RPAGF Chapter 28 The General's Little Darling
Chapter 28 The General's Little Darling
"Song Yuxi's grandmother was so proactive, my husband, have you ever suspected that she was the one who poisoned him?"
The more I think about it, the more likely it seems.
Xiao Shen initially found this somewhat unbelievable, but upon closer examination, it wasn't entirely impossible.
“My husband, think about it carefully. For a poison to achieve the desired result for a doctor, it must undergo various trials. And those who are in contact with it for a long time will inevitably be poisoned as well. The Song family was originally very large, and Song Yuxi’s grandmother even had five sons. But in Song Yuxi’s generation, there is only him.”
"None of the five uncles of the Song family took concubines, and their grandmother and grandfather only had each other in their lives. But if they were all poisoned, then there's more to it than meets the eye."
"Husband, do you still want to investigate this matter further?"
"After I was poisoned, His Majesty and I went to investigate. At first, we thought it was caused by retaliation from another country. However, if it was because our princes or noble families had long been colluding with foreign countries, then it would make sense. After all, the Second Prince has done similar things before."
Ji Xiaosong grew angrier the more she thought about it. "Why are they targeting you like this? The Xiao family has protected the Chen Kingdom for generations. If things go smoothly for you, how could the Second Prince, as a member of the royal family, not be doing well?"
Seeing his wife's cheeks puffed up in anger, Xiao Shen's heart softened. He reached out and gently poked her puffed-up cheeks, laughing, "Look at you, all puffed up like a little pufferfish."
Ji Xiaosong slapped his hand away and said reproachfully, "At a time like this, you still have the mind to tease me."
Xiao Shen took her hand and pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Be careful not to hurt yourself. It will break my heart."
Ji Xiaosong's face flushed instantly, and she tried to break free, but he held her even tighter.
Seeing her shy expression, Xiao Shen's smile deepened, and he said, "I am overjoyed that my little wife has gone to such lengths for me. This matter is actually quite simple. The Xiao family has always maintained neutrality, and the military generals in the court all follow the Xiao family's lead. If the Second Prince wants to gain the power of the military generals, he must either win me over or eliminate me."
"So, are we just going to sit here and wait to die?"
"of course not."
Xiao Shen gently tucked a stray hair behind Ji Xiaosong's ear and said softly, "My lady, don't worry. I have a plan. Just stay by my side and don't worry too much about this. It would break my heart if you hurt yourself."
Ji Xiaosong raised her head, her eyes filled with worry: "How can I not worry?"
Xiao Shen affectionately pinched her nose and said, "My wife is so intelligent and brave. I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely get through this. Come on, give me a smile."
Ji Xiaosong chuckled at his appearance and scolded him playfully, "Even at a time like this, you still have the mind to coax me."
Xiao Shen held her tightly in his arms and said, "No matter what, making my wife happy is the most important thing."
Having figured out the ins and outs of the matter, all that's left is to verify it.
Xiao Shen's method of verification was also quite unique; he went to check whether the child in Yue Niang's belly was Song Yuxi's.
The emperor had previously bestowed upon Song Yuxi a hundred concubines, but several months had passed and none of them had become pregnant.
Song Yuxi, a prince so devoted to continuing the Song family line, couldn't possibly have truly avoided all women. So there's only one possibility: his health was genuinely failing.
If that's the case, then the child in Yue Niang's belly might not necessarily be his.
That very night, Xiao Shen dispatched his personal guards to Yue Niang's hometown.
Counting the days, barring any major unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to return within ten days.
Since the Spring Banquet, Ji Xiaosong has remained secluded at home. Her mother has come to see her several times, mentioning the sachet, but Ji Xiaosong has always made up some excuse to brush her off.
In any case, she won't reveal that she was the one who switched the items, so as not to have to use more lies to cover it up later.
The events of the Spring Banquet must have been related to Consort Song, otherwise Li Wanyu would not have deliberately dragged her to see the Zi Ning Flower.
But it doesn't matter, anyway, the baby in her womb will definitely be safe and sound.
Ten days later, Xiao Shen's confidant returned, and Ji Xiaosong also joined in the fun, sitting to the side.
"My lord, I have successfully completed my mission," the trusted aide said, bowing respectfully.
Xiao Shen quickly asked, "Tell me quickly, what did you find out?"
"Yue Niang was actually a 'skinny horse' kept by a local wealthy merchant. However, the merchant was extremely secretive, and Young Master Song was so infatuated with her that he did not investigate further. Moreover, after she and Young Master Song had consummated their marriage, the merchant even arranged for many men to have contact with Yue Niang. Therefore, it is really difficult to say whose child she is carrying."
This is this...
Good heavens, she's incredibly daring and reckless in her pursuit of power through her child!
Didn't Song Yuxi ever witness or suspect anything?
Ji Xiaosong expressed her shock three times.
His confidants also thought the whole thing was utterly absurd. He tried hard to suppress his laughter, but his body still couldn't help but twitch slightly.
"Those men are either disguised as maids or guards in the mansion. It's impossible to guard against them all."
What a huge, emerald-green hat has been placed on Song Yuxi's head! Why does it feel strangely good?
Ji Xiaosong's eyes lit up. She looked at Xiao Shen and asked, "Did you investigate the matter of your previous poisoning? Was it related to that person from the Song family?"
“Madam, after extensive investigation, it is certain that my previous poisoning was related to that person from the Song family.”
"So when are you going to expose this? I can already picture Song Yuxi's face turning green. He and the Second Prince conspired to switch your weapons and provisions. If they had succeeded, you and the Crown Prince would most likely have died in the north. His Majesty only has two sons. If the Crown Prince dies, the Second Prince will inherit the throne. Every time I think about this, I wish I could tear them to pieces!"
"Don't worry, my wife. I will handle it as soon as possible. Don't go out these days, lest you be tainted by bad luck."
"My lord, we must be extremely careful in this matter, lest they find out."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Ji Xiaosong had complete confidence in Xiao Shen's abilities.
Before long, Song Yuxi noticed that whenever Yue Niang went out, different men would stare at her belly.
At first, he didn't pay much attention, until one day, while he was drinking tea at a teahouse, he suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from the next private room. It was Yue Niang.
With a hint of anger, Yue Niang said, "Stop arguing. I don't know whose child this is."
Upon hearing this, Song Yuxi was struck dumb, and nearly dropped his teacup.
His face instantly turned ashen, veins bulging on his forehead, and he stood up, ready to rush to the next private room.
But at the last moment, he managed to suppress his impulse.
Let's wait a moment. This is not the Song family's place. If something really happens, no matter what the final outcome is, it will be the Song family that loses face.