Could it be that her so-called "good fortune" was actually draining away her luck?

Thinking of this, Shen Qingtang's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Looking at the smiling woman not far away, whose eyes held a sinister glint, she felt utterly unfamiliar and terrified.

Just then, footsteps approached. Lin Peirou, Lu Jin, and Lu Jiaojiao walked over.

Upon seeing the Second Prince and Liang Wanwan, Lu Jiaojiao immediately put on a fawning smile and quickly stepped forward: "Your Highness, Your Highness the Princess, what are you talking about here? We've been looking for you for a long time."

Her gaze swept between the two of them, finally landing on Liang Wanwan, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible jealousy: "Your Highness looks absolutely radiant today, no wonder His Highness dotes on you so much."

Liang Wanwan glanced at her, a hint of disdain in her eyes, but remained silent. The Second Prince waved his hand, his tone indifferent: "Nothing, just accompanying the princess out for some fresh air. Do you need something from us?"

Lu Jiaojiao's smile widened as she leaned closer and whispered, "Your Highness, it's almost time to begin what we've been discussing..."

Shen Qingtang's heart leaped into her throat. She held her breath and listened intently to their next plan. Just as Lu Jiaojiao finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps and the sound of a child crying reached them.

Lu Jiaojiao's henchmen escorted Pei Nian'an over. Little Nian'an was pale, her lips were tightly pursed, and her eyes were full of fear and unease, but even more so, stubbornness.

Behind him, Shen Minglan and Shen Mingzhao followed, their faces ashen, both bearing signs of a struggle. "Let go of my nephew!"

Shen Minglan roared angrily, "Lu Jiaojiao, where did you hide Qingtang?"

"Hidden?" Lu Jiaojiao sneered and clapped her hands. "I didn't hide her. I just invited her to put on a good show for everyone. You can't find her, can you? Don't worry, you'll see her soon."

She paused, then deliberately raised her voice so that the exiles who had been drawn to her could hear her, "Today, I'm going to show you all what kind of slut Shen Qingtang, the 'goddess' you all know, really is!"

Her eyes gleamed with malice as she spoke, each word distinct: "I'll utterly ruin her reputation, let everyone know she's a shameless, promiscuous woman! I'll make that little bastard Pei Nian'an witness his aunt's disgraceful behavior, so he'll never be able to hold his head up high again! And I'll also make you, Young Master Shen…"

She turned to look at Pei Wuwang, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, her tone full of provocation, "Look at how the woman you've been so obsessed with has cheated on you!"

Although Pei Nian'an was young, he understood the malice in Lu Jiaojiao's words. He struggled and shouted, "You're talking nonsense! Auntie isn't that kind of person! You're a bad person! Let me go!"

Pei Wuwang's face was as cold as ice, and the air pressure around him was so low that it was hard to breathe.

He ignored Lu Jiaojiao's provocation, but his sharp gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Liang Wanwan.

Liang Wanwan felt Pei Wuwang's gaze, her body trembled slightly, and she immediately lowered her eyelids.

She appeared weak and frightened.

He seemed to have nothing to do with the conspiracy before him, and was just an innocent bystander.

Her performance was flawless, and even the Second Prince couldn't help but secretly praise his younger sister, saying that she was becoming more and more skilled at acting.

Just then, strange noises suddenly came from the room, as if someone was... having sex.

Lu Jiaojiao's ears twitched, and a smug smile appeared on her face: "Oh, this voice... it sounds so much like Shen Qingtang's!"

Liang Wanwan also feigned surprise and looked up, saying in a soft voice, "It sounds... really is Shen Qingtang's voice. What... what's going on?"

The second prince frowned, somewhat puzzled, but still followed Lu Jiaojiao's words and said, "Let's go take a look."