Chapter 198 Pressing Closer

“First,” she said, emphasizing each word, “we must immediately arrange for our men to infiltrate the city’s teahouses and taverns, posing as storytellers. I want you to weave the events outside the city into a captivating story and tell it to the tea drinkers.”

"While the people are discussing and speculating about the 'Shen family's army' outside the city, you must have our storyteller subtly guide their opinions."

“I’ve already said it,” Shen Qingci’s lips curled into a mocking smile, “which of the people of my Great Zhou has not witnessed the splendor of my Shen family’s army? General Shen’s strict discipline is known throughout the land! The Shen family’s army is disciplined and obeys orders without question; that is the true army of tigers and wolves!”

"But what about those people outside the city?" Her voice was full of disdain. "Their ranks are loose, their equipment is incomplete, and they are more like a rabble than soldiers! They are not even worthy of being called my Shen family army!"

"Let the storyteller casually offer a conjecture." A cold glint flashed in Shen Qingci's eyes. "Perhaps there are some unscrupulous individuals who want to rebel but dare not act on their own, so they can only use the name of my Shen family to do such despicable things!"

“After all,” her voice carried a perfectly measured hint of sorrow and helplessness, “now, my Shen family… apart from the Regent’s wife who just married into the Regent’s Palace and has just disappeared, there is no one else left.”

"In this way, naturally... no one can stand up and distinguish the truth from falsehood for the Shen family."

"Those with ulterior motives can then conveniently use the name of the late General Shen to do some shady things."

Zhuque nodded heavily, his eyes full of confidence: "This is simple, I will arrange it right away!"

Shen Qingci then continued with satisfaction, "Secondly, arrange for our people to disguise themselves as people from the Prime Minister's residence, especially some of Liu Wenyuan's confidants. Have them appear suspiciously from time to time near the camp of that group outside the city that claims to be the Shen family's private army."

A calculating glint flashed in her eyes. "Remember, you must be furtive, but also make sure that you are spotted from time to time, such as by the soldiers or other spies lurking around you."

"They also had to put on a show of tight security, as if they were... protecting someone important."

A cold smile slowly curved Shen Qingci's lips: "Although I don't know who brought those rabble outside the city, there are only two possibilities. It's either Liu Wenyuan or Emperor Yongming. But judging from their style of doing things, the most likely one is Liu Wenyuan."

“Since Liu Wenyuan wants to frame my Shen family and try to lure me out,” her voice was filled with a dignified fearlessness, “then let’s just frame each other.”

“There must be quite a few people watching those so-called Shen family troops, including… that one in the palace.” She said with a half-smile, “Then let’s put on a show for them.”

Suzaku's eyes lit up instantly! She couldn't help but exclaim, "Master's plan is truly brilliant!"

“That’s right! Master, you are currently out of the public eye and cannot stand up to defend the Shen family. The same goes for the Liu family! Liu Wenyuan is currently poisoned and unconscious, his life hanging in the balance, and he cannot stand up to defend himself either!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci sneered: "Yes, let's see... who can't hold back first."

She pondered for a moment, picked up her teacup, gently blew away the foam, and then slowly revealed her third arrangement.

"Third," her voice lowered, filled with an undeniable authority, "do you have a way, a way to... disguise yourself as someone close to Consort Shu?"

"Consort Shu?" Zhuque looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion.

Just a moment ago they were talking about the army outside the city that was impersonating the Shen family's private soldiers, how come... suddenly it's turned into Consort Shu?

Although she was puzzled, she didn't ask any more questions. She quickly thought about it in her mind and then nodded firmly.

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” her voice was calm and confident, “if Consort Shu was still favored before, Jingren Palace, where she resided, was heavily guarded inside and out. To accomplish this would not have been easy. At the very least… disguising oneself as one of her close associates would have been extremely risky.”

“But,” a hint of mockery flashed in Suzaku’s eyes, “things are different now.”

"Now that Consort Shu has been banished to the Cold Palace, the guards there are lax. It wouldn't be difficult to get close to those around her, or even... to disguise oneself as any of them. It's said that now she only has a personal nanny and a maidservant left to serve her."

“Moreover,” she paused, then added, “Since being banished to the Cold Palace, Consort Shu has been unable to accept reality and often acts erratically and incoherently. Even if our people disguise themselves and take her place, she… may not be able to detect anything amiss.”

“Excellent.” Shen Qingci nodded, a ruthless glint in her eyes. “Then let’s do it this way.”

"Have your people disguise themselves as Consort Shu's attendants. Then, find a way to discreetly place some... randomly found men's personal items, such as jade pendants or sachets, in her palace."

"Then have someone embroider some characters that look like men's names on her underwear. Just one character will do. Ideally, it should be a common character that you can find three or five of in the court."

Suzaku felt increasingly puzzled, but he didn't ask any more questions and simply agreed respectfully.

Shen Qingci picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.

Emperor Yongming was inherently suspicious and already harbored resentment towards the unexpected child in Consort Shu's womb.

Then she devised a way to fully nurture the seed of doubt in Emperor Yongming's heart, so that it... could grow into a towering tree capable of overthrowing the Liu family!

The Liu family's current situation is already precarious.

If, at this moment, there were any witnesses or physical evidence to prove that Consort Shu had an affair with another man, the Liu family's situation would become even more difficult.

She, Shen Qingci, wasn't just going to sabotage the rabble outside the city.

At the same time, we must also add fuel to the fire by taking advantage of Consort Shu!

Force Liu Wenyuan to show himself!

As Shen Qingci descended the stairs and stepped into the carriage, before the curtain was fully lowered, a warm, large hand suddenly reached out from inside the carriage and forcefully pulled her inside without explanation!

Caught off guard, Shen Qingci felt a sudden dizziness and fell heavily into a broad and familiar embrace.

She gasped and was about to struggle when the man had already wrapped his arms around her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head and gently rubbing against her neck.

That movement was just like that of a clingy big cat.

"Qingqing..."

Chu Jichen's voice, slightly hoarse and languid, rang softly in her ear, filled with undisguised accusation and dissatisfaction:

“You have been out for almost three hours.”

"That's so slow."