"Did you hear that, Lord Marquis? Shen Jinxiu's matter has nothing to do with me. Don't go around blaming people for it." With that, she watched with amusement as Shen Feng stomped his feet in anger, and then left with light steps.
That gloomy gaze followed her retreating figure until she turned and entered Songxi Courtyard, and it never disappeared.
"Lu Bai, go and investigate this Shen Rushan. I have a feeling that his relationship with Shen Feng is not simple." Song Zhiyu did not let go of any clues; perhaps this Shen Rushan was a breakthrough.
He's like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to bite and kill when no one is looking. She needs to be careful.
"Yes." Lu Bai looked at the solemn expression on Song Zhiyu's face, answered, and quickly walked out of the courtyard to begin investigating Shen Rushan's matter.
*
The Imperial Palace.
Emperor Yun sat on his high seat, looking gently at the Crown Prince who walked into the hall. Seeing his upright posture and steady steps, the heavy weight in his heart was instantly lifted. "Are all your injuries fully healed? I heard from Jiang Yi that the person who saved you at Mingyin Mountain that day was a woman."
Why didn't I keep her and bring her into the palace then? I could have rewarded her. After all, she saved the life of the crown prince; that's a great achievement."
“She left in a hurry, and I couldn’t stop her.” Zhou Xingzhi chuckled, his right hand unconsciously touching the jade pendant at his waist. The coldness in his eyes melted, and he inexplicably lost some of his aloofness.
This was the first time Emperor Yun had seen Zhou Xingzhi like this, and he was somewhat puzzled. He didn't think there was anything special about the jade pendant.
But Zhou Xingzhi clearly didn't want to say more.
The son has grown up and is no longer under his father's control. Emperor Yun secretly wiped away a tear of bitterness, but his face remained dignified.
"Now that the matter in Liangzhou is resolved, you should start thinking about your own marriage."
Ling Wushuang of the Duke of Ling's mansion comes from a military family. From a young age, she followed her father into battle, proving herself a woman of exceptional courage and skill. "She's a match for you... that's..."
"Father, I have official business to attend to, so I will take my leave now." Zhou Xingzhi regained his usual composure, but a thin layer of coldness settled over his eyes.
"Go on, go on." Emperor Yun waved his hand dismissively, sending the person back to the East Palace.
Every time the topic of marriage came up, he would always find an excuse to decline, but Emperor Yun was unwilling to force him.
*
Outside the palace.
"Aunt, it's His Highness the Crown Prince." Lian Siyi blushed with excitement when she saw Zhou Xingzhi walking out of the main hall. She lifted her skirt and wanted to run up to him to chat for a bit, but Consort Lian pulled her back in time.
"What kind of behavior is this, all loud and boisterous? Have you forgotten what your aunt taught you? The most important thing for a lady from a noble family is to be reserved and have a dignified and graceful demeanor."
Since Consort Lian had no sons, she set her sights on the Crown Prince, determined to become his principal wife.
My niece is a famous talented woman in the capital, and comes from a prominent family. No one but her can become the Crown Princess.
After being lectured, Lian Siyi quieted down, but her gaze remained fixed on the direction the Crown Prince had left, unable to come to her senses for a long time. "Auntie is right, Yi'er will remember."
Consort Lian nodded in satisfaction, then, recalling the information she had gathered, suddenly asked about something else, "I heard from Rong'er that you went to Mingyin Mountain a few days ago. Did you see His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"When did His Highness the Crown Prince visit Mingyin Mountain?" Lian Siyi wondered. She had been to Mingyin Mountain so many times, but she had never seen His Highness the Crown Prince.
"Three days ago, His Highness the Crown Prince was assassinated at Mingyin Mountain, but was fortunately saved by a young lady. I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has filled his study with portraits of that young lady, but unfortunately, he has never seen her face and has not yet found her." Consort Lian's eyes gleamed as she told her niece the news that came from the Eastern Palace.
Lian Siyi was taken aback. "Auntie means..."
"Since His Highness the Crown Prince's savior has not revealed his true identity, why can't it be you?"
"Haven't you always wanted to marry His Highness the Crown Prince? This is your chance." Consort Lian patted Lian Siyi on the shoulder and revealed her plans.
"It just so happens that you went to Mingyin Mountain that day, and it just so happens that you know a little about traditional Chinese medicine. You see, even the heavens are on your side."
What she had to do was help Lian Siyi become the Crown Princess and perpetuate the Lian family's honor.
Lian Siyi's heart skipped a beat. The temptation of marrying the Crown Prince was too great, yet she still had reservations. "But I wasn't the one who saved the Crown Prince. What if I'm exposed? I wasn't the only one who went to Mingyin Mountain that day..."
At this point, Lian Siyi suddenly stopped, and the image of Song Zhiyu flashed through her mind.
“Aunt, I think I should know who saved His Highness the Crown Prince.”
*
Songxiyuan.
"Song Zhiyu, why do you have that purse in your hand? What do you know?" Shen Jinxiu barged into Song Zhiyu's courtyard, pushed aside Lu Bai who was blocking her way, and questioned her in a low voice.
Song Zhiyu took out her purse and shook it, admiring Shen Jinxiu's disheveled appearance with great interest. "Is this what you're talking about?"
"Give it back to me!"
Shen Jinxiu reached out to grab it, but Song Zhiyu grabbed her wrist and twisted it hard. With a crisp "crack", her right hand was dislocated, and she broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.
"If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. I know everything you don't want me to know." Song Zhiyu's face turned cold as she put away her purse.
Counting the days, tomorrow is the three-day deadline.
Seeing that force wouldn't work, Shen Jinxiu changed her tune, kneeling before Song Zhiyu and pleading, "Second sister, we're sisters after all."
If anything happens to me, your reputation will suffer. Besides, what good will it do you if the Marquis's mansion falls?"
"I'd be happy to." Song Zhiyu couldn't be happier if the Marquis's mansion fell into ruin. Shen Jinxiu's threat to her was useless; it would only excite her more.
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