Chapter 131: Yuwei and Qiaobin

“I know about that string of prayer beads you mentioned; I never expected it would be her,” Qiao Bin said with a bitter smile, noticing the puzzled looks on everyone’s faces. “I thought she had long given up and moved on. I never imagined she would do something like this.”

“Yu Wei was a close friend of the late Empress Dowager’s, and her daughter grew up in the palace alongside us,” Lian Yue suddenly understood—it was another childhood sweetheart story. She didn’t interrupt and listened on. “She was originally the Empress Dowager’s predetermined choice for my father’s primary consort. I always assumed so. Royal marriages never involved much affection. Rather than marrying the daughter of a minister whose temperament was unknown, it was better to marry someone who had grown up within the palace. It wasn’t until I met your eldest sister that I realized how absurd that notion was.”

The King of Nanping wore a nostalgic expression; even his smile softened considerably. Lian Yue couldn’t help but think that her brother-in-law must truly care for her eldest sister. She listened attentively as Qiao Bin continued.

“When Yu’er and I first met, I didn’t know her true identity. From her demeanor, I only thought she was a refined lady from a noble family. After returning to the palace, I mentioned the marriage to the Empress Dowager, expecting her to oppose it. To my surprise, she agreed immediately.”

“I was overjoyed and eager to tell Yu’er about coming to Lingyang City. Only then did I learn her identity and understand the Empress Dowager’s concession. But as long as I could marry Yu’er, I was more than satisfied.”

None of this was known to Lian Yue and the others; Lian Yu had never told them either. Except for Yu Wen Lingxi (Xiao), who silently shouted “off-topic” in her heart, the rest listened with great interest.

“On the night Yu’er and I married, Yu Wei attempted to hang herself but was discovered early by a palace maid and saved. When she woke, she was as you see her now. She used to love bright-colored clothes and hated the scent in the Buddhist temple. But after awakening, she often stayed in the temple, holding that string of prayer beads. She was forced into the Nanping Mansion by my brother, and besides occasionally going out for fresh air, she spent most of her time chanting sutras before the Buddha statue in her room.”

Yue Lingjun found this strange and interrupted: “Did she have any contact with your eldest sister?”

“Almost none,” Qiao Bin replied firmly. “Yu’er excused them from their daily greetings and rarely saw them except during festivals.”

“That’s suspicious,” Lian Yue said skeptically. “Young Master Yu Wen said that the musk residue in eldest sister’s body only appears after long-term contact.”

“I haven’t finished,” Qiao Bin continued. “Before Yu’er’s pregnancy was confirmed, she found this string of beads in the rear garden and recognized them as Yu Wei’s. She sent someone to return them, but it happened to be during Yu Wei’s three-month seclusion. The beads were left in her room and then forgotten. Later, I happened to see them and sent them over.”

After hearing Qiao Bin’s explanation, Lian Yue pieced together some clues. Yu Wei indeed had motive. Since she attempted suicide on Qiao Bin’s wedding day, it showed she had feelings for him. After being saved, perhaps she became disheartened. But since the Emperor had forcibly sent her to Nanping Mansion—and though she should have been the primary consort, she ended up a concubine without status, and an unloved one at that—resentment would naturally arise.

Yet, Lian Yue still sensed something was amiss.

“The key lies in the pregnancy medicine,” Yu Wen Lingxi (Xiao), who had been silent until now, spoke again. “This musk does have a calming effect but is unsuitable for young women.”

“It’s too early to jump to conclusions,” Meng Chuchen also said. “We should wait until we get to the Western Capital and clarify the nature of that medicine.”

“You’re right,” Lian Yue admitted. “Besides, more than one person had access to it. It’s possible someone was framed.”

Yue Lingjun nodded silently, lost in thought.

Qiao Bin sighed. Honestly, he didn’t want it to be Yu Wei. They had grown up together, and he truly felt guilty toward her.

“Let it be then. The Emperor’s birthday banquet is in four days. We’ll depart at noon tomorrow and should arrive in the Western Capital by the evening after next. I will assign people to watch the women in the mansion closely. As for Yu Wei, my brother specifically instructed me to bring her along with two other concubines. I’ll also find a chance to investigate the origin of those beads.”

