Meng Qi seemed to recall something when she spoke, and stood up. "Back in the summer, Ran Ge caused a scene, and I used that incident as an excuse to have him sent to the outer courtyard. Because he was there, Song Nongyu had fewer opportunities to interact with him, so Ran Ge became stronger during that period. After Ran Ge settled down in the outer courtyard, Song Nongyu ran away again. So that's how it is. This move was started in the summer."

Meng Wan nodded. "It seems that Wu Shi didn't know about this during the summer, otherwise she wouldn't have stopped the eldest daughter from going. But why did she start letting the eldest daughter go to the outer courtyard now?"

Meng Qi stood up. That’s right, how did Wu go from being unaware to cooperating?

"I think the reason is just that one." Meng Wan said coldly.

"What did Second Sister think of?"

"threaten."

"Threat?" Meng Qi paused.

"That's right. Mrs. Wu must have been threatened by someone behind the scenes. She had no other choice but to have the eldest daughter run to the Second Young Master every day." Meng Wan looked up at her. "Aqi, this is a crucial time for the competition between Prince Rui and the Crown Prince. We can't let anything go wrong. You must cut the Gordian knot in this matter quickly. Seal it up and search it. You must get a result."

Meng Qi rubbed his forehead. "I thought so too. After the Xiaolin incident, I had a hunch that there must be someone else in the mansion. It's just that he didn't reveal his identity. At that time, there were many other things to deal with, so I really couldn't take action. Don't worry, this person is so well hidden, he must be very capable and has been operating for a long time."

"Based on what Second Brother Qing said just now, I'm afraid it's the prince?" Meng Wan said.

Meng Qi nodded. "It must be him. Not to mention that the other princes have fallen, even if there were still people in the palace, they would not take such a big risk to do something meaningless. It's only the crown prince. When Ran Ge started to have an attack last time, the crown prince was dissatisfied with the prince for taking action against Prince Cheng in advance."

"Then in your mansion, have you thought about who is the most hidden person? If it wasn't Wu, who could it be in your analysis just now?" Meng Wan asked in confusion.

Meng Qi narrowed her eyes, "Then there's only one person left."

"who?"

"Li."

Meng Wan thought for a moment and said in surprise, "The Li who served the prince in the palace?"

"Yes, it must be her. I underestimated her. She usually doesn't fight or compete, like a shadow, but it turns out that she uses her shadow to kill people."

"It's better to let His Majesty know about this. There are always unexpected events. If it really isn't Li or it's someone else, you'll have a hard time explaining it to His Majesty later if you make such a big fuss about it."

Meng Qi hummed, "Of course I know, don't worry. I've basically figured it out. Li must be using Hu to threaten Wu. This Hu is very important. Also, Li seems to be very pure and has little chance to go out. So, Na Luolan and Mother Jin who are by her side must be her insiders, running errands and gathering information for her. Let's start with these three servants."

Meng Qi returned to Prince Rui's mansion and went straight to the outer courtyard. Zhang Decheng saw Meng Qi frowning and in a hurry, so he led her in while bowing and saying, "The prince is practicing swordsmanship in the back. Princess, please sit down for a moment. I will go and invite the prince."

Meng Qi nodded, lifted her skirt and went to the west room. Zhang Decheng said respectfully, "The prince has ordered that if the princess comes to the study, she can go directly to the east room."

Meng Qi was stunned for a moment, then felt warm in her heart. Song Chengze usually met with Deli in the west room, and not everyone could enter the east room.

Meng Qi stepped in. This was her first time entering the east room of Song Chengze's outer courtyard study. It was simple and clean, with a treasure cabinet dividing the room into two parts, inside and outside.

Meng Qi took off his cloak and walked to the large desk. Song Chengze's desk was very large, filled with books and papers, as well as two pen holders and writing utensils.

Meng Qi casually picked up the paperweight on the table and took a look. It was an old jade, with a very moist oily green color, and an ordinary square shape with a depression in the middle. It was obvious that it was often held in someone's hands and fiddled with.

"Do you like it?" Song Chengze's voice came from behind.

Meng Qi turned around and saw that Song Chengze was only wearing a padded jacket, with sweat running down his forehead and temples.

Zhang Decheng followed him into the house, first took out some clothes from the inner room, and then soaked the towel in the basin.

Meng Qi walked over and said, "I'll do it. You help the prince change his clothes. It's so cold today, and you didn't even put on a cloak. Be careful not to catch a cold." Meng Qi turned back and scolded while twisting the handkerchief.

Song Chengze let Zhang Decheng change his clothes for him and smiled slightly, "I've been doing this for over ten years now, I'm used to it. Even in heavy rain and snow, it never stops. And today I'm just practicing with a sword, I don't have half the strength I normally use when practicing with a spear or fighting."

After Zhang Decheng buttoned up Song Chengze's clothes, he bent over and walked out.

Meng Qi walked forward and handed the handkerchief to Song Chengze, but Song Chengze leaned over and looked at her with sparkling eyes.

Meng Qi's face turned red all of a sudden, but she didn't take her hand back. She gently helped him wipe it.