The study was simply furnished, with a clump of banana trees planted outside the open window, blocking most of the spring light and making the interior somewhat dim.

Qiao Zhao frowned in thought, murmuring: “First, they killed the Western Jiang warrior, using the Li residence to establish a connection with you. Then Princess of Western Jiang was murdered, clearly meant to make you sink deeper. That night soil collector coming forward with false testimony perfectly proves that all of this wasn’t a coincidence, but someone’s deliberate design. I think everything he’s done before was to spread rumors as he’s doing now, to solidify the ‘fact’ that you murdered the Princess of Western Jiang.”

At this point, Qiao Zhao’s frown deepened: “Public opinion—this mastermind is using public opinion, so his next move should also be related to this.”

A large hand reached over, gently rubbing her brow as the man’s deep, mellow voice sounded: “Don’t frown thinking so much. When soldiers come, we’ll block them with generals; when water comes, we’ll cover it with earth. I believe all these demons and monsters won’t last long.”

He was a military general—scheming, intrigue, and political manipulation were neither his strengths nor something he disdained. He believed that before absolute strength, those things would ultimately be nothing more than fleeting illusions.

Qiao Zhao smiled and brushed away Shao Mingyuan’s hand: “Though flies are small, they’re still annoying. It would be better to drag that person out.”

Shao Mingyuan smoothly grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand and sighed: “Tall trees attract wind. There are plenty of people in court and even in Northern Qi, Western Jiang, and other countries who find me disagreeable. It won’t be easy to drag that person out. Better to wait and observe, to see the opponent’s next move. The more they do, the easier it becomes for them to expose their flaws.”

“Mm, just be more careful.”

Shao Mingyuan brought his handsome face closer, smiling: “Zhaozhao, if you kiss me once, I’ll have good luck.”

“Shao Mingyuan!” Qiao Zhao glared at him coquettishly.

At a time like this, he still had the mood to tease.

“Really won’t kiss?” The handsome face enlarged before her eyes, the man’s eyes blinking gently, hope gleaming in their depths.

Qiao Zhao had originally wanted to push this rogue away, but the bloodshot in his eyes made her heart suddenly soften. She pressed her lips together and quickly planted a dragonfly-touch kiss on the man’s cheek.

Shao Mingyuan covered his left cheek and laughed.

“I should head back. Because of Concubine Bing’s matter, the grandmother’s heart has been uncomfortable, and the mother is about to give birth. I want to spend more time with them.”

“I’ll see you off.”

Shao Mingyuan escorted Qiao Zhao to the door. Qiao Zhao stopped: “It’s right next door, you don’t need to come over.”

“Alright.”

This obedient attitude put Qiao Zhao much at ease. She gave him a brilliant smile, lifted her skirt hem, and walked outside.

“Zhaozhao—” Shao Mingyuan called from behind.

The young woman turned back: “Mm?”

His large hand came down, rubbing the top of her head: “You seem to have grown a bit taller.”

Qiao Zhao covered her hair: “Shao Mingyuan, you’re so annoying, you’ve messed up my hair.”

So what if she was a bit short? Did he have to keep staring at her height every day?

Shao Mingyuan leaned close, whispering in her ear: “I hope when you marry over, you’ll be taller than my shoulder.”

“Shut up!” Miss Qiao flew into embarrassed rage, kicked Shao Mingyuan’s calf, and ran off.

Shao Mingyuan stood at the door watching until Qiao Zhao’s figure disappeared at the Li residence entrance before taking the reins his guard handed him, mounting his horse, and leaving Xingzi Alley.

The interrogation of the night soil collector at the Ministry of Justice didn’t go smoothly. That very night, the night soil collector died in his cell. The coroner couldn’t determine the cause of death, finally concluding it was sudden death. When questioned, the jailers could say nothing unusual had occurred.

The investigation into Princess of Western Jiang’s case reached an impasse, but the common people outside had already decided that Marquis Guanjun was the one who killed Princess of Western Jiang. Even nobles and officials who didn’t know the inside story thought the same.

When everyone speaks against you, even metal melts; accumulated slander destroys bones. The power of rumors is always shocking. Though the common people had no complaints when mentioning Marquis Guanjun, this undoubtedly placed Shao Mingyuan at the center of the storm.

And soon, there were new rumors about Marquis Guanjun.

After meals at tea stalls in the capital’s streets and alleys, many people held old teapots in one hand or cradled rough porcelain tea mugs, animatedly chatting about exciting gossip.

“Have you heard? Marquis Guanjun is an illegitimate son!”

“No way! Isn’t Marquis Guanjun the second young master of Marquis Jing’an’s residence? How could he be illegitimate?”

“You don’t know about this—this news came right from Marquis Jing’an’s residence.” The person who brought up this topic leisurely sipped his inferior tea, building suspense.

“I’ll pay for your tea today. Stop being mysterious.”

Satisfied, the man finally spoke: “Marquis Guanjun was originally born to Marquis Jing’an’s concubine. To give Marquis Guanjun a legitimate status, Marquis Jing’an brought him back and raised him as his legitimate son.”

“That’s not right. If Marquis Jing’an brought Marquis Guanjun back to raise as his legitimate son, would the Marchioness agree? And even if she agreed, suddenly having an extra child—could that be hidden?”

“What a coincidence—the Marchioness happened to give birth to a son at that time. Supposedly, he was born weak and died of illness shortly after birth. Marquis Jing’an covered this up and pulled a substitution. Think about it—newborn babies all look pretty much the same. Who could tell the difference?”

The listeners who were fathers all nodded: “They do all look similar.”

The man shook his head knowingly: “Unfortunately, while others couldn’t recognize him, a mother still could. The Marchioness knew early on about Marquis Guanjun’s illegitimate status, which is why she’s always been cold toward her son all these years. This is something everyone in Marquis Jing’an’s residence knows.”

“So, how did you find out about this?”

“I heard it from the nephew of the eldest daughter-in-law of Second Uncle from the next street. That kid works as a server at a restaurant. It happened that the heir of Marquis Jing’an went there to drink, got drunk, and spilled this secret. Turns out the Marchioness had a falling out with Marquis Jing’an over this matter. In her anger, she stopped caring about worldly affairs and went to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures. The heir felt resentful about this, and that’s how the truth came out when he was drunk…”

“If that’s the case, then Marquis Jing’an isn’t decent…”

“Exactly! What Marquis Jing’an did was truly improper. Having an illegitimate son is one thing, but how could he handle it this way?”

This view spread not only among common people, but countless madams and ladies in noble and official households were also gossiping about it.

“Master, you’d better stop associating with that Marquis Jing’an. Those who stay near ink get stained black—don’t let him corrupt you.”

“Women’s shallow views.”

“What shallow views? Are you also hiding a concubine outside behind my back?”

The next day, when officials went to their offices, countless men had bruises on their faces. Everyone exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

In Marquis Jing’an’s residence, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. Marquis Jing’an carried a sword and furiously went to find the heir of Marquis Jing’an.

“You rebellious son, today I’ll slaughter you for having no guard on your mouth!”