condolences

Jing, Yao and the other two discussed in low voices under the cover of the rockery in Yue Mansion Garden, and they all felt that Yue Ningning was really dead.

Since the things they wanted to confirm had been done, they naturally didn't need to stay long since they were not really here to mourn Yue Ningning, although it seemed that few of the people coming and going in the hall were acquaintances who were truly sad for her.

Jing Yao couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Even though she was resentful of Yue Ningning for joining forces with Si Jue in her previous life to cause her death, the duel in this life ended abruptly before they even started, and she was a little dazed for a moment.

All the spies said that Yue Ningning was a self-made businessman. This woman had come this far, and her methods and intelligence were extraordinary. She was definitely not an ordinary person.

It is precisely for this reason that Jing Yao has always been most afraid of her and wary of her, but even if I am like this, in her heart, Yue Ningning's ending should not be like this.

What Jing Yao always wanted to know was why Yue Ningning did such a thing.

Si Jue certainly had an agenda, and it was obvious. As a prince, it wasn't hard to guess that he had ambitions for the throne.

But Yue Ningning is different. Jing Yao doesn't know why it is worth her risking everything to support Si Jue to compete for the throne with Si Pei, who already holds great power. Treason is a serious crime.

Jing Yao randomly changed the name of the protagonist in the story and asked the two sisters around him.

"Maybe it's because I love him that I want to give everything for him."

"Why?"

Jiang Jing's answer made Jing Yao feel confused.

She couldn't understand how a woman could willingly give her life and property to another strange man without asking for anything in return, just to support his career?

What about herself?

"Why so many whys? Isn't that how it's written in the storybooks? The protagonist loves the other person so much that they're willing to go bankrupt or even die for them." Jiang Jing plucked a weed. "Let's not talk about others, isn't His Royal Highness the same way with you?"

"Is this the same?"

Jing Yao blinked in surprise, while Jiang Jing shrugged without saying anything. Huo Zhuxin turned to look at her: "On the surface, they're the same."

"That was Si Pei's willingness. I didn't ask him to do this for me." Jing Yao explained angrily, "I used to wish he would let me go."

Jiang Jing glanced at Jing Yao and coincidentally met Huo Zhuxin's gaze.

Huo Zhuxin sighed, "So, you don't understand Yue Ningning's thoughts, just like you can't understand Si Pei in your heart. You don't think there's anything wrong with the prince's behavior now, just because you're used to it."

Jiang Jing added, "Of course, you don't have to understand the prince, just like Prince Lin doesn't need to be responsible for Yue Ningning's efforts."

Jing Yao opened her mouth to explain that it was not the case, but when she thought about it carefully, it seemed that it was indeed as Huo Zhuxin said. She really could not understand... Wait!

"How do you know I'm talking about Prince Lin and Yue Ningning!?"

Jiang Jing rolled her eyes helplessly at her best friend: "We are not as stupid as you. Don't we understand this?"

"Okay, okay." Jing Yao's words were really too obvious. She even mentioned that the woman would rather commit the crime of treason. Huo Zhuxin and Jiang Jing were both from aristocratic families after all, so they knew what she was talking about right away.

Then she thought about Yue Ningning's situation, which also involved Crown Prince Si Pei. Even though neither of them had read Qianlong's book, the palace's reaction was so strong, there had to be more to it than that. This was a matter of vying for the throne, and among the princes currently vying for the throne, there was no one else besides Prince Lin Si Jue.

"You two must..."

"Keep your mouth shut." Jing Yao was still choosing her words when Huo Zhuxin finished speaking for her. Jiang Jing also made a gesture to shut up.

If this matter were to be told publicly, it would be a capital crime punishable by beheading. They are not that stupid.

"I didn't expect that she would be such an infatuated woman."

Jiang Jing just found it unbelievable. Jing Yao didn't know how to analyze these love stories. In her opinion, Yue Ningning was so capable that she shouldn't sacrifice her life for Si Jue.

If Yue Ningning hadn't died, I might have had a chance to ask her what her purpose was and how she managed to leave no trace.

Unfortunately, the person is dead, and these secrets can only be sealed underground along with the coffin.

Jing Yao always felt that Si Jue was the one who deserved to die the most.

The three of them were walking out of the mansion when they suddenly heard an unusually loud announcement from the door: "His Royal Highness Prince Lin has arrived!"

Jiang Jing's surprise was practically written on her face, and Jing Yao's face, hidden by his veil, was also filled with astonishment and confusion. Huo Zhuxin remained calm as he looked towards Si Jue, who was walking towards the mourning hall.

Jing Yao vaguely saw the figure of a young man walking into the courtyard through the thin white gauze. He was dressed in black and his expression could not be seen clearly.

Si Jue actually came... Doesn't he and Yue Ningning know each other?

"Greetings, His Royal Highness Prince Lin."

Even though they were confused, when Si Jue passed by the three of them, Huo Zhuxin still led the other two to half-bow and salute him.

"Ladies, please excuse me. This is..." Si Jue's gaze somehow fell directly on Jing Yao. Jiang Jing hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, my sister has had a heat rash on her face recently and is unable to see anyone."

"It turned out to be Madam Jiang Er."

Jing Yao was debating whether to reply, but she was afraid that Si Jue would recognize her voice.

But if you don't speak, you will inevitably cause other troubles.

"Does His Royal Highness Prince Lin also know Boss Yue?"

