Chapter 623 Li Yongju
It was a chilly spring day, and Ning Yunxi married Gu Nianting and became the second prince's consort.
The princes and princesses are of the third rank. According to the law, their husbands and wives, who are given titles of noble husbands and noble ladies, should be of a lower rank.
Therefore, Ning Yunxi was conferred the title of a fourth-rank lady.
Because they are relatives of the royal family, the etiquette of asking "An" was changed to "Jin An"; when meeting with ministers, the etiquette could be waived.
Ning Fengzhe had no choice but to send his sister off to marry. During the wedding banquet, he made an excuse to leave and returned to Ning Mansion alone.
He sent someone to pass the message and call Chen Hu.
"My Lord, all is well."
Ning Fengzhe gestured for him to stand up and asked in a deep voice.
"I asked you to develop a drug that would render the Second Prince useless. What was the result?"
Chen Hu answered.
"My slaves are incompetent. Although there are some achievements, there are still some shortcomings."
Ning Fengzhe asked again.
"What's missing?"
Chen Hu was respectful and modest, and explained in detail.
"The young master requested that we fabricate a cause of illness so that the second prince would mistakenly believe that his illness was caused by his prostitution."
"It's easy to hide this from ordinary doctors."
"However, hiding this from the Second Prince's wife is as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"I have tried my best and finally got a pill that can make the pulse normal and the harm to the person invisible. Unfortunately, it can only last for a year at most. Once the effect of the medicine wears off, the Second Prince will naturally recover and be as good as before."
To express his gratitude, Ning Fengzhe pursed his lips slightly and tried his best to force a smile.
"I really asked too much, and time is tight. Thank you for your hard work."
The candlelight was dim and weak, making the eldest master look like he was smiling but not smiling. Chen Hu was so scared that he lowered his head and didn't even dare to glance at him.
"The servant is terrified."
Ning Fengzhe looked serious and continued to ask questions.
"After one year, if I continue to take it, can the drug's effects continue?"
Chen Hu was honest and sincere, and answered truthfully.
"This medicine is harmful to your health. You must not take it continuously."
"It's fine once, but a second time could endanger his life, and it's also possible that someone would find out that the Second Prince was poisoned by this drug. Once the case is investigated, it will be difficult for the First Prince to escape."
Ning Fengzhe waved his hand gently.
"Well, okay, you can withdraw."
Chen Hu saluted.
"The slave retire."
Before Xier got married, Ning Fengzhe had already learned about Fu Yuxiang from Mu Rong.
He wanted to tell her the truth, but Xier was under the influence of the medicine and refused to listen or believe him.
Her innocent love was like that of a girl who had just fallen in love. Logically speaking, after being betrayed by Gu Nianting, Xi'er might be able to break through the effect of the drug and be free from it.
"A year, I think, is enough time to sober up and get a divorce."
"Even though I am divorced, I am still young. It should not be difficult for me to get married again."
At this time, Wen Jia walked into the room with tea and snacks.
"My lord, you returned home early, so you must not have eaten enough. I will ask the kitchen to prepare some snacks."
"Master, please use it."
Ning Fengzhe sat comfortably, tapping his chin with his fingertips, as if he was thinking.
"you eat."
"I'll be back in the palace in a moment."
Wen Jia happily responded and sat beside the young master as usual.
"Yes, thank you sir."
He guessed that there was a brocade box on the table.
"Is this the medicine developed by Doctor Chen?"
Ning Fengzhe glanced down and put away the brocade box.
"Ah."
Wen Jia simply took a bite of the snack.
"Sir, you have already got the pills, why are you lingering?"
There was a hint of deep thought between Ning Fengzhe's brows.
"I am trying to guess what Gu Nianting is thinking and planning for the future."
He spoke slowly and calmly, expressing what was in his mind.
"Gu Nianting values his reputation, so knowing that he is disabled, he keeps it a secret and does not mention it to Xier. On the surface, he makes Xier think that he married her just to use her; secretly, he cures her illness quietly. When the illness is healed and they become husband and wife, he pretends to be a prodigal son and starts a new life with Xier in a natural way."
Wen Jia was confused.
