Near dusk, two ministers walked along the palace pathway.

Recalling the matters just discussed in the imperial study, both were somewhat silent.

After a long while, seeing no one ahead or behind, someone finally spoke.

“Do you think when Junior Preceptor Xie left out that one word earlier—was it intentional or unintentional?”

“Who can know.”

“But I pondered it—though no one mentioned it at the time, surely we weren’t the only ones who caught it?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Then why didn’t anyone bring it up in court?”

“How do you know no one brought it up?”

The person who’d spoken first felt a sudden chill in his heart, as if contemplating something, and shuddered.

The other person patted his shoulder.

As if consoling him, yet asking: “Since you also caught it, why didn’t you bring it up in court?”

That person replied: “In my heart, I felt the marquis’s estate was too pitiable…”

The other person then sighed: “Sigh, isn’t that exactly it?”

That person still hadn’t quite figured it out: “I just don’t understand Junior Preceptor Xie—what was his purpose?”

The other person laughed once: “What kind of person do you think Junior Preceptor Xie is?”

That person answered without hesitation: “A capable minister of the court, pillar of the state, skilled in strategy, deeply farsighted.”

The other person then said: “Then do you think he would say such things to bring disaster upon himself?”

That person froze.

A normal person naturally wouldn’t do such a thing—much less Xie Wei, with his outstanding intelligence and schemes?

Pondering it more deeply, somehow a chill crept in.

The wind grew cold. Both men tucked their hands into their official robe sleeves, gradually approaching the palace gate, departing the palace.

In the imperial study, however, a group of Cabinet ministers still gathered.

The sky had darkened, and lamps had already been lit.

All around was bright as day. The brilliant lamplight shone upon Shen Lang’s face with its uncertain moods. His eyes stared fixedly at several opened letters on the table—letters confiscated from the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate!

Several Cabinet Grand Secretaries who truly had a voice in court all stood below with heads bowed.

The slightly flickering light made their shadows, elongated on the ground, sway along with it.

Grand Secretary and Chief Minister Yan Ting was advanced in years. His eyelids drooping, he was already somewhat drowsy. Seeing Shen Lang stare at those several letters for a long time, calculating it was nearly time for the palace gates to be locked, and seeing the others beside him all remain silent, he could only sigh inwardly in his heart. He spoke first: “These letters all come from contact between the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate and the rebel faction of Prince Pingnan. Perhaps they’re merely to deceive others, or perhaps the marquis’s estate was deceived by the rebel faction. It was twenty years ago—how can there be such certainty?”

Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan, ever since seeing these several letters when confiscating the marquis’s estate, had been restless. These several days and nights, he hadn’t slept well. His eyes were full of red veins, looking quite frightening.

Hearing Yan Ting speak, he couldn’t restrain himself and almost immediately stepped forward.

At this moment, his voice clearly held some anger: “Grand Secretary Yan speaks correctly. That the marquis’s estate had contact with the rebel faction is fact. Twenty years ago during Prince Pingnan’s siege of the capital, my child, not yet seven years old, already died miserably under the rebels’ blades! The deceased are gone. Yan Mu is not ignorant that Prince Pingnan and the Heavenly Doctrine rebels were the chief culprits who brought my Xiao clan’s flesh and blood to death. Knowing this yet still consorting with tigers—what vicious hearts, deserving of execution! These letters are merely excuses for contact with Prince Pingnan’s rebel faction. In truth, they secretly colluded with rebels, plotting rebellion!”

“Enough!”

Unexpectedly, Shen Lang’s patience today seemed particularly insufficient. Having only heard the two speak a few sentences, he actually directly slammed the table with force. His face was dark as water, his voice revealing some sinister quality.

“It would be best if the letter correspondence is false. But what if what Prince Pingnan’s rebel faction says is actually true?”

Xiao Yuan met Shen Lang’s gaze. Thinking that if that child truly hadn’t died, if he’d truly been taken away by the Heavenly Doctrine’s leader—in this instant, he suddenly shivered violently!

Almost everyone in the imperial study was a veteran minister of the court. Even if they hadn’t personally heard of that palace secret from twenty years ago, based on fragmentary clues, they had their own speculations.

Hearing Shen Lang’s words now, each one fell silent, not daring to speak.

Outside, cold wind blew against the windows, beating the window paper with wailing sounds.

Everyone’s shadows cast in dark black upon the walls.

At this time, this place, this moment—it didn’t seem like the imperial study for discussing state affairs, but rather like an abandoned ancient mountain temple. Wind rushed through, swift as mountain ghosts crying at night, inexplicably making one feel that souls already sealed in coffins would step out from graves treading through blood everywhere to collect debts from the living!

Xie Wei stood quietly in the corner, shadows covering half his form.

No one spoke anymore.

