Although he’d guessed the possible intentions behind Emperor Xia’s summons, Yuan Bao could not speak out proactively, as he was the victim.
How this matter would be resolved depended on the conditions Emperor Xia would offer.
In trade, the principle is to ask for the sky and pay from the ground.
But this matter was different from trade.
In trade, it’s like Zhou Yu striking Huang Gai, one willingly strikes, and the other willingly takes.
But this situation was very different.
Because the power dynamics between the parties were very unequal.
With unequal status, naturally, one couldn’t have too many expectations.
The situation was akin to being the fish on the chopping block.
Of course, Yuan Bao was in a much better position than the fish.
At least she had the leverage to negotiate with Emperor Xia.
When it ca to it, Yuan Bao actually felt quite confident.
Because Emperor Xia needed her.
Seeing Yuan Bao seated, Emperor Xia lightly waved his hand, and the chief eunuch, Chen Lian, cautiously retreated, standing guard at the door of the Imperial Study Room, not allowing anyone to approach.
"Wushang’s wife!"
After Chen Lian left, Emperor Xia spoke softly, playing the emotional card from the start.
It ant that the conversation now was not between the emperor and Princess Jiafu but between an uncle and his niece’s wife.
Yuan Bao, having lived two lives, understood from just one address that Emperor Xia wanted to downplay the situation, to fra it as an internal family dispute.
"Emperor Uncle, you speak!"
Since Emperor Xia wanted to play the emotional card, Yuan Bao did not mind cooperating a bit.
It was certainly not the ti to fall out with Emperor Xia, Yuan Bao naturally couldn’t pretend to be ignorant of her situation.
If she acted obliviously now, it wouldn’t change anything; instead, it would give Emperor Xia the impression that she was soone without judgnt.
"If I say I was unaware of Nanny Qu’s actions, would you believe ?"
Emperor Xia looked at Yuan Bao, even changing his self-reference from "we" to "I".
This change in phrasing showed Emperor Xia’s sincerity.
Only between family mbers would titles disregard the impacts brought by their statuses.
"Emperor Uncle, I believe!"
Yuan Bao did not have any doubts, "If Emperor Uncle wanted to target Yuan Bao, there wouldn’t be any need for such trouble!"
These words were, indeed, the truth.
If Emperor Xia truly wished to cent Wei Wushang’s reputation for bringing bad luck to wives, he could have had people act when the marriage was being arranged. Even if Emperor Xia did not manage to act at that ti, he could have arranged afterward, rather than resort to such petty tricks at this mont and location.
"This girl is indeed perceptive!"
A faint smile appeared on Emperor Xia’s dignified face.
"Emperor Uncle, is this really Grandmother’s intention?"
Just after being praised for her perceptiveness, Yuan Bao posed a question that left Emperor Xia at a loss.
Was this the Empress Dowager’s intention?
The person involved was the Empress Dowager’s favorite managing nanny, accompanied by Nanny Lan from the Eldest Princess’s side. There were also nurous palace maids from the Empress Dowager’s side.
The presence of these people had already pinned the matter onto the Empress Dowager.
"I, don’t know!"
After a long silence, Emperor Xia finally gave Yuan Bao a shocking answer.
But soon, Yuan Bao was relieved.
All clues pointed to the Empress Dowager; thus, regardless of whether she orchestrated it or not, the matter would ultimately be attributed to her.
As for the truth?
It wasn’t necessary to delve into this!
"Emperor Uncle, so how do you intend to resolve this issue?"
"Nanny Qu is soone Grandmother finds useful; they can’t just disappear without a clear explanation, right?"
"Nanny Lan as well!"
"Troubleso!"
Emperor Xia genuinely felt troubled hearing Yuan Bao’s question.
"Jiaojiao, do you have any ideas?"
Finally, Emperor Xia looked to Yuan Bao, passing the problem to her.
Yuan Bao was dumbfounded, not expecting such a predicant!
"..."
Yuan Bao offered no reply, simply sat there in bewildernt.
"Girl, don’t feign ignorance with , I know you surely have a way!"
Emperor Xia fully disregarded formalities.
Yuan Bao rolled her eyes and said, "Emperor Uncle, but I’m the victim here!"
"Asking , the victim, to co up with a solution seems suitable to you?"
"I think it’s quite suitable!"
Emperor Xia was anything but ambiguous.
Yuan Bao felt utterly speechless.
"Why not say, assassins broke into the palace, and Nanny Lan and Nanny Qu were killed by them while saving ?"
Saying this, Yuan Bao herself felt it was absurd.
These people were the ones who wanted to harm her, yet now they were to beco her saviors!
"Not suitable!"
Emperor Xia shook his head, disagreeing with Yuan Bao’s suggestion.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Bao shrugged decisively and said, "Emperor Uncle, it’s not that I’m not giving you advice, but you don’t agree with my idea!"
Yuan Bao had made quite a sacrifice with this suggestion.
Making enemies into saviors and sacrificing so much to no avail ant she could comfortably watch it all unfold.
"Let’s say, they were held hostage by an assassin who attempted to assassinate you but was slain by your guards."
"...?!"
Listening to Emperor Xia’s words, Yuan Bao widened her eyes, "Emperor Uncle, if you say so, what if Empress Dowager were to bla i, what would happen then?"
"Rest assured, she won’t!"
Emperor Xia chuckled, "Nanny Qu and others being held hostage and failing to fight unto death ans they’ve lost their loyalty. If Mother figures this out, she definitely won’t inquire further!"
"Emperor Uncle, so have we agreed on this?"
Yuan Bao seized the opportunity, "If Grandmother wants to bla i, you can’t stand by idly!"
"No worry on that!"
Emperor Xia replied briskly.
With this, the matter was resolved.
Yuan Bao promptly took leave from Emperor Xia.
Upon exiting the Imperial Study Room, she saw Wei Wushang beckoning her over.
"Uncle, why have you co?"
Yuan Bao quickly moved closer to Wei Wushang.
Wei Wushang smiled and said, "I thought there was logic to what you said before, so I ca to have a look around the palace."
"Tell , what happened?"
"You don’t know yet?"
Yuan Bao looked at Wei Wushang in surprise, thinking he already knew what had happened.
Wei Wushang gently shook his head, saying, "I don’t know."
"Nothing much, it’s just that Nanny Qu from Grandmother’s side coerced Nanny Lan from Mother’s side, intending for to et with so accident to confirm Uncle, you bring bad fortune to wives!"
"Hmm...?!"
Wei Wushang froze upon hearing.
Yuan Bao didn’t say much, rely shrugged lightly.
With Wei Wushang’s intelligence, he understood many things at once.
"Jiaojiao, thank you!" Wei Wushang looked at Yuan Bao, and his many thoughts translated into simple gratitude.
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