Fortunately, Princess Fengying was not foolish and resolutely disagreed. As a result, Madam Shang became even more aggressive, which led to irreconcilable animosity between Princess Fengying and Prince Consort Shang;
Now that Prince Consort Shang has caused the death of Princess Jiayang, it’s clear he has dug his own grave;
Not to mention that Princess Jiayang was indeed Prince Consort Shang’s biological daughter, even if she wasn’t, as long as the Royal family recognized her and Princess Jiayang had not committed treason, the wealth and status due to Princess Jiayang would not be stripped away, and the Hou Mansion would benefit from her glory;
Aside from Princess Fengying, once the Emperor became aware of the cause of Princess Jiayang’s death, he would certainly not let Prince Consort Shang and the Shang family off lightly."
Besides, just by looking at the princess’s demeanor, she would not let Prince Consort Shang go. Sister Jin inwardly sneered without showing any outward change.
Just as Sister Jin had thought, although Long Fengying had repeatedly plotted against Yang Mengchen, Yang Mengchen believed Princess Jiayang to be innocent. Now, hearing of the Shang family’s vile motives, she was filled with righteous indignation and would make the Shang family pay a price, as justice for Princess Jiayang.
"Who is the concubine that instigated Shang Jiatao?"
Hai Tang answered, "It’s Maternal Aunt Xiu."
Since it wasn’t the person arranged by Wende, Yang Mengchen no longer held any scruples. She gestured for Hai Tang to come closer and whispered some instructions, to which Hai Tang nodded emphatically before leaving.
Until Long Xuanmo returned from the government office to the mansion, Yang Mengchen’s mood was very low. Long Xuanmo knew that He Changli had come today to ask for Mu Jin’s hand in marriage. Could it be that the right question still hadn’t been answered? So he gently wrapped his arms around his wife and spoke softly, "Ah Jiu, He Changli will treat Mu Jin well. Why don’t you graciously let them be and help the two of them together?"
"He Changli got the correct answer from my brother-in-law, and I’ve already promised to hold their wedding in three days," responded Yang Mengchen languidly.
Long Xuanmo became even more puzzled, "Then why are you unhappy? If you can’t bear to part with Mu Jin, let her stay by your side as a steward sister."
"I’m not unhappy because of that." Buried in Long Xuanmo’s warm embrace, Yang Mengchen spoke gravely, "I’ve received news that Princess Jiayang died from falling into a pond at the Princess Mansion."
Long Xuanmo was taken aback. He had heard about the incident, but since Princess Jiayang was always timid and tongue-tied, hiding behind maids and old women during both encounters, he had little impression of her. But he knew Ah Jiu, kind-hearted as she was, would be very upset about Princess Jiayang’s demise, "Alright, it was an accident, don’t think too much about it."
Looking up, Yang Mengchen’s face was somber, with indignation brewing between her brows, "Shang Jiatao believed the instigation of a concubine and was convinced that Princess Jiayang was the bastard child of Long Fengying and another man. Therefore, he cruelly conspired to kill Princess Jiayang."
After a moment of surprise, a bone-chilling frost covered Long Xuanmo’s cold and handsome features, and a harsh killing intent flashed in his deep eyes.
The Tian family and the noble houses have never had familial affection, with fratricide and sororicide being commonplace. The real cause of Princess Jiayang’s death did not concern him, but the fact that Shang Jiatao had caused Ah Jiu such distress meant that he would never let Shang Jiatao off the hook.
"I will handle this matter; you shouldn’t let it harm yourself, it pains my heart," he said.
Yang Mengchen nodded.
The reason she had informed Wende was to let him, and even the Emperor, know the inhuman nature of Shang Jiatao and the Shang family, thereby planting a thorn in the hearts of Wende and the Emperor.
It’s not to say the other members of the Shang family were innocent. Since Princess Jiayang carried half of the Royal bloodline, and the Shang family had enjoyed the grace of the Royal family (the Emperor arranged positions for several incompetent Shang family members out of face-saving concerns, and the Marquis Changxing and his wife were also residing in the Princess Mansion), they should have taken good care of Princess Jiayang. And it’s not to say the Shang family was completely unaware of the true cause of Princess Jiayang’s death. After all, how could Shang Jiatao, with no education or skill, think of such a scheme without leaving a trace?
The next day, Grand Prince, Long Xuanmo, and Yang Mengchen were having breakfast.
Mo Yun came in to report that Long Fengying had found out Shang Jiatao and the Shang family conspired to kill Princess Jiayang. She barged into the room of the Marquis Changxing and his wife with a knife, injuring the couple, then stormed into Youxiang Pavilion (Maternal Aunt Xiu’s residence) and killed Maternal Aunt Xiu. She then chased Shang Jiatao around the courtyard, shouting for him to pay with his life for Princess Jiayang. Now, the Princess Mansion was in utter chaos, and the news had spread far and wide.
Yang Mengchen quietly glanced at Hai Tang, who shook her head, indicating that it wasn’t the doing of their own people. Frowning slightly, Yang Mengchen turned her thoughts to Ma Tiankun; Hai Tang had reported the night before that Maternal Aunt Xiu had long been bought by Ma Tiankun. It seemed very likely that Ma Tiankun had deliberately let Maternal Aunt Xiu tell Long Fengying the truth.
The Grand Prince and Long Xuanmo set their bowls aside and left with grave expressions.
After instructing Bai He and others to tidy up, Yang Mengchen went to the front courtyard’s sitting room to handle the internal affairs of the Prince Mansion and to check on the preparations for He Changli and Mu Jin’s wedding.
About half an hour later, Hai Tang reported that the Emperor had decreed for Shang Jiatao to be thrown into the Sky Prison, and the entire Shang family to be taken into custody. Additionally, an imperial edict was issued posthumously promoting Princess Jiayang to the proper rank of Commandery Princess Jiayang and ordering a grand burial. Meanwhile, Long Fengying remained under house arrest in the Princess Mansion, closely guarded at all times.
Yang Mengchen sighed inwardly. After such a distressing incident, with the Emperor in a foul mood, the court officials would suffer the consequences.
As expected, one after the other, officials were either severely reprimanded or dismissed from their posts by the Emperor, and some even thrown into prison. Suddenly, the imperial court was shrouded with gloom, with all officials feeling vulnerable.
In light of the situation, He Changli and Mu Jin’s wedding was naturally low-key. However, the dowry Yang Mengchen prepared for Mu Jin was more generous than that given to legitimate daughters from large families or young ladies from smaller households. She also granted Mu Jin a month off for her wedding, after which she was to return as a steward sister.
A few days later, Prince Duan and Prince Kang returned from Qinghe Prefecture to report, with all four types of crops having yielded a great harvest.
The Emperor was naturally overjoyed and rewarded the two generously. Of course, he did not forget Yang Mengchen, whose gifts were more numerous and valuable than theirs.
On the evening of New Year’s Eve, just after Long Xuanmo and Yang Mengchen returned to the Prince Mansion from the Imperial Palace, Lv Luo came to report that Long Fengying had disappeared.
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