As the eastern sky began to show a faint pale light, they had been searching this place for an entire night. Cui Ji rubbed his weary temples and said to Zheng Mo: “It seems Brother Zheng truly just accidentally fell into the water, nothing more.”

Zheng Mo’s eyes were bloodshot as he said: “I don’t believe it. Third Brother had such a good tolerance for alcohol – how could he get drunk from just a few pots? And why would he run to this place for no reason? There must be more to this story. Search! Continue searching!”

Seeing him say this, everyone could only continue searching this area, but still found nothing. Seeing the group showing signs of complete exhaustion, Zheng Mo had no choice but to return to the residence first.

On the way back, Cui Ji walked beside Du Ruhui and said quietly: “Does the princess know about this matter?”

Du Ruhui nodded: “She knows. I heard the news while at the princess’s place.”

Hearing this, Cui Ji’s face showed worry: “Then is the princess alright? Is there anything serious?”

“She seemed fine when I left, but… I don’t know what to do next.” Du Ruhui sighed deeply. With Zheng Yang’s death, rumors and gossip would likely soon spread in Luoyang saying that Yunyi brought misfortune to her husband before even entering his household. During these past six months, he had witnessed the capabilities of Yunyi’s several sisters. Every meeting inevitably included cold mockery and sarcasm, especially from Princess Xin’an, who seemed to wish she could devour Yunyi entirely.

With such a major incident occurring this time, how could she not take the opportunity to ridicule and mock Yunyi? During this period, the latter would likely suffer greatly. Moreover, with Zheng Yang dead, what was to be done about the wedding in half a month?

Cui Ji lowered his head for a moment: “I’d like to ask Brother Du to enter the palace again today. Would that be possible?”

Du Ruhui quickly understood his intention: “You want me to go console the princess?”

Cui Ji nodded: “Yes. Now that Brother Zheng has passed away, no one is more grieved than the princess. Brother Du is quite familiar with the princess, and with your comfort, the princess should feel somewhat better.”

Du Ruhui looked at him deeply and nodded: “Very well. I’ll go to the Forbidden City shortly.”

Cui Ji said gratefully: “Thank you, Brother Du.”

The Zheng family was a major clan in the court. Now that the third young master of the Zheng family had suddenly died, the news quickly spread through the streets and alleys, becoming the hottest topic in Luoyang. Just as Du Ruhui had worried, the discussion gradually turned to Yunyi, believing that this princess’s fate was too harsh, thus causing the death of her future husband. Some even described vividly how this princess was cursed with the Lone Star destiny and could not marry, otherwise whoever she married would be doomed.

After leaving the Zheng residence, Du Ruhui ordered the waiting driver to head toward the Purple Forbidden Palace. The accompanying servant often heard passersby quietly discussing the Zheng family matter as they brushed past.

When almost reaching the palace gate, the servant lifted the curtain slightly and said quietly: “Young Master, perhaps we shouldn’t go to the Purple Forbidden Palace.”

Du Ruhui, who had been contemplating matters in the carriage, was startled awake by his voice and asked puzzledly: “Why?”

The servant said cautiously: “Throughout the city, everyone is saying Princess Jinyang’s fate is wrong. Now that Young Master Zheng has been killed by her curse, if you get too close to her, there might be danger.”

“Nonsense!” Du Ruhui reached out and knocked the servant’s head hard. “Just because people say things casually, you believe them? Brother Zheng’s death was an accident and has nothing to do with the princess.”

The servant rubbed the painful spot, saying aggrievedly: “Whether it’s true or false, being careful can’t hurt.”

Du Ruhui glanced at him: “I’ve often entered the palace these past six months. If it really had to do with the princess, something would have happened long ago. Why wait until now?”

“But…” Before the servant could say more, Du Ruhui said: “Enough, stop talking nonsense. If you’re afraid, just go back to the residence.”

Seeing him say this, the servant had to swallow his words and head toward the nearby palace gate. He didn’t see that after lowering the curtain, Du Ruhui’s face showed a thoughtful expression. He certainly didn’t believe the servant’s words or worry about Yunyi’s fate, but was thinking about what he had seen at the riverbank earlier.

That riverbank was covered with pebbles, many of which had grown moss. Zheng Yang had stepped on those few by the river, causing his feet to slip and fall into the water. However… besides that, other places also showed signs of moss on stones being stepped on, and it was a large area, not like what one person like Zheng Yang could have made. Moreover, the old and new traces were consistent, as if stepped on at the same time. This meant that besides Zheng Yang, someone else had likely come to the riverbank. But when they asked so many people living nearby, all said it was an abandoned riverbank where people rarely went.

Because it was just an uncertain speculation, he hadn’t told Zheng Mo and the others about this. Was he being overly suspicious, or was there something else suspicious about Zheng Yang’s death?

“Young Master, we’ve arrived!” Hearing the servant’s words, Du Ruhui suppressed his thoughts and got off the carriage. After the guards went in to announce him, he was allowed to enter the Purple Forbidden Palace.

Du Ruhui made his way familiarly to the Changsheng Hall, but Yunyi was not in the hall. According to the palace servants, the Empress had sent someone to summon Yunyi to Zhaoyang Hall not long ago.

While waiting for Yunyi to return, he unexpectedly saw Princess Xin’an walk in. During these past six months, Du Ruhui had avoided her like a plague, but unfortunately meeting her face-to-face now, he had no choice but to step forward and bow.

Seeing him here, Princess Xin’an’s face showed a hint of joy as she personally helped him up: “So Young Master Du is also here. What a coincidence.”

Du Ruhui uncomfortably withdrew his hand from those smooth palms and smiled stiffly: “Yes, I came to visit Princess Jinyang.”

Princess Xin’an looked at her empty hands and smiled unconcernedly: “So am I.” Then she said: “Seeing you alone here, is Jinyang not in?”

“Yes, before I arrived, Princess Jinyang had just gone to Zhaoyang Hall. I think she’ll return somewhat later.” Facing Du Ruhui’s words, Princess Xin’an said: “Since Jinyang isn’t here, Young Master Du, accompany me to the West Garden for a while. At this time of year, there should be quite a few flowers blooming in the garden.”

“This…” Just as Du Ruhui was thinking of how to decline, Princess Xin’an had already raised her eyebrows: “What’s wrong? Is Young Master Du unwilling to give me this face?”

“Naturally not, it’s just…” Before Du Ruhui could finish, Princess Xin’an had already said: “Since it’s not that, then good. Let’s go.”

With no choice, Du Ruhui had to accompany her to the West Garden. Although it wasn’t yet the warm days of March, the West Garden was already colorful with various flowers in bloom, such as clivia, peacock chrysanthemums, nasturtiums, pansies, roses, and so on – truly pleasing to the eye.

“The West Garden is indeed the most beautiful. In my princess residence, only a scattered few types have bloomed, not attractive at all.” Speaking thus, Princess Xin’an plucked a rose and pinned it on Du Ruhui’s collar, smiling: “With this pinned on, you look even more handsome.”

Du Ruhui didn’t know how to respond and could only smile stiffly. Seeing his appearance, she covered her mouth and laughed: “Why does Young Master Du always seem afraid whenever he sees me? What, are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

Du Ruhui forced a smile: “The princess jests. It’s just that the princess has a noble status, so when facing the princess, I inevitably feel somewhat apprehensive.”