Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Chapter 259 Strategy

Zheng Luoqi walked to the stool in front of the desk, sat down, and said with a smile, "Father, the matter with the Empress has been arranged!"

"Hmm! You must have come here for more than just this!" Zheng Yuxiang nodded and asked.

Seeing that he had seen through her thoughts, Zheng Luoqi didn't hide anything. She smiled and said to Zheng Yuxiang, "Father, I'm wondering, what if the Empress had targeted the Emperor instead of Consort Shu this time?"

"Tell me about it!" Zheng Yuxiang glanced at Zheng Luoqi.

"Since Her Majesty the Empress has chosen to take action, why not give back the things originally intended for Consort Shu..." Zheng Luoqi didn't finish her sentence, but gave a cryptic smile.

Zheng Yuxiang's gaze sharpened, and he slowly put down his teacup, saying in a deep voice, "Continue."

Zheng Luoqi smiled slightly and whispered, "Replace it with a slow-acting poison and send it into the Emperor's food."

"As long as the dosage is controlled properly, it will not be fatal in a short period of time, but it can make people gradually drowsy and eventually paralyzed in bed. When the time is right, Father can take the opportunity to control the court."

"As for Consort Shu, we can directly..."

Zheng Yuxiang was silent for a moment, then a hint of approval flashed in his eyes: "This is feasible. Have you thought about how to do it?"

Zheng Luoqi calmly replied, "Father, rest assured, I know what I'm doing!"

“Even if the incident comes to light, she will only become a scapegoat.”

Zheng Yuxiang nodded: "Okay, then do as you say, but be sure to be careful!"

Zheng Yuxiang pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

"This matter cannot fail; it can only succeed. Chen Tongyu has been making quite a few moves lately, probably trying to make a big deal out of this Qiangzhou water conservancy project!"

Zheng Luoqi smiled slightly, her expression calm: "Father, there is no need to worry. I have arranged the manpower to ensure that every step is under our control."

"We just need to wait for Chen Xianlin to make a move, then we can use that as leverage to direct our anger towards her."

Zheng Yuxiang nodded, stood up, walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a book about water conservancy engineering, opened a page, and pondered, "Although the Chen family's power is not as great as the Wen family's, it should not be underestimated!"

"If we don't eradicate it completely, it will remain a hidden danger. If we succeed this time, we can weaken the power of the Chen family faction and buy ourselves more time. Once Consort Jiang's child is born, the Great Xia Dynasty will have a new ruler!"

Zheng Luoqi stood up, walked slowly to her father's side, her gaze falling on the scroll, and said softly, "Father is absolutely right."

Zheng Yuxiang closed the book, turned around and looked directly at his daughter, his eyes sharp: "The Chen family's good days are coming to an end!"

"But you must be extra careful in your actions these days, and be careful not to give yourself away."

Zheng Luoqi nodded: "I understand. I have arranged for Boyu to secretly monitor the palace. If there is anything unusual, report it immediately."

Zheng Yuxiang nodded slightly, a satisfied look on his face: "Very good. By the way, how is the progress on Consort Jiang's side?"

“I have already arranged for quite a few people to take care of Consort Jiang, just in case,” Zheng Luoqi replied.

Zheng Yuxiang tapped his fingers lightly on the table again, and said thoughtfully, "Jiang Pin's child must not be harmed in any way. You must be vigilant at all times, especially those around her, and be careful that no other moles may infiltrate."

Zheng Luoqi nodded solemnly: "Father, rest assured, I will personally take charge of this matter."

...........

seven days later

Prime Minister's Mansion

Zheng Luoqi was reading the secret letter handed to her by Consort Jiang in the study when a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by Boyu's voice: "My lord, I have an urgent matter to report!"

A voice came from the study: "Come in."

Boyu pushed open the door and entered, bowing respectfully: "My lord, I have just received news that Her Majesty the Empress's people have begun their operation."

Zheng Luoqi's eyes sharpened, and she said in a low voice, "Tell me in more detail."

“The palace maids serving the Empress have been secretly contacting a eunuch serving Consort Shu these past few days. Our people followed them and discovered that he had poisoned Consort Shu’s food.”

Zheng Luoqi's lips curled slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes: "Just as I expected!"

"As per your instructions, young master, the powder has been replaced with a colorless and odorless slow-acting poison and sent to the Emperor."

Zheng Luoqi nodded slightly: "Well done. Remember to increase the dosage for the Emperor; a normal dose probably won't be very effective for him!"

After all, Xue Huaiyu is the male lead, and his protagonist aura is still intact. How could he die so easily? Since medicine can't kill him, let's just leave him bedridden forever.

Since the male protagonist can't be killed, it's still possible to make him sick for a while.

"Keep an eye on things, and report any suspicious activity immediately." After saying this, Zheng Luoqi continued reading the secret letter sent by Consort Jiang, her eyes instantly turning sinister.

"Where's Jinyu? Go and call him here!"

Bo Yu respectfully replied, "Yes, Your subordinate will go and fetch Lord He immediately!"

Zheng Luoqi paced to the window, gazing thoughtfully at the fallen leaves in the courtyard: "Chen Xianlin's move was hasty, giving us an opportunity. However, the more crucial the moment, the less we can afford to be careless."

Bo Yu quickly left the study, and a moment later, He Jinyu rushed over, his face showing some anxiety: "My lord, what are your orders?"

Zheng Luoqi turned around, her eyes sharp: "Jinyu, go to Consort Jiang's place immediately. Remember not to reveal your whereabouts. As for the morning court, Father will ask for leave for you. There's probably a mole in Consort Jiang's group!"

"We must find those traitors as soon as possible and deal with them all. As for the pregnant woman, let Zisang keep an eye on her and make sure everything is foolproof."

He Jinyu nodded: "Understood, I will take care of it immediately."

He Jinyu quickly turned around, pushed open the study door, and disappeared at the end of the corridor. Zheng Luoqi withdrew her gaze, sat back down at her desk, and quickly calculated her next plan.

..........

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, in Empress Chen Xianlin's bedroom, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.

Chen Xianlin sat on a carved phoenix chair, holding a secret letter in her hand. Her face was ashen. Her personal maid stood cautiously to the side, not daring to breathe.

Chen Xianlin suddenly sneered and slammed the secret letter heavily on the table: "Well, very well indeed! Someone actually dares to play such tricks right under my nose!"

Chen Xianlin was furious. How could she not have thought of that? If the Empress Dowager had given her a potion to prevent her from having children, would she really let the Emperor off the hook?

Consort Jiang! The Emperor clearly cannot have children, so where did your child come from?

"Hahahahaha!" Chen Xianlin suddenly burst into laughter. She found it ridiculous that her father was still plotting to have Chen Ruoyao give birth to an imperial heir.

Chen Xianlin narrowed her eyes, her voice icy: "Go and investigate how the Empress Dowager's confidants in the palace were dealt with back then. Remember, no one can find out. If anyone is alerted, I will hold you responsible!"

The palace maid quickly kowtowed: "Yes, this servant understands, I will definitely be careful!"

Chen Xianlin waved her hand, signaling the palace maids to leave. Once she was alone in the room, her gaze fell upon the garden outside the window, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Empress Dowager, oh Empress Dowager, I never expected you'd lend me a hand before you died!"