Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 123 Passing the Message

Chapter 123: Chapter 123 Passing the Message

Yue Ke had spent a month in sheer trepidation within the inner courtyard of the Crown Prince’s Mansion since the incident where Gu Meng fell into the water and went mad. Those in charge of the inner courtyard both sympathized with and regretted Gu Meng’s condition, even continually summoning physicians to treat her. Despite physician after physician being called in, there was no sign of improvement in Gu Meng’s madness.

The Steward Nanny even comforted Yue Ke, telling her to relax, that as long as there was a sliver of hope, the Crown Prince’s Mansion would continue treating Miss Gu Meng. She even thoughtfully suggested assigning a female servant to help take care of Gu Meng.

All of these offers Yue Ke tactfully declined. From then on, she did nothing else but care for Gu Meng with all her might every day—she dared not utter a word more than necessary or take a step out of line. She even began feeding the food served to her to a stray cat she had found before she dared to eat it herself.

Yet, until now, nothing had occurred to arouse her suspicion.

It was as if she had made all her preparations, ready to charge into battle, ready to fight the enemy at any moment—but then found there was no enemy at all, nor even a battlefield.

Everyone seemed to have virtually forgotten about her.

This realization left Yue Ke somewhat panicky and at a loss but she soon calmed down and, after much contemplation, finally pinpointed where the crux of all problems lay.

That was, neither the entire inner courtyard nor the whole Crown Prince’s Mansion housed the woman that Nanny Zheng had spoken of, who was said to be so favored by the Crown Prince.

Yue Ke subtly fished for information and gradually moved from suspicion to certainty that this woman was not within the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

However, for a month, no matter how carefully she probed, she found not a single trace of that woman, as if the Crown Prince’s Mansion had never housed such a person.

Yue Ke carefully went to collect her midday meal. Due to the small number of people in the inner courtyard and because Yue Ke had behaved so properly and respectfully lately, the Steward Nanny had become quite confident in letting her fetch her own meals and perform some tasks within her abilities.

After all, there were not many tasks in the inner courtyard. As long as the few courtyards were kept clean and there were no masters to serve, it could be said that the inner courtyard, though short-staffed—with only over ten people including Yue Ke and Gu Meng—was in a very quiet environment. There was just one rule: without permission, no one from the inner courtyard was allowed to enter the front courtyard.

But this rule had its loopholes.

Yue Ke soon discovered that both the front and inner courtyards were catered for by the same kitchen, which was situated between them. Although there were guards stationed at the entrances of both courtyards, the kitchen itself was left unguarded.

Therefore, the observant Yue Ke quickly noticed another loophole—like the kitchen, the laundry room operated under the same circumstances. Once, while helping a little girl from the laundry room carry a wooden bucket, Yue Ke accidentally came across a silk handkerchief dropped by the girl.

The handkerchief was of exquisite material, and the embroidery work was even more delicate. The blooms of begonia on it were only as large as a little finger, yet they were lifelike.

Yue Ke was amazed that the handkerchief exceeded even the quality of the embroidery work within the Imperial Palace, and the clothes were none other than those of the Crown Prince. Yue Ke prudently kept the silk handkerchief. After several anxious days without anyone asking about it, she finally put her worries to rest.

Yue Ke entered the kitchen as usual, but as soon as she did, she noticed that today’s kitchen bore a completely different aura from that of the kitchen over the past month.

As to what exactly was different, Yue Ke could not put her finger on it. Even the kitchen’s Steward Lin was personally overseeing things.

This made Yue Ke suddenly think of a possibility—on the day they had arrived, the kitchen seemed to be different from usual as well. Was it because the front courtyard was hosting guests?

Yue Ke suddenly remembered the things Gu Meng had mentioned earlier and realized that it was also through the kitchen that Gu Meng had gone to the front courtyard. Could it be that Gu Meng had encountered someone there which then caused her to become the way she was now?

"This way is off-limits—" The guard blocked Yue Ke’s path rudely and abruptly, causing Yue Ke to be startled back into reality, somewhat confused. This was the way she usually took, as it was close to the Lotus Pond. Every time she walked this route, she hoped to spot something unusual, something that might unravel the mystery of Gu Meng’s sudden madness.

So, Yue Ke was certain that there were usually no guards here.

Yue Ke lowered her head subtly and solemnly greeted the guard with a bow. The guard glanced at her attire, which marked her as an inner court female servant, and made things easy for her. Yue Ke then turned around and walked away without daring to take another look.

Yue Ke, moving swiftly, couldn’t help but think more clearly. Lotus Pond was connected to Siyan Lake in the front courtyard, and a decorated boat had been docked there just two days ago. She had seen Steward Hu personally supervising the decorations; it must be for someone very important.

But what kind of important person would require a pleasure boat, yet not be received in the study room of the Crown Prince’s Mansion?

It immediately made Yue Ke think of the mysterious woman who was deeply favored by the Crown Prince.

Quietly, an answer formed in Yue Ke’s mind.

A month later, it was the first time Yue Ke had news of this woman, whose silhouette alone was described by Nanny Zheng as stunning. Thus, her appearance must be extraordinary. She did not live in the Crown Prince’s Mansion, yet she came here at this time.

Who would be so frivolous as to show up at the Crown Prince’s Mansion without a set engagement?

Therefore, this woman’s identity was a secret within the Crown Prince’s Mansion. That is why Gu Meng ended up in such a plight.

Upon realizing this, Yue Ke wasn’t panicked anymore. Since she couldn’t appear openly, she would never appear openly. She must be someone that the Empress, and even the entire Imperial Palace, let alone the Crown Prince’s Mansion, dare not acknowledge.

News from Nanny Zheng, who had visited several times, requested that she find information about this woman, which would surely bring the Crown Prince back on the right path. It seems that the Empress’s foresight and strategic planning had predicted this all along.

Yue Ke dared not delay and hurried back, immediately passing along the news and the silk handkerchief.

...

Qi Jin and Qi Yu were stopped at the palace gate by Nanny Zheng, who was waiting there. This occasionally happened, like when the Empress suddenly remembered she had such sons and asked them to bring something back.

Nanny Zheng showed no abnormal expression on the way.

Qi Jin and Qi Yu were quite familiar with Nanny Zheng, chatting with her all the way to the sleeping quarters of the Empress.

Qi Jin and Qi Yu initially had no intention of entering, firstly because the Empress disliked people entering her sleeping quarters, and secondly, the place was filled with incense smoke—more so than ordinary temples, creating an overwhelming atmosphere.

Yet, Nanny Zheng led them straight into the sleeping quarters, and they followed surprised but obediently.

The Empress, Xiao Yuehua, sat upon her throne as if waiting for them, which made Qi Jin and Qi Yu’s hearts skip a beat, but before they could process their unease.

The Empress slammed her hand onto the table with a force that was imposing without anger, her voice carrying fury.

"Qi Jin, Qi Yu, what a fine mess you’ve made."

Terrified, Qi Jin and Qi Yu kneeled down immediately, with Qi Jin kowtowing urgently.

"Empress, please calm your anger. We servants haven’t done anything wrong, truly nothing wrong."

Qi Yu felt like dying. What do you mean nothing wrong? Qi Jin, can’t you think before you speak? Qi Yu hated that she couldn’t just knock this fool out with a hammer.

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