"Master, the task you assigned has been completed."
Yuan Zhao stepped in and greeted Shen Tangning with clasped hands.
She nodded slightly: "It must be tiring for you to travel back and forth in this heat. Have a cup of tea to cool you down."
"Thank you, Master."
Xueqing poured tea and handed it to Yuan Zhao, frowning in confusion: "The matter of the young master has been settled, so why did you still ask Guard Yuan to send people to spread those rumors?"
Shen Tangning ordered Yuan Zhao to bribe a group of beggars to spread the word that the Marquis's mansion had previously intended to sever ties with Chi Yan. So far, the news has only spread to a small circle.
But didn't the old lady already give up on this idea?
Shen Tangning's gaze deepened slightly as she asked Xue Qing, "What is the relationship between the first and second wives?"
Xue Qing pondered for a moment: "He appears friendly on the surface, but his heart is not."
After her son-in-law was imprisoned, the first wife's first thought was to sever ties. She had already realized that the first wife looked down on the second wife.
As for the old lady, she was even more biased to the extreme!
It's not surprising, after all, they weren't born from your own womb. But no matter what, they are still family. It's truly disheartening to not treat them like your own children and then discard them like trash when it matters.
For example, my own wife, although she doesn't like Aunt Fang and the second young lady, will still maintain the proper decorum. If they behave themselves, she won't make things difficult for them.
Shen Tangning narrowed her eyes slightly: "As you said, the first and second wives are destined to be on different paths. I'm just making preparations in advance."
In his previous life, Chi Jingyu belonged to the Third Prince's faction.
Her stance is that of the Crown Prince. Factional struggles are always brutal, a matter of life or death, so the second wife's family will eventually have to sever ties with the first wife's family.
If Chi Yan also supports the Third Prince, then she would have to carefully examine her relationship with him. However, after the Chunfeng Tower case, and considering her previous subtle probing, Chi Yan is unlikely to stand on the Third Prince's side.
By spreading the word in advance that Madam Chi intended to expel Chi Yan from the family, if the two families really broke off relations in the future, the second family would not suffer too much criticism in terms of reputation.
Having solved the immediate problem, Shen Tangning did not feel relieved; a faint sorrow lingered between her brows and eyes.
"What's troubling you, Miss?"
She sighed softly, "His Highness the Crown Prince will be returning to the capital soon."
Upon hearing this, Xueqing asked in confusion, "Isn't this a good thing? I heard that His Highness won a battle, and His Majesty will surely reward him handsomely!"
Shen Tangning tugged at her lips, but the smile didn't reach her eyes: "Is that really so?"
Your Majesty is in the prime of life, yet the Crown Prince has grown into such an outstanding young man, enjoying the support of all officials and the hearts of the people, not to mention having a prestigious maternal clan.
Wouldn't he be restless and anxious, wondering if the Crown Prince was secretly coveting his position and eager to take it?
When one's achievements overshadow the ruler, that too becomes a fault.
After thinking it over, Shen Tangning's eyes darkened: "Yuan Zhao, I may need to ask you to go on a long trip."
Yuan Zhao raised an eyebrow in surprise: "No problem."
As long as the money is there, it's easy to talk.
"Xueqing, prepare pen and ink." Shen Tangning got up and came to the table. "I want to write a letter."
Yuan Zhao urged his horse onward, hoping to deliver the letter to the Crown Prince before he entered the capital.
——
The sun had long since set and darkness had fallen when Liu Yifu emerged from prison, his face etched with exhaustion.
The case of official corruption and bribery is extremely far-reaching and complex. His Majesty ordered the three judicial departments to jointly investigate it, and he has been busy with it these days.
No wonder His Majesty was furious; the sheer amount of money embezzled this time was staggering.
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