But this thought was too bold and audacious. Even Liang Zhe was startled by her speculation and instinctively reached out to cover her mouth, afraid someone might overhear.

Then, they decided to stop there and not investigate further.

The various strange behaviors of Old Madam Liang before and after entering the palace made Qin Shuying vigilant. Old Madam Liang seemed very familiar with Emperor Delong and appeared confident of victory.

If Old Madam Liang were to make false accusations first, she would be in danger—her life would be finished!

Sure enough, while Old Madam Liang had been forced into a position with almost no resistance earlier, when Emperor Delong entered, she was obviously much more relaxed.

There was something fishy here!

If her speculation was correct, then Old Madam Liang’s reclusive lifestyle and Empress Wen’s refusal to see outsiders could all be explained. Then…

Qin Shuying looked deeply at Princess Liang, who was still in a daze, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly in her heart.

Today’s Princess Liang was also a stroke of genius. Without Princess Liang, this battle would have taken much more time to fight, and at this moment, it would still be difficult to determine the winner.

Old Madam Liang had already been dragged away by Zhao Quansheng and his men. The warm pavilion buzzed with discussion and whispered conversations. Consort De didn’t stop them but sat there restlessly, absentmindedly sipping tea.

It wasn’t until Princess Fuping, who had been silently standing behind her, tugged at her sleeve and whispered a reminder: “Mother Consort, you’ve had too much.”

Only then did Consort De realize that her personal palace maid was holding a teapot, looking at her with a horrified expression.

Princess Fuping whispered again: “Mother Consort, you should comfort the Liang family’s eldest daughter-in-law.”

Consort De came to her senses and let out a long breath.

This matter concerned her own life, so it was no wonder she had been lost in thought.

Consort De cleared her throat. “Ahem.”

The palace maid immediately announced: “Consort De has something to say.”

The women who had been discussing excitedly gradually lowered their voices and turned to look at Consort De.

Consort De spoke: “Eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family, I truly never imagined that remnants of the Qifeng Dynasty would dare impersonate Old Madam Liang. You must have been greatly frightened. I too was shocked by her audacious behavior. Speaking of which, though I’ve lived through thirty springs and autumns, I’ve never heard of such an unthinkable thing. These Qifeng Dynasty remnants truly have the hearts of wolves and thieves—they deserve death ten thousand times over!”

A trace of emotion appeared on Qin Shuying’s grief-stricken face. “With Your Ladyship’s words, if my grandmother has a spirit in heaven, she should be comforted.”

The corner of Princess Liang’s mouth twitched.

She didn’t know what this eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family was really thinking. Did she truly believe Old Madam Liang was fake, or was she deliberately acting this way?

Regardless of what she thought, the thirty-to-forty-year grudge between her, Princess Liang, and Luo Yanyan finally had a resolution.

She had vented her anger thoroughly!

This trip today was worth it.

If it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, Princess Liang would have wanted to laugh heartily and walk out.

But she still had to pretend to be sad and comfort Qin Shuying: “Eldest daughter-in-law of the Liang family, I never imagined these Qifeng Dynasty remnants would be so arrogant, openly plotting to kill you and your husband. Fortunately, His Majesty is wise and prevented her evil scheme from succeeding! You need not worry—His Majesty will surely investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Qin Shuying thanked Princess Liang and once again thanked Consort De and the other noble ladies.

The women immediately began chattering again: “Openly sending messages to Qifeng Dynasty remnants, plotting to kill Liang the Commissioner and his wife—truly unforgivable!”

“Making wild accusations and implicating men everywhere—how shameless!”

“If the old Marquis of Pingxi and Old Madam Liang knew from beyond the grave, they’d probably jump up and strangle her!”

“The Qifeng Dynasty originally rose to power through women—they were inherently shameless.”

“Who knows how much Old Madam Liang suffered when she died, to let this remnant succeed!”

“This remnant looks to be in her forties—who knows when she succeeded. Sigh, Old Madam Liang lived a life of vegetarian diet and Buddhist devotion, such a kind person, yet she was killed by this woman’s own hands!”

“Old Madam Liang always pitied the poor and helpless, donating large amounts of silver and grain every year, yet she was killed by this woman—how pitiful!”

…

Qin Shuying began to detect something in their words. It seemed these women had all noticed something amiss and were determined to solidify the fact that Old Madam Liang was fake.

After all, these were the most shrewd and capable women of the Great Zhou—who among them was a fool?

It was perfect to stew them all in one pot; then Emperor Delong wouldn’t be able to make an example of anyone.

Of course, this included herself.

What had been a pleasant ice sculpture banquet—four people came, three people returned.

When they boarded the carriage home in the dim evening light, Liang Qiong looked at Qin Shuying with eyes filled with fear, a deep-seated terror.

Luo Meixiang sat in another warm compartment. When Old Madam Liang was dragged away, she was naturally shocked, and soon after learning the whole story, she was stunned speechless.

Although she had been suspicious that Old Madam Liang was fake these past days, after so many years of interaction, Luo Meixiang suddenly became aware of many problems.

Luo Meixiang was in a daze. Was Old Madam Liang real or fake?

Why, at this moment, did she feel a wave of heartache and panic?

They had come in two carriages, but when returning, the three of them tacitly boarded the same carriage.

After the carriage had been traveling for quite a while, Qin Shuying said calmly: “Madam, His Majesty has determined that the old madam is fake and has imprisoned her. At this moment, people sent to seal Ning Garden should already be on their way. Madam, do you know what you should do?”

Luo Meixiang couldn’t help but exclaim “Ah!” She was silent for a moment, then said: “I know.”

“The Emperor’s will cannot be defied. It’s good that you understand, Madam.”

Then came the suffocating, monotonous sound of horse hooves again.

As Qin Shuying expected, Emperor Delong indeed ordered a nighttime raid on Ning Garden.

The Earl of Pingxi’s mansion had an uneasy night, with everyone forbidden to go out.

Liang Yunshan, who hadn’t appeared at Ning Garden for a long time, appeared outside Ning Garden, silently watching the soldiers going in and out, standing wordlessly not far from Zhao Quansheng.

At dawn, Zhao Quansheng finally finished investigating everything, had Ning Garden sealed, and the Liang family members were still not allowed to enter or leave.

Afterwards, Zhao Quansheng went to report.

On the morning of the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhao Quansheng came to the Earl of Pingxi’s mansion again, permitting the Liang family women to see Old Madam Liang once.

So Luo Meixiang, Liang Zhen, Qin Shuying, Liang Qiong, and Meng Shi—five people went together.

Old Madam Liang was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, which no one had expected.

The Imperial Prison required the Emperor’s personal edict to imprison someone. Those held inside were naturally criminals the Emperor considered very important.

To be imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, Luo Yanyan’s life was finally worth something.

Qin Shuying thought with no small amount of malice.

Using such an ending to exchange for the Liang family’s reputation, to secure Liang Yunshan’s position as legitimate son, sacrificing only her alone while the Liang family gained what they wanted.

Luo Yanyan, you died for a worthy cause.