A few days earlier, the incident of the Grand Prince blocking the alley in front of the Tang family’s second branch illegitimate son’s home and causing a scene had become common knowledge throughout the city.

When this prince went mad, he would block people’s doors and make a scene. Who would willingly provoke a madman without reason?

For a time, no one actively approached the Grand Prince and his concubine to speak.

As usual, wherever Feng Yuan went, people parted like water after a ship’s passage, keeping their distance.

Seeing the cold atmosphere around them, Chu Yu, who had arrived earlier, fluttered over like a colorful butterfly in her rose-red gown, smiling as she approached.

After greeting the Grand Prince, Madam Chu warmly greeted Yan Xiaoying: “What a coincidence! I was just wondering if you would come, and then I looked up and saw you!”

Saying this, she affectionately took Xiaoying’s arm and led her to sit at a table surrounded by a circle of noble ladies.

Everyone knew that Madam Chu’s social networking skills were extraordinary.

But the fact that she was so familiar with the mad prince’s concubine was truly eye-opening.

When had they established such a relationship? This Madam Chu truly had no household she couldn’t infiltrate!

Seeing Madam Chu’s familiarity with the Grand Prince’s concubine, showing no surprise or avoidance of her appearance, made the others’ reactions seem exaggerated.

So, following Chu Yu’s lead, those noble ladies slightly closed their half-open mouths, but still couldn’t resist their curiosity. They used their fans to shield their faces while discreetly examining this lady who resembled the Crown Prince.

Some curious ones, after a few pleasantries, couldn’t help but ask which family she came from and how she had met the Grand Prince.

Xiaoying was already well-practiced, recounting half-truthfully how she was the daughter of a salt merchant from Jiangzhe who had been chosen by the Grand Prince to stay by his side.

After hearing this, the looks directed at Yan Xiaoying became more contemptuous—so she was a woman of humble birth!

They couldn’t even praise her for using her beauty to serve others, since she looked just like the Crown Prince. Being entangled with the Crown Prince’s brother wasn’t something to boast about.

As they looked at the young lady again, their gazes mixed with pity for someone beneath them—the Grand Prince’s intentions were obviously to humiliate the Crown Prince!

If the Crown Prince found out, wouldn’t he complain to His Majesty? Then this young lady’s fate would only be death by imperial decree…

Quite a few people held this view, such as the Second Prince’s bride-to-be, who was preparing for her wedding next month. Yao Shu raised her eyebrows and sneered: “So the rumors are true! Not content with causing a scene in Shuanma Lane, the Grand Prince is now determined to drag the imperial family’s face in the mud! What is his intention in parading around with a woman who resembles the Crown Prince?”

The Second Prince had long been extremely curious about his eldest brother’s beloved concubine, so he had asked her to come and investigate. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be such a spectacle that Yao Shu’s face was about to split with glee.

There were naturally many people accompanying the future princess consort and echoing her sentiments.

Mu Yanyan had been listening silently nearby, but her face showed a hint of guilt. The young woman’s thoughts momentarily shifted elsewhere—so the Third Prince’s words had been completely true, which meant she had wronged him!

Then, she thought of Grand Prince Feng Yuan. How could he take a fancy to a woman who looked just like the Crown Prince? The Eldest Brother Feng she remembered shouldn’t have been such a vulgar person!

The young woman’s emotions fluctuated between joy and sorrow, her heart unsettled, as she looked at Yan Xiaoying with reluctance.

Xiaoying remained composed, discreetly looking at the unmarried ladies sitting in the outer hall.

The married noblewomen with status were not there; they should be in the inner tea room. Most of those sitting here were unmarried ladies whom she had seen during the Crown Prince’s consort selection.

Unfortunately, though it was a gathering of familiar faces, she couldn’t acknowledge knowing any of them. She simply smiled at everyone while whispering with Chu Yu.

Xiaoying said: “Just yesterday I happened to meet a manager from a Jiangzhe shipping company who’s in the capital on business. I’ve already told him about your situation, and he will arrange ten heavy-draught large ships from elsewhere for you. Do you think that will be enough?”

Chu Yu hadn’t expected the lady to be so efficient, immediately solving her urgent problem. She was naturally grateful and couldn’t help but advise: “If you have nothing to do later, you should leave with the Grand Prince. Today, Duke Jing’s wife is also here. I noticed the Second Prince’s fiancée repeatedly mentioning to her that your appearance is otherworldly… resembling the Crown Prince.”

The wife of Duke Jing was the birth mother of Empress Tang, and for the Second Prince’s fiancée to openly say such things was stirring up trouble!

