Every palace in the princess's residence has a reception area; hot tea has been served.
However, Shang Changge didn't drink it, fearing she would be poisoned, after all, the younger brother opposite her was a real wolf in sheep's clothing.
What I'm about to say is not for outsiders to hear.
Therefore, everyone in Mingxuan Palace except Qingyao had to retreat outside the palace.
Once the person left, Shang Changge took out a jade pendant engraved with cloud patterns and got straight to the point.
"I wonder if Doctor Jing still remembers this jade pendant?"
Jing Xiuming took it, and after seeing the jade pendant clearly, his slender, tall figure stiffened for a moment.
His fingertips traced the cloud patterns engraved on the jade pendant, a strange, unspoken feeling rising in his throat:
"This humble subject dares to ask where this jade pendant princess came from."
This is his jade pendant, a token of love from his father to his mother, which she later gave to him.
The mother's surname is Yun, and the cloud pattern on the jade pendant represents her surname. Moreover, the cloud pattern was carved by the father himself.
Because it was carved by the father himself, it is not as exquisite as that made by a craftsman, but has minor flaws.
Shang Changge smiled and slowly recounted the story of that year, that day, and that melodramatic plot:
"Twelve years ago, I and Nagasawa accompanied the Empress Dowager to Lingyin Temple in Nanshan to pray for blessings."
I remember that I was only ten years old that year. Being so young, I was inevitably a bit playful.
While his mother and the others weren't looking, he took Changze out to chase after a fat orange cat in the temple, eventually leading them to a secluded courtyard.
Before he could finish speaking, Jing Xiuming's face, which had looked as innocent as a little white rabbit, had turned pale.
Shang Changge pretended not to see and continued telling the story:
"The courtyard was dilapidated and small, but it was relatively clean, and there was even a well."
That day, there was a child lying by the well. He had probably caught a cold and had a fever. His forehead was burning hot, and he was still calling out for his mother in a daze.
It just so happens that I had just recovered from a serious cold around that time, and I still had some pills made by the imperial physician in my small purse, so I slipped two to him.
"However, I have never been a kind person since I was a child. Of course, I expect something in return for doing good deeds."
So they took the jade pendant the child was wearing around his neck, thinking they would come back someday to ask for a reward.
After all, those two pills not only cured colds but were also remarkably effective against cold-related ailments; they were worth their weight in gold.
"pity......"
Shang Changge didn't continue speaking but sighed and looked up to meet Jing Xiuming's gaze.
"Perhaps such a good deed was too small and insignificant, and I forgot about it after only a few days."
But the child remembered it all the way through, for over a decade.
"Remembering kindness is a good thing in itself, but the problem lies in him misjudging his benefactor, and not only that, he misjudged his benefactor."
They're so foolish as to be deceived and used, and then repay their true benefactors with enmity!
Jing Xiuming's hand holding the jade pendant trembled slightly, as if he was struggling to believe it.
Upon seeing this,
The bright smile that had been on Shang Changge's face turned cold, and she said sharply:
"Admitting mistakes is one thing, but let's set aside these trivial old matters."
Since you entered my princess's residence, I have treated you with the utmost courtesy and never neglected you.
Yet you have repeatedly added things you shouldn't have to my medicine, and even leaked matters of the household to Consort Wen on several occasions!
"Jing Xiuming, your stupidity and character have truly impressed me."
Silence, a long, long silence—
Outside the reception hall, flocks of birds that had been hastily seeking shelter during the downpour reappeared.
One after another, they perched on the tree branches, either shaking off the rain or preening their beautiful feathers.
Even amidst their busy schedules, they would steal a moment to open their beaks and chirp a couple of times, adding a touch of liveliness to the quiet after the rain.
Qingyao stood silently behind Shang Changge like a guardian angel, coldly watching Jing Xiuming.
I didn't dwell on why my master hadn't remembered the jade pendant or what happened back then; I only regretted that I wasn't smart enough.
I failed to see Jing Xiuming's true colors sooner, causing my master to suffer from all that medicine for nothing.
