Chapter 304 She harbors feelings of love for me.

Jiang Zhi was led into Kunning Palace by a palace maid.

Almost all the well-known officials' wives and relatives were present.

When the Empress saw her come over to pay her respects, she simply gave a faint "hmm" and didn't say anything more.

He had only given the order to take her life because of the circumstances and because he was angered by her spoiled and rude behavior.

It was only later, through the Crown Prince, that he learned that Jiang Zhi had deliberately used her death as a pretext to leave the Eastern Palace.

Now, as long as she behaves herself and acts as Madam Shen, I will naturally not make things difficult for her anymore.

Jiang Zhi also noticed that the attitudes of the officials' wives towards her were now quite different.

At the previous banquet, many people looked down on her, and she would often hear sarcastic remarks.

As long as it's not excessive, Jiang Zhi doesn't bother to argue.

But this time things have changed.

They either kept their distance from her or wanted to find an opportunity to talk to her and make her their friend.

Jiang Zhi knew why.

Miss Zhao, the second daughter of the Rongguo Duke's mansion, was targeted by Shen Ci'an and Xiao Yunheng after she attacked her during the spring hunt. The Rongguo Duke's affair with male prostitutes was exposed, causing an uproar throughout the capital.

With the Duke of Rongguo arrested and taken to the Dali Temple, Miss Zhao's marriage proposal was also called off, and the Duke of Rongguo's mansion was on the verge of collapse.

The three young ladies who followed Miss Zhao were also trembling with fear in their own homes, afraid that the same thing would happen to their own families.

Now everyone in Kyoto knows that Madam Shen is not someone to be trifled with, so naturally no one dares to oppose her anymore.

With the victory celebration banquet about to begin, the Empress led everyone to a side hall of the Zichen Palace.

Not long after Jiang Zhi sat down, a richly dressed woman squeezed next to her and said, "Madam Shen, let me offer you a toast."

Jiang Zhi recognized the woman as the wife of Li Yan, the Minister of Works. She smiled politely and said, "Greetings, Madam Li."

"My husband's matter is all thanks to Lord Shen's mediation. Our Li family will never forget this kindness."

Not long after Li Yan was imprisoned in the Dali Temple, Shen Ci'an petitioned for his temporary release on the grounds that he needed to oversee the repair of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

After this incident, Shen Ci'an gained Xiao Yunheng's trust even more and almost became his right-hand man.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Madam Li, you flatter me. It is because Lord Li is truly talented that His Majesty could not bear to be harsh on him and thus gave him leniency."

Shen Ci'an had said that once Xiao Yunheng's matter was settled, he would never let Li Yan escape punishment.

"Yes, yes, yes, our Shen and Li families should visit each other more often in the future."

Jiang Zhi forced herself to keep her composure and exchanged pleasantries with Madam Li.

On the other side of the screen, Emperor Xuanzhao and his court officials had also arrived.

The crowd praised Xie Qi for his courage and resourcefulness, and for his unparalleled contributions to the Great Qi Dynasty.

Toasting is naturally unavoidable.

Xie Qi, dressed in silver armor, was full of vigor and accepted every toast offered, and soon became somewhat drunk.

Lu Yuan stood behind Emperor Xuanzhao, his hand resting on the Embroidered Spring Blade.

Through the shadowy screen, he could only see the indistinct figures of the women in the seating area.

By observing the seating arrangement, he deduced her location, his dark eyes fixed intently on her slender reflection.

Halfway through the celebration banquet, Crown Prince Xiao Xuanyou excused himself to change his clothes and left the banquet.

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered slightly. He instructed Yu Jun and Ye Qi to stay by Emperor Xuanzhao's side, and then made an excuse to leave as well.

Xiao Xuanyou changed his clothes in the side hall, and as soon as he opened the door, he saw Lu Yuan guarding the door.

He raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Lord Lu?"

"Your Highness, I have something to ask you."

Xiao Xuanyou glanced at him indifferently, then stepped out of the room. "I cannot leave the palace banquet for too long today. We can discuss this tomorrow."