Shen Lang finally thought of him, turning his gaze over to look at him: “What does Teacher Xie think?”

Only then did Xie Wei raise his eyes. Bowing slightly, he said: “Regarding the matter of Prince Pingnan’s rebel faction twenty years ago, this subject isn’t very clear and doesn’t know what problems these letters contain. It seems that if Heir Dingfei is still alive in this world, it’s heaven showing pity. One should congratulate Duke Dingguo on news of his beloved son.”

When he spoke to this point, Xiao Yuan’s face had nearly turned the color of pig liver.

The others in the imperial study also all had varied expressions.

But thinking it over immediately, they felt relieved: Xie Wei was from Jinling. From childhood, he’d lived in Jiangnan. Not until age twenty when taking the imperial examinations did he come to the capital. Naturally, he wasn’t clear about this old matter. Speaking this way had nothing wrong with it.

After Xie Wei finished speaking, he also looked at the others’ expressions. Not knowing whether he felt that not knowing this matter made it inconvenient to speak more, he turned the conversation: “However, this subject thinks the urgent priority probably isn’t pursuing these several letters. Today, this subject saw that the Northern Judicial Office submitted a memorial saying they captured a batch of Heavenly Doctrine missionaries in villages and towns around the capital—over thirty people. How should they be dealt with?”

Hearing this, Shen Lang immediately said: “Excellent capture!”

He stood up, hands behind his back, pacing several steps in the imperial study: “Throw them all into the imperial prison. Have the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard cross-examine them in rotation. We must interrogate something from their mouths! The Marquis of Yongyi’s estate’s rebellion, Heavenly Doctrine rebels outside the capital—this is absolutely no coincidence!”

Xie Wei thus said: “Yes.”

Shen Lang was about to inquire more closely.

But at this time, a eunuch came from outside, whispering a few words into the ear of Wang Xingjia, the Directorate of Ceremonial’s Chief Eunuch. Wang Xingjia’s eyes widened, his face full of shock and joy. He hurriedly asked: “Truly?”

The eunuch said softly: “The Imperial Medical Bureau confirmed it’s preserved. The empress only then sent someone to report—truly.”

Shen Lang then frowned and asked: “What matter?”

Wang Xingjia’s face broke into smiles. Holding his whisk in his hand, he came forward and bowed to Shen Lang, calling out loudly: “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!”

Shen Lang started.

The eyes of all the ministers in the imperial study fell even more upon Wang Xingjia.

Wang Xingjia then continued: “Her Ladyship Consort Wen of Pixiang Hall is with child. The Imperial Medical Bureau just examined her pulse. Her Ladyship the Empress sent someone to report this joyous news to Your Majesty!”

The expression on Shen Lang’s entire face changed—an incredulous wild joy. He couldn’t restrain himself and gripped Wang Xingjia forcefully, asking: “Truly, truly?!”

Wang Xingjia said: “Truly. If you go see for yourself, won’t you believe it?”

At this moment, how could Shen Lang still remember any affairs of state?

With a wave of his hand, he walked directly outside the imperial study: “Proceed to Pixiang Hall!”

He actually left all the ministers behind, bringing a vast procession of eunuchs and palace maids, heading straight to Pixiang Hall.

The ministers left behind in the imperial study immediately looked at each other. However, recalling the news just heard, their expressions were each varied.

Xie Wei’s brow furrowed unconsciously.

Shadows covered his face. No one saw this subtle expression.

In Cining Palace, Empress Dowager Xiao finally heavily threw her hand warmer onto the table. Not a trace of joy appeared on her face at learning a consort was pregnant and had preserved the child.

Xiao Shu stood below, her complexion also poor.

Empress Dowager Xiao said through gritted teeth: “Never mind that this matter failed to kill three birds with one stone—we couldn’t even accomplish the most crucial point!”

Xiao Shu didn’t dare contradict her. Toward this aunt, she held some reverence. Recalling that scene in the plum garden, she only felt chill seep from the bottom of her heart. The faces of the Jiang sisters overlapped as they passed through her mind.

She lowered her head.

Not particularly flustered, only quietly saying: “Originally thought Jiang Xuening was the difficult one to deal with. Didn’t expect the truly troublesome one is her elder sister.”

Empress Dowager Xiao was somewhat embarrassed and angry: “You said before that the embroidered handkerchief Jie’er hid was very likely this Jiang Xuehui’s?”

Xiao Shu said lightly: “Eighty percent certain.”

Empress Dowager Xiao said coldly: “They’re all disasters!”

News of Consort Wen’s pregnancy grew wings, flying throughout the entire harem in one afternoon. Though people didn’t dare openly discuss it, looking at each other’s faces, all were somewhat strange.

His Majesty still had no prince.

No one dared imagine what kind of震荡 would be caused throughout the entire harem if Consort Wen’s pregnancy produced a male heir in one stroke.

