readytorunbook Chapter 217 Clues
Chapter 217 Clues
Su Yinyin wanted to say something more, but seeing the emperor's cold and stern face, his expression as cold as an iceberg, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes held a hint of resentment and helplessness.
Just before the emperor left the palace of the Dowager Consort, he ordered everyone not to reveal that the Dowager Consort was not the real Dowager Consort.
The emperor's voice was deep and authoritative, and his gaze swept over everyone present, full of warning.
Because of such a major incident, neither the Emperor nor the Regent was in the mood. Only the Empress attended the banquet.
At the banquet, the Queen forced a smile, trying to maintain a semblance of harmony, but the overall atmosphere remained oppressive and somber.
The ministers all knew perfectly well that something big had definitely happened in the palace.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies were whispering among themselves, discussing Su Yinyin's matter.
When they didn't see Su Yinyin at the banquet, they all sent their maids to inquire, but to no avail.
After Su Yinyin left the palace of the Dowager Consort, she took Biyu with her and left the palace.
Su Yinyin leaned against the inner wall of the carriage, her brows furrowed. Her eyes were filled with doubt. Today's events seemed to have subsided, but who knew how many undercurrents were lurking beneath the surface? She knew that the conflict she had been drawn into was far from over.
Inside the palace, the atmosphere in the imperial study was oppressive. The emperor, his face grim, said, "Zhou Yuan, there are many suspicious points about today's events. I suspect someone did it deliberately. Is it my fault for concealing this matter?"
The emperor's face was grim, and his voice was filled with deep doubt and worry.
Zhou Yuan bowed slightly: "Your Majesty is wise. I feel that this matter is not simple. It is better to keep it a secret so that I can find out the truth. I just did not expect that my background is so bumpy."
Zhou Yuan's expression was solemn, and his voice carried a hint of bitterness.
The emperor snorted coldly: "Don't be sad, I will find out the truth."
The emperor's cold snort carried a firm resolve, and his eyes revealed a hint of determination.
Zhou Yuan bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am tired and will return to my residence now."
Zhou Yuan sounded tired. He bowed slightly in greeting and turned to leave.
The emperor nodded, looking at Zhou Yuan's lonely figure with eyes full of pity and helplessness, and sighed softly.
The emperor truly raised Zhou Yuan as a son. He was both a son and a capable general. Therefore, seeing Zhou Yuan's dejected expression still pained him.
The emperor was even more surprised that the Dowager Consort had been so well hidden. For thirty years, she had never been discovered.
But why would they do something like this today...? Was it a deliberate attempt to expose themselves?
The emperor was filled with doubt, his brows furrowed tightly.
Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Zhou Yuan's expression turned serious. He quickly arranged for his subordinates to investigate his mother's past events, gathering clues from all sides and leaving no stone unturned.
He also instructed the steward to send the gifts to his maternal grandmother's residence. He also informed his uncles that he would personally come to their residence to offer New Year's greetings the next day.
Zhou Yuan arranged everything methodically, but his mind was entirely focused on investigating the truth.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes were watching their every move from the shadows, and a much larger conspiracy was about to surface...!
In the darkness, those mysterious eyes gleamed with an eerie light, as if waiting for the perfect moment.
Meanwhile, Su Yinyin returned to the Duke's mansion and saw her maternal grandmother, Su Yi, and her sisters chatting in the flower hall.
The flower hall was filled with laughter and joy, creating a warm atmosphere.
The old lady saw Su Yinyin appear in the flower hall and walk towards them. She looked up at the sky and asked anxiously, "Yinyin, look, what happened? Why are you back so early?"
The old lady's eyes were filled with concern and worry, and her voice trembled slightly.
Su Yi also asked, "Yes, Yinyin, why are you back so early? Did something happen in the palace?"
Su Yi's face was full of doubt, her eyes fixed on Su Yinyin.
"Big sister, big sister!" Su Yue and Su Nian'an asked. The two younger sisters looked at Su Yinyin with curiosity.
"Grandmother, I'm fine, nothing's wrong. Please wait a moment." Su Yinyin smiled and gestured to everyone, asking them to be patient.
After turning around and instructing the maid to retreat outside the door, Su Yinyin's voice was very low, and her expression was serious.
The old lady frowned deeply: "Yinyin, the situation is complicated and unpredictable. We must be careful."
The old lady's brows furrowed into a deep frown, her voice filled with worry.
Su Yinyin nodded in agreement. "Grandmother, are you familiar with the Regent's mother?"
Su Yinyin's eyes were filled with anticipation, hoping to get useful information from her grandmother.
The old lady paused for a moment, then said, "Yinyin, this is a long story. Back then, the Regent's mother was a gentle and virtuous woman, but her family was not prominent."
The old lady's eyes revealed a look of reminiscence, and her voice was slow and drawn out.
The old lady hesitated, and Su Yinyin quickly pressed her for an answer: "Grandmother."
Su Yinyin looked at the old lady eagerly, her eyes filled with longing.
The old lady sighed: "I heard that she was always ostracized by the other concubines in the palace, which made her personality become strange. Later, she became pregnant with the Regent Queen. She really got whatever she wanted."
The old lady's voice was filled with helplessness and emotion.
Su Yinyin asked in confusion, "Grandmother, what happened next?"
"Later, the Dowager Consort's maternal family became increasingly prosperous, but they never served as officials in the imperial court. They were very talented in business, and after more than 20 years of management, they are now the richest family in the Great Zhou Kingdom."
The old lady spoke while gently shaking her head, her expression quite complex.
The richest man in the Great Zhou Kingdom became the richest man in just one generation. That's truly remarkable.
"Grandmother, do you know if she has any close sisters in the palace?" Su Yinyin's gaze deepened as she fell into thought.
The old lady pondered for a moment, "I haven't heard of that before. Yinyin, why are you asking these questions?"
The old lady looked at Su Yinyin with suspicion, not understanding why she wanted to know these things.
Su Yinyin said, "Grandmother, today's events make me feel that the death of the Regent's mother is quite suspicious. I want to know more about it, maybe I can find some clues."
Su Yinyin's expression was serious, and her tone was firm.
After listening to their conversation, Su Yi said, "The Regent holds military power, and his maternal family is the richest. This is truly remarkable!"
Su Yi's expression was solemn, and her tone carried a hint of worry.
"What do you mean?" Su Yinyin looked at Su Yi.
Su Yi added, "That's the gist of it. But we still need to confirm what she's planning to do."
Su Yi's eyes revealed caution and deep thought.
"Okay, I'll send someone to check right away," Su Yinyin said decisively.
The old lady spoke up to advise her mistress, "Yinyin, could you please not get involved in this matter?"
The old lady's eyes were filled with concern and worry as she held Su Yinyin's hand tightly.