Looking at the myriad of blossoms in the courtyard, Yang Mengchen’s expression was inscrutable, with a profound smile playing on her lips.
Sister Jin didn’t understand why the Crown Princess Consort was smiling, "This news has already spread throughout The Capital, some are secretly guessing who is behind it all, while others suspect that this matter cannot be separated from the Crown Princess Consort."
"Nonsense! If the Crown Princess Consort wanted to kill Liao Zhiyan, a single command would suffice to take her life, there’s no need for such roundabout methods!" Not just Hai Tang but Sister Jin and the others were all filled with uncontrollable rage.
Yang Mengchen’s expression remained calm and serene, her eyes shimmering with bright specks of stars, "Don’t bother with those idle rumors, Wende will take care of it."
It wasn’t long before Mu Zhu came back with a grave expression.
She and the Hidden Guard had trailed Liao Zhiyan and a man to a civilian residence in the west of the city and saw them both enter. But when she and the Hidden Guard quietly went in after them, the place was empty. Liao Zhiyan and the man must have escaped through a secret passage, yet despite searching the entire residence, they couldn’t locate it. However, it was clear that someone had been living there.
"Liao Zhiyan won’t leave The Capital without achieving her goal." Seeing Mu Zhu and Mo Lan’s despondent faces, Yang Mengchen consoled them in a soft voice, "But since Liao Zhiyan isn’t familiar with the Capital’s terrain, without someone to cover for her, she will not escape the tight net cast by the Crown Prince. Mo Ju, pass the information on to the Crown Prince."
Mo Ju respectfully acknowledged and left immediately.
"By the way, Your Highness, there’s a new version of the story about the fire going around outside," reported Mu Zhu.
The story goes like this: Yesterday, a group of ruffians on the streets saw the beautiful Liao Zhiyan and immediately coveted her.
So, they took advantage of the night to drug the people in the inn, then entered Liao Zhiyan’s room, intending to collectively defile her. As a result, they accidentally knocked over a candlestick, and upon seeing the situation going south, they fled, thereby causing the massive fire. Now, that group of ruffians has all been captured and thrown into Jingzhao Prison, where they have confessed to their crimes without denial.
Liao Zhiyan turned out to be a victim and was also said to have perished in the fire. As the saying goes, "the dead command respect," so it was improper for the public to gossip, but Liao Zhiyan’s reputation was completely ruined.
Considering Liao Zhiyan’s life-saving grace to the Crown Prince, the Emperor decreed a proper funeral and posthumously granted her the title of Magistrate Xuanyi.
This act won the praise of the subjects, with everyone lauding the Emperor for his benevolence.
On the 27th of the third month, Lu Ningshuang gave birth to a plump baby boy weighing over seven pounds, named Yang Zongsu, with the nickname Tiandong.
The Yang family members were still living in the Princess Mansion, so the third-day washing ceremony and the full-month celebration were naturally held there. The third-day washing ceremony was only for close relations, while the full-month celebration included inviting guests.
The Princess Mansion, second only to the Imperial Palace in terms of beautiful and exquisite surroundings, was a place ordinary people couldn’t enter. Now that such an opportunity presented itself, many people naturally wanted to take a look inside, thus quite a few of them came uninvited.
The Yang family did not turn them away, and Yang Mengchen had the connecting door between the two properties closed and additionally deployed guards to prevent any untoward incidents during the event. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The task of receiving the female guests was taken care of by Xiao Wanxue and the other sisters-in-law, and since Yang Mengchen was in special circumstances, she chatted with a few close female family members in the inner courtyard.
Yang Chengning’s letter to Yang Mengchen happily reported that on the 16th of the third month, Ye Yunqian also had a son, named Yang Zongwen, with the nickname Tianping.
"Your Highness, Lady Su and Miss Su Manru seek an audience," reported Mo Lan as she entered.
Su Manru? Yang Mengchen’s eyebrows slightly rose.
She had not seen Su Manru since the grand ceremony of the four nations. However, she had heard rumors about her. Although Su Manru did not achieve a good ranking in the competition, the number of young talents who had approached the Su family’s door with marriage proposals was significant; it was a pity that Su Manru didn’t take a fancy to any of them.
Yang Mengchen understood Su Manru’s intentions very well but didn’t take them to heart.
Princess Ning looked displeasedly at Mo Lan – Jiujiu was not in a position to see just anyone who wished to meet her; it was truly lacking in propriety.
Mo Lan had her own difficulties but remained silent, simply waiting quietly for Yang Mengchen’s directive.
Noticing the implicit look in Mo Lan’s eyes, Yang Mengchen said, "Let them in." She glanced subtly at Hai Tang, who nodded in understanding.
Soon after, Lady Su and Su Manru followed Mo Lan in, bowing and paying their respects to Princess Ning and the others.
Today, Su Manru was dressed in a crimson top paired with a light blue twelve-paneled moonlight skirt. On the left side of her peony bun, she was wearing a Red Gold Wire-Drawn Red Phoenix Clamping Four Bright Pearls, and on the right, a Auspicious Clouds Inlaid with Gold Beaded Phoenix Tail Hairpin, giving off an impression of richness and splendor.
"Last year at the grand ceremony of the four nations, I had the fortune to compete alongside Your Auspicious Highness. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to chat thoroughly. It’s rare to have such an opportunity today and the weather is fair; I wonder if Your Auspicious Highness would like to take a stroll in the garden with me?" Su Manru’s eyes were filled with hope.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
