No matter how much his emotions fluctuated after learning Yang Zhe was the former Crown Prince Qi Ming, for Emperor Tai’an, ultimately the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

If Qi Ming had been allowed to continue mixing in official circles with his identity as the top scholar who achieved first place in all three examinations, who knew when he might deliver another fatal blow to the court? But now, the imprisoned Qi Ming could no longer stir up waves. When facing his elder brother, he even had an additional bargaining chip for negotiations.

Although the matter of Yang Zhe being the former Crown Prince wasn’t suitable for widespread proclamation among the common people, it was necessary to discuss it with important ministers. Otherwise, if the top scholar who had been released without guilt was suddenly arrested again, it would cause panic and unease in the court.

Soon ministers from various departments gathered together to discuss matters such as how to strengthen management of transient personnel in the capital and how to respond to possible unusual movements from Northern Qi and Yuliu. This meeting lasted a full two days before coming to a conclusion.

Unable to conceal his weariness, Emperor Tai’an rubbed his brow, finally sparing thought to reward those involved in discovering that Yang Zhe was the former Crown Prince.

Cheng Maoming was credited with no small merit and granted the additional title of Junior Protector of the Crown Prince. Other officials who participated in investigating the Crown Prince’s assassination also received various commendations, though since the Crown Prince had only recently passed, these matters would all be handled later.

As for Prince Jing’s Heir, being an imperial clan member who would inherit a princely title, promotion in rank and nobility was naturally impossible. But summoning Prince Jing to the palace to praise him for raising a good son—that was certainly possible.

Prince Jing listened to the Emperor praise his son, secretly pinching his thigh until it bruised to maintain a serious expression.

Anyone would be happy hearing someone praise their own child, but the Crown Prince hadn’t been buried yet. If he showed his happiness, he’d be a complete fool.

Returning to Prince Jing’s manor, Prince Jing finally didn’t need to rely on pinching his thigh to manage his expression. He sighed to Princess Jing: “Hearing Imperial Elder Brother praise Shuo’er, I suddenly feel Imperial Elder Brother is quite pitiable.”

This imperial elder brother of his had魄力 (courage and determination) and ambition, but when white-haired people send off black-haired people, in the end he was a pitiable person.

Princess Jing said instead: “I was still worried that Second Miss Lin’s abduction would subsequently attract considerable gossip. Seeing His Majesty’s attitude, I’m now at ease.”

Although the marriage between the two families wouldn’t change because Second Miss Lin encountered trouble, if their not-yet-married daughter-in-law was gossiped about and mocked by the world, it ultimately wouldn’t be a pleasant matter.

In the midst of his grief over losing the Crown Prince, His Majesty could remember to praise their son, so he certainly wouldn’t forget to reward Second Miss Lin. And with His Majesty’s gesture, that gossip would naturally dissipate like smoke.

These past days, unlike the court which focused on the former Crown Prince, under deliberate suppression, the common people’s tea-time conversation still centered on the three abducted young ladies.

After returning home, Chi Caiyun slept soundly for two days. Finally recovering her spirits, she prepared to go out with her maid.

“Caiyun, you stop right there! You’ve just had such a major incident and you still dare go out? Why are you so worrying!” Madam Chi blocked her daughter.

Chi Caiyun turned her head to seek help from Master Chi: “Father, Mother won’t let me go out.”

Master Chi stroked his beard: “Your mother is right. You finally came back safely—what do you want to go out for again?”

Chi Caiyun’s apple-shaped face puffed up with anger: “I agreed to treat Miss Lin and Miss Zhu to lobster. If you don’t let me go out, aren’t you making me break my word?”

Madam Chi glanced at her daughter: “You think those two young ladies can go out? Noble young ladies from great families are different from families like ours. After such an incident, forget about going out—it would be good if they aren’t sent to family temples.”

Master Chi also said: “Still talking about eating lobster—it’s only you, Yun’er, who has this good fortune. Those two young ladies can’t even eat meat.”

