CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 354: WHEN THE DUST SETTLES

Fortunately, there weren’t many people around at this time; otherwise, Qu Fulan would have cursed the other party. If he intended to return the lost item, he should have handed it to her maid directly instead of insisting she collect it personally.

This was, after all, the original male protagonist, and she was always worried about getting entangled with him. If something went wrong, it might trigger some aspect of the original plot, which could be troublesome.

Furthermore, letting others see Young Lady Pei together with Prince Xiao wouldn’t bode well if it were to spread.

Given her sensitive identity, avoiding such situations was the wisest course of action.

"Thank you, Prince Xiao, for returning the item to its rightful owner," Qu Fulan spoke very politely.

Xiao Shiqing did not immediately return it but instead asked a question.

"Is this sachet made by you?"

Qu Fulan instinctively wanted to explain, but she paused before the words left her mouth. She saw no need to explain the origins of the sachet to him, especially since it was a gift from Princess Zhuyu, which she couldn’t reveal in front of a man.

"Does Prince Xiao perceive any issue?" she retorted.

Xiao Shiqing was silent for a moment, then handed her the sachet.

Qu Fulan received it, thanked him again, and boarded the carriage to depart.

Xiao Shiqing stood there for a while until he was summoned by his men before he lifted his feet and left.

Qu Fulan returned to the mansion, and instead of checking the accounts as usual, she drafted a plan.

Her snail noodle and pig trotter noodle business were flourishing; she could consider opening more branches.

Meanwhile, she planned to send some people to other counties to conduct surveys, so that they could open chain stores in the future.

As long as the taste is good and more people eat it, the reputation will naturally rise, leading to an increase in chain stores.

Of course, if anyone wanted to join in, they were naturally welcome.

Currently, her lingerie shop nearly operates under such a model.

On one hand, they supply goods to major merchants; on the other, she also works on creating her own brand.

The advantage naturally lies with her when it comes to the latest lingerie designs. Newest stock goes to her shop first before reaching other merchants. If anyone disagrees, they could follow her brand or design and sell their lingerie; after all, freedom of choice is encouraged—it’s not imposed.

She aims to establish a brand known for innovative designs, with assured quality; in the future, people would call it a "brand."

By then, profits would be plentiful just relying on the brand.

Qu Fulan planned to expand the lingerie business once the Capital City market was stable. She would send Hao Qiancheng to assess other areas, ensuring there were enough suppliers to support expansion.

Pei Ji’an hadn’t returned yet, and Qu Fulan was aware he had a plan which kept him busy lately.

At night, she would fall asleep alone, while he returned home.

One night he returned with many rewards, which Qu Fulan only learned about from the maid the next morning.

It turned out the last commendation banquet was canceled; currently, court affairs are busy, and it’s uncertain when it would be rescheduled. However, those who achieved meritorious deeds couldn’t be left unrewarded. Thus, the Emperor first bestowed rewards with a promise to publicly commend them later when possible.

Qu Fulan wasn’t concerned about such matters, busy daily with commerce to earn wealth, as financial stability brought her joy.

Such days continued for half a month.

Pei Ji’an finally returned earlier than usual and immediately mentioned the spectacle was about to begin.

As it turns out, King Jie’s own men diagnosed him with a terminal illness, speculating he had at most a year to live, possibly as short as three months—it’s uncertain.

Setting up such a trap wasn’t easy; a slight mistake might expose the scheme, hence Pei Ji’an personally monitored it for so long.

Presently, King Jie believes his lifespan extends at most a year, but it might be as short as three months—it’s unpredictable—after all, it’s a terminal disease, not something medicine can change.

If King Jie harbors ambitions, he should act swiftly.

As long as they frequently make moves, traces will surely be left behind.

Yet no one currently knows where King Jie’s men will strike first.

Therefore, various forces secretly observe while outwardly maintaining a calm demeanor.

While other areas showed no unusual activities, orders were issued to Princess Zhuyu, demanding she poison the emperor—not causing immediate death but confusion—necessitating the preemptive appointment of a Crown Prince.

Princess Zhuyu refused, citing a simple rationale.

"You claim I’m a fake princess and my parents were wrongly killed, yet offer no evidence. Now you want me to commit such lethal acts—do you truly take me for a fool?"

Desperate, animals bite when cornered. Do they truly see her as a soft target to exploit at will?

That individual evidently understood evidence was crucial; initially, they hoped to slowly plot and maneuver, step by step. Now, there was no opportunity for gradual schemes.

"You’ve carried a broken jade pendant; now the other half is with me. Your mother left it for you."

That person presented the broken jade, and Princess Zhuyu immediately froze, as it indeed matched her pendant’s other half.

Since childhood, she had borne the broken jade, with family only acknowledging it belonged to her, advising her to keep it forever.

"Why is the jade my mother gave me with you? Besides, if you knew who I was, why wait until they’re all dead before revealing?"

"We have our own plans. Had it not been for us, your life wouldn’t have been spared. Also, please understand, it was the Emperor who issued the decree to kill your parents; we were uninvolved."

"How do I know if what you said is true?"

"Since you went missing, your family constantly searched for you. Even after their accident, someone still continued investigating your whereabouts, hoping to comfort the deceased. Someday when you leave the palace, I’ll find a chance to bring this person to you."

Indeed, thereafter, Princess Zhuyu met this individual.

The person, upon seeing the jade pendant, became visibly emotional.

"It’s the pendant Madam left for Miss—I recall vividly. Furthermore, Madam instructed me on her deathbed to find Miss. My life was saved by Madam; not only to search for Miss, but even if it meant going through hell, I’d willingly do it. Finally, I’ve honored Madam’s wish!"

Princess Zhuyu still suspected the person was fake, but when presented with a portrait resembling her, alongside revealing a secret, she realized the truth of their words.

"Master and Madam died unjustly..." The individual knelt before her.

...

Seven days later, the Emperor fell ill, occasionally confused, requiring constant tending.

At such times, who wouldn’t desire to be near the Emperor? Virtually every concubine wished for it, hoping excellent service would sway the Emperor to make their son heir...

The more critical the moment, the harder it was for consorts to approach the Emperor.

Except for Consort Zhang, who remained the Emperor’s favorite. When the Emperor fell ill, she was right beside him, immediately seizing the opportunity to restrict others’ visits.

It wasn’t only consorts and princes from the palace denied visits—even Heir Pei and Prince Xiao from outside couldn’t meet the Emperor.

A single woman like Consort Zhang couldn’t handle it all alone—there were certainly the Seventh Prince’s tactics involved.

Imperial Physicians concluded the Emperor might persist in his condition, with less lucid periods, thus accelerating the initiation of crucial matters—a decree.

With the Emperor incoherent, couldn’t the decree be written as they pleased?