Chapter 153 Plastic Sisters

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yiqiu spoke:

"Zhao Xuan is Song Sangyu's biological mother and Zhao Jieyu's personal maid. That day in the palace, when I interrogated her, she would rather commit suicide by poison than reveal the mastermind. Now it seems that the person she is desperately protecting is very likely Zhao Jieyu."

Xiao Yongjing tapped his knuckles lightly on the table:

“There is something fishy about this matter. Zhao Xuan is of low status, but she seems to have extraordinary freedom of movement. Not only can she enter and leave the palace, but even after Song Sangyu’s identity was exposed, she was still able to stay by Zhao Jieyu’s side and be promoted to a first-class maid.”

"Without someone secretly supporting them and providing assistance, this would be impossible. It seems that there must be a secret between these two, master and servant."

Ruan Tianxin suddenly realized and exclaimed softly:

"Zhao Xuan is actually Song Sangyu's biological mother? No wonder!"

Shen Yiqiu looked at her: "No wonder?"

Ruan Tianxin explained:

“Sister Yiqiu, during those seven years in Longnan, at various gatherings of dignitaries in the capital, it was Song Sangyu who represented the Song family. What’s even stranger is that when she was selected as a companion for Princess Xingrong, she, a person with mediocre literary and riding skills, was able to stand out.”

"I originally thought she was just shrewd and good at flattering the princess, but now I think... it's probably her birth mother, Zhao Xuan, who paved the way for her in secret through her relationship with Consort Zhao."

Shen Yiqiu's eyes turned cold:

"It seems that Song Sangyu knew all along that Zhao Xuan was her biological mother. And my father... probably knew as well, and even welcomed it."

"He needs an absolutely loyal, blood-related accomplice to take the place of the deceased and seize the title. Outsiders are always a layer of separation; how could anyone be as reliable as his own daughter?"

Xiao Yongjing nodded and continued in the same vein:

"In recent years, Consort Zhao's favor with the emperor has waned. If we investigate her openly, there will be much less resistance. But I am worried that she may be involved with other, more powerful forces. If we take action against her, will we alert them?"

Shen Yiqiu remembered something and became even more worried:

“I heard from Prince Fu’s grandfather that shortly after my grandmother Shen Zhaohua passed away, Consort Zhao was promoted in rank. The timing is so coincidental that it is no accident. It seems that I need to meet this Consort Zhao in person.”

Upon hearing this, Ruan Tianxin immediately and sincerely replied:

"Sister Yiqiu, Your Highness, if there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask! Tianxin will do her best!"

After she finished speaking, as if suddenly remembering something, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head somewhat shyly.

"Um... Sister Yiqiu, what you said before... still stands?"

Shen Yiqiu immediately understood what she meant by inviting her to be included in the Shen family genealogy.

Seeing the cautious anticipation in Ruan Tianxin's eyes, Shen Yiqiu smiled:

"Of course it counts. My word, Chen Yiqiu, is always my bond."

She paused, then spoke with an air of pride.

"Besides, I am now the Marquis of Yongjia, whose name is on a separate page in the Shen family genealogy. What's wrong with adding a smart and capable sister like you to the Shen family? As for the formalities, they are nothing more than official documents and correspondence, which are a bit cumbersome. Just leave them to me."

Ruan Tianxin's eyes lit up, and she nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

Seeing that the matter was settled, Shen Yiqiu got up to take her leave.

Xiao Yongjing also stood up and solemnly called out to her:

"Yiqiu, I'm entrusting the investigation into Consort Zhao within the palace to you. Be careful in everything you do."

As he spoke, he took something out of his pocket.

It was a token with an ancient design and the character "Jing" engraved in the center.

He placed the token in Shen Yiqiu's hand:

"This is the Crown Prince's token. With this token, you are free to enter and leave the palace, and no one will dare to stop you."

Then he took out a small copper tube, only as thick as a finger, with a fuse at one end.

"This is a specially made cloud-piercing arrow. In the event of an absolute emergency, a life-or-death situation, light the fuse, and it will explode high in the sky, its light visible for miles. No matter where I am, upon seeing the signal, I will immediately lead my troops to your rescue!"

Shen Yiqiu did not refuse. They were all in the same boat now. She carefully put it away, met Xiao Yongjing's gaze, and everything was understood without words.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will be careful."

...

Shen Yiqiu returned to the Song residence with Bai Mei and Qing Zhu, ignoring the curious glances from the servants along the way, and headed straight for the storeroom.

As they passed by the courtyard, they bumped into Song Sangyu, Ruan Jiawen, and He Jianren whispering in the pavilion. The expressions on their faces were all different, clearly indicating that they were discussing something.

As soon as Ruan Jiawen saw Shen Yiqiu, she immediately screamed:

"Shen Yiqiu! How dare you come back? You're no longer a member of the Song family. Did you teach that little bitch Ruan Tianxin to steal the family fortune? I never imagined you were so vicious and ruined my marriage!"

She glanced at Song Sangyu, as if she had found something to rely on, and puffed out her chest.

"But you didn't expect this, did you? Your second brother is going to marry me!"

Shen Yiqiu originally didn't want to pay attention, but upon hearing this, she found it laughable. Without stopping, she simply tossed out a sentence:

"Since when has my good-for-nothing second brother become something to brag about?"

She turned around and walked forward, giving Bai Mei a meaningful look.

Bai Mei understood, and with lightning speed, she stepped forward and kicked Ruan Jiawen hard in the back of the knee.

"ah!"

Ruan Jiawen cried out in pain and suddenly knelt down on the ground.

Bai Mei's voice was cold:

“Miss Ruan, standing before you now is the Marquis of Yongjia, personally appointed by His Majesty and now enjoying immense prestige! Where are your manners and upbringing? Have they all been eaten by dogs?”

Qingzhu stepped forward with a smile and gracefully performed a standard lady-in-waiting's bow:

"Miss Ruan, please don't be offended. After all, you were only elevated to the rank of Miss at a mature age, so it's understandable that you might lack some manners. Let me demonstrate for you. Now, do you understand?"

Ruan Jiawen was both ashamed and angry, and looked up at her companion beside her:

"Shen Yiqiu! How dare you humiliate me like this! Sangyu, Sister He..."

He Jianren was a perceptive man; sensing the danger, he immediately whispered:

"I... I have something to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

Song Sangyu's face was ashen. After being threatened by Shen Yiqiu last time, she dared not provoke her again. She just lowered her head and remained silent.

Ruan Jiawen urged:

"Sang Yu! You are now the legitimate daughter of the Song family and also the concubine of Prince Fu. Are you just going to watch her bully me like this? Show her what's what!"

Shen Yiqiu stopped in her tracks, her gaze falling on Song Sangyu:

“Sangyu…my younger sister.”

The mere mention of her name made Song Sangyu's body tremble uncontrollably, and the resentment in her eyes almost overflowed.

She bit her lip hard, slammed the teacup on the stone table, and said through gritted teeth towards Ruan Jiawen:

"Greetings to Marquis Yongjia!"

She turned to Shen Yiqiu, forcing a smile.

"Sister, please forgive me for not feeling well. I will definitely make it up to you next time..."

Ruan Jiawen: "???"