Xiaoying understood and nodded with a smile, gratefully squeezing Madam Chu’s hand: “Thank you for the warning.”

Madam Chu sighed slightly. The lady really shouldn’t have come to this occasion today. She had used all her social skills to create a warm atmosphere for Lady Ying, but hopefully, she could withstand the coming embarrassment with grace…

Mu Hanjiang shared the same concern.

He watched coldly, finding an opportunity to approach the Grand Prince: “Your Highness, you are too stubborn. Exposing her like this in public, aren’t you afraid of endangering her?”

Feng Yuan pushed away the wine cup in front of him and said indifferently: “Since the day the Third Prince spoke without restraint, three waves of spies have been sent into my residence. Since everyone is so curious, let them see, so they’ll stop infiltrating my household. As for her safety, I will protect her. No need for your concern.”

Mu Hanjiang’s large hand holding the wine cup tightened slightly.

Just a few days ago, his spy who had returned from Jiangzhe reported that the Crown Prince was gravely ill and living in seclusion. Except for a palace maid named Jian Hu who attended to him, no one else could approach.

Judging by the aggressive medications being used, the Crown Prince’s body probably couldn’t last much longer.

The spy investigating this lady’s background had also returned. What he reported matched exactly what Lady Ying had claimed.

Her name was Yan Xiaoying, the daughter of a salt merchant named Yan from Jiangzhe. Since childhood, she had lived with her father in the marketplace, later engaging in the salt trade. Merchants in the area recognized the lady’s portrait. However, her father, Yan Shan, remained in the Grand Prince’s Tingheart Garden, recovering from illness and hadn’t been seen outside.

Based on her background, she couldn’t have grown up in the capital.

The doubts in Mu Hanjiang’s heart weren’t dispelled by the spy’s report; instead, he felt something was even more suspicious.

The Crown Prince’s sudden illness seemed increasingly genuine, as if he desperately wanted to die in Jiangzhe.

Mu Hanjiang increasingly had the intuition that this lady must have countless connections with the Crown Prince.

Thinking about it now, after returning from four years of confinement, the Crown Prince’s temperament and behavior had undergone earthshaking changes.

And the Crown Prince, who should have had a lame leg, had moved swiftly at His Majesty’s birthday celebration.

At that time, he had deliberately set a fire to sabotage the Empress’s plan to frame the Crown Prince with a horse-riding accident.

Feng Yuan said this lady was originally sought to be the Crown Prince’s body double, but what if she… had been the Crown Prince’s substitute?

And the person who appeared in the hot springs that time, could it have been the real Crown Prince?

All of this could be clarified by explaining it to His Majesty and, with his permission, personally interrogating the Empress to get answers.

But Mu Hanjiang had been hesitating to take action, which contradicted his usual principles.

Mu Hanjiang somewhat despised his untimely hesitation, only because if his thoughts proved true, then she… would likely lose her life.

He thought that if the Crown Prince was unwilling to return to the capital, then whether he was real or fake wouldn’t affect court politics.

Out of some kindness, he was unwilling to poke through the paper window and investigate thoroughly.

But this lady should know better and should not appear before his eyes again.

As for the Grand Prince, he was not someone she should be attaching herself to!

The day he went to deliver the invitation, he had intended to subtly remind the lady to understand her limits and leave the capital before things came to light.

But he never expected the Grand Prince to openly bring her out in public.

Did Feng Yuan not care about this lady’s life at all? He couldn’t have kept her by his side out of affection for her. What was he planning?

Thinking of this, he gave Feng Yuan a cold look and hinted, “If you don’t care for her, you should let her go. Otherwise, when things become unsalvageable, don’t blame me for disregarding old ties!”

Feng Yuan remained unmoved, his gaze even colder: “Our past grudges have been settled, and she has no old ties with you to speak of. Young Master Mu, please mind your words!”

Just as the two men were about to clash, a maid was heard saying: “My lady, Princess Anqing invites you to the tea room for a chat.”

Feng Yuan and Mu Hanjiang both turned their heads to see Princess Anqing’s maid inviting Xiaoying to the tea room.

Upon hearing this, Xiaoying surprisingly didn’t hesitate at all but rose with a smile and followed.

The two quarreling men exchanged a glance and both strode toward the tea room.

Princess Anqing was currently sitting with Madam Gao, the wife of Duke Jing.

Since Consort Yi had entered the palace, she had stabilized the declining fortunes of the Tang family. Madam Jing was very satisfied with this legitimate granddaughter and had been radiant when attending recent tea gatherings.

