Ming Dynasty: I am truly not the Emperor of Longevity

"If Zhang Jinlian were still alive today, I might actually believe it."

Chen Furong's face held a hint of mockery.

"Granny Wei, you don't think I don't know that you were the one who chose her and sent her to Yikun Palace to be the Empress's spy, do you?"

I had already gotten all that information out of her.

She also told me that you assured her that after the matter was accomplished, not only would she be safe, but the Empress would also reward her.

But what became of Zhang Jinlian?

His head was separated from his body; his head was hung up somewhere for public display, while his body was dismembered and left to rot in the wilderness!

Granny Wei, I remember the spot where you're standing right now is where Zhang Jinlian was beheaded.

Aren't you afraid her vengeful spirit will come after you?

"what!"

Upon hearing Chen Furong's words, Granny Wei's expression changed drastically. She took several steps back, clasped her hands together in front of the ground she had just stood on, and muttered something under her breath.

"You're scared already?"

Chen Furong chuckled softly.

I was just kidding!

Do you really think I have such a good memory that I specifically remembered where Zhang Jinlian was beheaded?

However, you really did wrong her!

The other fifteen palace maids, along with Consort Wang, all knew that after the emperor's murder, they would surely die and their families would be implicated!

But Zhang Jinlian doesn't think so!

She genuinely believed that she would be fine, and that her family would be fine too!

I asked her to tell Yang Jinying privately that her family had entrusted me to relocate, and she really just relayed the message. Unexpectedly, she also asked me to help her relocate her family.

I privately advised her that this matter was extremely dangerous, and neither she nor I could guarantee that nothing would happen to us.

If something unexpected happens, it's one thing if I lose my own life, but at least I shouldn't involve my family.

Only then did she secretly ask me, behind your back, Granny Wei, to move her family away.

Of course, she didn't tell you or the Empress that the other fifteen palace maids involved in the operation, as well as Consort Wang's family, had all been secretly asked to move to a safe place.

Even now, Her Majesty the Empress probably still doesn't know about this, right?

"Chen Furong, how dare you do such a thing behind the Empress's back!"

Granny Wei's expression changed drastically once again.

"No, you're just a lowly palace maid in Yikun Palace, without even a rank, and your family is just an ordinary person with no power or influence."

Where is there any ability to move Consort Wang Ning and the families of the sixteen palace maids outside the palace!

Are you trying to fool me?

"When Grand Eunuch Mai of the Directorate of Ceremonial questioned Zhang Jinlian's accusations and tried to save Consort Cao, why did I dare give Consort Wang a chance to speak and testify against Consort Cao?!"

Chen Furong took two steps closer to Granny Wei.

"Aren't I afraid she'll take the opportunity to turn on me?"

That's not impossible. After she framed Consort Cao, didn't she also testify against Zhang Jinlian?

Because I was certain she wouldn't dare!

After she was captured, she was doomed.

But I arranged for her family to be moved. If she betrays me, I will definitely reveal where her family is now, and her family will not escape unscathed.

Of course, if Granny Cao still doesn't believe it, she can wait a few days and see.

After they were beheaded and their bodies mutilated, the imperial guards must have already been mobilized to arrest their families.

Whether it's true or false, you'll soon find out from the imperial guards.

"Okay, I'll believe you for now."

After a moment of silence, Granny Wei spoke.

"Are you telling me all this to make the Empress hesitate to harm you?"

Not to mention that Her Majesty the Empress promised you that she would not only not harm you, but would also give you another five hundred taels of silver.

If you wish to remain in the palace, whether as a head maid or a female official, it is fine. If you wish to leave the palace and marry, Her Majesty the Empress can arrange it.

"If Her Majesty the Empress truly desires your life, she may care about the whereabouts of Consort Wang and the families of those sixteen palace maids, but Her Majesty the Empress will not."

"Granny Wei, you've misunderstood me."

Chen Furong had already walked up to Granny Wei.

"And don't say anything more about how the Empress will keep her promise and will never touch me."

I'm telling you all this not only to protect myself, but also for your sake, Granny Wei.

I remember when I first entered the palace, I was assigned to work by Granny Wei's side.

You also took good care of me, teaching me various rules and regulations in the palace, which enabled me to gain a foothold in the palace.

I have always been grateful to you, Granny Wei.

I really don't want to see you die a violent death one day!

"Don't spread alarmist rumors!"

Granny Wei's expression changed.

"How could my life be in danger?"

"Granny Wei, think about it carefully."

Chen Furong brought her mouth close to Wei Mama's ear and whispered,

"Besides the Empress herself and Zhang Jinlian, who has already been beheaded, who else knows the truth about this?"

"Except for you, Chen Furong..."

This time, a look of terror finally appeared on Granny Wei's face.

"And...me!"

No... No way! Ever since Her Majesty the Empress entered the palace, I've been by her side, utterly loyal. Her Majesty would never...

"You're just fooling yourself with that; don't take it seriously!"

Chen Furong's tone became slightly more forceful.

"I know that although Her Majesty the Empress can't pin any crime on me, she can still make me die without knowing why."

But she was afraid that I had some hidden tricks up my sleeve that might drag her down with me, which is why she hesitated and asked you to test my waters first.

But you must understand in your heart that if I die, you will be the only one in the world who knows the Empress's secret!

Don't say that Her Majesty the Empress would definitely believe you. Only the dead can keep secrets!

Do you think the Empress would choose to risk believing a living, breathing person, or shut you up forever and solve the problem once and for all?

"this..."

Although unwilling to believe it, a voice deep inside Wei Mama told her that what Chen Furong said was very likely to be the truth.

If the operation succeeds, the emperor dies, and the empress becomes the empress dowager. As the empress dowager's trusted nanny, naturally no one will dare to investigate.

The Empress Dowager had no reason to kill herself to silence her.

But now that the operation has failed and the emperor is still alive, the empress herself feels very insecure, fearing that the emperor will hold a grudge against her for unjustly killing Consort Cao after he wakes up.

At this moment, she was constantly on edge, and all the potential dangers around her were magnified in her mind. It was indeed very possible that she would choose to kill herself to silence her.

"Granny Wei, you don't need to be too afraid."

Seeing the terrified expression on Granny Wei's face, Chen Furong lowered her voice slightly.

"I'm still here!"

Don't worry, even if Her Majesty the Empress wanted to silence me, I would still be ahead of you in line!

In her eyes, I pose a much greater threat to her than you do.

In other words, as long as I'm alive, the Empress won't harm you!