“Your Highness, there is no need to worry. Wen Quan and his men have already been bound by this humble servant,” Lu Yuan said without trying to keep him. He walked to the table and slowly poured himself a cup of tea. “Once the doubts in this humble servant’s mind are resolved, they will be released. This will not delay what you need to do tonight.”

Xiao Xuanyou's gaze turned cold, but he still stopped and returned to the hall. "Speak, what does Lord Lu want to ask?"

"Your Majesty, I only wish to know about the past between the Crown Prince and Princess Qinghe."

Ye Qi investigated for nearly a month, but still found nothing.

Jiang Zhi said she had been pregnant with Xiao Xuanyou's child, but her first time was with herself, and she had never been alone with Xiao Xuanyou since.

He just couldn't understand it.

Since we can't figure it out, we can only ask the person involved.

Xiao Xuanyou curled his lips into a smile. "Lord Lu, you might as well ask her yourself. I won't reveal a single word to you."

Why should he know about what happened between me and Jiang Zhi?

Lu Yuan had anticipated this and wasn't annoyed. "Then you won't be able to accomplish what you're looking for today."

“I never agreed with her taking this risky move. Even if she blames me today, I will stop the Crown Prince.”

"The Crown Prince probably doesn't want his long-planned scheme to fall apart today, does he?"

"Lu Yuan, who gave you the audacity to stop my men?" Xiao Xuanyou's phoenix eyes darkened.

Lu Yuan's voice was indifferent to the point of being cold, "This humble subject is in charge of security for the palace banquet tonight. It is my duty to detain and investigate anyone who seems suspicious. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"You!" Xiao Xuanyou's face darkened as he stared intently at him.

His eyes flickered, but he finally gritted his teeth and asked, "What exactly do you want to ask?"

"Jiang Zhi said she was pregnant with your child, is that true?"

Xiao Xuanyou's brow twitched. "Did she tell you this?"

“Not only that,” Lu Yuan said, his gaze fixed on him in the dim light of the side hall, scrutinizing every expression on his face, “there was also his time at the Earl of Zhongqin’s mansion, Yan Wenkang’s affair, the brothel, and the abortion…”

He paused, "She was unwilling to go into details, and I had my doubts, so I could only trouble Your Highness."

A dark undercurrent surged in Xiao Xuanyou's eyes, his voice filled with disbelief, "She actually told you everything about her past life."

In my past life.

Lu Yuan caught the key words, his furrowed brows relaxed, and he had a sudden realization.

I see.

No wonder Ye Qi couldn't find anything.

No wonder she cared so much about brothels.

He actually had a vague suspicion in his heart, but he also felt that his idea was absurd.

Can a person really be reborn?

His heart was churning with turmoil, but he didn't show it on his face. He just sighed softly and continued, following Xiao Xuanyou's words, "Yes, she suffered too much in her past life, so I should treat her even better."

“What do you know?” Xiao Xuanyou scoffed. “The time she spent at the Earl of Zhongqin’s mansion was worse than death.”

Lu Yuan's heart skipped a beat. "I'd like to hear the details."

Xiao Xuanyou recounted how, after Jiang Zhi was with him in his dream, he had people investigate her relationship with Yan Wenkang.

“Yan Wenkang deserved to die. He injured himself and was unable to perform sexual acts, so he tried every means to humiliate her. When she was with me, she had countless internal and external injuries and even had the will to die. I spent countless efforts to restore her health.”

Xiao Xuanyou's voice rose at the end, carrying an undeniable air of authority, "I possess her most shameful past, everything she has belongs to me, and no one can interfere—including you."

Lu Yuan suppressed the surging pain in his heart and only sneered as he retorted, "Unable to interfere? Since the Crown Prince can't live without her, and she also has feelings for the Crown Prince, why would he force her to drink abortifacients? It's clear that you two are not suited to be together."

“Lu Yuan, don’t think…” Xiao Xuanyou stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing something, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, “Who told you that she harbors feelings for me?”