Matron Duo was indeed extremely shocked.
Her profound shock caused her to lose the composure she had maintained through years of palace service.
She had recently received a message from outside the palace and had taken advantage of the Empress Dowager’s temple visit to meet with Elder Hua. Elder Hua had mentioned encountering the Holy Maiden but harbored doubts, prompting him to write back to Wu Miao for confirmation. However, with no response to his inquiry forthcoming, he had sent word to her…
How had the Holy Maiden, who had visited Elder Hua’s shop only once and never returned, transformed into Prince Yan’s Princess?
Elder Hua had mentioned the Holy Maiden was dressed as a married woman of Great Zhou and had avoided detailed explanations by citing a secret mission. While this wasn’t particularly strange, the Holy Maiden being Prince Yan’s Princess was extremely peculiar.
Though she had never met Prince Yan’s Princess, she had heard she was a lady from the Earl of Dongping’s household.
How could the Holy Maiden assume the identity of a woman with both family and brothers?
The Holy Maiden’s identity was truly suspicious…
Though Matron Duo hadn’t returned to Wu Miao in her many years of palace service and shouldn’t know the current Holy Maiden’s appearance, the Holy Maiden held an incomprehensible status within the Wu Miao tribe. Especially after the position had remained vacant for years, when A Sang successfully became Holy Maiden, her portrait had been passed to Matron Duo through Elder Hua.
The Holy Maiden in the portrait was identical to the Prince’s Princess before her. She was confident she wasn’t mistaken.
Having confirmed her target, Jiang Si felt more assured and calmly greeted Emperor Jingming and the others.
Though Emperor Jingming was angry, considering his daughter-in-law’s pregnancy, he softened his tone: “You may rise.”
The Empress Dowager glanced at Emperor Jingming, secretly shaking her head.
The Emperor was good in every way except for being too lenient, which diminished imperial authority.
“Do you know why I summoned you both to the palace?” Emperor Jingming’s gaze fell on Yu Jin, his expression much more severe.
Though Yu Jin knew this had nothing to do with the investigation, he deliberately said: “Is it about what Father Emperor mentioned to me earlier? As it happens, I’ve made some progress and wanted to report.”
Emperor Jingming’s interest was immediately piqued.
There were leads?
Having handled many matters with Zhen Shicheng, and with Zhen personally praising the Seventh Prince, it seemed Old Zhen’s words were sincere…
“Your Majesty?” Seeing Emperor Jingming’s fixed stare after Yu Jin’s cryptic words, the Empress Dowager spoke up in reminder.
Emperor Jingming could barely keep still.
“Mother, I wish to—”
The Empress Dowager glanced at him and said flatly: “Didn’t Your Majesty summon Prince Yan and his Princess to ask them something?”
Did the Emperor intend to let this matter slide?
The Empress Dowager was both puzzled and angry, very much wanting to crack open Emperor Jingming’s head to see what he was thinking.
Jiang Si found it amusing and secretly touched Yu Jin’s arm.
A Jin was too cunning, knowing the Emperor cared most about that matter and mentioning it immediately. This way, even if they had done something wrong, the Emperor would have no heart to pursue it.
Emperor Jingming indeed had lost interest in pursuing the matter, or at least not at present.
A distant relative causing trouble using Prince Yan’s Princess’s name was nothing compared to finding the person repeatedly stirring up trouble in the palace.
With the Empress Dowager present, Emperor Jingming had to patiently resolve the immediate matter first, though his mood had already shifted.
Before Yu Jin spoke, Emperor Jingming had been angry and planned to discipline the young couple, but now even that anger seemed perfunctory.
“Does my Seventh Son’s wife have a maternal aunt living in your residence?”
The couple was quite surprised by Emperor Jingming’s question.
On their way to the palace, they had considered many possibilities but never imagined it would involve Aunt Dou.
Emperor Jingming had directed the question at Yu Jin, and seeing his silence, frowned slightly: “Why aren’t you speaking?”
This troublesome boy—hurry and resolve this trivial matter so we can discuss important matters.
Jiang Si spoke before Yu Jin: “Yes, my maternal aunt is currently residing in the Prince’s residence.”
Princess Rongyang lowered her eyes and smiled coldly.
Now that Prince Yan’s Princess had admitted it, things would be easier.
Sure enough, Emperor Jingming’s frown deepened as he said gravely: “Does your maternal aunt have a brother?”
Hearing this, Jiang Si had a vague understanding and asked directly: “Has my maternal uncle committed some offense?”
Jiang Si’s straightforward questioning earned Emperor Jingming’s appreciation.
He was in a hurry.
“Your maternal uncle nearly offended the Empress Dowager today.”
Jiang Si couldn’t help looking toward the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager said flatly: “Whether he offended me is insignificant. Princess Yan, do you know your uncle drove someone to their death in the street today?”
After hearing the Empress Dowager’s account of the street incident, Jiang Si frowned slightly.
She had said before that some coincidental events, when examined closely, often revealed inevitable connections.
The Empress Dowager rarely left the palace, yet happened to witness Uncle Dou driving a woman to her death—this seemed too coincidental.
Moreover, Princess Rongyang had accompanied the Empress Dowager…
Jiang Si looked at Princess Rongyang.
Princess Rongyang met her gaze, her lips curved in a cold smile.
After their near-confrontation at Consort Xian’s birthday, there was no need for pretense now.
She wanted this wretch to know the consequences of offending her, so she would learn to behave properly in the future.
Princess Rongyang knew she couldn’t bring down Jiang Si with this incident, but it was enough to teach her a lesson.
Jiang Si found she quite understood Princess Rongyang’s reaction.
Perhaps she would have done the same in her position.
Taking revenge on an enemy who remained unaware was like wearing brocade in the dark—not quite satisfying enough.
Jiang Si bowed to Emperor Jingming: “Father Emperor, Uncle Dou is my grandmother’s nephew. He came to the capital last year, stayed at the Earl’s residence for only one day before moving out, and I haven’t seen him since.”
Before Emperor Jingming could speak, the Empress Dowager said flatly: “So you’re saying this has nothing to do with you?”
Jiang Si shook her head, her expression solemn: “No, this does have to do with me.”
Her statement surprised everyone except Yu Jin.
Had Prince Yan’s Princess lost her mind?
“Uncle Dou is indeed my relative—this is an undeniable fact. His arrogance likely stems from my position as Prince’s Princess. I was completely unaware of his misusing my name to act recklessly, and this is my oversight. I request Father Emperor’s punishment.”
After speaking, Jiang Si quietly knelt.
Seeing this, Yu Jin knelt as well: “Father Emperor, A Si’s status as Princess came through me. Anyone misusing her position to cause trouble is ultimately my responsibility. Please punish me instead.”
Emperor Jingming’s mouth twitched slightly.
If put that way, he had appointed this daughter-in-law despite the Empress Dowager and Consort Xian’s opposition and even bestowed a jade ruyi—wouldn’t that make him partially responsible for today’s events?
“Seventh Son’s Princess, you are with child. Please rise.”
Jiang Si didn’t move: “I cannot use my pregnancy as a shield. If I am at fault, I will not evade responsibility. I request Father Emperor’s punishment.”
Emperor Jingming awkwardly rubbed his nose.
This girl had said everything there was to say—what could he add?