Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 577 Making Early Plans 2

Inside the palace, in Lingxiao Hall, Granny Gao told Li Xi her guess. In fact, her guess was the same as Li Chu's and Dugu Jingyao's. They all felt that there was something strange about Consort Xiao's premature birth. In any case, there should be ice on the way from Lingxiao Hall to the Imperial Garden.

Upon hearing this, Li Xi hastily wiped away her tears and asked, "Did you send anyone to investigate, Granny?"

At this point, Granny Gao said angrily, "Your Highness, don't mention it. Although I heard that His Majesty sent Eunuch Li to investigate personally, I still wanted to see who it was, so I secretly checked the duty records for that day. But when I found the person, I discovered that he had already committed suicide by poisoning himself."

Li asked, "Did Li Fuguo find anything?"

Granny Gao shook her head and said, "When I went there, I found someone sneaking away, but that person was too fast and I couldn't catch up. It was only after that person left that Eunuch Li arrived with his men."

Li Xi couldn't help but wonder, could it be that his father wanted his mother and sister dead? But why? His father clearly doted on his mother! Perhaps someone else wanted to kill his mother? The Empress?

Of course, he only frowned on the surface, and Granny Gao had no idea that Li Xi had thought so much about it.

At the Zhao Prince's residence, Gu Shiyi was having Tinglan and Song Yan pay their respects when she received news that Empress Shude had died in childbirth and that the little princess had also perished.

Although Gu Shiyi was often ridiculed by Consort Xiao, she still had to pretend to be filial. She feigned shock and even squeezed out a couple of tears, saying to the two of them, "Alright, with such a sudden turn of events, I'm sure His Highness is aware of it. I'm going to the palace to observe mourning for my mother. You two should stay in the mansion and rest well. Don't run around too much and hurt yourselves, lest you cause His Highness and me unnecessary trouble."

Tinglan rolled her eyes inwardly, but still bowed respectfully. After Gu Shiyi left, the two of them got up and went out.

Upon hearing the news of the deaths of Empress Shude and her daughter, Tinglan was relatively calm, as she had maintained contact with the Chu Prince's residence. Although she was somewhat shocked, it was understandable.

But Song Yan was different. She didn't know there were many twists and turns involved. She simply thought that Empress Shude hadn't survived childbirth, and a sense of anxiety rose in her heart.

Seeing Song Yan's expression, Tinglan comforted her, "Sister Song, don't overthink it. After all, Empress Shude's case is just an isolated one. Look at the Princess Consort, she's fine, isn't she? And the Empress, she gave birth to three children and she's fine too. You have to believe that you're not an isolated case. If you worry for too long, it won't be good for the baby in your womb."

Upon hearing this, Song Yan forced a smile and said, "Thank you. I was just a little shocked. But with proper care, I believe both mother and child will be safe."

Tinglan smiled and said, "That's more like it. I'm a little hungry and want to get something to eat. Would you like to come along, Sister Song?"

Song Yan clearly had no appetite, so Tinglan had no choice but to give up and leave first.

In the main hall of Lingxiao Palace, Li Xi was keeping vigil for Empress Shude when Consort Du arrived with Yu'er, dressed in plain clothes.

When Li saw her arrive, he remembered that his informant had sent him a message that morning, saying that Du Jieyu wanted to see him.

Although the two met, they didn't say a word, only exchanging a few glances.

The attention quickly shifted away as Consort Du stepped forward to offer incense to Empress Shude, then bowed again before rising with Yu'er's help.

Seeing that Du Jieyu staggered a little when she got up, Li Xi was a little worried. After all, Du Jieyu was pregnant, and in his opinion, the child was his.

However, in public, he couldn't directly approach them to help, lest he arouse suspicion. He simply offered a brief greeting and then watched the two leave.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Li Xi got up and made up an excuse to leave Lingxiao Palace and head to Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Sure enough, Du Jieyu was already waiting for him inside.

However, Li Xi didn't exchange many pleasantries. Instead, he sat down by the coffee table and said in an icy tone, "Speak, what business do you have with me?"

Consort Du didn't care about his attitude, after all, Empress Shude had just passed away not long ago, so she said gently, "I just heard that Empress Shude died in childbirth and I was afraid that Your Highness would be sad, so I was just trying to comfort you. But I don't think Your Highness is in such a bad mood."

However, Li Xi's next action startled her, because without saying a word, Li Xi grabbed Du Jieyu by the neck and asked, "Did you harm my mother?"

Du Jieyu really didn't expect that Li Xi could find her, or perhaps she didn't have any evidence and was just guessing? So she didn't admit it immediately, but struggled a bit and said while struggling, "Li Xi, let go, I'm still pregnant with your child!"

Li Xi pinched even harder, saying, "I don't only have one child in your womb. If you really harm my mother, I will make you pay for your crime in blood, even if I have to give up my position!"

Du Jieyu was being choked and was having trouble breathing. She didn't hold back and started kicking her. Li Xi let go of her hand to avoid her.

Du Jieyu coughed violently for a moment, then took a breath and said, "Li Xi, Your Highness Prince Zhao, use your brain and think carefully. What benefit would I gain from harming your mother? Would it make you my enemy? Wouldn't all my plans have been in vain?"

Although Li Xi didn't believe her, he did believe that people would become friends with their enemies for their own benefit. He sat down and muttered to himself, "But who else in this palace would want to harm my mother?"

Consort Du sat down and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but if we're talking about the harem, the one most likely to want to kill Empress Shude is the Empress herself. However, she has always been gentle and kind to everyone in the harem, and she rarely punishes the palace servants. If she really wanted to kill you, she would have done it when you were born. How could she have let you live until now?"

Li Xi also felt that the Empress might be wary of them and their son, but she never intended to kill them. Otherwise, how could they have such a good life?

Seeing that Li Xi remained silent, Consort Du tentatively asked, "Is it possible that she isn't a member of the harem?"

Li Xi frowned and asked, "How is that possible? It's already difficult for someone from outside the palace to have an informant in the palace without being discovered, let alone harm someone, especially a favored imperial concubine!"

Consort Du knew he had no idea Emperor Suzong would harm Empress Shude. So she said, "It might not necessarily be someone from outside the palace..."

Li Xi said, "She's neither from the inner palace nor from outside the palace. Could it really be that my mother is just unlucky? But there's something fishy about the premature birth."

Consort Du poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and said calmly, "That's not necessarily true. What if it's His Majesty?"

To everyone's surprise, Li Xi replied without even thinking, "Impossible. Besides the Empress, the most favored person in the harem is my mother. How could it be..." But then he thought about it again and realized it wasn't impossible.

Seeing Li Xi hesitate, Consort Du pressed her advantage: "Has Your Highness not considered that if you and your son were to overstep the bounds of the Empress and her son and become uncontrollable, given the temperament of an emperor, wouldn't you...?"

Li Xi said, "Alright, stop talking!"

Du Jieyu, however, didn't stop talking. She said, "Even if His Highness doesn't admit it, some things might just be like that. Instead of thinking about these irrelevant things, we should hurry up and finish our important task. Now, your uncle is probably only someone you can rely on. Why don't you make plans early and win him over to join us? I've heard that Lord Xiao controls the troops of the Five Cities Garrison, which would be a great help to us." After saying that, she got up and walked over, sitting on Li Xi's lap.

Li Xi wasn't blinded by lust. Instead, he used Du Jieyu's pregnancy as an excuse to keep her in line, and then said, "I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Consort Du tactfully stood up and said, "Your Highness, please do as you wish."