The crowd remained gathered in the street, reluctant to disperse. The boy’s crying pierced through the clamor, seeming to echo long after the Empress Dowager’s carriage had departed.
Inside the carriage, the Empress Dowager silently rotated her prayer beads, her face dark with suppressed anger.
Princess Rongyang attempted to console her: “Mother, there are many such people—it’s not worth making yourself angry over them.”
The Empress Dowager spoke slowly: “Indeed, there are many such people, but today’s incident has too negative an impact. We cannot allow him to tarnish the royal family’s reputation like this.”
Princess Rongyang’s lips curved slightly as she sighed: “Prince Yan’s Princess does come from a lesser background compared to other princesses. It’s no wonder she has such troublesome relatives…”
The Empress Dowager’s lips moved, but she remained silent.
Princess Rongyang’s eyes flickered as she probed: “Mother, the Jin Lin Guards took that person away—will Brother Emperor be informed?”
The Empress Dowager laughed coldly: “He chose such a fine daughter-in-law; naturally, he should manage this situation well.”
Having spoken, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes, her expression returning to calm.
Princess Rongyang, pleased with the outcome, picked up a massager and gently tapped the Empress Dowager’s legs, a smile playing on her lips.
The Empress Dowager suddenly opened her eyes, slightly puzzled: “Rongyang, you seem to be in quite good spirits today.”
Caught in her moment of satisfaction, Princess Rongyang inwardly cursed her carelessness but maintained her composure: “It’s been so long since I’ve accompanied you to burn incense at Da Fu Temple. The thought makes me happy—please don’t let that earlier incident spoil your mood.”
The Empress Dowager’s suspicion faded as she nodded slightly: “Mm.”
Da Fu Temple was within the city, and the carriage soon came to a stop.
Palace maids lifted the carriage curtain, helping Princess Rongyang and the Empress Dowager descend in turn.
On this cold winter day, the Empress Dowager had not left the palace early, but now the winter sun was at its most gentle, coating Da Fu Temple in a faint golden light.
The temple’s abbot had long been waiting, respectfully greeting the Empress Dowager.
Princess Rongyang breathed a long sigh.
Today while burning incense and praying to Buddha, she would earnestly beseech the Buddha to ensure that the wretch who harmed Mingyue would soon receive punishment.
Soon… with her brother’s temperament, he surely wouldn’t tolerate such a thing.
“Mother, watch your step,” Princess Rongyang supported the Empress Dowager as they walked toward the main hall.
Meanwhile, in West Market Street, the atmosphere was lively.
With the New Year approaching and many shops preparing to close, the streets were crowded with people buying New Year’s goods.
An unremarkable middle-aged woman carrying a basket made her way forward, passing various shops fragrant with cosmetics until she reached the end.
The shop at the end was quiet, distinctly different from the bustle elsewhere, as if existing in its separate world.
The shop owner remained unhurried and calm, appearing somewhat mysterious to the other shopkeepers and assistants who had known them for years.
The customers appeared ordinary, and while the surrounding busy shops paid no attention, two heads simultaneously peered out before their owners exchanged competitive glances.
These two were Yu Jin’s subordinate and A Fei.
A Fei wiped his face, instantly alert.
Every person entering the small shop needed attention. Working for the Princess meant doing things properly.
Working for the Princess…
Even now, A Fei occasionally felt like he was dreaming.
To think that he, a street ruffian who could have died in a gutter without anyone noticing, was now working for the Princess.
The Princess was a kind person—he’d known this since she was still Miss Jiang. If he worked hard, he might even become a minor official someday.
Then he would bring honor to his ancestors, making those neighbors envious. No one would dare spit behind his back anymore.
Motivated, A Fei kept his eyes fixed on the small shop.
The other man refused to be outdone.
As one of the Prince’s secret guards, being outperformed by a street ruffian would be too shameful to face anyone.
Noticing the middle-aged woman’s unusually long stay, both men slowly drew closer.
Two hours later, A Fei appeared in Prince Yan’s front courtyard study, excitedly reporting his findings to Jiang Si.
Yu Jin listened expressionlessly, very much wanting to kick A Fei out.
Such a noisy and foolish person—it was remarkable that A Si still employed him.
Though understandable, A Si had no staff before their marriage.
“So you’re saying that woman went straight to Da Fu Temple after leaving the shop?” Jiang Si asked.
A Fei could barely contain his pride: “This humble one noticed that although the woman was quite mature in age, her hair wasn’t styled like a married woman’s. Finding this strange, I secretly followed her, only to discover she was heading to Da Fu Temple…”
It was because he first noticed the woman’s oddity that he now stood before the Prince and Princess claiming credit.
As for that secret guard, heh, he was probably crying quietly in some corner near the shop.
“This humble one wanted to enter Da Fu Temple, but today they weren’t receiving worshippers. So I waited outside and later saw a carriage leave, with that woman and several attendants following alongside. Acting on instinct, I threw a stone at her, causing her to cry out, and as expected, someone called out her name.”
Jiang Si nodded approvingly: “Quite clever, well done. What was the woman called?”
“Others called her Matron Duo,” A Fei said hesitantly, unsure of the pronunciation.
“And then?”
A Fei’s face suddenly paled: “Afterward, this humble one followed the carriage from afar but noticed someone else also following and looking in my direction. Fearing discovery, I dared not continue…”
“That’s enough, you may go collect your reward,” Yu Jin said flatly.
A Fei knew his place well, bowed to them both, and quietly withdrew.
The couple was left alone in the study.
Jiang Si said: “Da Fu Temple is a royal temple. While it normally receives common worshippers, it closes its doors when important persons visit. The person in that carriage A Fei encountered today must have been someone of considerable status…”
“That’s easy enough to find out. I’ll have someone inquire.”
Although the Empress Dowager hadn’t announced her identity to avoid commotion during her visit to Da Fu Temple, she hadn’t particularly concealed it either.
Yu Jin quickly obtained the information, his expression complex as he told Jiang Si: “I found out.”
“Who was it?”
“The Empress Dowager.”
Jiang Si was slightly startled but not entirely surprised.
From Pan Hai’s list, Yu Jin had identified four suspicious individuals, all from Cining Palace.
“For that middle-aged woman to be allowed to accompany the Empress Dowager with such a small retinue shows she must have earned the Empress Dowager’s trust.”
Yu Jin spread out the paper filled with names, pointing to one: “It must be her. The register shows her name as A Duo, entering the palace at age twenty directly into Cining Palace, where she’s remained for fifteen years. What we need now is further confirmation.”
Jiang Si smiled: “Though the method of waiting and watching may be simple, it seems to have worked well.”
She added: “A Fei was quite clever too.”
Yu Jin rolled his eyes.