Fearing his daughter would cause trouble, Master Chi simply spoke plainly: “Our family shouldn’t be eating meat either—we’re still in the Crown Prince’s mourning period. It’s only because we feel sorry you suffered hardship that we want to nourish you properly.”

With the Crown Prince’s demise, commoners also had to observe five days of禁屠 (ban on slaughtering animals). However, compared to officials and nobles who needed to strictly observe various rules, commoners had it much more relaxed. As long as they didn’t beat drums and gongs to hold happy celebrations, no one would pursue it.

“Then on the day I had my incident, why did our family still buy lobster?”

Faced with his beloved daughter’s persistent gaze, Master Chi looked at Madam Chi.

Madam Chi’s eyes flickered as her voice unconsciously lowered: “Wasn’t it because the Crown Prince passed away and that seafood shop was selling at reduced prices…”

The large lobsters transported from the distant seaside were very expensive.

Now Chi Caiyun understood: “All right then, I’ll wait until after this period to treat them to a meal.”

Seeing her daughter no longer making a fuss, Madam Chi breathed a sigh of relief and consoled her: “Don’t worry, your father sent considerable thanks-gifts to Prince Jing’s manor, the General’s manor, and Duke Yichun’s manor. Those two young ladies won’t misunderstand that you’re ungrateful.”

“That’s right, Father prepared generous thanks-gifts long ago.” Mentioning this, Master Chi was secretly pleased.

His daughter returned safely, and for their family, this misfortune had turned into a blessing. Didn’t they now naturally have connections with imperial clan and noble families? As long as they were clever in the future, even currying favor with stewards from these three families would bring great benefits.

As for their daughter’s reputation regarding the abduction? Their merchant family didn’t care about such things. As long as he had money, there would be plenty who wanted to marry his daughter.

Compared to the Chi family’s composure, the atmosphere at Duke Yichun’s manor was much more somber.

From when her daughter had the incident until now, Duchess Yichun didn’t know how many times she’d cried. Her eyes hadn’t reduced their swelling.

“We were just discussing marriage arrangements when the Crown Prince had his incident, so we had to stop. We thought after this period passed we’d continue, but who expected Yu’er to encounter such a thing… How bitter is Yu’er’s fate…”

Zhu Jiayu was Duke and Duchess Yichun’s daughter in their old age, raised as a precious pearl in the palm. Duchess Yichun thought of her daughter’s prospects and felt truly distressed.

Duke Yichun’s head ached from all the crying: “Enough, crying more won’t change what happened. If you ask me, Yu’er came back whole and sound—we should be content. Look at the General’s manor—they’re happy.”

Duchess Yichun’s lips moved. She wanted to say that the Lin family had so many problems already that a few more didn’t matter. But thinking of what her daughter said about Second Miss Lin leading them in escape, the unflattering words ultimately didn’t leave her mouth.

But she still felt distressed!

Duchess Yichun’s tears fell again.

Unlike the Zhu and Chi families who were grateful to Lin Hao and thus spoke kindly, when people in the world gossiped about this matter, it was much harsher. There were even rumors that Prince Jing’s manor would break the engagement.

Not until a palace sedan chair stopped conspicuously before the General’s manor’s gate, and imperially bestowed gifts of all kinds flowed inside like water, did this gossip suddenly scatter completely, transforming into puzzlement about Second Miss Lin.

Weren’t higher families supposed to care more about young ladies’ reputations? Why was Second Miss Lin an exception? After such an incident, not only was she not disdained by the imperial family, she actually received rewards from the Emperor.

Wen Rusheng could hear countless such questions just by going out for a stroll. He wanted nothing more than to jump up and shout “I know!” Unfortunately, as soon as his mouth moved, he was dragged home by Wen Ping who had received Wen Feng’s instructions. He could only tell the truth to Wen Ping.

The much-tormented Wen Ping: “…” Didn’t want to hear it, even felt afraid, because he was actually starting to believe it a little!

Each day grew colder than the last. The Crown Prince’s funeral ceremonies continued. With fewer festivities among the common people, the entire capital seemed shrouded by a dark cloud.

Just entering the twelfth month, a major incident occurred.