Chapter 153: A New Method

Of course, Ling Yuan did not ask that question, nor did she know what Yun Zui's answer would have been.

Upon returning to the Prime Minister's Estate, everything was as calm as usual, as if the culprit currently being thoroughly investigated by the Ministry of Justice was not Yun Shang at all.

Seeing how unconcerned they appeared, Yun Zui naturally became even more vigilant.

Who knew if another wave of assassins would strike? Or perhaps some new scheme?

Therefore, it was best for Yun Zui to remain on her guard.

In this Prime Minister's Estate, not a single person wanted her, Yun Zui, to stay alive.

"Has the Imperial Consort had her meal?" a maid asked Yun Zui.

Yun Zui immediately replied, "No need, I have already eaten."

With that, she pushed open the door to her room.

Inside this room, only the clothing belonged to Yun Zui; everything else belonged to the Prime Minister's Estate.

Moreover, Yun Zui carried all her silver with her rather than leaving it in the estate.

Lying down on the daybed, Yun Zui lazily stretched.

Every time she looked at the ledgers, she felt utterly exhausted. If she had a choice, she would rather assassinate someone than look at account books.

Right, she needed to teach Xiao Tianming modern addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. If she did that, reviewing the ledgers wouldn't be nearly so exhausting!

Ah, why hadn't she thought of this sooner?

Yun Zui couldn't help rolling around on the daybed, berating herself for being a fool to think of it only now.

...

The next day, after Yun Zui washed and freshened up, the servants had breakfast prepared and placed before her.

As usual, Yun Zui picked up the food and ate.

The maid who had delivered the breakfast withdrew and immediately hurried to the main hall.

Waiting there were Yun Yao, Yun Shang, Dou Saiqi, Yun Xi, and Yun Mo.

They had planned since yesterday to administer the poison today and frame her afterward.

The maid walked quickly up to them, her eyes darting nervously before she reported, "The Imperial Consort has finished breakfast."

Hearing this, a flash of smug satisfaction immediately crossed Yun Yao's eyes.

Waving the maid away, Dou Saiqi asked eagerly, "Yao'er, what kind of poison was that exactly?"

Yun Yao glanced at Dou Saiqi, then adjusted a hairpin in her hair and said, "A wonderful poison that kills without a trace."

"If Yun Zui dies this time, your brother-in-law and I will enshrine you like a living Bodhisattva," Yun Shang said.

Yun Yao covered her mouth and chuckled, then remarked, "Eldest Sister, you certainly know how to flatter. How are you going to enshrine me when I am back in the imperial palace?"

Hearing this, Dou Saiqi immediately chimed in, "Why talk like that between sisters? Yao'er, you must return soon. There are so many seductive vixens in the palace; who knows if one of them will steal the Emperor's soul away while you're away?"

The smile on Yun Yao's face faded slightly as she said, "It won't happen. The Emperor is in poor health, so I doubt he will seek out other consorts in the next couple of days."

At these words, the women of the Yun family were utterly astonished.

This was the first time they had ever heard such a revelation about Emperor Chi Xuan.

Yet, it was true—Chi Xuan's complexion bore the pallor of illness all year round.

After finishing her meal, Yun Zui walked out toward the courtyard. The morning sunlight was pleasantly warm, and she intended to sit on the swing for a while, but a maid came rushing toward her in a hurry.

Yun Zui fixed her gaze on the approaching maid.

"Imperial Consort, Prince Nie requests your presence at his estate to discuss a matter," the maid said, keeping her head lowered.

Yun Zui raised an eyebrow at this. It sounded nothing like Chi Nie's style.

He never invited people over. If he wanted to speak with someone, he would always go to them directly. And if he did issue an invitation, it would be done with absolute dominance—he would never simply send a maid to relay a message.

"Are you from Prince Nie's estate?" Yun Zui asked suspiciously.

The maid immediately replied, "This servant is from the Prime Minister's Estate. Prince Nie had a servant pass the message along, and I am merely repeating it."