On the contrary, it was her—
Knowing that Ye Qingzhou and Gu Zhixing were like brothers, if Ye Qingzhou died a violent death, Gu Zhixing would definitely be irreconcilable with the Crown Prince.
She and the crown prince had a blood feud.
This scheme, which killed three birds with one stone, not only made the Crown Prince take the blame, but also created a mortal enemy for Gu Zhixing, and sowed discord between her and Gu Zhixing.
That's really a brilliant tactic.
Shen Jintang closed her eyes.
Now she's truly in a situation where she can't clear her name no matter what.
"If Your Highness suspects my daughter, you may send someone to investigate thoroughly."
Shen Jintang steadied her voice, but she could still feel the cold sweat seeping down her back.
The smoke from the agarwood incense swirled between the two, casting the princess's face in shifting light and shadow.
"check?"
The princess suddenly burst into laughter, a laugh even colder than the torrential rain outside the window.
With a flick of her wide sleeve, the teacup on the table tipped over, leaving a dark stain on the sandalwood table from the scalding tea.
"Shen Jintang, do you think I summoned you here today to listen to your sophistry?" The gilded armor slammed heavily on the table, making a crisp sound. "With Ye Qingzhou dead, Gu Zhixing will surely fight the Crown Prince to the death—isn't that exactly what you want?"
Shen Jintang's knuckles, hidden in her sleeve, had turned white, and her nails were digging deep into her palms, yet she still maintained a steady voice: "Your Highness, you are wise. Although I am willing to pay any price for revenge, I will never harm the innocent."
She looked up and stared directly at the eldest princess, her eyes filled with a clear and honest gaze.
The eldest princess scrutinized her with a gaze as sharp as a knife, as if she wanted to dissect her completely to see through her.
After a long while, the taut shoulder line suddenly relaxed, turning into a barely audible sigh: "Good, very good."
She slowly sat back on the throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the gilded armrests, each soft sound like a tap on Shen Jintang's heart.
"I'm sparing your life today," the princess's voice suddenly turned deep, carrying an undeniable authority, "not because I trust you." She paused, her gilded armor gleaming coldly in the candlelight, "but because Zhixing truly cares for you, and I cannot bear to see him heartbroken."
Shen Jintang's heart clenched suddenly, as if it had been gripped tightly.
She bowed deeply, her forehead almost touching the cold ground: "This humble woman... thanks Your Highness for your compassion."
Her lowered eyelashes concealed the turbulent emotions in her eyes, only her clasped hands trembled slightly, revealing the turmoil in her heart.
The eldest princess waved her hand wearily.
Shen Jintang bowed and left the palace.
The icy rain immediately hit my face and flowed down my neck into my collar.
She clutched her soaked sleeves and walked into the rain without looking back.
Behind her, the princess's voice drifted in, mingling with the sound of rain, so soft it was almost an illusion: "I hope... you won't betray his sincere heart."
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