The people felt sorry for Qin Mulan, but they admired her integrity.

Her previous poems were also unearthed and received a lot of attention.

Teahouses and restaurants even wove her story into a dramatic tale, which spread throughout the streets and alleys of Dacheng.

Consort Hui had finally woken up, but upon hearing this news, she nearly fainted from anger again.

Fortunately, although Prince Rui looked to be in grave danger, his life was not in peril. After treatment by the imperial physicians, he was soon out of danger.

However, the severed finger made her furious and restless, wishing she could kill Shen Hechuan right now to vent her anger.

Although there was no evidence, she was certain that Shen Hechuan was involved in this matter.

But Shen Hechuan was equally puzzled at this moment.

He was genuinely curious about who could have such ability to injure Prince Rui to such an extent right under the nose of the capital, cause a rift between Prince Rui and Gu Wei'ang, and ultimately escape unscathed without leaving a trace.

Therefore, after the incident, he immediately ordered people to investigate secretly, but so far they have not found any useful information.

While in prison, Gu Wei'ang went through everything in his mind and realized that he and Prince Rui had been framed.

Their goal was to sow discord between him and Prince Rui.

Thinking of this, he immediately shouted that he wanted to see Consort Hui, but no one in the entire prison cell was willing to pay attention to him.

This reminded him of Qin Mulan.

He simply couldn't imagine that a woman as frail as Qin Mulan could be such an important part of this plan.

This instantly dispelled his guilt and gave rise to a sense of hatred.

After figuring out the key to the matter, he calmed down.

He believed that with Consort Hui's intelligence, she would soon discover the key to the matter.

However, to his utter surprise, he began to experience intense discomfort in his lower body.

******

Gu Wei'ang's thinking was correct. After confirming that Prince Rui was out of danger, Consort Hui quickly figured out the key to the matter.

Even though she now harbors resentment towards Gu Wei'ang.

But she also knew that they were now in a weakened state, and if they wanted to achieve anything in the future, they would inevitably have to rely on Gu Wei'ang's strength.

Therefore, after she figured it out, she immediately begged Emperor Rongcheng to release Gu Weiang.

Although Consort Hui acted quickly, it was still a bit too slow for Gu Wei'ang.

Because at this point, his lower body had already begun to ulcerate.

After being released from prison, he immediately sought medical help from the imperial physician, but it was too late.

The imperial physician looked at the state of his lower body and could only shake his head. After explaining the seriousness of the situation, he sighed and helped Gu Wei'ang to remove it.

It was only at this moment that Gu Wei'ang realized what Qin Mulan had brought him.

Despite the attempt to keep it secret, the news still got out.

So, although no one said it, everyone knew that Gu Wei'ang was now a cripple.

After that day, life seemed to return to normal.

Like the calm before a storm, everything was peaceful and serene.

Consort Hui has been taking care of Prince Rui's health.

Because he had lost a finger, Prince Rui was so angry that he cursed every day and kept throwing things.

Gu Jingchun remained in the Eastern Palace, quietly waiting for his opportunity.

Emperor Rongcheng also appeared calm.

Every day, he would first go to check on Jiang Xianhao, and after having his meal, he would go to check on Prince Rui's condition.

He is now very disappointed in Prince Rui, and this time he has stripped him of all his official positions. If it weren't for his serious injuries, he would probably have been beaten again.

Afterwards, he would return to Wanhe Palace and summon Shen Hechuan to discuss matters.

Seeing Shen Hechuan's composed demeanor, Emperor Rongcheng couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

He couldn't find any evidence that Shen Hechuan was responsible for the matter involving Prince Rui, but this incident was actually most advantageous to Shen Hechuan.

If Shen Hechuan really did this, then it means that his power has reached a point where he can remain completely unaware of it.

This suddenly made him feel a bit wary and threatened.

******

Inside the East Palace.

Shen Hechuan frowned slightly as he looked at the information he had just found.

You're saying you haven't been able to find out the other party's identity?

Tianji immediately knelt down in shame.

"Your subordinate is ashamed."

“The other party’s identity is too well hidden, and I really can’t find out their identity. However, I suspect that they are the same group as the last group.”

Shen Hechuan nodded.

Even before the incident occurred, he had guessed that the other party must be the one who had plotted to sue Gu Wei'ang.

He was simply curious about who this person was, that they could orchestrate such a massive scheme right under his nose without leaving a trace.

Jingyu Palace.

The events that had occurred during this period naturally reached Jiang Xianhao's ears.

However, she thought that Shen Hechuan was responsible for this, and she sighed softly at the thought.

This incident has severely damaged Consort Hui's morale and may provoke her to retaliate.

"I must be more careful in my future actions, and I must not let her find any fault with me."

Jing Tan and Yun Shu immediately nodded in agreement.

Unbeknownst to them, an unbelievable rumor was quietly circulating within the palace at that moment.

Time flies, and several more days have passed; the New Year is just around the corner.

Heavy snow fell, covering the entire palace.

Gu Jingchun stood under the eaves, watching the snow falling all around him, his thoughts drifting away.

Incredibly, a year has passed so quickly.

At the beginning of the year, she escaped from Daqi and traveled all the way back to Tiandu, intending to return to the Yong'an Marquis's mansion to take revenge and use its power to gain some influence.

Unexpectedly, this led to his involvement in the court's internal strife.

Just then, Princess Rongyang's cheerful voice drifted over.

"Sister Jingchun, are we leaving the palace?"

"Leaving the palace?"

Gu Jingchun repeated the sentence, only then realizing that she hadn't left the palace for a long time since entering it.

Princess Rongyang nodded in agreement.

"Yes, let's go out of the palace and have some fun at the market in Tiandu."

"Let me tell you, the market in Tiandu is the most fun when it's close to the Spring Festival."

"There are lanterns, acrobatics, and all sorts of fun little things."

"Haven't you been there before?"

Gu Jingchun nodded upon hearing this.

"Hmm, I haven't been there."

"Then shall we ask our elder brother, the Crown Prince, to take us out for some fun?"

Gu Jingchun nodded with a smile. She knew that this must be Princess Rongyang's little scheme, but she also really wanted to leave the palace to see Ye Wenxi, so she simply let her go.

Princess Rongyang was overjoyed when she saw that Gu Jingchun had agreed, and immediately went to find Shen Hechuan.

Originally, Luo Ziqian had promised to take her to the market, but Shen Hechuan stopped her from going out. Helpless, she came here to find Gu Jingchun.