Chapter 061 The Fire at Yongning Marquis Mansion

The next morning, many people were discussing the fire at Yongning Marquis Mansion.

First, the young lord of Yongning Marquis Mansion disappeared, and his body mysteriously appeared in the bed of the marquise. Then, a fire engulfed the mansion, burning it to the ground. Many people died, including the old lady of the mansion, who did not escape.

On the second day, early in the morning, the marquise, who had been taken into the palace the previous day, emerged from the palace. Upon seeing the devastated mansion, she fainted again.

Those watching felt that this marquise was truly pitiful—her husband was gone, her son dead, and now her mother-in-law and the entire mansion burned to ashes. She had nowhere else to go.

He Lanting, having fainted again, was taken back to the palace by the eunuchs to await the Emperor's decision.

This scene was witnessed by Wang Shi and Lin Baozhen. After everyone left, Lin Baozhen proudly said to her mother, "Mother, didn't I say it would happen? She fainted and was taken back to the palace."

Wang Shi was still pondering why He Lanting was sent back to the carriage after fainting. Seeing Lin Baozhen's smugness, she said, "If you had told Old Lady Zeng earlier, it would have been an act of virtue."

Lin Baozhen had never thought of doing such a thing, "Mother, we aren't close with the people at Yongning Marquis Mansion."

"The old lady of Yongning Marquis Mansion has always done good deeds, providing food for the poor every year. Whenever there are floods or disasters, she is the first to donate money. If you could save such a person, it would be a virtuous deed. Mother is thinking of your best interests."

Lin Baozhen replied, "If the marquis mansion were still standing, Lady He would definitely return there. How could she become Concubine Chen? If she didn't become Concubine Chen, how could Wei Wu Hou Mansion achieve the glory I saw in my dreams?"

Wang Shi sighed, "Enough, you couldn't directly tell Old Lady Zeng about the fire; you could only advise her to be careful with fire. Even if you had warned her, it might not have helped. Now, we can only wait for Lady He to become Concubine Chen."

"Once Lady He becomes Concubine Chen, she must be grateful to me," Lin Baozhen said proudly. "Because of our family's situation, many things changed. At that time, Lin Er also went to Fox Fairy Hall. If Lin Er had intervened, the culprit who killed Young Master Yan might have been exposed, and Concubine Chen wouldn't exist. I directly expelled Lin Er and sealed the mountain to find someone, going straight to Lord Marquis."

Lin Baozhen's words made Wang Shi tremble, "Do you mean you saw the culprit?"

"I only knew someone was in Fox Fairy Hall through the window," Lin Baozhen explained. "Since Young Master Yan later disappeared, it must have been the person I saw through the window who took him away."

After being taken away, Young Master Yan lost his life.

Wang Shi stared at Lin Baozhen for a long time. Even though she despised Wen Hui, she had never thought of killing her. Similarly, even though she disliked Lin Yingxue, she had never considered treating her that way.

But Lin Baozhen had taken a life.

Wang Shi stepped back, and Lin Baozhen's eyes widened as she moved forward, asking, "Mother, are you afraid of me?"

Wang Shi placed a hand on the table, "Don't come closer."

Lin Baozhen pouted, feeling wronged, "Mother, think about it. In my premonition dream, Yan Ji was supposed to die. I just stood by and watched. It wasn't me who killed him. Moreover, in my dream, Yan Ji was dismembered, and because the body looked so terrible, Lady He didn't bring it into the imperial city. Now, at least Young Master Yan has a whole body. Perhaps it was his fate."

Wang Shi, whose hands and feet had turned cold, found some sense in Lin Baozhen's words and gradually warmed up.

Lin Baozhen, feeling hurt by her mother's momentary distance, said, "Mother, I am your daughter. How could you treat me like this?"

Wang Shi, looking at her daughter's stubbornness, still felt something was off, "Whatever you've done, don't tell Lord Marquis."

In men's minds, women are often seen as weak and kind. If they do the opposite, it disappoints them.

"Okay," Lin Baozhen nodded.

/

Meanwhile, He Lanting had returned to Yangxin Palace and lay exhausted on a couch.

When the Emperor entered Yangxin Palace after court, she did not move until he embraced her.

He Lanting curled up and sobbed softly, "I have nowhere else to go."

Knowing He Lanting was in Yangxin Palace, Emperor Chengde had been distracted during the morning court session and dismissed the ministers early.

The Emperor comforted He Lanting, "Lady, you still have me."

"I only have Your Majesty now. Jier is gone," He Lanting buried her head in the Emperor's chest, "Has Minister Xue determined the truth?"

Emperor Chengde had already heard the answer from Xue Kuan.

Last night, Xue Kuan visited Yongning Marquis Mansion, followed by the fire. This morning, Xue Kuan reported, "Your Majesty, when I questioned Old Lady Zeng, she seemed evasive. I suspected her involvement. Because Yongning Marquis Mansion holds an iron-clad edict, I couldn't interrogate her directly. I intended to investigate others, but unexpectedly, the mansion caught fire."

Emperor Chengde held He Lanting tighter, "It must have been Old Lady Zeng."

He Lanting realized it was Old Lady Zeng half an hour after seeing Yan Ji's body.

How coincidental that Old Lady Zeng insisted on taking Yan Ji to pray without any maidservants.

How coincidental that they stayed in Fox Fairy Hall for fifteen minutes, where no one else was present due to Old Lady Zeng's arrangements.

How coincidental that most of Yongning Marquis Mansion's people were away, and Yan Ji's body appeared on her bed.

So many coincidences together were not coincidences but intentional acts.

Old Lady Zeng deliberately waited for her return to mention the unmade bed, wanting her to see the body.

He Lanting, knowing Old Lady Zeng's actions, wished to kill her but could not.

Without her child, she needed to enter the palace sooner. Emperor Chengde might not be intelligent, but his subordinates would uncover the truth. She only needed to appear heartbroken and shocked.

He Lanting whispered, "Why? She was Jier's grandmother."

"Perhaps she learned about us," Emperor Chengde kissed her forehead, "She is dead now. I won't let her rest in peace. I will leave her body in the wilderness for wild dogs to devour, ensuring she dies without a proper burial!"

He Lanting covered her ears, "I don't want to hear this."

"Alright, alright," Emperor Chengde comforted her, "Lady, don't worry. With Yongning Marquis Mansion gone, it's better. Wait for my arrangements. I will make you Concubine Chen."

"Chen" refers to the North Star, symbolizing the emperor's star. Any concubine with the title "Chen" is the emperor's beloved.

Emperor Chengde gently said, "Jier is gone, but we will have more children. When we have a boy, I will make him the crown prince."

He Lanting knew the palace was full of intrigue. She could safely give birth outside the palace, but inside, it might not be the same.

At that moment, she responded softly and nestled in the emperor's embrace.