Chapter 146 She will leave him without hesitation
In another accompanying carriage, Wanqing looked at her young mistress's profile, still with a hint of confusion on her face.
"Miss, I don't understand, why...why are you going to all this trouble?" she asked cautiously. "Why is that notebook for Liu Ruolan to see?"
"Didn't you say she should have known long ago that the real Huo Yunting was dead? But she didn't seem sad at all before. How could she suddenly be heartbroken because of a mere notebook?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci smiled. She slowly poured herself a cup of tea, a meaningful smile curving her lips: "Knowing he's dead and knowing he was killed by his current bedmate—Huo Yunzhan—are quite different."
"After all, Liu Ruolan and Huo Yunting have been married for nearly two years. Even if their relationship wasn't deep, it's impossible that they really had no feelings for each other at all."
"The reason she could still be so at ease with Huo Yunzhan after discovering that he was impersonating her was simply because she was assessing the situation and wanted to have a child in order to consolidate her position as the Marquis's wife."
"You think she didn't react much after reading that notebook just now, only because I was there. She doesn't want to reveal too much of her emotions in front of me, afraid that I will laugh at her."
A calculating glint flashed in Shen Qingci's eyes. "But the contents of that document were carefully prepared for her. Every word and phrase is enough to leave an indelible mark on her heart."
"When a woman learns that her former husband was worried about her future on his deathbed, do you think she can really remain indifferent?"
Wanqing nodded as if she understood, and after a moment of silence, she asked worriedly, "Then... what about Nanzhu?"
"He's an imposter, after all, one of our men in disguise. Now that he's been sent to Shuntian Prefecture, what if... what if he's interrogated? Won't he be exposed immediately?"
"What's there to be afraid of?" Shen Qingci smiled, her eyes full of confident assurance. "No, it won't happen."
"I have already sent a message to Zhuque, asking her to arrange everything. All we need to do is have that fake 'Nanzhu' insist in court that Huo Yunting was killed by Huo Yunzhan, and then pretend not to trust the judges, refusing to reveal another word even if it means death."
“Then,” she paused, lowering her voice even further, “we arranged for people to impersonate the Huo family’s retainers to ‘break him out of prison.’”
Wanqing's eyes lit up instantly!
“Once ‘Nanzhu’ is abducted from the prison, the matter will become an unsolved mystery. At that time, all parties will naturally begin to suspect each other.”
"Ordinary people would think that the Huo family was guilty and killed him to cover it up."
"If Huo Yunzhan knew he didn't do it, he would suspect his mother, Liu Ruolan, or even... you and me, or the Regent."
"As for Old Madam Huo, she might suspect Huo Yunzhan, or... me."
Shen Qingci's lips slowly curled up: "In short, I only need to throw this piece out to stir up a pool of spring water. This is a sure-fire way to make money."
“Moreover,” her gaze sharpened, “the appearance of ‘Nanzhu’ has brought the Shen family’s wrongful conviction back into everyone’s view. Today, I publicly declared my determination to thoroughly investigate this case. My status is no longer what it used to be. Those involved in the Shen family’s affairs will surely begin to panic.”
"Even if they think they covered it up perfectly back then, they will definitely try to confirm it again and erase any possible clues."
“And this is precisely our opportunity.” She looked at Wanqing. “The spies that Zhuque has planted in various prefectures in the capital are now our sharpest eyes.”
"They will keep a close eye on all the court officials in the capital, and if they show even the slightest sign of something amiss, they will be caught by our spies."
...
As the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Regent's Palace, it happened to meet Chu Jichen's carriage, which had just stopped as well.
Shen Qingci got out of the carriage and stood quietly to the side, waiting for him to get off.
The moment Chu Jichen saw her, the coldness on his face melted away. He maneuvered his wheelchair to her side, a smile in his eyes: "I heard that the Princess Consort put on another good show at the Minister's residence today."
"It's a good show," Shen Qingci said with a smile, but her voice carried a hint of detachment. "However, we'll need Your Highness's help in the future."
She wore a sweet smile, but her heart was cold and indifferent.
So be it.
Since he had already been keeping a mistress, he was now using her as a target to be openly observed.
So she decided to make the performance even more convincing, to make good use of him and his immense power.
Once she has overturned the verdict for the Shen family and avenged them, she will leave him without hesitation.
From then on, they parted ways and never had anything to do with each other again.
Chu Jichen, unaware of her thoughts, smiled broadly. He reached out and gently took her hand, his voice filled with indulgence: "Oh? My queen, what would you like me to... do for you?"
Shen Qingci casually placed her hand on his, her posture intimate, but her tone was businesslike: "I plan to find an opportunity to send someone to break into the prison and get that fake Nanzhu out of the Shuntian Prefecture prison. However... I'm worried that my people aren't clean enough, and if they leave any clues, it won't be good."
"It's a small matter." Chu Jichen agreed without hesitation. "Leave this to me. I guarantee that he will disappear without a trace, and no one will be able to find out a single clue."
"And another thing," Shen Qingci blinked, continuing to push her luck, "Now that today's events have occurred, I have publicly stated my determination to thoroughly investigate the Shen family's old cases. Those who were involved back then will surely feel panicked, and perhaps... they will try to find a way to confirm whether they have left any trace."
"Therefore, I would like to ask Your Highness for help, to use your power to help me... keep a close eye on everyone who may be related to the Shen family."
She thought to herself that although Zhuque's intelligence network was not bad, this matter concerned the deep-seated hatred of the Shen family and could not tolerate the slightest mistake.
With the addition of Chu Jichen's power, there is an extra layer of protection.
"Okay." Chu Jichen agreed without hesitation.
He turned his head and calmly instructed someone in the air behind him, "Yuanbao, did you hear that? Do as the Princess Consort says."
"Yes!" came Yuanbao's respectful reply from the shadows.
Having achieved her goal, Shen Qingci's face immediately broke into an incredibly bright and sweet smile.
She took the initiative to walk around behind Chu Jichen, taking over from the guards, and personally pushed his wheelchair into the palace.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of deliberate intimacy. "Your Highness is so good to Qingqing."
Feeling the soft touch from behind and the delicate fragrance so close at hand, Chu Jichen couldn't help but chuckle softly, his voice filled with pleasure and satisfaction.
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