“Exactly.” Lin Shi said in a concentrated voice, “Taking a step back, even if it were false, it would have been arranged beforehand. The Crown Prince would have already sent people to make arrangements. How could he leave any flaws for us to investigate?”

Liuxia hadn’t expected that from just this short conversation, they could discern so many details, “So you’re saying… we’ve been busy for nothing and discovered nothing?”

Jixiang’s bright black and white eyes rolled several times as she said, “Although we currently cannot prove that Talented Lady Yin and the others are courtesans, we could present the suspicious points to His Majesty. With His Majesty’s wisdom, he would surely send people to investigate.”

“Are you certain His Majesty would truly investigate?” Yunyi’s question left Jixiang stunned. She asked in confusion, “Why wouldn’t he? That would be…”

“Just speculation, without evidence. Saying that two currently favored consorts are from brothels—His Majesty would only think Consort Shu is jealous of them and intends to harm them. Then, if Talented Lady Yin and the others whisper in His Majesty’s ear, this accusation would become even more solid.”

Jixiang was left without ideas by her words, “Then… then what should we do?”

Lin Shi said slowly, “Find concrete evidence that they cannot deny.”

“But didn’t we just say…” Before Jixiang could continue, Lin Shi had already said to Yunyi, “The realm is not yet settled. Before pacifying Western Qin, the territory our Great Tang controls is only Chang’an and its vicinity. I suspect that the brothel where Lady Yin and the other stayed should be in this area.”

Yunyi nodded, “I think the same. However, there are many brothels and pleasure quarters inside and outside Chang’an city. Checking them one by one would take considerable time.”

Lin Shi said with firm resolve, “No matter how time-consuming, we must investigate. We absolutely cannot allow these two women of unknown origins to stir up trouble in the palace.”

Yunyi leaned forward slightly in her chair, “I understand. I will find ways to investigate. Your Ladyship can rest assured.”

Lin Shi nodded and added, “Both my elder brothers serve in Chang’an. Though their official positions aren’t high, they should be able to help somewhat. Early tomorrow morning, I’ll send someone with a letter asking them to help you investigate together. We must quickly determine their identities.”

While they were discussing, Lady Zhang, who had returned to the Lateral Courts, was also speaking with Lady Yin with a grave expression, “We’ve had no dealings with Consort Shu before, yet today she inexplicably invited us to appreciate flowers. Once there, she had you play the flute and asked all those questions. In my opinion, nine times out of ten, she suspects our identities.”

Lady Yin glanced at her and said irritably, “Such an obvious thing—do you need to point it out!”

Lady Zhang laughed awkwardly, then said nervously, “Then what do we do now? Since they’re suspicious, they certainly won’t let this go and will definitely investigate further. What if…”

“What if what?” Lady Yin coldly interrupted her words, “His Highness the Crown Prince has already arranged everything for us. They can’t find anything based on their abilities—it will just be futile effort.”

“That may be so, but it’s not the ten thousand we should fear, but the one in ten thousand chance. After all…” Lady Zhang’s voice paused, then she continued, “In any case, I think we should still think of a counterstrategy. We can’t be so passive.”

This time, Lady Yin didn’t scold her again. After pacing back and forth in the room several times, she turned her head, “A’ji.”

Following her voice, a eunuch walked to her side, “What are Talented Lady’s instructions?”

Lady Yin whispered in his ear for a while. He listened and nodded. After Lady Yin finished, he lowered his eyes, “This servant understands everything clearly. Should I go now?”

Lady Yin said, “Go. Remember, these words can only be spoken privately to His Highness the Crown Prince. They must not reach a third ear.”

“Yes, this servant takes his leave.” After A’ji had gone far, Lady Zhang asked curiously, “Sister, what message did you have him convey?”

Lady Yin sneered, “Aren’t they trying to investigate our backgrounds? Then I’ll help them out, let them investigate clearly and thoroughly, so they won’t keep pestering us.”

Hearing this, Lady Zhang stood up in shock, staring at Lady Yin with a pale face, “Sister, have you gone mad? Actually helping them investigate ourselves! Once His Majesty learns that we are… of such origins, he’ll surely be furious. Then, not to mention favor, we probably won’t even have a place to stand in this harem.”

Facing her words, Lady Yin, who had returned to sit in her chair, remained calm and composed, as if everything being discussed had nothing to do with her. Only after Lady Zhang’s repeated urgings did she say indifferently, “I haven’t lost my mind. How could I truly help them? I’m just digging a trap for them.” As she spoke, she sneered, “First Grade Consort Shu, hmph, I want to see just how remarkable she is.”

Two days later, the rewards that had been delayed for over a month finally came down. Li Shimin had made great contributions this time, and everyone thought Li Yuan would grant generous rewards. Unexpectedly, he was merely appointed Grand Commandant and given an additional two thousand households in fief. Besides this, there was nothing else.

Li Shimin didn’t care whether the rewards were generous or meager, but Liu Wenjing, Zhangsun Wuji, and others couldn’t stand it. They submitted memorials several times, but whether through face-to-face audiences or written submissions, Li Yuan remained silent on this matter, showing no intention of additional rewards.

Liu Wenjing was single-mindedly trying to win the proper rewards for Li Shimin, but he didn’t know that everything he was doing had already displeased Li Yuan. Even less did he know that this displeasure would ultimately bring him mortal danger.

After Yunyi returned from Zhaoying Palace, she secretly investigated the pleasure quarters inside and outside Chang’an city. According to the investigation, there were more than thirty entertainment districts of various sizes. Based on their speculation about Lady Yin and the other, after screening, more than ten establishments remained. Yunyi drew portraits of Lady Yin and Lady Zhang and handed them to Lin Shi’s two elder brothers, having them investigate establishment by establishment.

During this period, the Prince of Qin’s residence had double happiness—both Yunyi and Zhangsun Shi became pregnant, sweeping away the gloom of losing children half a year ago.

This period in Chang’an could be said to be the most peaceful time since the founding of the nation, but the areas east of Chang’an were anything but peaceful.

Li Mi and Wang Shichong had fought over sixty battles back and forth, with both sides evenly matched—neither could gain advantage. But in such prolonged warfare, Li Mi’s situation was undoubtedly more disadvantageous, especially after the incident with Yuwen Huaji. Though his Wagang Army won, they also suffered heavy losses.

He knew that suffering such devastating losses for the sake of one Luoyang was unwise, but he had no other path. Luoyang was his only foothold, and having paid so much, asking him to give up now was truly unwilling.

If they continued this deadly stalemate, who would win or lose in the end was still unknown. But Wang Shichong was unwilling to remain besieged in the city forever. He wanted to decisively defeat the Wagang Army and eliminate their threat to Luoyang.

Though Li Mi had suffered many losses, he still had considerable forces. But Wang Shichong was different—the troops he could deploy were far fewer than Li Mi’s. Moreover, in the prolonged struggle, his soldiers had been constantly beaten by the Wagang Army, so that upon hearing the three words “Wagang Army,” they would feel fear and even war-weariness.

With insufficient forces and unstable morale, defeating Li Mi under these circumstances was no easy task. But this battle was unavoidable. Wang Shichong was no ordinary person. After much hard thinking, he truly came up with a strategy to boost morale—the theory of ghosts and spirits.