Emotionally, Emperor Jingming was extremely reluctant to associate the person stirring up trouble in the palace with the Empress Dowager. However, Yu Jin had mentioned the Wu Miao people, and coincidentally, Nanny Duo from Cining Palace had contact with the Wu Miao people during her outing. This forced him to take the matter seriously.

But there was another question Emperor Jingming wanted to ask: “Seventh Son, how did your people recognize Nanny Duo?”

This question was very delicate. Pan Hai secretly glanced at Yu Jin. If the Prince of Yan didn’t answer well, he might be in trouble.

Having accompanied Emperor Jingming for so many years, Pan Hai knew better than anyone the Empress Dowager’s place in Emperor Jingming’s heart. The Empress Dowager was Emperor Jingming’s adoptive mother and the biggest force behind his ascension to the throne. After Emperor Jingming’s accession, she had quietly stayed in the rear palace, rarely speaking out.

Emperor Jingming’s respect and filial piety towards the Empress Dowager came from the bottom of his heart.

What did it mean that the Prince of Yan’s people knew someone from Cining Palace?

Pan Hai shook his head inwardly, thinking the Prince of Yan was both bold and naive. The person before him was not just the Prince of Yan’s father, but also the ruler of a country. The saying “there are no fathers and sons in royal families” wasn’t meaningless. Even a benevolent ruler like the Emperor had his limits.

Yu Jin seemed not to have given it much thought and replied with a smile, “Of course, my people don’t know Nanny Duo. We’ve just been watching that small shop, and we follow anyone suspicious who enters. My people followed her and heard others calling her Nanny Duo…”

Emperor Jingming’s face darkened. “You fool! Based on someone calling out a name, you jumped to conclusions about the Empress Dowager’s palace?”

Yu Jin didn’t flinch at Emperor Jingming’s rebuke. He said solemnly, “Father, Minister Zhen once told me that when a case occurs, to find the truth, we can’t overlook any anomaly, nor constrain any bold conjectures. Only in this way can we possibly touch the truth. The saying ‘Heaven’s net is wide-meshed, but lets nothing through’ doesn’t mean that when bad people do evil, heaven will strike them down with lightning. Rather, it means that meticulous investigators will eventually bring justice to the victims…”

“What investigators and victims? You’re so young, yet you ramble on like an old man!” Emperor Jingming chided, though his words didn’t match his thoughts. Had Zhen Shicheng taught his son these things? It seemed to make some sense…

Yu Jin resumed his relaxed demeanor and smiled, “Anyway, I trust Minister Zhen, so I did as he said. The name ‘Nanny Duo’ came up while investigating the person stirring up trouble in the palace. Coincidentally, there’s such a person in the palace. Father, don’t you think we can’t ignore this lead?”

At that moment, Zhen Shicheng, who was drinking tea at home, sneezed violently.

“My lord, have you caught a cold?” Madam Zhen asked with concern.

Zhen Shicheng wiped the tea that had splashed onto his beard with a handkerchief. “No cold. I’m fine.”

Damn it, which bastard was passing the buck to him?

Emperor Jingming was also grumbling inwardly: This brat seems to revere old Zhen quite a bit, probably more than his father…

After his internal grumbling, he asked about the main issue: “How do you plan to pursue this lead?”

“Naturally, we should investigate Nanny Duo thoroughly, such as how she entered the palace, and what her situation was before entering…” Yu Jin said, nodding slightly to Pan Hai, “However, these matters would be better handled by Eunuch Pan. It’s not convenient for me to investigate.”

Pan Hai resisted the urge to nod and looked towards Emperor Jingming.

Emperor Jingming’s expression was grave. “An investigation is necessary, but before we have concrete evidence, we must not alarm the Empress Dowager.”

Pan Hai immediately agreed.

“Father, I’ll take my leave now,” Yu Jin said.

“Go then.” Emperor Jingming’s mood had soured due to the involvement of the Empress Dowager, and he spoke coldly.

