To protect his aunt's reputation, Qi Junlin did not mention her relationship with Zhou Zhe when reporting back to the Crown Prince. He only said that his aunt had been deceived and committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

Qi Junzhou also investigated Zhou Zhe's identity, only to find that he was originally a poor scholar who suddenly became a rich man.

Apart from that, no other useful clues were found.

The eldest prince waited in a private room at the restaurant for Zhou Zhe's last secret recipe to arrive.

But no one came.

He knew something must have happened.

To avoid arousing suspicion, the eldest prince quickly left the restaurant.

Later, he sent someone to find out that Zhou Zhe had committed suicide.

The eldest prince finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The First Prince: "Now that Zhou Zhe is dead, they won't find anything. Tell the people below to keep a low profile for now!"

Subordinate: "Yes, Your Highness!"

After hearing Qi Junlin's report, the Crown Prince understood perfectly.

But since the person is already dead, there's nothing more to say.

Inside the Grand Tutor's mansion, Xu Enci wept bitterly.

Xu Enci: "I already told your mother that our family isn't short of money. Why did she insist on going? And once she got there, she was so greedy. Now look what's happened, she's even lost her life!"

Xu Tingting comforted him, saying, "Dad, don't be sad! Mom knows she was wrong. If she had another chance, she definitely wouldn't do it this way."

Xu Enci: "But we've been married for so many years, how can I not be sad? She's gone, which is the end of it all, but what am I supposed to do now?"

Xu Tingting: "Dad, you still have me. Don't cry."

Xu Enci looked at Xu Tingting and said, "Tingting, your mother died, but you don't seem that sad?"

Xu Tingting quickly shed two lines of tears and said, "Dad, I can't cry in front of you! I'm afraid that if I cry, you will be even more heartbroken."

Xu Enci wiped away her tears again and said, "Yes, if you cry again, Dad will be even more heartbroken."

The father and daughter embraced and wept bitterly.

Xu Tingting thought to herself: Mother, if you knew how deep Father's feelings were for you, you wouldn't have done such a foolish thing, right?

After hearing the news of her sister-in-law's death, Xu Ruyun brought Qiuqiu home with her in her arms.

Before even entering the door, Xu Ruyun began wiping away tears.

Xu Ruyun: "Sister-in-law, why did you leave so early? Why did you have to do something like this!"

Chiu Chiu looked at Xu Ruyun with an innocent expression.

"Mother, she's not worth your sadness! After all, she caused us so much trouble before. Isn't it better that she's gone now?"

Hearing what Qiuqiu said, Xu Ruyun felt much more at ease.

[Also, she's not really dead. She's just gone mad. And her brothers are hiding her.]

Xu Ruyun: What?

[She stole the formula and gave it to some random man; it's good enough that her brothers kept it a secret, something so disgraceful to the family.]

Xu Ruyun: How could this be?

Having committed so many evil deeds, becoming insane in the end was the best possible outcome for her.

Xu Ruyun: Luckily, only I can hear Qiuqiu's thoughts. Otherwise, if my brother heard them, wouldn't he be furious?

Despite knowing the truth, Xu Ruyun still respectfully offered incense to her sister-in-law according to etiquette.

Seeing her older brother weeping uncontrollably, she comforted him, saying, "Brother, please accept my condolences!"

Xu Enci nodded, wiping away her tears.

Xu Ruyun then visited her parents and comforted them.

In the palace, the crown prince explained the events to the emperor.

The Emperor sighed and said, "I never expected this to happen. Considering the great contributions of the Grand Tutor and Xu Enci, I do not wish to pursue this matter any further!"

The Crown Prince clasped his hands in thanks: "Father, you are merciful. Thank you, Father!"

The Emperor said, "Remember to keep this a secret, lest the Xu family's reputation be tarnished!"

Crown Prince: "Yes, Father! Father is wise!"

The Emperor said, "By the way, I haven't seen Qiuqiu in a long time. When will you bring her to the palace?"

The crown prince smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Father."

At night, Chiu Chiu insisted on climbing onto the roof to look at the stars.

Helpless, Xiaofeng had no choice but to watch it with her.

Chiu Chiu held an osmanthus cake in her hand, took a bite, and then stared intently at the sky.

Chirp: "No, that's not right."

Xiao Feng looked at the osmanthus cake in Qiu Qiu's hand and said, "Master, is the cake not tasty?"

Chiu Chiu said to Xiao Feng in a serious tone, "Don't just think about eating all the time."

Xiao Feng pointed at herself speechlessly: "Me? All I think about all day is eating? Never mind, Master, just say I am who I am."

A dark cloud obscured the moon.

The stars in the sky sometimes shine brightly and sometimes dimly.

Chiu Chiu frowned and fell into deep thought.

Judging from the celestial phenomena, a natural disaster is imminent. The moon is dim and the stars are faint; according to my prediction, a snowstorm is likely on its way!

Xiao Feng sat up abruptly and looked intently at Qiu Qiu.

Xiao Feng: "Snow disaster? What can we do? The weather has suddenly turned unusually cold; a lot of people will die!"

Chiu Chiu: "If I told everyone, I'm afraid not many people would believe me."

Xiao Feng: "Then tell His Majesty! The Emperor will definitely believe you, right, Master?"

Chirp: "That's good. It'll be better this way!"

Xiao Feng: "With the heavy snow, travel will be difficult and supplies will be scarce. Master, it seems we need to stock up on more things."

Chirp: "Buy! Let's go buy it tomorrow!"

Xiao Feng nodded and said, "Okay! Shall we go downstairs first today?"

Chiu Chiu yawned and said, "I'm really sleepy. Let's go!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!