However, this happy countenance completely vanished when Princess Anqing invited the Grand Prince’s concubine.

She had heard Yao’s daughter mention it earlier but hadn’t quite believed it. How similar could they possibly be?

But now seeing her, the resemblance was astonishing! What was Feng Yuan doing with such a person? Who was he trying to embarrass?

Before Xiaoying could even complete her greeting to the two ladies, Madam Jing coldly said: “Where did this disgraceful thing come from! Parading around with that face!”

Although the Crown Prince was born to the Tang family’s concubine, Madam Gao was the Crown Prince’s legitimate maternal grandmother and naturally had the right to rebuke such absurdity.

Xiaoying, using her sleeve to conceal her greeting, looked back and saw Feng Yuan and Mu Hanjiang entering together.

Perfect. With that madman present, she wouldn’t need to speak first.

So Xiaoying obediently squeezed out a tear, letting it hang on her cheek, appearing wronged and afraid to speak.

Feng Yuan stepped in: “I don’t know how my beloved concubine has offended Madam Jing, that you would speak so harshly upon first meeting?”

Madam Jing was fuming. Did he need to ask?

Did he want her to point out the fact that this lady looked like the Crown Prince? As the eldest son of the royal family, didn’t he feel filthy embracing a woman who looked like his fourth brother every day?

“Your Highness, I’m not meddling, but such a lowly woman truly doesn’t deserve to cross the threshold of Duke Ding’s residence. If you want to amuse yourself, keep her in your prince’s residence. Bringing her out like this, aren’t you just inviting humiliation for her?”

Feng Yuan walked over, helped Xiaoying up from her kneeling position, took her hand, and sat down beside her. Then he looked up at Madam Jing: “Who would dare humiliate my beloved concubine? Please point them out, Madam Gao.”

Feng Yuan’s voice wasn’t loud, but coupled with his piercing, bone-chilling gaze, it made people involuntarily feel a chill.

Madam Jing was accustomed to respect, being both the birth mother of Empress Tang and the grandmother of the currently favored Consort Yi. Even in His Majesty’s presence, she had a certain degree of honor. How could she tolerate being talked back to by a younger generation?

“Your Highness, must I spell it out? As a prince who is not yet married, you brought in a lowly woman from the countryside, and she happens to resemble the Crown Prince. What should people think of this?”

With Madam Jing’s words, the other ladies in the hall remained silent.

Princess Anqing, as the host, also lifted her teacup and sipped unhurriedly, showing no intention of dispersing the awkwardness.

Feng Yuan said coldly: “What? Does your household have an unmarried daughter who hasn’t fetched a good price yet, and you’re planning to send her to my prince’s residence?”

Previously, because of Empress Tang’s obstruction, other Tang family girls couldn’t enter the palace.

This time, with Tang Shi confined, the Tang family had pushed four or five girls into the palace all at once.

This was a tacitly understood matter, but Feng Yuan brought it up mockingly, accusing the Tang family of selling their daughters, which truly put Madam Jing in an awkward position.

“Your Highness, how can you speak like this?”

“If you’re not trying to push someone into my prince’s residence, complaining that Xiaoying is in the way, then whom I take in is none of your damn business!” Feng Yuan, influenced by Xiaoying, had become increasingly proficient at rudely angering people.

When had Madam Jing ever heard vulgar expressions like “damn business”? Her cheeks trembled with anger, and she retorted: “You’re the one talking nonsense! How could I think she’s in the way? She resembles the Crown Prince too much, which is a capital offense!”

Hearing this, Xiaoying burst out laughing: “So Madam Jing has such concerns. When the Crown Prince first saw this servant, he didn’t sentence me to death. The noble one is truly merciful!”

Madam Jing stared in disbelief: “The Crown Prince has also seen you?”

Xiaoying replied without blushing or racing heart: “Yes, this servant was able to serve at the Grand Prince’s side with the Crown Prince’s permission. He even joked that when Nüwa created humans, whipping the clay, some identical clay droplets inevitably splashed out, scattered across the far corners of the world. Most would never meet in this lifetime. If they did meet, they should treat each other like siblings of different parents. His Highness pitied this servant’s difficult life and asked the Grand Prince to take me in. Indeed, this servant has married above her station!”

At these words, Madam Jing couldn’t help but say: “Absurd, how could the Crown Prince possibly…”

Xiaoying continued with confusion: “So Madam Jing reprimands this servant because of my face? But this servant’s appearance was bestowed by my parents, not by my wish. It’s just an unfortunate coincidence that I resemble the noble one. Which law of the Dafeng has this servant violated to deserve both this servant and the Grand Prince being cursed by the Duke’s wife?”

