Upon returning to Yanqing Palace, Jiang Man swept the mother-of-pearl hexagonal incense burner off the fragrant table in one furious motion.

“What an Empress Song Yuning—the two of them actually joined forces to trap this palace in unrighteousness.”

Eunuch Chang consoled her softly from the side: “Why should Your Highness be angry? After all, the two of them couldn’t truly harm you. They’re merely struggling on in their last gasps.”

“What do you understand?”

Jiang Man gripped the fragrant table, forcibly suppressing her rage: “How could they be trying to harm me? They’re trying to ruin the reputation of the Chengyang Marquis Residence and Shu’er’s name.”

“Song Yuning today kept saying ‘Shu’er takes after his mother’ over and over—she was mocking this palace for having limited talent, unable to give birth to a son with exceptional gifts!”

“The Empress summoning Yi’er into the palace—do you think she truly wanted to do something to Yi’er? She merely wanted to see Yi’er make a fool of himself, to let everyone know that my Chengyang Marquis Residence cannot produce worthy offspring!”

Growing more furious as she spoke, Jiang Man violently overturned the fragrant table in her hands.

In the struggle for succession among princes, one must seize every moment. Before her was the First Prince who held the advantages of being legitimate-born and eldest, and behind was that half-dead wretch who occupied the Crown Prince’s position in the Eastern Palace. Although in the intervening years the harem fought fiercely and several princes failed to be born, perishing in the palace consorts’ wombs, Shen Qianbai’s existence was still like a thorn in her heart.

Though the Third Prince was young, he already showed his sharp edge. His voice in court grew increasingly strong, with over half the court officials as his supporters.

And the current Emperor had a weak temperament and no great talent. If not for his several elder imperial brothers fighting fiercely back then, some dying and some becoming disabled, how could it have been his turn to ascend the throne?

The court officials already knew the Emperor was incompetent, and several princes had no achievements to speak of. Thus, ever since the Third Prince’s birth, they had continuously placed great hopes on him.

Her Shu’er was already young in age, and couldn’t compare with his elder imperial brothers who had more time to scheme and plan. If she didn’t fight or compete now, taking no action, by the time the Third Prince grew to adulthood with the situation already decided, she and her son would likely have even less chance of struggling or competing!

Originally, she had painstakingly spent seven or eight years before finally getting Shu’er to stand shoulder to shoulder with Shen Qianbai. Who could have imagined that a lowborn slut, in just three to five months, would stir the Marquis Residence into chaos and ruin its reputation?

Now she and Shu’er were even implicated by association.

Jiang Man seethed with anger in her heart, deeply regretting that she had trusted Lin Jiayue.

“Has there been any reply from Yan Zhizhang?”

Eunuch Chang said: “Lord Yan says he has shallow learning and limited talent, and isn’t qualified to be the Fifth Prince’s teacher. Your Highness… this servant feels that Lord Yan is merely a rigid, old-fashioned moralist who truly isn’t qualified to teach the Fifth Prince.”

“Though he may be pedantic, his learning runs deep. More importantly, he is upright and incorruptible. If Shu’er were to study under him, he would surely achieve great things.”

Jiang Man’s hands curled slightly, her expression sharp: “This palace values precisely his adherence to the teacher’s way and strict methods of instruction. If he were a smooth operator who knew how to flatter, this palace would look down on him instead.”

“His refusal now is likely due to worries about the Marquis Residence’s poor reputation and that this palace’s son has limited natural talent.”

“The Empress and Song Yuning… hmph.”

Jiang Man laughed coldly: “Don’t those two excel at exploiting every opening and breathing through the same nostril? This palace will give them the opportunity—let them embrace each other as they descend to the Yellow Springs to properly discuss their deep sisterly affection.”

“Those two fellow townsmen of yours at the First Prince’s residence—it’s time to let them make their move.”

Eunuch Chang startled at these words, then nodded.

Flinging away the jade bracelet that had just shattered, Jiang Man’s expression was sinister.

Song Yuning had a glib tongue, but all she knew was stirring up trouble, employing the methods of women in the inner quarters. Splashing her with dirty water today, framing her with some charge tomorrow—what could any of that do to her?