Yangzhi Studio, where Jiang Xuening and the others resided, after all wasn’t the harem. They only knew surface information—hearing that Consort Wen was immediately promoted to Zhaoyi, His Majesty bestowed great quantities of rewards flowing like water into Pixiang Hall. The entire Imperial Medical Bureau was personally summoned by His Majesty for a lecture, demanding they henceforth wholeheartedly attend to Consort Wen’s pregnancy.

No—she should now be called Zhaoyi Wen.

Learning that Zhaoyi Wen’s pregnancy had no incident, Yao Xi breathed a complete sigh of relief. Like someone drained of strength, her legs nearly went soft, almost collapsing to the ground.

Everyone consoled her, saying it was all right now.

Only then did Yao Xi burst into tears again, as if venting.

Jiang Xuehui, however, frowned, watching coldly from the side.

When returning to their rooms at night, Jiang Xuehui was actually in the same direction as Jiang Xuening, walking together.

In the cold wind, palace lanterns swayed gently along the corridor.

Jiang Xuening carefully recalled this elder sister’s keenness in the plum garden during the day. She had to admire—this was truly a young lady from a great family taught by the Meng clan. Her perception was truly acute. She said: “Elder sister will get her wish this time.”

Jiang Xuehui also discovered that this younger sister of hers, starting several months ago, seemed to have become much more clever than before. For her to see through some matters was truly within expectation. She showed no guilt whatsoever, only saying: “Even if I also have ulterior motives, after all, I saved a life. If one knows yet stands by with folded arms—that would be creating evil karma. As it is now, it can be considered the best of both worlds.”

She didn’t deny having selfish motives in the slightest.

Jiang Xuening said: “Zhaoyi Wen will certainly remember you. If His Majesty learns of this, he’ll probably also bestow rewards. However, doing this, you’ve also offended people.”

Jiang Xuehui was rather open-minded: “Where there’s seeking, there must be sacrifice. Living in this world, how can one make everyone approve of oneself? If I offend, then I offend.”

Jiang Xuening then smiled.

Her room was a bit further ahead. Having already walked there, she stopped, looked at Jiang Xuehui, and said “Then I wish you good luck.” Without saying more, she pushed open her door and walked inside.

Just as Jiang Xuening said, by noon the next day, a group of eunuchs hurriedly arrived at Yangzhi Studio carrying various rewards. Some were from Zhaoyi Wen, others came from Emperor Shen Lang’s commendation, praising Jiang Xuehui’s intelligence and benevolence.

Those rewards were so abundant, they made people’s eyes turn red.

However, in contrast was another sentence in the imperial decree that showed no mercy in rebuking Yao Xi, who had also been present and was also a study companion of Yangzhi Studio. She was timid and unseemly, nearly causing an incident with the imperial heir in Zhaoyi Wen’s womb. She was commanded to immediately pack her things and leave the palace—an imperial decree directly expelling her from the study companions!

When Yao Xi, who yesterday thought she’d already escaped disaster, knelt on the ground receiving the decree, she was completely dazed.

As soon as the decree-transmitting eunuch left, she stood up and walked two steps, her head dizzy.

Everyone didn’t know how to console her.

After all, how difficult it was to be selected to enter the palace as a study companion—everyone knew. Yet now, actually being rebuked by His Majesty with an imperial decree and expelled from the palace—when this spread to the capital’s high families, she’d be utterly disgraced. With her reputation ruined going forward, how could she marry?!

Yao Xi was in a trance, her steps unsteady.

Everyone only saw her walk to the doorway. About to lift her foot to step over the threshold, her body swayed, and she actually toppled forward headfirst!

“Miss Yao, Miss Yao!”

For a moment, everyone was alarmed, hurrying forward to help her.

Jiang Xuening, however, was too lazy for such superficial gestures, only watching coldly from the side: When Yao Xi and You Yue schemed as if no one else existed, wanting to ruin Zhang Zhe’s reputation to achieve their goal of breaking the engagement—scheming to harm others—had they ever thought there would be today’s outcome?

Cause and effect were linked. It was deserved.

Her gaze turned from the crowd and looked toward another person in this Liushui Pavilion who hadn’t rushed forward to help—

Xiao Shu.

Xiao Shu met Jiang Xuening’s gaze for a moment, then glanced at Jiang Xuehui, who stood beside the crowd, unremarkable and unassuming. The smile at the corners of her lips was shallow: “Axi’s luck is truly bad.”

Jiang Xuening laughed coldly in her heart, but on the surface only agreed: “Yes, very bad indeed.”

How could this matter be as simple as it appeared on the surface?

