Outside the Imperial Study, Lin Tingwan hurriedly went to catch up with Shen Huaixu after leaving the Imperial Study.

But by this time, Shen Huaixu had already left the palace.

"Where is the princess going?"

When the Third Prince Gu Yanqing was about to return the book, he happened to see Lin Tingwan running around like a headless fly.

Lin Tingwan's expression turned serious upon hearing Gu Yanqing's voice.

The two bowed to each other.

The two were not very familiar with each other, but they had met a few times and could be considered to have a decent relationship.

Lin Tingwan twisted her handkerchief, looking somewhat conflicted, as if hesitating about how to begin. In the end, she asked, "When the Third Prince came from the palace gate, did he see Shen Huaixu, the Grand Chancellor Shen?"

Gu Yanqing slightly raised his eyes and glanced at Lin Tingwan.

Lin Tingwan's status in the palace was actually a rather awkward one.

Her mother was a concubine of a fallen kingdom. Twenty years ago, her mother's country was defeated by the Dayong Kingdom. As a result of the fall of her kingdom, she was sent to Dayong as a prisoner. However, she caught the emperor's eye because of her beauty and was brought into the palace.

But at that time, her mother was already pregnant with Lin Tingwan.

Not long after giving birth to Lin Tingwan, her mother passed away from depression.

Lin Tingwan, because she resembled her mother, was taken in by the emperor and raised from childhood to adulthood; it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was the most favored.

Although she was deeply loved, her identity was ultimately that of a princess of a fallen kingdom, of enemy blood, which put her in an awkward position in the palace.

People respected her because of the emperor's favor, but they also talked about her because of her original identity.

Since her birth, rumors and gossip have constantly surrounded her.

"If the princess wants to find Minister Shen, she might as well ask Lord Siyan."

Gu Yanqing's voice was gentle yet carried a hint of meaning, "It is said that Lord Siyan and Minister Shen are cousins, so naturally they know more about each other than I do."

His gaze fell, almost imperceptibly, on Shen Jintang, who had just come out of the Imperial Study.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Shen Jintang bowed slightly, her movements meticulous.

She had already secretly investigated Lin Tingwan's identity with Xinghui, and now she knew everything about her past, so she would naturally not make any mistakes in etiquette.

"May Your Highness be well."

Shen Jintang's voice was calm, without flattery or aloofness.

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Tingwan slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Shen Jintang. She lingered there briefly, as if she had thought of something, before turning away in disgust.

How could she forget the face of Shen Jintang in the main hall, defending those corrupt officials?

She felt nothing but resentment and disdain towards Shen Jintang.

She said coldly, "I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Before she finished speaking, she hurriedly left, her back view exuding a coldness.

Gu Yanqing frowned slightly as he watched Lin Tingwan's angry departure.

He keenly sensed that there seemed to be some kind of discord between Lin Tingwan and Shen Jintang, but he couldn't figure out the reason for it.

But he was always a sensible person, so he kept his doubts to himself and didn't ask any further questions.

"If Your Highness has no further instructions, then I shall take my leave."

Shen Jintang said respectfully, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"Please take care, Lord Siyan."

Gu Yanqing smiled slightly, watching Shen Jintang's departing figure before turning to look in the direction Lin Tingwan had left. A deep, dark glint flashed in his eyes, as if he were pondering something.

——

Inside the study of the East Palace, the air was filled with a faint aroma of tea, but it could not conceal the tense atmosphere that permeated the space.

Crown Prince Gu Junze sat behind his desk, his expression indifferent. He toyed with a celadon teacup in his hand, took a small sip, and felt the tea lightly glide over his tongue, but he could not taste its flavor.

Wang Jian, the Minister of Revenue, stood to the side with a fawning smile on his face and a deliberately ingratiating tone in his voice: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations on successfully gaining His Majesty's trust and entrusting this matter to you."

His gaze would occasionally sweep across the prince's face, trying to catch a hint of pleasure in that calm expression.

However, the crown prince's reaction disappointed him somewhat.

Gu Junze simply put down his teacup, frowning slightly, as if Wang Jian's flattery was nothing more than a mosquito buzzing in his ear, utterly annoying him.

The aroma of tea slowly filled the room, carrying a touch of coolness, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Wang Jian's smile became somewhat stiff. He realized that the Crown Prince's silence was not a good thing, so he tentatively asked, "Your Highness, what do you think about Shen Huaixu...?"

He deliberately slowed down his speech, while simultaneously making a throat-slitting gesture, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

The existence of Shen Huaixu is indeed a thorny issue.

Even though the emperor had handed the matter over to the crown prince, Shen Huaixu was still unwilling to give up and continued to try to investigate the matter and find evidence.

This matter was inherently untenable, and they only felt slightly more at ease because it fell on the Crown Prince's shoulders.

Rather than letting Shen Huaixu continue to be an obstacle, it would be better to eliminate him directly to prevent future troubles.

However, the crown prince's reaction was beyond his expectations.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, Gu Junze slammed the teacup in his hand at Wang Jian. The teacup drew an arc in mid-air and struck Wang Jian's shoulder with a crisp sound, then shattered into pieces.

Tea leaves and hot water were instantly poured over Wang Jian's head and face, leaving him in a sorry state.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! Your Highness, please forgive me!"

Wang Jian was terrified and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.

Although he didn't know what the Crown Prince was angry about, the Crown Prince's anger meant that his head was in danger.

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