Jing Yao was still struggling, but fortunately Huo Zhuxin asked a question, which cleared up the matter and brought the topic to Yue Ningning.

Jing Yao couldn't help but sigh that Huo Zhuxin was reliable, and looked up at Si Jue through the white gauze.

"I've heard of you in Jiangzhou before, but we're not acquaintances." Si Jue spoke in a gentle tone, and his expression was normal, one could even say he was a little indifferent.

"So that's how it is. I've also heard that Madam Yue is from Jiang Ru."

"Well, after all, she is from my territory, so I'm here to see her off."

"Your Highness is virtuous." Huo Zhuxin smiled respectfully, and Si Jue also smiled in response: "I can't say you are virtuous, but it is a blessing for me to have such an outstanding person as Madam Yue under my rule. I come to pay my respects in gratitude for her contribution to Jiang Ru's development."

"Your Highness is so considerate of the people in your fiefdom. I am truly moved."

"It's just my job."

After Han Han finished his greetings, Huo Zhuxin bowed his head slightly and thanked An: "Your Highness, we still have things to do, so I will take my leave first."

Si Jue's jade-like face was covered with a warm smile, completely different from the coldness he had shown when he mentioned Yue Ningning just now.

The three of them left Yue Mansion and headed straight for Yaoyue Tower.

In the private room of Yaoyue Tower in Shanghua City, Jiang Min, who did not go to mourn Yue Ningning because she gave her identity to Jing Yao, came early to reserve a seat and waited for her sisters to come back.

At first, Jiang Wen felt strange when Jing Yao mentioned this matter. She and Yue Ningning had only met once, and none of the three of them planned to get involved in this mess, but why did Jing Yao insist on going and taking a look?

Could it be that the last time in the bookstore made her remember Yue Ningning?

Jiang Wen was just wondering when her elder sister pushed open the door of the box and said, "I'm so tired!"

Huo Zhuxin shook his head silently. Jing Yao untied his veil with a helpless look on his face: "Didn't Zhuxin say all the main things?"

"Isn't that the play I performed?"

As Jiang Jing spoke, she demonstrated to her sister how she threw herself into Yue Ningning's coffin. Jiang Wen looked disgusted after hearing this: "Did you change your clothes?"

"Can I come up without changing?" Jiang Jing patted her clothes. Jiang Wen then noticed the new brocade gauze skirt she was wearing from the Wei family shop. "Do you have enough pocket money to buy this?"

Jiang Jing was delighted and laughed proudly: "It's not like I paid for it."

Jiang Wen looked at Jing Yao, and knew without hesitation that it must be the work of Miss Jing.

"Ling Yi~"

How could Jing Yao treat her little sister badly? She waved her hand generously and said, "I'll take you shopping after we finish eating. You can pick whatever you want."

After saying that, he looked at Huo Zhuxin: "Zhu Xin, do you really not need it?"

"No." Huo Zhuxin shook his head. "But if you really want to give me a gift, you can buy me a new paddy field coat. I'm going to the fields soon."

Huo Zhuxin has always been a person of few desires, so when she finally got what she wanted, Jing Yao naturally agreed to everything.

"I didn't expect that the king would come later."

Jiang Jing shook her head. This was truly an unexpected visitor.

Yue Ningning's suicide involved Crown Prince Si Pei, and now the Eastern Palace is still the target of public criticism. Si Jue actually came to pay condolences to Yue Ningning, which is simply adding fuel to the fire for the Crown Prince.

"Although he has legitimate reasons, it's not a good choice for the current situation."

Jing Yao listened carefully to Huo Zhuxin's analysis, but his mind became unsettled again.

"But if he goes, the people will think he is representing the royal family to appease the Yue family."

Although Jiang Min didn't go, she could roughly understand that this was a common showmanship tactic used by the nobles.

"It's good that he has such a bad reputation. After Yue Ningning dies, she will just be used as a stepping stone."

Jiang Jing looked disdainful. Just from looking at Si Jue's expression, she knew that he really didn't care about Yue Ningning at all.

"You can see that too?"

Jing Yao couldn't see clearly through the veil at the time, so Huo Zhuxin replied, "Indeed, it's too cold."

"Boss Yue likes Prince Lin? She's really pitiful when you think about it."

Jiang Wen shook his head as he spoke, "You don't know yet, do you? The Queen Mother's people have leaked some information to various families in the capital these days. They are going to choose a princess for Prince Lin at the Chunshu Banquet."

Recently, the noble families in the capital have been looking forward to this, especially those outside the four major families, who are busy giving gifts to the people around the Empress Dowager and the Prince, waiting for their girls of appropriate age to be selected.

Jing Yao frowned at this. She had been the one who had instigated Prince Lin's selection of a concubine. Although she truly disliked Si Jue, she had hoped to force Yue Ningning to send the message. Now she realized that this matter was bound to involve other women, and there was even a chance that someone would suffer.

"Don't think too much. Even if the girls from those noble families don't fight tooth and nail to marry Prince Lin, their families will immediately arrange for them to marry someone else."

Jiang Jing sighed. Most young ladies from aristocratic families were destined to marry a man of equal social status according to their parents' orders and matchmakers' words, and spend the rest of their lives like that.

Jing Yao frowned. She would definitely bring down Si Jue in the future. If she wanted to kill him all, she would try to avoid hurting innocent people.

"Well, then why don't you just make this blind date unsuccessful?"

Jiang Min stuffed a chicken leg into his mouth and said so.