Unexpected news came from Northern Li regarding the "empty red envelopes".
In Northern Li, an organization called Musi was in charge of distributing disaster relief funds and supplies. Not long ago, the Musi estate had received two red envelopes for donations. The two red envelopes were for Baili Lixiang and the late Madame Baili, two of the ten empty red envelopes.
The red envelopes hadn't been opened yet by the time they reached Musi. As soon as the Musi supervisor received the red envelopes, he knew the empress had given them to the Baili Clan during the new year. Moreover, he knew they were empty at a touch.
The officer was so silly that he tore the red packet apart and confirmed that it was indeed an empty red packet.
All donations had to be made public, so the supervisor didn't know how to deal with the matter. He was about to find his superior when Jin Zi happened to bump into him.
Jin Zi decisively suppressed the matter and reported it to Yunning Palace.
Han Yunxi was very calm when she heard the news. First, she sent someone to ask Baili Mingxiang whether Baili Lixiang had told her and her brother about the empty red envelopes.
If the two empty red envelopes had been sent to Northern Li before the crown prince's birthday banquet, then there was no need to fuss over it now. Given Baili Lixiang's circumstances, it was normal for her to send red envelopes directly to Northern Li to embarrass herself.
But when Xu Donglin delivered Baili Mingxiang's reply, Han Yunxi was furious.
Baili Mingxiang didn't know about the red envelopes, but Baili Qiyu said he'd heard that Baili Lixiang had given them to Old Man Zhou before the crown prince's birthday banquet.
"Jiangnan's Murong Clan's Old Man Zhou's men?" Han Yunxi muttered.
Jiangnan's Murong Clan was a large clan second only to the Xiao Clan. After the Xiao Clan's assets were confiscated, the Murong Clan became the most powerful clan in Jiangnan. The Murong Clan wasn't as wealthy as the Xiao Clan, but they held great power in Jiangnan. In the past hundred years, the Murong family had produced three Rank 1 officials. Now, Murong Liao Dong was a Rank 1 official in the Great Qin Dynasty. He was the Governor of Jiang Nan, the number one official in Jiang Nan.
Old Man Zhou was Murong Liao Dong's mother. She was seventy years old, but she was still very smart. She was very famous in Jiangnan and was given the title of First Rank Lady.
"Esteemed Empress, why would Baili Lixiang give the red packet to this Old Man Zhou?" Zhao mama thought for a bit, then added, "She even gave it to him before the crown prince's birthday banquet."
Han Yunxi frowned and didn't say anything.
Zhao mama slapped her thigh and exclaimed in shock, "Your Majesty, this old servant understands! Among the ten madams, other than the deceased Madam Baili, this Old Man Zhou is the most popular. It turns out that those people want to use Old Man Zhou to make things difficult for you! Perhaps they had already planned something during the Crown Prince's first birthday banquet! If Baili Lixiang hadn't been imprisoned, they might've taken out the red packets and opened them in front of everyone! Heheh, a woman's heart is truly the most poisonous! "
Han Yunxi's analysis was exactly the same. She nodded and said seriously, "During the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, Ling 'er didn't draw them out even after donating the red packets. They must be afraid."
"Esteemed Empress, but the second day of the Crown Prince's first birthday banquet, the red packets were all donated to the Ministry of Revenue. Why did the Baili Clan's two remain?" Zhao mama asked in confusion.
This was the crux of the problem.
The eight empty red packets might've been donated by Old Madame Zhou to the Ministry of Revenue, or the madams might've taken them back and donated them individually. But that wasn't important. What was important was that Baili Lixiang hadn't asked Old Man Zhou for the red packets after she was imprisoned. She had even forgotten about the red packets in the face of death. So the two red packets had always been in Old Man Zhou's hands.
"Zhao mama, it's not important why the Baili Clan's red packets were left behind. What's important is why Old Man Zhou sent the two red packets to Northern Li's Musi alone?" Han Yunxi asked seriously.
Zhao mama was worthy of being an old hand in the palace. She immediately replied, "Esteemed Empress, in that case, Old Man Zhou wants to borrow the Baili Clan's hand to expose the red packets and make you lose face?"
Seeing that her mistress didn't answer, Zhao mama thought for a bit before adding, "Baili Lixiang's already sentenced to death. Adding another crime isn't a big deal. Old Man Zhou's people are adding oil to the fire so that Esteemed Empress will hate the Baili Clan! "
Han Yunxi thought for a long time before denying Zhao mama's conjecture.
"Zhao mama, it's not like that! Baili Lixiang's crime is already punishable by death. Even without the empty red packets, this consort already hates her to the core. Old Man Zhou's people don't need to do this. "
Han Yunxi said seriously, "The Murong Clan and the Xiao Clan have been fighting for power in Jiangnan for a long time. Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An colluded in private, but they're still mortal enemies on the surface. Old Man Zhou's people wouldn't be stupid enough to help the Xiao Clan eradicate the Baili Clan if they didn't know Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An were colluding. If Old Man Zhou's people were smart enough, they would've helped Baili Lixiang instead of harming her. "
Now Zhao mama was puzzled. "But … but the red packets were clearly in Old Man Zhou's hands. He was the one who sent them to Northern Li under Baili Lixiang's name."
"Because Old Man Zhou's people know he can't save Baili Lixiang! If my guess isn't wrong, Old Man Zhou's people are most likely preparing to slander Xiao Dong's wife. "Han Yunxi smiled.
