The matter of Consort Mei in the palace was investigated and concluded within three days.
Ziyuan, knowing Su Yunmo's concern, had already sent someone to gather the information and report back.
It was true that Jian Fenghou was brought into the palace by Ye Yuanlin back then, and the poison was indeed administered by Consort Mei.
The difference was that the entire affair was orchestrated by the Empress.
She harbored jealousy towards Consort Liang, who had been favored back then, and also disliked Ye Jingyu.
Thus, when Ye Jingyu lost the protection of his mother, the Empress threatened Consort Mei with Ye Jingge's life, forcing her to administer the poison.
Consort Mei, due to her child, had no choice but to agree to the Empress's demands.
With the matter cleared up, all involved parties from that time were executed.
The Empress, who had only been temporarily acting as regent for the Six Palaces, had her authority completely stripped following this incident. She was also confined to her palace for three months.
Although Consort Mei was involved, she was ultimately coerced. She had already taken her own life to atone for her sins. His Majesty, in his leniency, allowed her to continue receiving offerings, which could be considered a form of vindication.
Ziyuan said, "I heard the Fifth Prince visited the Imperial Prince's manor a couple of days ago. He seemed overjoyed upon leaving, suggesting his inner turmoil has been resolved. Pearl should be at ease now."
Su Yunmo was very satisfied.
Her involvement in this trivial matter wasn't solely for Ye Jingge; she had her own ulterior motives.
Now that she and Ye Jingcheng were mortal enemies, she didn't want to kill him directly. Instead, she planned to drag him down into the abyss.
As the saying goes, the higher one climbs, the harder they fall. For someone as arrogant as Ye Jingcheng, nothing would be more painful than watching the power he had within his grasp slip away.
She needed someone who could unseat Ye Jingcheng from the throne, and no one was more suitable than Ye Jingyu.
It was possible that other princes might rise to prominence later, but for now, she had to prepare for all eventualities and ensure Ye Jingyu maintained good relations with his brothers.
"Since I'm in a good mood today, we won't eat at home. I'll take you all out to a restaurant!"
When their mistress gave the order, her subordinates were naturally delighted, especially Luoluo, who was extremely excited.
She had served her young lady for so long and had never gone out with her before.
Including Guisha, Su Yunmo brought all three of them along and had someone reserve a private room at Cangui Tower in advance.
Before the dishes even arrived, Luoluo was already running around the room excitedly.
"Miss, you don't know, but this is the most magnificent restaurant in the entire capital. Not only can you eat here, but there are also private courtyards prepared for the wealthy."
Su Yunmo recalled that Ye Yuanlin had brought her here when she was kidnapped.
Familiar voices drifted up from downstairs.
"The ladies and young ladies visiting today are all extraordinary. Serve them well and don't make any mistakes."
Su Yunmo opened the window and saw Lin Yuning downstairs, her brow furrowed.
Why was she here too?
Luoluo poked her head out, "Isn't that the Consort of Prince Lian? I heard that after Consort Lian entered the manor, she managed it exceptionally well. Now, all the affairs of the manor are handled by her."
Su Yunmo's brow deepened.
Networking among the capital's dignitaries?
Judging by the looks of it, she was indeed connecting with quite a few people.
Perhaps Su Yunmo's gaze was too intense, as Lin Yuning sensed it and looked up.
As their eyes met, a flicker of resentment and a hint of confident ruthlessness crossed Lin Yuning's face.
However, she quickly averted her gaze from Su Yunmo and continued with her work.
Su Yunmo gave Ziyuan a look. Ziyuan nodded and left.
The dishes soon arrived.
The three of them gathered around the table and began to eat.
Guisha glanced at Su Yunmo, then looked up at the ceiling beams, pretending to be unconcerned. Secretly, he slipped a piece of pastry into his sleeve.
Su Yunmo couldn't be bothered to manage him.
There was a commotion outside.
"Others cannot enter, but I can. I am a relative of the young lady dining inside! I've come to find her!"
A moment later, the room door was pushed open.
A man in blue clothes, dressed sloppily, barged in and shouted at Su Yunmo.
"It's her! This girl is my niece!"
Su Yunmo frowned and looked at Luoluo in confusion.
She had only met one maternal uncle from her mother's side, and she didn't know about any other specific relatives.
Luoluo, chewing her rice with puffed cheeks, turned her head away, also looking puzzled. "Little Wu Nu graduated Wu Wu... Bu Ren is Wu Wu..."
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched. She pushed Luoluo's face back. "Continue eating, you don't need to explain."
"Momo, I am your maternal uncle! Uncle just returned to the capital not long ago, and I've been looking for you!" He rushed forward and grabbed Su Yunmo's hand.
The two waiters couldn't stop him.
"Good child, come with Uncle. Uncle is here to take you home!" He moved to embrace Su Yunmo.
Guisha grabbed his wrist and kicked his ankle.
The man, unable to resist, was kicked to the ground, crying out, "You dog slave! How dare you hit your master?"
Su Yunmo scanned him. Although she wasn't entirely sure, her maternal grandfather was a military general.
Even if his sons weren't both scholarly and martial, they certainly wouldn't be this ridiculous.
"Guisha, step aside." Su Yunmo waved her hand.
Guisha moved aside.
Su Yunmo sized up the man, a guess forming in her mind: "Wu family?"
Wu Qi immediately became displeased. "What do you mean 'Wu family'? I am your biological maternal uncle. You still have half of my Wu family's blood flowing in you!"
"That is truly regrettable," Su Yunmo said with a cold laugh.
When the Wu family was purged, except for Wu Qian, who was left in the capital due to her pregnancy, everyone else had moved away to avoid disaster.
If anyone were to say that no one was deliberately orchestrating this to bring him back, Su Siyuan himself wouldn't believe it!
Wu Qi struggled to stand up and pointed at Su Yunmo, cursing, "You little slut, don't push your luck. I'm here on behalf of your mother to find you!"
Su Yunmo found his words laughable. "If you truly cared for my mother, you should have taken her away long ago, or sent someone to care for her. Why did you let her die tragically in the side courtyard?"
"That has nothing to do with me. It's all your General father's doing!" Wu Qi gritted his teeth.
"He slept with a daughter of my Wu family, then washed his hands of it and denied responsibility. He's not a good person either!"
"In any case, I don't care. I'm here to take you back. I can't let my Wu family's bloodline be scattered."
Wu Qi got up and reached out, attempting to drag her away.
Guisha's brow twitched, and he punched Wu Qi in the chest, sending him flying.
Wu Qi crashed against the door, breaking it.
People quickly gathered outside.
Wu Qi clutched his chest and wailed, "Help! Come and see! General Su forcibly took my sister, and now he's ordered my niece to beat her own maternal uncle. This is an outrage!"
Among the onlookers were those who knew about the events of that year.
Seeing Wu Qi crying and making a scene, they began to whisper amongst themselves.
Wu Qi grew more animated. "Everyone, please judge this fairly. This child was abandoned in the side courtyard for five years with no one to care for her or ask about her. After only a few months back in the capital, she's learned all sorts of bad habits.
"I received my sister's dying wish to take the child back and give her a good life, but they, the General's mansion, are bullying us with their influence.
"Please, everyone, help us seek justice~"
A cold glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes. "Guisha, beat him! Beat him until he dares not speak such nonsense!"
The events of that year had already caused unrest in the household. If further trouble were to arise now, her father would likely be pushed to the forefront of public scrutiny again!