Chapter 96: Speculation

96. Chapter 96 Speculation

Cuiyu, as Shen Yunyao's absolute confidante, serves her with great attentiveness. Whenever Shen Yunyao needs her, Cuiyu appears instantly.

But now, Cuiyu has actually disappeared.

"Young lady, when I arrived, I truly didn't see Cuiyu!"

"Perhaps she went to the kitchen!"

Grandma Shen thought for a moment and guessed.

"Impossible!"

Shen Yunyao immediately summoned her bride's maids, and after questioning, indeed no one had seen Cuiyu.

"When I was sleeping yesterday, Sister Cuiyu was still there!"

"Since I got up this morning, I haven't seen Sister Cuiyu!"

The four bride's maids, faced with Shen Yunyao's questions, gave almost identical answers.

Soon, everyone at Qinyuan Ju gathered, and no one had seen Cuiyu.

"Search!"

"Everyone, split up and look!"

"Also, report to the officials immediately!"

"Grandma Shen, please go to the Xie Family and tell Xie Zian about this matter!"

Two imperial palace guards protecting Qinyuan Ju have died, and her personal maid is also missing; this is no longer a trivial matter!

The servants of Qinyuan Ju, having heard Shen Yunyao's order and about to split up to search, were suddenly halted by Shen Yunyao.

"Everyone, don't move for now!"

"Grandma Shen, you go to the Xie Family to report first!"

"Young lady, beside you...?"

"There won't be any trouble here!"

Shen Yunyao doesn't think anyone is targeting her, but Cuiyu's incident definitely has something fishy.

Grandma Shen could only leave quickly.

Shen Yunyao looked at the servants in the courtyard, her expression very solemn, and slowly said, "Until the officials arrive, everyone must stay in this courtyard and may not leave!"

"You all, keep an eye on this place!"

Shen Yunyao glanced at the former steward of Qinyuan Ju and spoke lightly.

Then, Shen Yunyao led her bride's maids back to her own room.

"Now, examine the surroundings carefully and see if anything is amiss!"

Shen Yunyao looked at the four, speaking softly, "Don't touch anything randomly; just watch with your eyes, and if you notice anything odd, call me!"

Cuiyu's disappearance is not a trivial matter, but Shen Yunyao cannot yet guess the other's purpose.

However, she has a speculation.

Perhaps the target is not her, but the flower-viewing banquet, or even simply the Empress Xie Zixian who is set to appear at the banquet.

Xie Zixian is pregnant; if she gives birth to a boy, he will be the emperor's eldest son and likely become the crown prince.

According to Dayong's customs, the Empress's eldest son is usually the crown prince.

But if the Empress bears no child, then a prince born of a concubine would have the right to inherit the throne.

Now that the Empress is pregnant, it means she can bear a child, and the chance of producing a prince is not low.

In this situation, even if other consorts bear sons, they have no claim to the throne. So, what if the Empress meets an accident?

If the Empress suffers an accident or even loses her life, given Emperor Xihe's deep affection, it is unlikely he would appoint another Empress, giving the palace consorts a chance.

However, if the target truly is the Empress, normally covert agents wouldn't cause a stir now, as it would easily alert the snake and might even prompt the Empress to cancel the banquet.

Shen Yunyao racked her brain but couldn't figure it out.

If the matter escalates, will the Empress still leave the palace?

Or perhaps the other side wants to fetch chestnuts from the fire?

I just can't understand!

Shen Yunyao feels her brain isn't big enough.