Married To The Cruel Crown Prince

Deng Hui rested her arm on the bolster while the tea servant prepared the tea for her. Deng Hui dismissed her and also the other servants from her chamber.

She was troubled with the thought of her son knowing her real face. This was something she had hidden for years. She bore the torture from the former Empress because of this reason. To see herself as the Empress, she struggled hard.

Now, her son had seen her true face, it could become a hurdle in her path to the throne. Though, once Sheng Li would die, then it would become easy for her to let things flow in her way.

"Empress Dowager, the tea is getting colder," the court lady informed Deng Hui, who came out of her thoughts.

​ "Did you make sure that the servant and his family won't utter a word?" Deng Hui picked the teacup and brought it near her lips.

"I have made sure that the words won't come out. Empress Dowager does not have to worry," the Court Lady assured her. Deng Hui sipped the tea and asked if her son was still in anger.

"Prince Nianzu does not trust Empress Dowager. She cannot do anything about this either. I think Empress Dowager Hui should think about her first and then her son. Everyone is well aware of the fact that the first Prince did not spare his mother. In the end, the Former Empress had to lose her life. In my opinion, Empress Dowager first usurped the throne, and then her son will come to her without any rebellion instead of explaining her situation to him," the Court Lady advised Deng Hui, who furrowed her brows together.

Indeed, she had to first remove the current Emperor and the Empress from the throne, so that claiming the throne would become easier for her. However, both the Empress and her son were doubtful of her intentions.

"Who is Huo Jin?" Deng Hui asked about him out of the blue.

"He is a young man in his early 20s, who was with Prince Nianzu when he left the Palace. Did Empress Dowager forget about him?" The Court Lady was curious to know.

"I have forgotten his face, but not his name. He is the one who told my son about what I did in the past," Deng Hui clenched her fists. She should have killed him first.

"Does Empress Dowager want to get rid of Huo Jin? I heard that he is presently living with the Wang Family," the Court Lady informed Deng Hui, who shook her head.

"Getting rid of him will not be easy, especially when he is a trained spy. Also, I will not benefit from his death. I would like to stay low for a day or two before planning," Deng Hui decided. Currently, she was waiting for the news of Sheng Li's demise. She held the teacup and sipped the tea.

~~~~~

Lei Wanxi was on the swing seated beside Zhu Lin. It was moving back and forth at a gradual pace.

"Zhu Lin, I think Brother Sheng and Brother Nianzu hid something big from me," Lei Wanxi said. Zhu Lin tilted her head and asked him to explain.

"Brother Nianzu respected his mother a lot. For her, he stayed quiet and remained isolated from the other Brothers most of the time. However, after he returned to the Palace, he was cold to his mother. Earlier, I thought it was because Empress Dowager wasn't accepting Sister Chun as the wife of Brother Nianzu. But today I found something strange," Lei Wanxi briefed her about the observations that he had made.

"Does Prince Wanxi think that Empress Dowager is behind her son's poisoning?" Zhu Lin queried him.

Lei Wanxi nodded. "Brother Nianzu would not have ever accused his mother. Earlier, we also saw an unknown man coming out of the manor of Empress Dowager. What do you think is going on? Does Empress Dowager want to poison Sister Lili, and she stayed quiet when her son consumed the sweet instead of Sister Lili," he deduced. He squinted his eyes in suspicion.

"Empress Dowager had known that the poison's effect would be mild. So, when Prince Nianzu consumed the sweet in the Empress's place, she had to be quiet, to not get caught in the act. Moreover, a servant had given testimony that he poisoned the sweets." Zhu Lin found that Deng Hui appeared to be a wicked person, who pretended to be gentle, soft, and loving nature when she was not.

"I never saw that look in my Fourth Brother's eyes towards his mother. His heart has broken upon learning about his mother's acts. I will meet Brother Nianzu later," Lei Wanxi said and sighed.

"Prince Wanxi, don't be upset. We shall find the person who came to meet Empress Dowager," Zhu Lin affirmed with gleaming eyes. Lei Wanxi acknowledged her suggestion and put her right foot down to stop the swing.

He stood up and turned to Zhu Lin. "I will find this unknown, suspicious person. Now is the time when Lei Wanxi has to use his brain," he said with enthusiasm.

"I will also help the Sixth Prince," Zhu Lin offered her help, but Lei Wanxi shook his head.

"You still need to recover, Zhu Lin. Remember, your navel region is still healing," Lei Wanxi reminded her and put his hand on her head. He caressed it and continued, "I have a person who can help me."

"Who?" Zhu Lin was curious to know.

"Huo Jin," Lei Wanxi replied and smiled.

"Yes. Huo Jin can gather information faster than anyone here," Zhu Lin showed her trust in Huo Jin.

"Yes. Huo Jin and I will find that man. If Empress Dowager has changed, then it's a dangerous sign for everyone in the Palace," Lei Wanxi said as he knitted his brows together.

"Then, Prince Wanxi shall leave now," Zhu Lin told him.

Lei Wanxi pulled her up. "First, let me drop you till your chamber."

"I can go by myself. Go," Zhu Lin motioned her hand in the air. Lei Wanxi nodded when Zhu Lin told him not to forget to take the fur overcoat as it was cold outside.