Wei Qiang was also troubled by the rumors.

The news of the Crown Princess’s disfigurement had indeed been spread at his instruction, naturally to prepare for what he was plotting in his heart.

But what he hadn’t expected was that along with this rumor spreading, there was also the matter of him being attacked by a wild boar at the North River hunting grounds.

It was difficult to trace how the rumor had started. He only knew that Father Emperor’s expression had not looked good these past few days.

Emperor Yong’an’s thoughts ran deep, and his joy and anger were not displayed on his face. Being able to see his displeasure was enough to make Wei Qiang uneasy.

Moreover, there was another rumor actually saying that Prince Kaiyang had feelings for Miss Luo.

Thinking of this, Wei Qiang’s expression turned icy.

He had noticed that Prince Kaiyang treated Miss Luo with special regard, but as for having romantic feelings for Miss Luo—

Wei Qiang repeatedly recalled the details of Wei Han and Luo Sheng’s interactions, feeling somewhat uncertain.

However, no matter how uncertain he was, the spread of this rumor was extremely disadvantageous to his schemes.

If Prince Kaiyang truly had feelings for Miss Luo, the rumor was tantamount to giving momentum to the two of them.

Wei Qiang felt vexed and irritable. He lifted his feet and went to the garden.

Much of the greenery in the garden had faded, and one could already see the shadow of early winter.

The palace maids walking in the garden had long since removed their spring and summer green skirts, uniformly changing into purple-brown lined jackets.

Plain and low-key, yet watching them made one feel oppressed.

A group of people approached from the opposite direction. The young lady in their midst was being led by an inner court attendant. Her appearance somewhat resembled the Crown Princess—it was precisely the Crown Princess’s younger sister, Second Miss Qiao.

Second Miss Qiao had come to the palace following her mother’s arrangement to comfort the Crown Princess. Now encountering Wei Qiang by chance, she hurriedly lowered herself before even getting close: “This subject’s daughter greets Your Highness.”

In the time it took Second Miss Qiao to bend her knees in greeting, Wei Qiang had already walked near.

“Rise.” The man’s deep, indifferent voice sounded from above, carrying a condescending tone.

While feeling a trace of oppression, Second Miss Qiao inexplicably felt somewhat flustered.

She quickly raised her eyes to glance at Wei Qiang, then straightened up: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Here to see your sister?”

“Yes.” Second Miss Qiao obediently replied.

“Go ahead.” Wei Qiang nodded slightly and walked past Second Miss Qiao.

Second Miss Qiao unconsciously followed that tall, upright figure with her eyes, her heart fluttering up and down.

“Second Miss Qiao, this way please.” The inner court attendant’s slightly shrill voice sounded.

Second Miss Qiao suddenly snapped back to attention and followed the inner court attendant to the Crown Princess’s sleeping chamber.

Upon stepping into the sleeping chamber, a stifling, oppressive feeling rushed at her.

When she saw the skeletal Crown Princess, Second Miss Qiao couldn’t help but cry out: “Sister, how did you become like this—”

The Crown Princess dismissed those serving her, her tone desolate: “Haven’t Father and the others thought of a way to invite the divine physician yet?”

Second Miss Qiao didn’t quite dare to look at the Crown Princess’s eyes and shook her head with difficulty: “Not yet.”

The bit of light in the Crown Princess’s eyes dimmed at once, her tone becoming even more indifferent: “If that’s the case, then go back. Come see me again when there’s good news.”

“Sister, Mother sent me to keep you company.”

The Crown Princess smiled bitterly: “What difference does keeping company or not make? As long as the scars on my face don’t fade for a single day, I’m not fit to be seen. Go back and tell Father and Mother that helping me invite the divine physician is the greatest help. Only then will I be able to take care of you and younger brother in the future.”

Second Miss Qiao hesitated without making a sound.

“Go back.”

Second Miss Qiao stood without moving.

The Crown Princess glanced at her.

“Sister, I encountered the Crown Prince on my way here.”

The Crown Princess’s gaze at Second Miss Qiao suddenly deepened.

