jdhmnovel Chapter 435 (0005 words added)
Chapter 435 (0005 words added)
As soon as they got out of the carriage, the gentle woman warmly pulled Xue Ruanruan towards the mansion, saying, "Sister, come with me to rest well, and I'll have the kitchen prepare some delicious food for you." Xue Ruanruan followed them to a secluded courtyard. Just as they were settled, Murong Xun was helped over to express his gratitude in person. He looked intently at Xue Ruanruan, "I will never forget your great kindness, young lady. If you have any requests, please feel free to ask." Xue Ruanruan quickly declined. But just then, the short-tempered woman suddenly screamed, pointing at Xue Ruanruan's bundle and exclaiming, "What's that?" Everyone looked and saw a dagger. The gentle woman's expression changed, "Sister, why is this?" Murong Xun's eyes also turned wary. Xue Ruanruan was speechless, inwardly realizing something was wrong, understanding that someone was deliberately framing her. Just as the atmosphere became tense, the steward rushed in to report that a servant had been caught sneakily stuffing something into Xue Ruanruan's bundle, and the truth finally came to light. Everyone felt apologetic towards Xue Ruanruan, and Xue Ruanruan knew that the situation in the manor was far from peaceful as it appeared. After a while, Murong Xun's complexion gradually regained some color. After this commotion, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. The gentle woman quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Sister, please don't be offended. It's inevitable that there will be petty people causing trouble in the manor." Murong Xun also looked guilty, saying, "It's because my household discipline is lax, causing the young lady to suffer." Although Xue Ruanruan was displeased, she still smiled magnanimously.
In the days that followed, Xue Ruanruan remained in the mansion. She discovered that beneath the seemingly peaceful surface, undercurrents were swirling. The gentle woman and the hot-tempered woman were not as harmonious as they appeared; they often engaged in open and covert struggles. And Murong Xun seemed to be plotting something as well.
One day, Xue Ruanruan was strolling in the garden when she overheard a conversation between two maids. It turned out that the previous assassination attempts and framing were all related to a concubine in the household, who wanted to use Xue Ruanruan to get rid of Murong Xun. Xue Ruanruan was alarmed and decided to investigate secretly. Using her intelligence and the convenience of her spatial abilities, she gradually gathered evidence of the concubine's crimes. Finally, at a family banquet, Xue Ruanruan publicly exposed the concubine's conspiracy. Murong Xun was furious and severely punished the concubine. Xue Ruanruan, through this incident, secured her position in the household, but also found herself in a deeper vortex of palace intrigue. Her pained expression also eased somewhat. The gentle woman looked at Xue Ruanruan gratefully: "Sister, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, Brother Xun would probably be in grave danger." Murong Xun also said weakly: "Thank you for saving my life, Miss." Xue Ruanruan smiled and waved her hand: "It was nothing." After this incident, the relationship between the group became even closer, and a new story quietly began.
Just as Murong Xun was about to speak, he suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded. A chill ran down his spine; he knew something was wrong. He saw a barely perceptible, cold smile on the Prime Minister's lips. It turned out he had secretly planted a sleeping potion in the palace. Murong Xun struggled to maintain his balance, but the drug's effects gradually took hold, and his legs buckled, nearly causing him to fall. The Empress was horrified. "Bold Prime Minister! How dare you poison me in my palace!" The Prime Minister, however, looked smug. "Your Majesty," he said, "this is for the sake of the country and its people. We cannot allow the Regent's wrong decision to ruin the empire." Just as the Prime Minister thought he had succeeded, a figure suddenly emerged from behind the screen behind the Empress—it was the Emperor. The Emperor glared angrily. "You, Prime Minister! How dare you poison the Regent in the Empress's palace and even try to bewitch me! Your heart deserves to be punished!" It turned out the Emperor had been secretly observing and had already seen through the Prime Minister's plot. The Prime Minister turned deathly pale and collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, the Empress coughed lightly, "You two, please stop arguing." His Majesty waved his hand, "Guards, take this traitor to the prison and await his fate!" The guards immediately stepped forward and dragged the limp prime minister away. The prime minister was still crying out for justice, but under His Majesty's rage, his voice sounded so weak.