Yang Mengchen nodded lightly, this was currently the most appropriate method, "How is Long Yanrou doing now?"
"Gone mad," a hint of chilling ruthlessness flashed across Long Xuanmo’s lips. "Half a month after you went to Danyang County, Master Jueyuan finally exorcised the ’demon’ from Long Yanrou. When she ’sobered up’ and heard about what she had done, she felt such shame that she attempted to ’hang herself’. Fortunately, her maid discovered her in time and saved her. Although her life is not in danger, she has been left simple-minded, and quite a few people know about this affair."
"What did Prince Ke and his son say?"
"What else could they say? They took her back to care for her, and aside from being watched for twelve hours a day, her standard of living has remained the same as before."
"It seems Prince Ke and his son have other intentions with this move."
Long Xuanmo’s expression turned severe, "I will have someone monitor Prince Ke and his son constantly."
With her reputation in ruins and her mind gone, even a common family’s child wouldn’t marry Long Yanrou. Prince Ke and his son have always been known for their heartlessness and stinginess. With Long Yanrou bringing such disgrace to Prince Ke Mansion, how could they possibly care about her still? Unless Prince Ke and his son had other schemes in mind!
"By the way, how come Lin Zheqi was with you today?" Yang Mengchen asked curiously.
Long Xuanmo replied with a smile, "Imperial Uncle, Imperial Uncle Ning, and I were enjoying tea in the pavilion by the pond when Lin Zheqi happened to pass by, and I invited him."
"Lin Zheqi already knows that Imperial Uncle is his biological father. It’s probably not by chance that he passed by, but a deliberate attempt to see Imperial Uncle," Yang Mengchen smiled, then suddenly thought of something, her smile on her lips instantly freezing, "Tea? The water for the tea? Heartbroken Grass?"
"What is Ah Jiu talking about?" Long Xuanmo looked puzzled as he saw his beloved wife muttering to herself repeatedly.
Upon hearing Long Xuanmo’s question and realizing the key to the mystery, Yang Mengchen took out the small cloth bag that Bai He had given her, unrolled it, and placed it on the table in front of Long Xuanmo, "This is the Heartbroken Grass I picked up from Jing Prince Mansion, or to be precise, from near the pavilion where you were."
With pursed lips, Long Xuanmo asked no questions, knowing Ah Jiu would tell him the reason.
"When I took Imperial Uncle’s pulse, it wasn’t due to lack of sleep but temporary fainting caused by poisoning," said Yang Mengchen gravely.
Long Xuanmo furrowed his brows, his body suddenly emanating a bloodthirsty and ruthless aura.
Yang Mengchen too wore a somber expression, her eyes and brows tinged with an icy chill, "Someone tampered with the water used to steep the tea. Combined with the scent of the Heartbroken Grass near the pavilion, the two substances together form a toxin. Although it’s not lethal, a person poisoned by it would gradually weaken until they are drained of life, undetectable even by doctors."
"Damn it!" Long Xuanmo’s face, already bearing a tinge of gloom, became even colder, his deep eyes filled with a bone-chilling ferocity, "Why did Imperial Uncle Ning, Lin Zheqi, and I not feel anything, while only Imperial Uncle fainted?"
Yang Mengchen explained, "I am uncertain about Lin Zheqi, but I have given our family and friends a poison-avoiding medicine. Ordinary poisons have no effect, and after Imperial Uncle returned to the capital, one of the ingredients in the medicine I prepared for Imperial Uncle’s health conflicted with the Heartbroken Grass, enhancing the toxicity. Thus, causing Imperial Uncle to suddenly faint. The signs all point to the person poisoning with the intent to target Imperial Uncle or perhaps just a probe."
Many knew of her medical skills. If the other party truly wanted to put Wende and the others to death, they would not choose a time when she was present, let alone such a poison that was not without a cure.
And those who knew that the medicine served to Imperial Uncle contained an ingredient that conflicted with Heartbroken Grass, aside from her, Wende, Sister Jin, and others, were only a few people close to Imperial Uncle, not ruling out others, of course.
But it was not easy to find this person; first, they had to be highly knowledgeable in pharmacology, and second, they needed to be very aware that the pond beside Jing Prince Mansion had Heartbroken Grass. Furthermore, how could this person be so certain that Wende and his group would visit that pavilion? After all, Wende said that it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Most importantly, this person must be someone familiar with both households, otherwise it would not be possible for them to come and go freely in both mansions.
Another possibility was that someone was pulling the strings behind the scene, using two or more people to execute the plan. Whoever could conceive such a tight plan was definitely not an ordinary person. They knew that if any part of the plan failed, or if Wende and his group did not go to that pavilion, the entire scheme would collapse. Such a meticulous person would naturally hide very deep.
The only plan for now was to first try to find the spy near the Imperial Uncle, thereby ensuring his safety.
Long Xuanmo and Yang Mengchen were on the same page. They had already secretly rooted out a spy previously, but they hadn’t anticipated that someone else was hiding so deeply.
The day after the Grand Prince moved in, Long Xuanmo explained the situation to him, and the two began to investigate discreetly. freewēbnoveℓ.com
After seeing off the Yang family, with Sister Jin and He Junyuan managing the affairs of the Prince Mansion, Yang Mengchen, besides helping the Grand Prince recuperate, had nothing else to do.
Seeing Yang Mengchen free, He Junyuan brought up his eldest son’s marriage to Mu Jin again. Yang Mengchen had the same condition: as long as He Changli answered a question correctly, she would agree to marry Mu Jin to He Changli.
That same day, after lunch, He Junyuan brought his family and the betrothal gifts over.
When everyone heard that He Changli was once again seeking to marry Mu Jin, they all rushed over out of curiosity, gathering outside the living room to see if He Changli would be successful this time.
Unfortunately, Yang Mengchen did not ask He Changli to recite the three obediences and four virtues of a man in public, opting to write them down on paper instead. After all, it was best not to let such shocking and unconventional content spread. However, seeing that He Changli had actually answered everything correctly was still somewhat surprising. "How did you think of this?" she asked.
"Replying to the princess," He Changli said respectfully, "This servant chanced upon General Shao on the street one day, and when he learned of my predicament, he kindly gave me the answer. May I ask if the princess finds it satisfactory?"
How could she have forgotten that Ah Lan must have told her brother-in-law? What an oversight. But it also showed that it was He Changli’s good fortune to have encountered her brother-in-law, and he just happened to know the answers. Yang Mengchen always kept her word: "You answered everything correctly. Three days from now is an auspicious date, and we will have a wedding ceremony for you and Mu Jin here at the mansion." She immediately accepted the betrothal gifts and set the wedding date.
"Thank you, Your Highness, Princess, for your grace!" He Changli and his family knelt down with joy and kowtowed.
Mu Jin also kowtowed in gratitude.
Since they did not hear the content of the three obediences and four virtues of a man, the crowd was greatly disappointed, but they were still happy for He Changli who had finally achieved his wish.
Yang Mengchen said with a smile, "Shao Yao, after we finish the wedding between Mu Jin and He Changli, I will choose another auspicious day to hold a wedding ceremony for you and Qing Qing."
Uncle Heng and Qiao Niangzi were very satisfied with Qing Qing, and naturally agreed when they heard that Qing Qing wanted to marry Shao Yao.
Shao Yao immediately blushed, her head bowed silently.
Seeing Yang Mengchen looking over, aside from Sister Jin and Mo Mei, Bai He and a few others all took the opportunity to slip out.
Just as Yang Mengchen was about to speak, Hai Tang walked in: "Princess, something has happened again."
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