She simply couldn’t be bothered to engage in verbal disputes with these palace women.

“Have those two stir up more trouble. If the Third Prince dies, won’t this realm belong to his Shen Qianchi?”

The Crown Prince had been paralyzed for so many years—his death was only a matter of time. Right now, Shen Qianchi and Shu’er’s reputations weren’t much different, but Shen Qianchi held the advantage of being legitimate-born and eldest, and was nearly twenty years older than Shu’er. If someone gave him a push at this moment, he would surely be tempted.

Perhaps that fool would get hot-headed and might even pull that old thing down from his position.

Jiang Man brushed her skirt lightly, cold light filling her eyes: “They truly think everyone in my Chengyang Marquis Residence are fools.”

“Inform Yi’er about the First Prince’s residence matter. This palace does not wish to see Shen Qianbai live past this winter!”

Eunuch Chang acknowledged and turned to leave.

Song Wan returned to the residence with Jiang Xingjian and Lin Jiayue, the three sitting together in one carriage with an atmosphere of extreme oppression.

Lin Jiayue nestled in Jiang Xingjian’s embrace, paying no mind to his body being rigid with stiffness.

“Brother Xingjian, Yue’er is so frightened.”

Song Wan lowered her eyes, her cheeks burning, but could only repeatedly remind herself in her heart to see no evil.

The carriage was already cramped, and now with one more person it seemed even more confined. Yet Lin Jiayue pressed her entire body against Jiang Xingjian, speaking word by word of her worries and fears, as well as her admiration and gratitude.

Though only in the palace for a single day, Lin Jiayue seemed to have become a different person. Earlier she had still seemed sickly, but now her eyes were filled with a vitality and fervor that others couldn’t understand.

“It’s all Yue’er’s fault. That rouge shop surely cannot continue operating. Brother Xingjian, don’t be afraid—Yue’er has prepared a general goods shop…”

Jiang Xingjian pressed down on Lin Jiayue, saying in a low voice: “Your health hasn’t recovered yet. There’s no need to think about these things.”

“How can that be? Do you no longer trust Yue’er? I know I was wrong. This general goods shop definitely won’t be like that one.”

“Brother Xingjian, please give Yue’er another chance. This time I’ll only be responsible for design drawings. After the items are made, if you think there are no problems, then we can put them in the shop to sell—is that acceptable? Believe in me, give Yue’er a chance to make amends for my errors.”

Jiang Xingjian’s expression was ugly. Song Wan, however, very much hoped he would agree. She wanted to know what Lin Jiayue planned to do in the future.

It must be said that Lin Jiayue’s previous handiwork had aroused her almost unprecedented curiosity.

When the carriage arrived at the Marquis Residence, Jiang Xingjian fled down from it.

At dinner time, everyone received news that Huanyan Studio had been raided by the Emperor. The shopkeeper couldn’t endure the eighty heavy strikes of the rod and died early.

When Qing Zhai reported this news to Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan said lightly that it was a pity.

“Have someone send some compensation silver to his wife and children, and additionally escort them out of the capital.”

Having said this, Jiang Yan continued eating with his head lowered, never mentioning it again.

He had placed some people under Lin Jiayue’s command, originally prepared to lend that person assistance when necessary. Who could have known that the current development of events far exceeded his expectations?

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yan put down the jade chopsticks in his hand, having lost his appetite.

He took the soft cloth from Qing Zhai’s hand and wiped his hands clean.

Five days later would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. This year the Emperor had chosen the Third Prince to light the palace lanterns at Dengtian Tower before Dongzhi Gate. On that day, the entire residence would surely go out to view the lanterns. Jiang Yan uncomfortably pinched his itching fingertips, forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his heart.

Ever since that person no longer managed the household affairs of the Marquis Residence, and with the Old Madam being ill and exempted from morning and evening attendance, he hadn’t seen her in quite some time.

The Mid-Autumn lantern lighting would likely be the only opportunity to see her before winter arrived.

Thinking of this, a trace of tenderness floated in Jiang Yan’s eyes.

He walked to the redwood wardrobe in the room and began selecting the clothing he would need for that day with joy and earnestness.