Princess Qinghe and Cheng Yao looked at each other in bewilderment.

Apart from Du Cheng'an telling the eldest son-in-law what happened at the Prince Cheng's residence, the Prince Yanping and the others didn't even dare to tell their own fathers, let alone Cheng Yao and the others.

Therefore, they didn't know much about the matter and could only sigh in regret.

After all, Prince Cheng was the Empress Dowager's own son and the current Emperor's own brother, yet it seemed as if everything had changed overnight.

Chun'er withdrew, and a short while later Princess Yong'an entered.

Princess Yong'an looked much thinner than the last time they saw her. If they didn't know it was Princess Yong'an, they wouldn't have believed it. Thinking of Prince Cheng's mansion, they couldn't help but feel sorry for Princess Yong'an.

Princess Yong'an was surprised to find so many people in the room. When Princess Huai'an saw her, she stood up and said, "It's been a while since I've seen you. I didn't expect to run into you at the Ling Prince's residence."

Princess Yong'an forced a smile and stepped forward to bow to Shen Wan.

Shen Wan smiled and nodded, which was her way of returning the favor.

Seeing that Princess Yong'an's wrist was wrapped with an embroidered handkerchief, Shen Wan asked, "Is Princess Yong'an injured in the wrist?"

Princess Yong'an looked down and realized that half of the embroidered handkerchief hidden in her sleeve was showing, but she didn't cover it up and said, "Yesterday I went to Jingci Nunnery to visit my mother. When I went to the back mountain to pick plum blossoms, I accidentally fell and hurt my wrist..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wan asked, "How serious is the injury?"

Princess Yong'an shook her head, "It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."

A maid brought over a chair, and Princess Yong'an sat down.

Shen Wan asked, "How is Princess Cheng?"

Princess Yong'an said, "My mother was sickly when she was in the manor, but her condition improved after she entered Jingci Nunnery."

Princess Yong'an couldn't accept the fact that Princess Cheng had shaved her head, but she couldn't accept Princess Cheng's death from illness even more.

In addition, after so many days, she has gradually come to accept it.

She had no other desires than for her mother and younger brother to live.

If she misses them, she can go to Jingci Nunnery or Huguo Temple to see them.

But Father...

I don't know where they are.

Shen Wan said, "After I finish my confinement period, I will go to Jingci Nunnery to visit Princess Cheng."

Princess Yong'an said, "My mother will be happy to see you visit her."

Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan had helped Prince Cheng, so Princess Yong'an was genuinely close to Shen Wan. In addition, she had a previous relationship with Princess Huai'an and Princess Qinghe, so they easily hit it off.

Although Princess Yong'an accepted the fact that her mother and younger brother had become nuns one after another, it was still a big blow to her. Her personality changed a lot. She spoke very little and just sat there quietly, listening to everyone talk.

She glanced at Shen Wan several times, as if she had something to say. Just as Shen Wan was about to ask, Qiu'er came in from outside and said, "The auspicious time has arrived, and the third-day celebration is about to begin."

Princess Huai'an and the others came to deliver congratulatory gifts, but more importantly, they came to see the young prince celebrate his third-day birthday. They all stood up immediately.

After they left, Princess Yong'an also stood up.

The others left chatting and laughing, and Princess Yong'an even turned back to look at Chen Wan as she left.

His obvious intention to speak to Shen Wan made Shen Wan feel like she was being scratched by a cat.

Seeing Princess Yong'an leave, Haitang said, "I heard that a frozen corpse was found on the back mountain of Jingci Nunnery yesterday..."

Shen Wan frowned. "Who died?"

Haitang shook her head. "I don't know who it was. Jingci Nunnery reported it to the authorities, and it was Princess Yong'an and her maid who discovered the body."

Haitang knew about this yesterday, but because it was considered very unlucky, she didn't tell Shenwan.

