Fated Book 2 : The Crown Prince's Golden Consort

"Weather is getting hotter Your highness please have some cold fruits to help cool you down" a young maid said placing a tray of fruits on the table next to her. "Thanks, this year's summer is hotter than those of the past. This could only mean that we'll be having a much harsher winter Bid Liu please remind the Household clothing department to make more thicker winter uniforms for the servants. You all work tirelessly all year round. I can't allow anyone to catch a cold the same goes for the Madam's and myself. Have them get the thicker fours from the store room. I wanted the winter clothes to be ready before winter" Lu Xiaolian said reclining on a bench under the shade while admiring the flowers. "Yes Mistress" Bie Liu replied. "Hmm" Lu Xiaolian replied softly resting her head on her hands gently. "It's getting late the crown Prince would be returning to the Manor any time soon. Have the kitchen prepared a light lunch" She said to the maid after some time. "Yes your highness. I will get going" the Maid said and went away. "Yao Yao" Lu Xiaolian called as soon as the maid was out of sight. Yao Yao quickly walked forward and tested the fruit for poison. Now that Third Madam Shen had finally disposed of the crown princess.it was only a matter of time before she struck again. So Lu Xiaolian had to be very careful. Shen Piezhi has proven that she can go to all length to get what she wants. "How is it" Lu Xiaolian asked softly. "It's all clear however I suggest we get rid of it just to be safe" Yao Yao said. "Ok you do that in the meantime have someone keep an eye on third Madam Shen and the Shen family. I want to know everything about them. Meanwhile investigate everyone that is around her I want to find a good opening" Lu Xiaolian replied. "Yes Mistress" Yao Yao said. "Good, She would be back soon get me some cold fruits" Lu Xiaolian shifted to a more comfortable position.

Some minutes later Bie Liu returned from her trip to the clothing department and took her position by Lu Xiaolian's side. "Bie Liu please package the snacks properly as soon as the Crown Prince is back into the Manor" Lu Xiaolian said eyes closed with her head resting on her hands. "Yes Mistress" Bie Liu replied. "Hmm" Lu Xiaolian said softly. For two days now Zhongshan Huang had been running around as usual to clean up the First Prince mess. The First Prince's has made a mess of things. It's no surprise that the officials weren't asking for severe punishment which would result in the lose of his title. First it was his involvement with the murder of Liu Wenci the only male heir of Minister Liu family. Now it was the infamous mysterious memoirs that were spreading wide and far titled'The Sins Of The Imperial Royal Family Volume 01: The Sins Of The First Prince'. The origin of the memoirs was unknown but a new chapter listing the crimes of the First Prince and his mother Imperial Noble Consort Gao was published and spread around everyday. It had already been only two days but two chapters detailing all their crimes had been published. The Court has been on a frenzy since then with the crown Prince working over time to fine the culprits. He had been coming back very late in the night and leaving at day break that they only met during lunch when he took an excuse to stop by and check on her. She was really starting to get worried, If he wasn't careful he might breakdown. He was working so hard to find the culprit that she had decided to cut him some slack and take care of other issues such as the battle with the Wo bandits. After reading through the report from her spies she had already begun to suspect fowl play. That she had decided to investigate every single noble family and their in-laws starting with the ones closer to home. That was when she had discovered some abnormalities with the Jang Family. She had also discovered that the Lady six was still in communication with Jiangxi casino through the Zhang family. The Shen family wasn't any better even though they seemed like a Literal family she refused to trust them since they produced a rotten egg like third Madam Shen there was most definitely more to them that meets the eye. She had her spies look much deeper especially with their symbiotic relationship with the Gao family. From her investigation she had discovered that Jiangxi casino had a very strong foot hold in government of great Wei through a few of the Noble families. If they wanted to eradicate them completely they had to start from the source. Which surprisingly is the royal family. Starting with the First Prince since they already suspected that the first Prince was working with Jiangxi casino. Since they both had a hand with the attack on Zhongshan Huang. She already suspected that she was very close to connecting the dots.