"Since you are sure that the Second Prince will keep his mouth shut, why do you ask Doctor Chen to make the medicine and keep it secret from the Second Prince's wife?"
Ning Fengzhe is meticulous and the word "cautious" is written all over his face.
"Just in case, Xi'er has some guesses and is trying to find out Gu Nianting's pulse."
"I couldn't let her misunderstand that I was deliberately ruining her relationship."
Wen Jia nodded deeply.
"What the young master said is true."
Ning Fengzhe was calm and composed, speculating and thinking at the same time.
"Xi'er is kindhearted. She was ignored by her husband for no apparent reason. She only suspected that she was not doing well enough. So, she tried her best to gain merit and be rewarded for them."
"Not long after, Zhong Shuyi was promoted and rose to prominence; Gu Nianting was conferred a title and moved out of the palace to live in a mansion."
"I arranged an informant in advance to lurk beside Gu Nianting and then advise him to name the residence of his wife in the backyard as Li Yongju."
Wen Jia didn't understand at first.
"Liyongju?"
Ning Fengzhe looked calm.
"Liyong, use it."
"Xi'er will understand your husband's intentions."
Putting himself in the other person's shoes, Wen Jia was horrified.
"The Second Prince's wife spared no effort, but in the end she got the name 'Li Yong'. Wouldn't she be heartbroken?"
Ning Fengzhe's eyes were filled with tears, and he felt a little guilty.
"Why would she give up if she wasn't emotionally hurt?"
"Besides that, I will plan to have Ning Wanshan go to their residence at night under the pretext of delivering clothes, and naturally, she will get together with Gu Nianting."
Wen Jia was shocked when he heard this.
"what?!"
He was uneasy and worried.
"If this is a blow, will the Second Prince's wife be upset?"
Ning Fengzhe suddenly realized.
"It makes sense."
Xier's safety is of vital importance, so he takes it seriously.
"You must keep a close eye on Xi'er. Don't let her commit suicide."
"I have a plan for the time being. Just tell your informant to do it."
Wen Jia responded cautiously.
"Yes."
Ning Fengzhe sorted out his thoughts and confirmed that everything was fine.
"Ning Wanshan is greedy and wants the throne. She has tried to seduce King Di Jin many times, but all her attempts have failed."
"Now that she has the opportunity to step on Gu Nianting to ascend to a high position, she will definitely use any means to deal with Xier."
"Xi'er cares about her family and won't hurt her sister, so you'll be the only one left to suffer."
Wen Jia sat solemnly and listened carefully.
"After this and that, the Second Prince's wife will surely be disheartened and decide to divorce."
He changed the subject.
"I'm afraid the Second Prince won't agree."
When mentioning Gu Nianting, Ning Fengzhe smiled disdainfully.
"Oh, it's not up to him."
After thinking about it, Ning Fengzhe returned to the wedding banquet and deposed Gu Nianting without leaving any trace.
The plan is progressing and everything is going well.
Zhong Su-ra ascended the throne and moved to Fengluan Palace. The emperor changed the question of "An Li" to "Feng An"; all the ministers met him and bowed their heads in respect to the emperor.
Gu Nianting was granted the title of prince and given the name Chen. He left the palace with his family and moved to Prince Chen's Mansion.
Ning Yunxi, in accordance with the law, was granted the same title as her husband and was canonized as a first-rank imperial lady.
The title of king is the highest one among all titles. His wife is respectfully called Princess Consort, while his concubine is still called Aunt.
Li Yongju and Ning Wanshan dealt Ning Yunxi a series of blows, and it was almost impossible for her to recover.
On this day, Ning Yunxi happened to receive a summons from her mother, asking her to come home for a chat. Feeling depressed and frustrated, she returned to her parents' home.
Unexpectedly, Mu Rong ordered.
"It's time to get rid of Zhong Su Luo and the Zhong family."
"You forged an old letter from Xingliang and placed it in the Queen's palace, spreading the news so that the Emperor would think that the Zhong clan had long been allied with Xingliang, and now, they are colluding to restore the Liang alliance."
"After the mission is accomplished, you can persuade the prince to agree to recognize the imperial concubine as his adoptive mother."