Shen Wan didn't have so many rules. She felt sorry for Princess Yong'an. Princess Cheng loved plum blossoms. Princess Yong'an wanted to pick plum blossoms to decorate Princess Cheng's house, but she found a corpse in the back mountain. She must have been terrified as a pampered princess.

Falling in the freezing cold must have been quite a fall. Instead of staying at her residence to recover, Princess Yong'an came to Prince Ling's residence. It couldn't be as simple as delivering a congratulatory gift. Shen Wan guessed there must be something else going on.

If she wasn't mistaken, Princess Yong'an would definitely come back to find her again soon.

The room, which had been bustling just moments before, became deserted after they left. Shen Wan leaned against the large cushion, feeling quite depressed.

She felt perfectly capable of getting out of bed, but no one was letting her get out. They wanted her to stay in bed for the full forty-two days. She really wanted to see how the baby was celebrated on the third day after birth.

Everyone saw it, but she couldn't see her own mother. How could this be?

Shen Wan became increasingly depressed as she thought about it.

The baby's third-day celebration was quick. After all, it was cold, and even though there was a charcoal brazier in the room, they were afraid the baby would get cold. Soon the baby was brought back and placed next to Shen Wan. With the baby by her side, Shen Wan felt much better.

Princess Huai'an and the others did not return. After observing the three-day ceremony, it was time for the banquet.

There weren't many people, but there were a few tables. Chef Li was in charge of cooking, and they all ate in the front yard.

Princess Huai'an and the others finished eating first, then came back to talk to Shen Wan. After Shen Du and the others finished eating, they left together.

Princess Yong'an returned with them, but when she left, she did not go with Princess Huai'an. "I have a few words to say to Princess Ling. You may go first."

Princess Huai'an didn't know how long she would talk to Shen Wan, so she didn't wait for her.

After everyone had left, Shen Wan looked at Princess Yong'an and asked, "What does Princess Yong'an want to say to me?"

Princess Yong'an looked at Shen Wan and asked, "When I left yesterday, my mother remembered something and asked me to ask her if my father had given Prince Ling a painting?"

Shen Wan, “…???”

Did King Cheng present Xie Jingyan with a painting?

Shen Wan shook her head. "That shouldn't be the case."

Xie Jingyan wouldn't keep such a strange thing from her.

Shen Wan asked, "What painting?"

Princess Yong'an shook her head, "I don't know either. My mother didn't say, only that a few days before my father disappeared, he told her that he wanted to send a painting to Prince Ling..."

Shen Wan, “…???”

Shen Wan became increasingly confused.

The Prince of Cheng is about to kill his wife, but he wants to give Xie Jingyan a painting. Will he discuss this with his wife?

Princess Cheng even sent Princess Yong'an to tell her about this.

Shen Wan found the whole thing strange no matter how she listened to it.

Just as she was thinking, Princess Yong'an said, "My mother always remembers the kindness that Prince Ling and Princess Ling have shown to Prince Cheng's family. She disregarded the dignity of the royal family and became a nun at Jingci Nunnery, yet the Emperor did not order her to die. She is deeply grateful."

“Now that the Prince Cheng’s mansion is without a master, the painting was found by my father after going through great lengths. He sincerely wanted to give it to Prince Ling. My mother said that she has already entered a Buddhist nunnery and it is not appropriate for her to return to the Prince Cheng’s mansion for such a matter. She suggested that Prince Ling go and retrieve it himself when he has time.”

Send Xie Jingyan to Prince Cheng's residence to retrieve a painting?

Shen Wan couldn't figure out what Princess Cheng was trying to do, so she said, "Isn't this inappropriate?"

Taking something without asking is considered stealing.

Even though it was permitted by Princess Cheng, it still doesn't make sense.

Princess Yong'an said, "I also think it's inappropriate, but my mother said that there is a secret room in my father's study. I may not be able to find it. It would be better to let Prince Ling find it himself. My father is loyal to the emperor. There is nothing shameful in his study. It's fine for Prince Ling to go. The painting is related to Consort Chen's case. I can just pass on the message."