inmates in the prison. I'll have someone test the medicine later." He made the decision firmly.
Since they were death - row inmates, Fu Zhen didn't feel much compassion for them. She just pondered for a moment and said, "If you're worried about them hiding all the time, then lure them out."
Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows. "How?"
Fu Zhen gave him a bright smile.
A few days after the Hundred Flowers Banquet, no one expected the eldest princess to come to visit.
Madam Bai had met Xie Lingyun and couldn't bring herself to dislike such a transparent and intelligent woman. She just asked about her purpose, only to find that the eldest princess wanted to see Fu Zhen.
"Zhenzhen?" Madam Bai hesitated. "She has always been gentle. Did she offend the princess in any way? I'll apologize to the princess on her behalf first."
Xie Lingyun quickly stopped her. "I've seen that girl Fu Zhen. Her character and appearance are both excellent. How could she offend me? Madam Bai is overthinking. I'm here today to confirm something."
Madam Bai looked up at her and saw Xie Lingyun calmly drop a bombshell. "It's about her background."
Madam Bai's pupils shrank.
Since they had completely cleared the air, Chen Tingfeng had been going to the Bamboo Clearance Courtyard every day. He even left a lot of official documents in the study there.
When Nanny Li came, Chen Tingfeng was coaxing Fu Zhen to drink tonic medicine. It was the season change recently, and she had trouble sleeping at night. The doctor had only said that her body was a bit weak and that both medicine and food supplements were needed.
"Nanny Li? Why are you here?" Fu Zhen was sharp - eyed and saw her. She quickly got off Chen Tingfeng's lap, embarrassedly pinching her earlobe. The shyness on her face flashed by.
Nanny Li was used to such a scene and even smiled understandingly. "The eldest princess came to visit today. Madam asks the young lady and the young master to go there."
Huh?
Fu Zhen and Chen Tingfeng glanced at each other, feeling a bit confused.
It was no secret to them that the eldest princess had defected to Xie Yan's side. But her visit today was sudden, and even Chen Tingfeng didn't know why she had come.
He pondered for a moment. Intuitively, he felt that what she was going to say today must be important. He said, "Got it. We'll go there right away."
Fu Zhen walked beside him and slowly frowned. "Could it be news about Xie Guang and the others?"
Chen Tingfeng shook his head. "I've always communicated with her secretly through letters, avoiding public interactions. It's better for both of us. Her sudden visit today might be because there's something else she's not sure about."
Fu Zhen couldn't think of anything, so she simply gave up. She just said, "No matter what it is, you have to discuss it with me before you take action."
Chen Tingfeng was a man with a very changeable mind. Sometimes, in order to ensure her safety, he would go through a lot of trouble to achieve his goal. Fu Zhen thought he was being too cautious. Moreover, these were troubled times. It was really not worth exhausting himself for this already well - protected safety. So Fu Zhen had repeatedly told him that he must tell her everything he did and get her approval first.
Chen Tingfeng said helplessly, "Got it, little housekeeper."
Fu Zhen wrinkled her nose at him and gave a soft snort.
This was the second time Fu Zhen had met Xie Lingyun. Now that she was closer, she thought Xie Lingyun was even more charming.
Fu Zhen and Chen Tingfeng bowed at the same time. "Greetings to the eldest princess."
Xie Lingyun slightly stepped aside and smiled. "No need for such formalities. Sit down quickly."
Everyone knew that Chen Tingfeng was the brain behind Xie Yan. Since she still needed Xie Yan's support, she was naturally extremely polite to Chen Tingfeng. Accepting half of this salute could not only save her own face but also show respect for Chen Tingfeng.
She smiled kindly and reached out her hand to Fu Zhen, signaling her to come over.
Fu Zhen glanced at Madam Bai imperceptibly. Seeing that her expression was normal, she stepped forward without worry.
Xie Lingyun sized up Fu Zhen. The more she looked, the more she thought Fu Zhen looked like that old acquaintance, especially her eyebrows and eyes. When she lowered her eyes, the coldness that oozed out was nine - tenths alike.
As she looked, her expression suddenly became a bit melancholy. "She looks so much like her."
Fu Zhen was stunned. Like who?
Chen Tingfeng, who was sitting beside her, instantly thought of something. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Xie Lingyun.
"I know that what I'm going to say next might sound a bit absurd, but please believe me, Miss Fu. Every word I say is true," Xie Lingyun said seriously. "Your biological father is the elder brother of the current emperor. Your eyebrows and eyes really resemble his eight - tenths."
It was like a thunderbolt out of the blue, completely stunning Fu Zhen. Her vision went dim.
She took two steps back and said blankly, "What did you say?"
Chen Tingfeng quickly stepped forward to support her. He frowned slightly and helped her sit down beside him.
Xie Lingyun's eyes slid past him. She understood in her heart, but still maintained that serious look on her face. She slowly told the whole story.
The current emperor got the throne by luck.
The former emperor had a total of five princes. The one he favored the most was his eldest son, Xie Qi'an. But unfortunately, Xie Qi'an was not born to the queen. He was the son of the imperial concubine Shu, who was the former emperor's favorite concubine.
The third prince was the legitimate son of the queen, but he was mediocre in talent and was always overshadowed by Xie Qi'an. As time passed, his character was inevitably distorted, and he began to target Xie Qi'an frequently.
The current emperor was the fourth prince. He was born to a concubine and was not favored.
As for the second and fifth princes, one's mother was the imperial noble consort at that time, and the other's mother, although also a concubine, had a powerful maternal family, so they could still receive a little bit of the emperor's favor.
But the emperor's favorite was still Xie Qi'an.
Xie Qi'an was gentle in character and extremely intelligent. He also cared about his younger brothers very much. If he hadn't died, the throne would never have fallen to the current emperor.
But the emperor's favor always invited boundless jealousy.
Why did he receive the emperor's special attention? Why could the son of a concubine Shu with an ordinary maternal family firmly overshadow the legitimate son?
They were so unwilling.