Yu Jin didn’t move.

Emperor Jingming glanced at him. “Why aren’t you leaving?”

Yu Jin laughed dryly. “Didn’t you say for me to return with Jiang Si?”

Emperor Jingming’s lips twitched, and he instructed Pan Hai, “Send someone to Cining Palace to check. The Empress Dowager is elderly and needs to rest well. The Princess of Yan needn’t stay too long.”

In Cining Palace, without Emperor Jingming and Yu Jin present, the Empress Dowager’s tone was much colder as she admonished Jiang Si: “Princess of Yan, regardless of whether you knew about this incident or not, allowing relatives to cause trouble using your name is your fault.”

Jiang Si, of course, wasn’t foolish enough to argue with the Empress Dowager. She obediently said, “I understand, it’s all my fault.”

Princess Rongyang commented coolly from the side, “The Princess of Yan’s attitude seems quite good.”

Where’s that sharp tongue you had in front of me? This little hussy knows how to act.

Jiang Si smiled slightly. “Aunt, your words make me feel ashamed. When it’s my fault, I absolutely won’t shirk or avoid responsibility. This is my principle.”

“A person has already been killed by your cousin. How do you plan to take responsibility? Surely you’re not just paying lip service to not avoiding responsibility?” Princess Rongyang pressed.

Jiang Si looked at Princess Rongyang with surprise. “Aunt, you also said the person was killed by my distant cousin. What punishment he should receive will be determined by the authorities. As for the Prince and me, we’re not just talking. Didn’t you hear the Prince promise to raise the deceased woman’s young brother in front of the Emperor? Aunt, do you think that’s not enough? Surely you’re not expecting me to forfeit my life?”

Princess Rongyang’s face darkened. “What are you saying—”

“Enough.” The Empress Dowager impatiently interrupted them. “Rongyang, you should say less at a time like this.”

Princess Rongyang pressed her lips together and fell silent.

The Empress Dowager then looked at Jiang Si, her eyes showing disapproval. “Princess of Yan, Rongyang is your elder. You shouldn’t speak to her so confrontationally.”

Jiang Si lowered her eyes. “I understand.”

Princess Rongyang’s lips curved slightly.

The Empress Dowager disliked people who didn’t know their place the most. With her around, the Princess of Yan could forget about winning the Empress Dowager’s favor in the future.

Jiang Si glanced at Princess Rongyang from the corner of her eye, inwardly sneering.

People like Princess Rongyang only had thoughts of pleasing the Empress Dowager left in their heads.

“Your Highness, the Emperor says the Princess of Yan should leave the palace early,” a eunuch came in to report.

The Empress Dowager hesitated.

She had planned to admonish the Princess of Yan more, but the Emperor seemed eager—no, it must be the Prince of Yan who was eager.

Was he worried his wife would be mistreated?

The Empress Dowager understood the twists and turns in this situation. She glanced at Jiang Si, her gaze becoming profound.

Years ago, the Emperor and Empress Yuan were also like this…

A hint of coolness appeared in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. She withdrew from her thoughts and nodded to Jiang Si. “Go then. I won’t keep you.”

“Grandmother, please rest well. I take my leave,” Jiang Si curtsied.

Princess Rongyang also stood up. “Mother, I won’t disturb you either. Going out is quite tiring. Please rest well.”

The two left Cining Palace together.

“How does the Princess of Yan plan to clear her name?” Princess Rongyang asked in a low voice, her eyes flashing with triumph.

Jiang Si smiled. “Aunt, why don’t you think about how you’ll explain yourself if the Jinlin Guard traces this back to you?”

Princess Rongyang’s eyes widened, her lips tightening. “What does this have to do with me?”

“Having the guts to do it but not to admit it doesn’t seem like your style, Aunt. Remember, courtesy demands reciprocation.” With that, Jiang Si swept her sleeves and left.