Chapter 11 Aftermath
Gu Qingyu was like a badger that had fallen into a melon patch, having just finished eating a shocking piece of gossip with the crowd, completely unaware of Ling Wei's strange behavior.
She seized the opportunity to confront Ling Wei, who was not present, and spilled the beans, revealing the astonishing drama that had just unfolded:
"That Du Qianqian is completely insane! Tang Wen has already identified her, but she still refuses to admit it, saying it wasn't her and that there must be someone else involved."
When asked who that person was, she stammered and couldn't answer.
Do you know what the most crucial thing is?
Tang Wen's injuries were too severe, so the princess sent a letter to the palace, requesting the arrival of the imperial physician. Upon smelling the medicine, the physician immediately said that the Crown Prince Tang had been drugged.
The sachet on Du Qianqian's body was also taken out, and it smelled the same scent!
When Gu Qingyu got excited, she slapped the table with delight.
She had always been a law-abiding child and had never seen anything like this before. The impact on her was no less than when someone first watched a Tomato short drama.
That was an intense, agonizing desire to read on.
However, the twists and turns on the scene were one after another.
"Du Qianqian somehow got to know the Second Prince, and when he suddenly appeared to support her, she sat there pitifully calling out, 'Little Fish Brother~~'"
Gu Qingyu perfectly imitated Du Qianqian's tone, failing to notice Ling Wei's fleeting smile.
Gu Qingyu mentioned that this was somewhat strange:
"For some reason, when Tang Wen heard her shout, his expression became even more frightening. He shouted, 'It's you!' and then fainted."
“Du Qianqian has the Second Prince protecting her, and she insists that she was framed and demands a thorough investigation.”
"The princess has ordered a thorough investigation, and it's about the Tang family. I don't think we can let this go easily."
Ling Wei lowered her eyes and drank the medicinal soup that Xiao Yao had prepared.
At this moment, Madam Lin walked in, her expression serious, and asked Gu Qingyu to go out first.
Gu Qingyu was taken aback. Although she didn't understand why, she obediently left and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Only two people remained inside.
Madam Lin sat down beside Ling Wei's bed, her gaze lingering on her face. Her voice was extremely low: "Weiwei, tell your aunt what happened. Where were you before you fell into the water? Who did you meet?"
Ling Wei knew she couldn't hide it from the clever Lin Shi, so she stopped concealing it and told her in detail how Du Qianqian had drugged her from behind and how she had escaped.
However, she omitted the part about meeting Xie Zhuo, only saying that after she finished swimming and got ashore, she noticed a lot of noise in the distance, so she hid in a secluded place until the crowd dispersed before daring to come out to find Xiao Yao.
After hearing this, Lin was furious.
She explained why she felt so restless and uneasy at the time. Everyone was watching the commotion on Tang Wen's side, but she couldn't find Weiwei anywhere. That ominous premonition almost consumed her.
This child has always been well-behaved and sensible, how could he have disappeared without a trace along with the maid? It turns out he's been tricked!
No wonder Du Qianqian inadvertently revealed that there was a third person present.
If she succeeds, Weiwei's life will be ruined! And the Gu family's reputation will be trampled into the mud by them!
Lin's face was somber. Although she couldn't make a fuss, it didn't mean she couldn't get her revenge.
Ling Wei claimed to be unaware of Tang Shizi's injury. She sensed something was wrong and seized the opportunity to escape. Madam Lin did not suspect anything, since Tang Wen pointed to Du Qianqian when he woke up.
Ling Wei wasn't worried that Du Qianqian would drag her into it.
First, Du Qianqian felt guilty for doing something wrong.
She drugged Ling Wei from behind, worried that Ling Wei might wake up and see her face at any time. Therefore, whether she was dragging someone away or drugging her, she tried her best to avoid facing Ling Wei directly.
Secondly, even if she knew who Ling Wei was, she wouldn't dare to bring her up again.
Sheng Mingshu and Tang Wen's plan was full of flaws, and it should have been discovered by now that their conspiracies were with Du Qianqian.
How can Du Qianqian explain that the person in the room has become Ling Wei, who has just arrived in the capital and has no connection with the city?
It's even more inexplicable how Du Qianqian knew the room had been changed. This only makes her situation more passive and suspicious.
This is also why Ling Wei kicked so hard; as long as she escaped the scene, no one could forcibly pull her into the center of the vortex.
Moreover, the Tang family is part of the Third Prince's faction, so there's no need to worry about him confronting the Second Prince.
By cutting off the Third Prince's arm, the Second and Third Princes can start fighting as soon as possible.
Only then did she get her revenge.
As Ling Wei had predicted, the thorough investigation at the Princess's residence eventually uncovered the conspiracy between Sheng Mingshu and Tang Wen.
Du Qianqian insisted that the sachet was a frame-up, portraying herself as an innocent victim.
It is said that after the imperial physician finished diagnosing Tang Wen, Madam Tang fainted, and now the Marquis's mansion has sent people to pick her up.
Sheng Mingshu was also taken away by the Sheng family. Before leaving, they said they would give the Marquis's mansion an explanation. The Marquis's mansion asked the Sheng family to hand over Sheng Mingshu, but they refused, as expected.
The Sheng family strongly supports the Second Prince, and Sheng Mingshu was destined to become the Prince's consort.
Now that the scandal has been exposed, Sheng Mingshu's dream of becoming a prince's consort has been shattered. The Sheng family is burning with resentment and has nowhere to vent it. Does your Marquis's Mansion still want to bite back?
Who knows who had the evil idea first, or who instigated whom!
The undercurrents behind this turmoil will not be discussed for now.
The banquet was still ongoing.
Because Du Qianqian was involved, even with her thick skin, she couldn't stand the strange looks from others and slunk away early.
Under Lin's care, Ling Wei washed up and changed into clean clothes.
Although the ladies were too proud to discuss it openly due to their status, the glances they exchanged and the sighs they uttered in private were enough to convey their message.
When the conversation inevitably turned to the Sheng family, and the ladies were lamenting Sheng Mingshu's self-destructive behavior, Madam Lin picked up her teacup and, seemingly casually, brought up:
"Speaking of which, that Miss Du... seems quite close to His Highness the Second Prince? Could it be... that the jealousy between the young ladies has gone too far?"
She blew on the tea but didn't drink it, and continued in a regretful tone, "Right now, the position of the Sheng family's daughter as the prince's consort is probably in jeopardy. Although the Du family's background is not as illustrious as the Sheng family, it is still quite good. It's truly... a blessing in disguise."
As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the ladies present changed instantly.
Yes! Sheng Mingshu has fallen, but who benefits the most? Isn't it Du Qianqian, who was protected by the Second Prince?
Considering her previous claims of climbing through windows and opening closets, her insistence that she was a victim, and her hiding only after sensing something was wrong...
If you are truly an innocent victim, why don't you come forward and seek justice? What's the point of hiding?
Even if you were hiding, why did you suddenly show up when everyone was gathered together?
The timing is... too coincidental.
The ladies present were all shrewd women who had been immersed in the inner quarters of the household for many years, and they understood immediately with just a little guidance.
Some people couldn't help but cover their mouths with their fans and sighed in a low voice, "This Miss Du... truly has some amazing skills!"
The ladies secretly resolved that if their sons got close to any of the Du family's daughters, they would break their legs.
This self-directed and self-acted charlatan is someone their family can't afford to offend.
Lin took a small sip of tea, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.
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