The second prince worked in the Imperial Clan Court, mainly helping his uncle manage old documents, historical records, and so on.
He occasionally dealt with conflicts among members of the royal family, which gradually helped him shed his reputation as a fallen prince who was ignored by everyone.
The scroll that Changyan asked him to find was his mother Yan's old scroll.
The second prince did his best and personally delivered it within a few days.
He remained as honest as ever, always wearing a simple and kind smile. He lacked the arrogance of the eldest prince and the noisy pride of the fourth prince, and was so calm and unassuming that he didn't seem like a member of the royal family.
"Fifth brother, I've found what you wanted." He wiped the dusty scriptures clean with his sleeve, his actions revealing his honest and simple nature, with a hint of flattery.
Chang Yan put on a smile and walked over in a few steps. "Thank you for your hard work, Second Brother. You actually found the old book from ten years ago. I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Hey, no need for thanks between brothers." The Second Prince showed no fear of physical contact and handed over the scroll with a smile.
The two were almost face to face, unable to have physical contact because their relationship wasn't close enough, but that didn't stop Changyan from taking a deep sniff when he received the scriptures.
People who have been injured have a bloody smell, and even if they are covered with wound medicine, some blood will still remain.
The only scent that reached the long banquet was the faint fragrance of osmanthus.
He straightened up, his mind filled with thoughts and emotions.
"Fifth Prince, take a look. Is there any mistake in this scripture?" The Second Prince chuckled sheepishly, unconsciously rubbing his palms together.
These all fit the characteristics of an honest person who is nervous and timid.
Chang Yan remained calm and composed, saying, "That's right, thank you, Second Brother."
The two exchanged only a few words before the Second Prince, citing urgent matters at the Imperial Clan Court, turned and left.
The entire Imperial Garden fell completely silent.
The guard finally dared to ask, "Your Highness, is this the one?"
Yes and no.
The idea that the Fang family was two-timing was merely Changyan's unilateral speculation, without any concrete evidence.
The Fourth Prince might have gotten drunk to avoid questioning. He didn't dare to take any risks, so it's not impossible that he would choose a direct descendant from the Chu family to bind Jiang Sheng.
The eldest prince was obviously stupid, but who knows if this was a deliberate act to lower the enemy's guard?
The second prince also used honesty and simplicity as a cover, and even his actions were carefully crafted, leaving almost no flaws in his appearance.
Trusting one person too much can easily lead you into a trap set by others.
Royal family, even a cat is suspicious.
"So, Your Highness, after all this analysis, you still haven't come to a conclusion?" The guard beside him was getting impatient.
Chang Yan chuckled, "Don't worry, there will be results."
Suspicion varied in degree. The eldest prince's feigned stupidity was less likely, the fourth prince's evasiveness was secondary, and the honest and simple second prince was the most suspicious, especially given his strong osmanthus fragrance.
Originally intended to dispel doubts, it actually revealed a hidden agenda.
“An honest person who is constantly bullied should not use floral scents to perfume his clothes,” Chang Yan said calmly.
What's more, it has a sweet and rich osmanthus fragrance.
"Because ordinary fragrances cannot mask the smell of blood." The guard was greatly shocked. "It's truly unpredictable that the Second Prince has such cunning and strategy. Not only does he know to target young ladies, but he also doesn't hesitate to use a self-inflicted injury as a ruse."
At this point, Changyan's gaze turned cold.
As a member of the royal family, he could not confirm the truth until the very last moment, but he still decided to deal with the second prince and stir up trouble in the imperial power.
For no other reason than that they dared to make a move on the younger sister, thus provoking the most untouchable entity in Fengjing City.
"Your Highness, how should we deal with the Second Prince? Should we bribe someone close to Consort Ju to leak information?" a guard asked excitedly in a low voice.
Chang Yan chuckled and turned back to the West Third Palace.
There's no need for such trouble. All Jiang family needs to do is have Jiang Sheng, on behalf of the family, thank the Second Prince. At this time of choosing a concubine, it will naturally arouse the suspicion of Consort Ju.
The Second Prince was able to hide in the background before because no one noticed him, because he was humble enough.
When his mask of honesty is torn off, with Consort Ju's shrewdness, Fengjing is about to become quite a spectacle.
"Then how do we drag the Fang family into this? We can't leave them out," the guard asked again, his figure and voice fading into the distance.
This actually underestimates Consort Ju's abilities.
As the de facto mistress of the harem who remained in power for twenty years, she was not even able to rival Empress Yan during her reign.
This is due to the emperor's favor, the support of the Ju and Fang families, and her own shrewdness and skill.
Those secret conversations will inevitably be leaked unless all those in the know are killed.
The truth will out.
Cotton cannot hide a needle.
The Jiang family doted on Jiang Sheng, and upon receiving the letter from the little girl, they hardly hesitated. Jiang Jizong went to her door with gongs and drums to thank the Second Prince for helping the Jiang family's daughter.
It is said that the Second Prince's face turned pale at the time, and he reflexively wanted to deny it, but Jiang San and Jiang Si, who came with him, recognized him and said, "This is the young master. So it is Your Highness. Greetings, Your Highness."
He could no longer refuse and could only accept it with a wry smile.
When the news reached Chengqian Palace, Consort Ju smashed a set of teacups from the previous dynasty on the spot.
"They say a dog that bites doesn't bark, but I only realized today how cunning this Second Prince is." She gritted her teeth, her face full of disdain. "Is it a loss for him to scheme against a bastard child who has been living abroad, or does he think that someone of his background is only worthy of a bastard child?"
No wonder the long banquet was so straightforward in having the Jiang family express their gratitude, without any fear that Jiang Sheng would be coveted by the other princes.
In the eyes of noble families, a girl like Jiang Sheng, who had been wandering since childhood, was no different from an illegitimate child, even if she was a legitimate daughter.
She was not as noble as Jiang Chengyu, even though she was treated equally by the Jiang family.
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