After that day, Song Chengze never entered Jing'an Garden again. He became unusually busy, either in the outer courtyard or in Bibo Hall. Meng Qi knew that the letters targeting Prince Jing were just the first step. Seeing the emperor suppress the letter, she knew that the emperor still had mercy on Prince Jing, or that he still didn't believe it.
The Crown Prince was furious because of this incident. He had not arranged what happened to Prince Jing in the first place. He also noticed that Prince Rui had changed drastically since the last accident and was becoming increasingly out of his control.
But now that things had come to this, there was no turning back; he had no choice but to continue. Since the emperor was so lenient with Prince Jing, he had no choice but to add fuel to the fire. Just as he was thinking about how to make the fire burn even more fiercely, a little over ten days after the Autumn Examination, the students' memorial impeaching Prince Jing flew into the emperor's hands.
Although the emperor hit Prince Jing with an inkstone, he somewhat believed what Prince Jing said. Because of Prince Duan's incident, the emperor really didn't want to deny Prince Jing any chance.
Therefore, the prince took on the task of the next investigation, and went door to door to check for those who were reported to have helped King Jing to cheat. This was not a big deal, as King Jing's embezzlement of silver was a small matter. In the homes of people who had close contacts with him, a large number of weapons were found, and they were the kind that could be used directly on the battlefield.
All the evidence showed that he was clearly plotting treason. The emperor was furious with Prince Jing, and the smell of blood lingered in the Caishikou market for over ten days. Prince Jing then hanged himself in the prison of the Imperial Clan Court.
After this, the Crown Prince's attitude towards Song Chengze began to make people wonder. Song Chengze no longer put the Crown Prince's wishes first as before, and sometimes he would resolutely carry out the Crown Prince's wishes even if it hurt his own interests.
That day, Song Chengze had just left the palace when he received a message that the second son of Prince Shen's mansion had passed away. He thought for a while before remembering that it was Zhou Yu's half-brother, Zhou Zheng.
He had been very tired these past few days because of King Jing's affairs and the fact that the Crown Prince was starting to show off. He originally didn't want to go, but changed his mind after hearing that Meng Qi had already gone.
Meng Qi didn't expect Song Chengze to come to Prince Shen's mansion in person. She didn't know whether Song Chengze was giving face to her or to Zhou Yu.
Zhou Zheng's death completely ended the nearly twenty-year battle for the crown prince in the Shenjun Palace. The princess Hu was implicated because the Hu family helped King Jing store weapons. Now her only son is gone. She no longer has the energy and ability to make things difficult for Meng Wan. Meng Wan's good days in the Shenjun Palace began.
Song Chengze watched Zhang Decheng place the incense on the incense table, turned around and said a few words of comfort to Prince Zhou Yiheng, then turned his head to look at Meng Qi, walked forward, took her hand and whispered, "Are you still dizzy? Did you cough this morning? You have to drink the medicine no matter how bitter it is."
After hearing these few words, not only Meng Qi, but also Meng Wan, Zhou Yu and everyone present were extremely surprised.
Meng Qi opened her mouth slightly in disbelief. Song Chengze actually held her hand so openly without avoiding others. Her cheeks, which were already slightly red due to the cold autumn wind, became even redder now.
She lowered her head and didn't respond. Inwardly, she was blaming Song Chengze and trying to pull her hand back, but Song Chengze held on tightly. She looked up at Meng Wan and said, "Please ask the Crown Prince's wife to make a bowl of hot ginger water with plenty of brown sugar."
Meng Wan first looked at the two people's clasped hands. She and Zhou Yu had a good relationship, but Zhou Yu had never held her hand like this in front of outsiders.
"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured. I didn't know that the princess had caught a cold at first. If I had known, I would definitely not have let the princess go out to get some fresh air."
Meng Qi kept her head down, staring at Song Chengze's hand, almost staring at the scar on it until it became painful.
Just as she was thinking about how to pull her hand out, Song Chengze let go and turned to Zhou Yu and said, "Can I borrow the prince's study?"
Zhou Yu quickly extended her hand in invitation. Song Chengze turned around and tugged at Meng Qi's cloak, tightening the straps for her. He whispered, "Go back soon. You're not an important person. There's no point in wasting time here."
Meng Qi hummed dejectedly, watched Song Chengze pat her shoulder, then turned and followed Zhou Yu.
Sitting in the courtyard of the Prince of Shen's mansion, Meng Qi said angrily, "Have you seen enough of that thief-like look?"
Meng Wan took the pillow Meng Qi threw to her and chuckled, then sat down next to Meng Qi. "Tell me, what's going on?"
"What's going on?" Meng Qi turned around, lay down on the kang, put his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling.
Meng Wan also sat up, "Is there something you can't figure out? Tell me, I'll help you analyze it."
Meng Qi leaned over and asked, "Second sister, what should I do?"
"You mean your relationship with the prince? Is it different from your original plan?"
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