“You…” Madam Jing was momentarily speechless, suddenly realizing she shouldn’t have engaged with such a lowly lady in public.

“Or is Madam Jing implying that the Crown Prince isn’t masculine enough, resembling a woman?” Xiaoying blinked her eyes, adding another cool remark.

After saying this, Xiaoying turned to the Grand Prince with an innocent face: “How strange, the Crown Prince is such a heroic, majestic, and masculine gentleman. Besides my eyes and eyebrows slightly resembling His Highness, what other similarities do I have? How blind and black-hearted must one be to mistake this servant for the Crown Prince? Could it be that such comparisons are meant to mock the Crown Prince as effeminate?”

These slowly delivered words were essentially accusing Madam Jing of being vulgar and slandering the Crown Prince.

With this statement, even Mu Hanjiang on the side felt himself being insulted and gave the lady a deep glare.

Madam Jing was so angry she couldn’t catch her breath, pointing at the lady: “Such a sharp-tongued girl… Someone…”

Before Madam Jing could call for anyone, Mu Hanjiang smoothly intervened: “Madam Jing, today is my mother’s birthday celebration. If the Mu family has been deficient in hospitality, please be magnanimous and don’t get angry.”

His words were elegant and polite, but he was warning Madam Jing that this was the Mu residence, and if anyone were to drag people away, it wouldn’t be her place as a guest to do so.

Princess Anqing had just finished a cup of tea and spoke at the right moment with a smile: “Enough, these young ones are making trouble, and it’s impossible to control them all. The Grand Prince’s affairs will be judged by His Majesty. Madam, please don’t be angry. The banquet is about to begin; would you like to move to the banquet hall first?”

Madam Jing, having been humiliated to the point where she could hardly save face, saw Princess Anqing offering her a way out. She rose angrily, leading her maids and servants out of the tea room with huffs.

The other ladies also rose one after another, avoiding being caught in the Grand Prince’s wake.

Only the host, Princess Anqing, remained in the tea room, along with Feng Yuan, Mu Hanjiang, and Yan Xiaoying.

Just as Xiaoying was preparing to rise, Princess Anqing smiled and said: “Lady, please stay!”

Xiaoying turned calmly to look at Princess Anqing and smiled: “Princess, please speak.”

The Princess smiled as she looked Yan Xiaoying up and down, saying gently, “So the person who threw the vase at the inn was you. Seeing how you speak today, you truly have a straightforward spirit.”

Xiaoying, seeing her bring up old accounts, also smiled in response: “I was sleeping soundly that night and didn’t know it was you, Princess, disciplining someone in the woods. I was rash! Please forgive me, Princess!”

Princess Anqing looked at the Grand Prince: “Although your concubine appears beautiful and delicate, her every word refuses to yield to others. Such arrogance from someone in a low position will ultimately be a calamity. I hope the Grand Prince will teach her proper etiquette to avoid bringing disaster upon yourself.”

Feng Yuan coldly replied: “By your logic, those of high position can act carelessly? May I ask why Princess Anqing is detaining the person I’m looking for? What offense has Fu Ansheng committed against you, Princess?”

Princess Anqing’s smile diminished somewhat: “Fu Ansheng is implicated in an old case and was detained by the Dragon Scale Shadow Guards. Jingwei conducts their affairs independently, and I cannot interfere. Your Highness seems to misunderstand me.”

“What old case? Is it Meng Zhun’s unexplained family massacre from seven years ago? Or is it the case of Chen Nuo being beheaded on his way home? Or perhaps someone with too many filthy secrets wanting to silence witnesses?”

As Feng Yuan questioned, his eyes fixed on Anqing, watching her face grow increasingly pale.

Mu Hanjiang, however, listened with confusion. What “Fu Ansheng,” and the case of Chen Nuo’s murder—Feng Yuan’s questioning tone was clearly doubting his mother.

“Your Highness, what do you mean?” The accusation Feng Yuan was making was too serious for Mu Hanjiang not to defend his mother.

But Princess Anqing rose and walked toward Feng Yuan, her expression returning to calmness: “I don’t quite understand what the Grand Prince means. You have been repeatedly speaking out of turn in my residence today. Is this how the Grand Prince congratulates someone on their birthday?”

As Anqing approached, Xiaoying detected a subtle fragrance emanating from her.

This scent seemed to contain some strange undertone… she felt she had smelled it somewhere before…