Jing Xiuming
Holding the jade pendant he had lost and found, he remained silent, it was unclear whether he believed it or not.
Shang Changge was not in a hurry.
Because she knew Jing Xiuming would believe it, and she couldn't allow him not to.
As a physician, Jing Xiuming understood better than anyone the preciousness of those two pills from back then.
The one who impersonated her and became Jing Xiuming's benefactor was Wen Wanyi from the Wen family, who was also one of the original owner's many fake friends.
The Wen family was not a prestigious or prominent clan, but Wen Wanyi's grandfather, father, and elder brother...
Whether it was twelve years ago or now, the official position held in the court was just so-so.
Such a family would not have such precious pills, and even if they did, they would not give them away to a complete stranger.
The most important point is,
Before she even produced the jade pendant, Jing Xiuming had already become suspicious of Wen Wanyi's identity as her benefactor.
Several attempts were made to probe, both openly and covertly, but Wen Wanyi always avoided answering by glancing left and right or talking about other things.
And today,
She took out the jade pendant and explained the details of what happened back then, leaving him no choice but to believe her.
"Princess, what do you want me to do?"
Finally, Jing Xiuming spoke.
Shang Changge had been waiting for these words. With her goal achieved, she was in a good mood, and a smile returned to her face.
"In the past two years, you have been in my princess's residence, and you must have exchanged quite a few letters with Wen Wanyi, right?"
I don't know whether you kept those letters or burned them, but they are of great use now.
Before 7 PM tonight, you may exchange another letter with Wen Wanyi, or rewrite it by imitating her handwriting.
"Bring those letters to the palace tomorrow morning. I want her dead, and the Wen family ruined."
In the original story, the Wen family later colludes with foreign enemies and commits treason.
As the eldest princess of the Qingyan Dynasty, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to bring down the Wen family ahead of time, would it?
Shang Changge didn't think it was excessive; she was doing all this for the stability and prosperity of Qingyan and for the peaceful and happy lives of its people!
Jing Xiuming's gaze sharpened as he looked at the woman sitting opposite him, who was smiling calmly and serenely.
Shang Changge raised an eyebrow: "You seem very surprised. Surprised about what? I have always been a person who holds grudges."
You probably don't know that Consort Wen bribed two of my maids to poison me, do you?
A fleeting look of confusion crossed Jing Xiuming's eyes, but it quickly transformed into tension and worry.
This worry was tinged with complex emotions, a sense of bewilderment, and upon learning the truth, her lips turned pale and she stammered.
The words "Is the princess alright?" were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to ask them.
The sky has cleared up.
Having shaken off the dampness, the birds regained their energy and began to hop and jump restlessly on the branches.
Its calls became even more cheerful, chattering incessantly, its mouth never stopping.
Annoyed by the noise, Shang Changge got up and brushed away imaginary dust from her embroidered gold-threaded peony dress.
Looking down at Jing Xiuming, his beautiful eyes shimmered, and his upturned corners seemed to smirk as he spoke, his words a mixture of praise and sarcasm:
"A colorless, odorless poison that cannot be detected is indeed potent. If I'm not mistaken, you gave her this poison, didn't you?"
"Fortunately, I am a scourge that lives on for a thousand years."
Otherwise, you might end up killing your savior with your own hands, Doctor Jing.
Upon hearing this, the last trace of color drained from Jing Xiuming's face.
"Qingyao, let's go."
Having finished speaking, Shang Changge didn't intend to stay any longer. However, just as she was about to step out of the hall...
She stopped as if remembering something, turned around and met the gaze of the man who was staring at her intently.
Not only did they kill him, they also had to finish him off, fearing that Jing Xiuming wouldn't be able to bring himself to hate Wen Wanyi.
"Oh, right."
"Do you think Wanyi knows that I was the one who saved you back then? After all, you mistakenly took her as your benefactor."
She must have arrived right after I and Nagasawa left; she should have seen us.
If I didn't know, it would be understandable for you to harm me, but if you did know... tsk.
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