Chapter 1187
The Unfavored Princess 9
For a fleeting moment, she genuinely hoped that the Tenth Princess harbored a force capable of challenging the Empress Dowager.
Looking at the pedestrians outside, she suddenly laughed, laughing at her own naivety.
They've all been through the palace, experienced life and death, so why are they still so naive?
Upon entering the Marquis's residence, Yinshuang reverted to her usual self.
She thought that when she returned to that familiar little courtyard, the Tenth Princess would ask her about the Empress Dowager, but to her surprise, the other party only asked about the Consort Dowager.
Yinshuang hesitated slightly. How could someone who was considered a thorn in the Empress Dowager's side possibly live a good life, even if they were insane?
Each time the Tenth Princess arranged for her to go in, it was only so that she could deliver some things to the Dowager Consort at that time. Afterwards, they had no way of knowing where those things went.
"Speak," Azhen said. She wasn't worried about the Dowager Consort. In fact, the client's tragedy began when the Dowager Consort switched women.
It must be said that the Dowager Consort was a ruthless person.
Knowing she had no son and ultimately couldn't compete with anyone, she decisively switched her daughter after giving birth to her. After all, the Empress Dowager at that time was the Empress, with a high status, support behind her, shrewd methods, and princes. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would ultimately be the victor.
She succeeded in the switch, and no one really noticed.
But she still lost, because her daughter died in the cruel palace intrigue.
However, if they don't change their plans, it's still her daughter who's suffering now; it seems like no matter which path she takes, it's a dead end.
"When I arrived, the Dowager Consort was playing in the mud in Wuyou Palace. Her face and body were covered in mud, and her clothes were dirty and torn. According to the palace servants, the Dowager Consort did it herself because she wanted to play," Yinshuang said. She didn't know the specifics.
Perhaps the Dowager Consort did it herself, after all, she's gone mad. But it's also possible that some palace servants, to show their loyalty or to vent their pent-up emotions, led the Dowager Consort to do those things.
She had worked in the palace and knew, in particular, how twisted the minds of some palace servants could be.
The hardships they endured with their masters were often vented on those weaker than themselves.
People in the palace are the most adept at flattering the powerful and belittling the weak.
"Hmm." Azhen responded lightly. In fact, many times, it wasn't the palace servants who were guiding her, but the Dowager Consort herself who was making a fuss.
She and the Empress Dowager were old rivals, and they knew very well what the other wanted to see.
As long as she lacks dignity and acts like a clown, the Empress Dowager won't do anything; she'll just be happy to watch the show from the sidelines, even if she knows the Consort hasn't really gone mad.
Because she has already won.
The Dowager Consort can't change anything; now she's become a clown, putting on a show for her, which occasionally brings her some joy.
Sometimes, when she was unhappy, she would even go to see the Dowager Consort and tell her about the client's situation at the Marquis's residence. She would not expose the Dowager Consort for faking madness, and the Dowager Consort also knew that she would not expose her.
Ok?
Yinshuang was surprised that the Tenth Princess was so calm this time. The Tenth Princess was indeed a steady and quiet person, but she would always be saddened and tearful whenever she heard news of the Dowager Consort. When had she ever reacted so calmly?
"It's alright, you can go now," Azhen said.
She has no immediate interest in meeting the Dowager Consort and the Empress Dowager; what she needs now is to communicate with Zhou Xue and the others, implement her plan step by step, and prepare for the opportune moment.
Zhou Xue and her mission takers have already gone to various places with resources.
Some were in Chu, some were in Liang. The client mentioned Chong, which was remote, but for the sake of the future, A-Zhou still arranged for someone to go and check it out, just in case it came in handy.
Zhou Xue and the others were all doing things according to Azhen's plan.
Yinshuang was surprised, but dared not question further, and quickly withdrew. Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the house, she saw Zhuxin standing at the gate of the small courtyard. She glanced back, then walked towards the gate and coldly asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Even if you follow the Crown Prince, it's best not to provoke the Tenth Princess," Yinshuang warned.
She wasn't afraid that Zhu Xin would really do anything to the Tenth Princess, but she felt that Zhu Xin's presence would likely disturb the Tenth Princess.
Zhu Xin pursed her lips: "I was just passing by, I didn't mean anything by it. After all, I served by the Tenth Princess's side, and now we're practically sisters. Can't I even come and visit the Tenth Princess?"
Yinshuang's expression remained unchanged: "Since you've chosen this path, you should know your place. The Tenth Princess doesn't want to see you. If you're sensible, take a detour. You should also know the Lady of the Marquis's attitude."
This time, Zhu Xin's expression finally changed somewhat.
She was indeed aware of the Lady of the Marquis's attitude and had been specifically warned not to provoke the Tenth Princess. Otherwise, she might have genuinely forgotten what happened last time and wanted to speak to the Tenth Princess, especially on such a joyous occasion.
Yinshuang noticed that Zhuxin was slightly supporting her lower abdomen, and she understood why the other party was losing her composure.
Fortunately, Zhu Xin was more worried about the child in her womb. Realizing that she couldn't win him over, she left with her maid.
"If the Tenth Princess doesn't mind, this child will still call her 'Mother' when she is born," Zhu Xin couldn't help but whisper back to herself.
Yinshuang didn't answer; only the word "idiot" flashed across her eyes.
Once this child is born, Zhu Xin will be useless. Who knows where the prince will throw her away? Does she really think she's found a good match?
With the way the prince treats the princess, what kind of good man could he be?
Yinshuang still told Azhen that Zhuxin might be pregnant, but found that the other party didn't care at all.
"If she doesn't come to cause trouble, then we don't need to pay attention to her."
"Yes." Yinshuang looked up at Azhen, who was bent over the desk writing something, but didn't dare to go over and silently retreated.
Since she's pretending not to know about the Tenth Princess's changes, she might as well know nothing at all.
Now, all she wants is to live.
Azhen noticed Yinshuang's distance and smiled. If she had the chance to have Yinshuang do things for her, it would be quite good. She was a smart and sensible person, but she was just too unlucky, as she had no choice in many things.
In the blink of an eye, the bamboo heart has become pregnant.
Everyone in the Hou family was very happy. Even Jiang Lijun, who spent his days going out with Li Gufang, was very pleased and would often send Zhuxin some nice things.
Many servants in the manor felt that Zhu Xin was the person Jiang Lijun cherished most, and that she might become the mistress of the manor in the future, so they fawned over her.
Zhu Xin really wanted to show off in front of A Zhen, so she made a special trip to meet A Zhen once.
As Azhen stared at her stomach, she said in a calm tone, "What do I do to you? Guess what the people of the Marquis's mansion would dare to do to me?"
These words terrified Zhu Xin, who turned pale and ran away immediately.
She was really angry, so she went to find Jiang Lijun. But Jiang Lijun was very impatient and told her to behave herself and not to cause trouble. Now she really didn't dare to show off in front of Azhen.
These past few months have been relatively peaceful for Azhen, while Zhou Xue and the others have been carrying out their operations smoothly behind the scenes.
It's time to go to the palace and visit the Dowager Consort at Wuyou Palace. (End of Chapter)