The meeting in the study ended quickly. Lian Yue returned to her room for a simple bath and took the opportunity to share the discussion with Lanshui, who had been caring for the “sick” Yao Yao and hadn’t attended.

Lanshui fell silent for a long time, refraining from drawing any rash conclusions. Lian Yue lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling for the first time how terrifying this mansion was—like a fierce beast. A woman who has a man’s affection must still guard against hidden dangers; some women are traded into this cage with no love. How could anyone endure such a life? If it were her, she might have already gone mad, perhaps even done something reckless.

Lian Yue sympathized with them but did not intend to be lenient. At least, those few people Yu Wen Lingxi mentioned tonight would not escape her scrutiny. After attending the banquet in the Western Capital, she would remain in Nanping for some time—there would be plenty of opportunities.

Anyone who harmed her eldest sister would face no mercy.

Thinking this, Lian Yue recalled that now her martial skills had advanced, she could find a suitable weapon. Silver needles were still ideal for stealth attacks.

She had originally considered using a long silk ribbon woven from celestial silkworm threads, but now she changed her mind. Qiao Zhi’s fan made from celestial silkworm silk could be pierced by her silver needles. If the opponent’s internal strength was profound, the silk’s flexibility was no longer an advantage—it might even cause one to underestimate them.

But what weapon to choose? She would ask her eldest sister tomorrow, hoping for better advice.

The next day, Lian Yue woke late. After a hurried wash, she went to Lian Yu’s room and was teased a little. Before Lian Yue’s seat was even warm, Lian Yu dismissed her attendant and looked at her intently.

“Did you discover something?” Lian Yu asked.

Lian Yue was taken aback and quickly denied it. “No, I just think those women are suspicious.”

“You can’t fool me,” Lian Yu laughed, pretending to glare. “Feigning illness yesterday, making such a big fuss with a self-inflicted injury—it’s not like you didn’t notice.”

Lian Yue suddenly realized how sharp her eldest sister was. Their little staged acts might fool others, but not her. She decided not to tell her everything, teasingly stuck out her tongue, and said coquettishly, “Nothing escapes your eyes. It’s just that I had a little unpleasantness with them in the garden yesterday afternoon. Later, Young Master Yu Wen said a certain fragrance was bad for pregnant women, so I put on that act.”

Lian Yu looked at her with suspicion, making Lian Yue’s heart race, but she kept her gaze steady, showing no sign of evasion. Lian Yu knew her siblings meant well and felt a warmth in her heart. Since they didn’t want her to know, she would pretend to be naive.

“Did you find anything in the end?” Lian Yu asked, feigning anger.

“No,” Lian Yue said cheerfully when she saw her sister believed her. “It turned out Yu Wen Lingxi (Xiao) misidentified the scent and picked some random special fragrance. That’s all there is to it.”

“You must gather evidence before acting. You’re still so impulsive. But Yu Wen Lingxi’s medical skills are impressive. After just two doses of his prescription, I feel much better,” Lian Yu changed the subject first. “Though it’s still a bit chilly. After all this time, Moon’er, haven’t you developed feelings?”

Lian Yue pouted. “You said he was cold and distant. How could I like that?”

At that moment, the atmosphere around them subtly shifted.

“So, do you prefer someone shy or passionate?” Lian Yu smiled knowingly, clearly having heard stories from the ship. “Actually, Qiao Zhi isn’t bad. Don’t be fooled by his appearance—he’s a remarkable person. It’s just that the royal court’s mire doesn’t allow him to shine.”

“Eldest sister...” Lian Yue interrupted, flustered as her sister’s words grew more absurd. “I don’t like any of them. Please don’t arbitrarily match me with anyone. I don’t like Yu Wen Lingxi, and I don’t like Qiao Zhi, that clinging Zhou Ziwen isn’t my type either.”

“Could it be that Moon’er has someone she likes?” Lian Yu casually asked, but seeing Lian Yue’s face fall into melancholy, she immediately realized her innocent remark had struck a nerve.