During the sachet incident, Xiao Shu had already intended to eliminate Yao Xi. When admiring plum blossoms, Consort Qin had proactively brought Yao Xi along. Shortly after, when the incident occurred, Yao Xi’s expression was wrong—clearly wanting to refute Consort Qin but not knowing where to start and not daring to. Next, Jiang Xuehui spoke up to remind, and Zhaoyi Wen only learned she was pregnant after returning to the palace.

A meticulously planned scheme!

Someone had known about Zhaoyi Wen’s pregnancy even earlier than she herself. They wanted to use this to eliminate Zhaoyi Wen’s child while conveniently eliminating Yao Xi. Failing to include herself probably made the schemer of this plot somewhat regretful.

Of course, that Zhaoyi Wen’s unborn child was unharmed—this probably made the person behind it feel like a bone stuck in their throat!

However, this matter involved far too much. If investigated deeply, who knew how deep it would go.

Jiang Xuening truly didn’t wish to wade into it.

In this life, having Jiang Xuehui stir things up was sufficient. She’d act as if she knew nothing, only protect herself wisely, guarding against others harming her.

The palace was truly lively for a while.

She heard Shen Lang was so delighted he held a great banquet for all his ministers.

This could probably be considered the only good news Jiang Xuening heard amid various dangers and difficulties: Because she’d brought Jiang Xuehui into the palace, she’d inadvertently changed Zhaoyi Wen’s fate, thereby preserving Zhaoyi Wen’s child. The emperor’s mood hadn’t soured. Perhaps when handling court affairs, compared to her previous life, he’d be somewhat more merciful.

She just didn’t know if the people in court could seize this opportunity…

After all, the harem was fraught with danger. How long Zhaoyi Wen’s child could be preserved was still an unknown!

For one thing, Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi was still under house arrest. For another, such an incident with Yao Xi had occurred in Yangzhi Studio. For a third, with the incident at the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate, neither inside nor outside the palace was peaceful. Two days after Zhaoyi Wen received her promotion and rewards, the palace temporarily dismissed the Yangzhi Studio study companions, having them return home first. When Her Highness the Grand Princess’s house arrest was lifted, they could enter the palace again.

But Jiang Xuehui alone was kept behind.

It was said to be at Zhaoyi Wen’s instruction, asking Jiang Xuehui to stay at Pixiang Hall for several days to chat and dispel boredom.

Clearly, this was favor gained because of that plum garden incident.

The others couldn’t envy it.

After receiving the order, everyone packed their luggage to leave the palace.

The others were somewhat anxious and uneasy. Jiang Xuening, however, breathed a long sigh of relief at this. After others left the palace, they returned to their estates. She, however, recalled that at the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate’s time of crisis, it was probably also a time when money was needed. Her thoughts turning, she instructed the carriage driver to first head to the Embroidered Uniform Guard yamen.

Today, Zhou Yinzhi should be on duty.

Seeing her arrive, he immediately knew her purpose. He personally dismissed idle personnel and, under the pretext of visiting prisoners, brought her to You Fangying’s cell.

You Fangying was reading a book facing the daylight streaming through the window.

Jiang Xuening thought it would be account books as usual. Unexpectedly, walking over to look, it was actually a book titled “Travels in Shu.” From the name, it seemed to introduce the customs and culture of the Shu region.

She was immediately somewhat surprised: “Why suddenly reading this?”

You Fangying knew few characters, so reading was laborious. Thus, she was especially concentrated. Only when Jiang Xuening walked to her side did she notice, even getting a fright.

However, the next moment, her face broke into smiles.

Jiang Xuening had never seen such a brilliant smile on her face. For a moment, she was somewhat dazed.

You Fangying bit her lip: “What Second Miss said last time was right. Fangying carefully thought it over and has already found a method. If all goes smoothly, within two months, I can leave the Earl’s estate.”

Jiang Xuening froze: “Truly?”

You Fangying opened her eyes wide and nodded forcefully.

Jiang Xuening still couldn’t quite process it, subconsciously saying: “What method?”

At this time, You Fangying seemed somewhat nervous. Her cheeks suddenly flushed completely red as she said something in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s buzz: “It’s just…”

Jiang Xuening didn’t hear clearly: “What?”

You Fangying finally gathered her courage, her voice becoming louder: “I’m going to marry.”

“…”

Jiang Xuening felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, her eyelids twitching, with an ominous premonition.

She couldn’t utter a single word.

But You Fangying feared she’d misunderstand and hurriedly waved her hands to explain: “Don’t worry. I found that Young Master Ren from the Shu region. It’s not real marriage—it’s a fake marriage. I established a contract with him. After arriving in the Shu region, we can separate. At that time, Fangying will be a free person, able to leave the Earl’s estate and wholeheartedly work for you!”

A contract, a fake marriage!

Jiang Xuening was dumbstruck, unable to believe what she was hearing: This shocking and unprecedented method—probably even the You Fangying she’d known in her previous life wouldn’t have dared imagine it! The audacity was just too, too…