At this moment, Granny Zhao completely understood.
She slapped her thigh in agitation. "Esteemed Empress, this old servant understands! Old Man Zhou's people must've known long ago that Baili Yuanlong and Xiao An were colluding in private. That's why he's using this opportunity to sow discord between the Baili and Xiao Clans. "
"Right, it'll take a few days for the red packets to reach Northern Li. Old Man Zhou's people must've never expected Baili Qiyu to betray the Xiao Clan so quickly. Both sides will suffer," Han Yunxi said.
At this moment, the Shadow Guard returned from the Ministry of Revenue. "Esteemed Empress, this subordinate has investigated thoroughly. Those eight empty red packets were all sent to the Ministry of Revenue by Madam Xiao. "
Han Yunxi and Zhao mama both smiled at this. Their guess was right.
Old Man Zhou's people had probably secretly kept two of the Baili Clan's red packets and entrusted the remaining eight to Madam Xiao to donate.
"Esteemed Empress, the real old fox is finally showing his tail!" Zhao mama sighed with emotion.
Old Man Zhou's people had used a borrowed knife to kill people and sow discord. Firstly, they'd used Baili Lixiang's name to spread the red packets and tarnish Han Yunxi's reputation. Secondly, they'd framed Madam Xiao and sow discord between the Baili and Xiao Clans. The Murong Clan would then become the true beneficiaries.
Han Yunxi was quite impressed. If Baili Yuanlong hadn't died and Baili Lixiang and Baili Qiyu hadn't confessed to the military order, Baili Lixiang's case would probably still be under investigation right now.
These two empty red packets would've undoubtedly affected the attitudes and decisions of all parties.
Han Yunxi was impressed, but she didn't appreciate it. Coldly, she said, "Zhao mama, after Ning Jing and the others left, our palace has been deserted. Go personally and invite Old Man Zhou's people over. Just say this consort invited them to drink tea … Let's liven things up a bit! "
Han Yunxi's "liven things up a bit" was full of meaning, dragging out the end of her speech. Not to mention the shadow guards at the side, even Granny Zhao felt her hair stand on end.
The harem was so big, and the emperor was busy all the time. Since those noble madams had nothing better to do, Han Yunxi naturally didn't mind inviting them over for livening things up!
That afternoon, Zhao mama invited Old Man Zhou's people into the palace.
Entering the palace wasn't like going to other places. You could invite others to visit you if you went elsewhere. However, the empress hadn't given her permission to enter the palace. Even if Old Man Zhou's people wanted to invite others, they didn't dare to do so.
Even the servants that she brought into the palace were strictly restricted. There was no need to think about guards and the like. She could only bring a maidservant to wait on her.
Old Man Zhou was born in Jiangnan and was a well-bred young lady. She was very famous when she was young. After marrying into the Murong family, her son became a high-ranking official. Her mother's status rose because of her son. Her fame grew as she grew older and became more prestigious.
At the age of seventy, her hair had long turned white. However, her body was strong and her eyes were shining. She was full of energy. She leaned on her cane and never let others support her.
As astute as she was, she naturally noticed the empress's intention to invite her into the palace. However, she didn't seem to be afraid. As soon as Granny Zhao invited her, she graciously came over in high spirits.
It was the middle of February, but the weather was still very cold. The afternoon sky was gloomy, making it even colder.
Zhao mama invited Old Man Zhou's people to a warm pavilion in the imperial garden.
"The empress wanted to come over a long time ago, but the crown prince kept pestering her." Zhao mama said with a smile, "Old Man Zhou's people, please sit here. This old servant will go over and take a look."
Old Man Zhou was a man of few words. He nodded, "Thank you, Zhao mama."
Little Rui 'er had actually gone to the Grand Tutor's residence. Han Yunxi was making noodles in the kitchens. Ever since she made a bet with Long Fei Ye, she had self-awareness and secretly vowed to personally create a bowl of private noodles to firmly grasp Long Fei Ye's stomach.
Zhao mama hurried to the kitchens. Han Yunxi was personally rolling out noodles.
"Empress, Old Lady Zhou is here. When she left, she specially ordered a servant to tell her son in front of this old servant. "
Zhao mama imitated Old Madam Zhou's tone and actions, saying, "Xiao Cui, go tell my son that the Empress has given me some tea to drink. I'm going to the palace, so tell him that he doesn't need to accompany me this afternoon."
Han Yunxi sneered inwardly. She had already been invited into the palace. So what if Lord Zhou knew? She held the position of Grand Secretary of the Army and could interfere with the court. However, no official in the court could interfere with the imperial harem's affairs except for the Grand Tutor who taught the crown prince!
Although the empty red packets donated to Northern Li did not belong to the imperial harem, she still had a way to resolve this matter in the imperial harem.
"Has the tea been served?" Han Yunxi asked.
"Empress, there's no new tea in the palace. The first batch of new tea will arrive in ten days, "Zhao mama answered truthfully.
"Then go find some old tea. She's a guest." Han Yunxi's face was serious.
Zhao mama couldn't help but laugh, "This old servant obeys!"
As a result, neither of them showed up, leaving Old Madam Zhou to wait in the warm room for a full two hours until the sky turned dark.
Han Yunxi finished cooking the noodles, changed her clothes, and went to the warm room.
She had already arrived, but Zhao mama still hadn't found the old tea. Old Lady Zhou had already asked the palace maid for two cups of water.
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