The Double-Chapter 582 - 170: The Real Culprit_5

Shen Ruyun begged Zhou Yanbang for love in vain, and was ensnared in Jiang Yue’s manipulative trap, feeling both anxious and angry. Out of options, she had no choice but to seek help from her mother-in-law, Madam Ningyuan.

While the madam appeared kind and compassionate, comforting her, she actually slyly inquired if Shen Ruyun’s elder brother, Shen Yurong, could speak favorably on behalf of Zhou Yanbang to the emperor, allowing Zhou to return to his official duties.

Shen Ruyun had mentioned this matter to Shen Yurong, but he had refused. Once her brother made up his mind, not even nine oxen could hold him back, leaving Shen Ruyun no choice but to accept it. After tentatively approaching the subject several times and getting nowhere, Madam Ningyuan grew tired of these affairs. The next time Shen Ruyun came to lament, the madam claimed to be unwell, too lazy to even emerge.

Indeed, Zhou Yanbang’s career was at a dead end anyway. He could do as he pleased; at most, people would gossip behind his back, saying a few words wouldn’t cause someone to lose a piece of flesh. Why should she harm the mother-son relationship over such trifles?

Shen Ruyun was truly at a loss. She had intended to ask Princess Yongning for help, believing that if Shen Yurong wouldn’t aid her, surely the princess would. Yet at this critical juncture, Princess Yongning had married into the Li Family. Shen Ruyun panicked, fearing that if Princess Yongning severed ties with Shen Yurong upon marrying into the Li Family, how much further could the Shen family go? Were their good days over? That was why she hurried back to the Shen residence, to persuade Shen Yurong not to sever ties with Princess Yongning even after her marriage.

Unfortunately, her thoughts seemed to run counter to her elder brother’s.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Shen Ruyun found no solution for her dilemma at Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, and Shen Yurong of her own family displayed such an attitude. Shen Ruyun suddenly thought that if Xue Fangfei were still alive, she would at least come up with a solution for her; she was so smart, she would surely find a way for Shen Ruyun to secure her footing within the Ningyuan household.

The carriage sped through the night, and Shen Ruyun pressed her hand to her forehead.

Xue Fangfei was already dead, and she shouldn’t dwell on the memory of a deceased person. Besides, it was precisely because of Xue Fangfei’s death that the Shen family enjoyed their current prosperity.

She was simply bewildered by the recent troubles, increasingly unable to comprehend Shen Yurong, nothing more.

...

One day and one night, these four seemingly short words, felt excruciatingly long to Princess Yongning.

Last night, Mei Xiang had found medicinal dregs under the willow tree, wrapped them in paper, and waited until today. In the afternoon, seizing the opportunity when the mansion was busy with shopping, she left the mansion to inquire in the pharmacies about the possible nefariousness of the medicine’s remnants. Princess Yongning, alone in her room, felt unsettled without Mei Xiang beside her, as if missing her pillar of strength, especially after learning of the potential conspiracies lurking in the Li Family.

She had no trust left in the Li Family.

She had been waiting since it was bright outside, all the way until dusk, until Li Xian and his son returned, until after Princess Yongning had her solitary dinner, and the lights in the room were lit.

Li Xian had already seen her once in the afternoon, and Princess Yongning guessed that by now, he would have gone to his own quarters to rest. Just as she was growing impatient, she suddenly heard Mei Xiang talking with the maids outside, which immediately invigorated the princess. She sat up from her cross-legged position on the bed, and as she stepped down, Mei Xiang entered the room.

Princess Yongning gestured to dismiss the servants around her and asked Mei Xiang to close the door. Mei Xiang shut the door securely, making sure nobody else was around before producing the paper-wrapped medicinal dregs from her bosom.

"This servant went out today, and in order to avoid any errors, visited several pharmacies to ask about the contents of these medicine dregs," Mei Xiang said.

Princess Yongning eagerly inquired, "Did you find anything?"

Mei Xiang glanced at Princess Yongning and said gravely, "Indeed, these dregs contain substances that can cause miscarriage. Initially, they cause no harm, but after over a month of continuous use, the body becomes extremely weak. A slight movement could easily trigger a miscarriage, and those who are pregnant might not even notice this change in their body."

"It’s true then, the Eldest Young Master Li really intends to harm the little royal!" Mei Xiang declared.

Princess Yongning staggered a step backward, leaning against the bedpost. Suddenly clenching her fists, her eyes blazed fiercely as she articulated each word through gritted teeth, "Li Xian, I want your dog’s life!"