Second Miss Qiao inexplicably felt somewhat guilty. She tried her best to assume a casual manner and asked with concern: “Sister, did the Crown Prince come to see you today?”

The Crown Princess stared at Second Miss Qiao without speaking.

Second Miss Qiao became uneasy and stammered: “Sister—”

The Crown Princess suddenly sighed: “Second Sister, have you developed feelings for the Crown Prince?”

Second Miss Qiao looked at the Crown Princess in shock, her face turning completely red: “Sister, I haven’t—”

In the Crown Princess’s eyes were sorrow, fury, and helplessness, all of which were concealed by a faint smile: “Second Sister, you needn’t hide it from me. You’ve followed me since childhood. When it comes to understanding you, I’m afraid I understand you even better than Mother does.”

“Sister, I truly haven’t thought such things…” Second Miss Qiao couldn’t help but lower her head.

The Crown Princess smiled: “It doesn’t matter if you think this way. However, Second Sister, you must know that if I lose my position as Crown Princess, your thoughts can only come to nothing. The Qiao family has produced one Crown Princess and cannot produce a second, unless we wait until the future…”

The Crown Princess didn’t finish the rest of her words, but Second Miss Qiao’s heart began to beat rapidly.

She understood her sister’s meaning. When the Crown Prince became Emperor in the future and filled the imperial harem, as the Empress’s younger sister, wanting to serve His Majesty would be a matter of her sister saying one word.

“Go back. I’ll wait for good news from home.”

After Second Miss Qiao left, the Crown Princess shut herself in the room, her heart ice-cold.

The news of her disfigurement had only just spread, yet unexpectedly her own younger sister had developed such thoughts so quickly.

No, perhaps Second Sister had long harbored such feelings, but now thinking she saw an opportunity, couldn’t help but reveal them, which allowed her to detect it.

Even her own younger sister was like this—what about others?

They probably all wished they could devour her alive, right?

The Crown Princess raised her hand to stroke her left cheek.

The originally smooth skin had become uneven, instantly igniting the irritability and resentment in her heart.

Trapped in the Eastern Palace, she was almost powerless. She would see what Second Sister would do after hearing her words today.

As for the future—heh, His Majesty’s health was still fairly robust. Who knew when the Crown Prince would be able to sit on that throne?

Even if Second Sister remained unmarried after the Crown Prince’s ascension, what harm was there in letting her enter the palace?

The most important thing right now was still to restore her appearance.

The Crown Princess lowered her hand, the corners of her mouth holding a cold smile.

She had been disfigured, yet Concubine Yu, who had been treated as a treasure by the Crown Prince, had lost her life. Truly speaking, her luck wasn’t that bad. As long as she could invite the divine physician, she could immediately change her current situation.

In this matter, she still had to rely on her maiden family.

After leaving the palace, Second Miss Qiao turned over in her mind again and again the Crown Princess’s words.

Sister had spoken correctly. If Sister lost her position as Crown Princess now, the Qiao family couldn’t possibly send another young lady into the Eastern Palace.

Even if her parents were willing, the imperial family wouldn’t do such a thing.

Who told Wan’er she wasn’t an imperial grandson? If it were to raise an imperial heir, there would be such a possibility.

This being the case, preserving Sister’s position as Crown Princess was most advantageous for the Qiao family.

What a pity that Father’s hair had turned white with anxiety, Mother was so anxious she couldn’t eat or sleep, yet they still hadn’t thought of a way to invite the divine physician.

The carriage traveled along the street. Second Miss Qiao lifted the curtain to look outside.

The street was still bustling and lively, unchanged by any family’s troubles.

If the carriage turned at the corner ahead, it would go onto Qingxing Street.

Second Miss Qiao stared in that direction, her eyes unblinking.

Youjian Tavern that Luo Sheng opened was right there.

Clearly, as long as Luo Sheng was willing to help, it could resolve this crisis for the Qiao residence.

Watching the carriage about to reach the intersection, Second Miss Qiao made up her mind and ordered: “Don’t return to the residence yet. Go to Qingxing Street.”