Such groundless rumors were the most difficult to handle precisely because their source couldn’t be found. Qiao Mo had no good solutions, so he could only return to the Marquis’s residence to discuss with Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao had naturally also received the news and was both angry and embarrassed.

Spreading rumors about others was one thing, but spreading them about her and her elder brother was truly infuriating.

“Rumors don’t arise without cause. Elder Brother has been diligent and conscientious at the Hanlin Academy. Although he gained the opportunity to work in the Cabinet, I don’t think his colleagues would resort to such underhanded tactics out of jealousy. I believe this matter is most likely aimed at me,” Qiao Zhao analyzed.

“Elder Sister thinks this was done by a woman?”

“Spreading rumors about my improper relationship with Elder Brother—for Tingquan, this would at most be embarrassing and wouldn’t hurt his foundation, but for Elder Brother, it could ruin his entire career. Even if Elder Brother stands out and attracts envy, and though political scheming and suppression exist in officialdom, such methods are too beneath the table. So I deduce that Elder Brother is probably implicated because of me.”

“Elder Sister—”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Elder Brother needn’t worry. My reputation has never been good anyway, but I won’t let that person succeed in casually trampling on me.”

Destroying her virtue—what was the real purpose?

Was it because they couldn’t stand seeing her become a Marquis’s wife at such a young age, or was there some previous grievance?

Qiao Zhao thought carefully—it seemed most of those who had previously had conflicts with her were already dead…

This made things difficult. Could it be that someone was envious of her position as the Marquis’s wife and wished for Tingquan to divorce her?

If speaking of the occasion most likely to attract jealousy and hatred, it was undoubtedly the New Year’s Day palace audience, when the Empress Dowager had spared no effort in trying to trap her.

Qiao Zhao had a good memory. After briefly recalling, she remembered all the wives who had been present in the same hall that day. She went to the study, picked up her brush, and wrote out a list, then called for Chen Guang.

“Chen Guang, you’ve heard all the gossip going around lately, haven’t you?”

Chen Guang scratched his head: “I’ve heard it. Madam, please don’t take those slanderous words to heart—they’re not worth it.”

“I do take them very much to heart,” Qiao Zhao said with a smile.

Adultery was such a serious accusation. Saying she didn’t care was just helpless self-deception.

Chen Guang was stunned.

Madam’s reaction was wrong—shouldn’t she generally say she didn’t mind?

Qiao Zhao handed the list to Chen Guang: “Though rumors are like duckweed and difficult to trace to their source, that’s only because no one is willing to put in the effort. Since anything that spreads must have an origin, and fortunately, we have plenty of time now.”

“This is—” Chen Guang glanced down at the list.

“This is a list of wives from various residences who were present in the same hall with me during the New Year’s Day palace audience. The few marked with red ink are those that need priority investigation. Chen Guang, I hope you’ll assign more people to root out whoever is spreading these rumors. Of course, if it truly can’t be done, then so be it, but we must try first.”

If someone could say today that she was having an affair with another man, tomorrow they might say the children she bore weren’t the Marquis Guanjun’s. If she didn’t root out that person, wouldn’t everyone be able to step on her?

Seeing Qiao Zhao speak so seriously, Chen Guang replied solemnly: “Madam, please rest assured. The General has several men mingling in teahouses and taverns who have specifically recruited some idle ruffians—they make their living by gathering information. They’ve already gained some momentum, so this would be good practice for them.”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

Her decision not to let this matter slide easily was natural because Shao Mingyuan had informed her before leaving the capital that such people were available for use.

Within five days, Chen Guang came to report: “Madam, we’ve found her!”

“Who is it?”

“It’s this one.” Chen Guang handed over the list, pointing at one name.

Qiao Zhao glanced at it, surprised yet not finding it strange.

Since she had specifically asked Chen Guang to investigate those particular wives, she naturally felt they were most likely suspects.

Lady Wang, wife of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review—what was her purpose in spreading rumors?

Although Lady Wang had some conflicts with the East Residence uncle through her husband, which affected the social interactions among the inner residence women, she was a daughter of the West Residence and already married out. What could bother Lady Wang enough to make her fabricate such malicious words?

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyelids slightly, her fingers gently tapping the rosewood desk, when she suddenly remembered something.

Lady Wang had repeatedly approached Grandmother, wanting her to treat her daughter-in-law’s infertility, but Grandmother had politely refused each time. Could today’s incident stem from that?

But just being refused treatment for her daughter-in-law—was that worth a third-rank noble wife doing such a thing?

Qiao Zhao pursed her lips.

She didn’t believe someone of Lady Wang’s status would do something so harmful to others without benefit to herself purely to vent anger.

What benefit would Lady Wang gain from ruining her reputation?

Qiao Zhao’s thoughts raced as she looked at a cluster of canna flowers outside the window and suddenly understood.

With her husband away on campaign and rumors spreading of his wife’s adultery, what would be the consequences for ordinary couples when the husband returned?

A letter of divorce would probably be the lightest punishment.

If she were divorced and sent back to her natal family, given how the Li family had always protected her, her life would certainly be safe, but the Li family’s reputation and her situation would be worrisome.

At that time, wouldn’t the prestigious title of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review’s wife become particularly useful?

Qiao Zhao walked to the window, looking at the gorgeously blooming canna flowers, her heart growing cold.

“Every man for himself, or Heaven and Earth will destroy him”—once again, she realized how perfectly this saying applied to certain people.

“Madam, this subordinate has discovered something very interesting.”

“What is it?” Qiao Zhao turned around.

“Our people have been watching their household, and the day before yesterday, their younger daughter-in-law returned to her natal home. We inadvertently overheard her crying and complaining that her husband always sleeps in the side room—how could they have children like that…”

Meeting Qiao Zhao’s slightly surprised gaze, Chen Guang scratched his head embarrassedly and quickly explained: “Madam, we weren’t deliberately eavesdropping on their private bedroom matters—we just accidentally overheard…”

“This is what you call interesting?” Qiao Zhao truly didn’t see what was interesting about a young couple not getting along.

Ahem, always sleeping in separate rooms certainly meant they weren’t getting along.

“Of course that’s not it—” Chen Guang suddenly stopped speaking here, a suspicious blush creeping up his fair face.

Qiao Zhao’s eyes flickered as she asked: “What is it?”

“Madam, saying this might soil your ears.”

Qiao Zhao laughed: “With all that’s being said about me outside, I’m still living just fine. What words could I not bear to hear?”

Chen Guang hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself: “Their younger son has a preference for men.”

“A preference for men?”

“Yes, he doesn’t like women—only likes men. Our people followed their younger son and caught him with another man. Hehe, he was even the one being pressed underneath—” Chen Guang quickly covered his mouth and looked at Qiao Zhao pitifully.

He was very proper—Madam must not misunderstand!

Men and men—

Miss Qiao was completely shocked at this moment, her mind flashing through images from the little booklet like a slideshow.

She was certain the booklet had no content in this area!