The young woman in the dressing mirror had an indifferent expression and a calm tone: “Spread word of His Majesty’s benevolent act of clearing Prince Zhennan’s manor of its grave injustice.”

Since Emperor Yong’an wouldn’t do it, then she would use public opinion to force him to do it and let him taste what it was like to be a duck driven onto a perch.

Kou’er responded in acknowledgment, then thought for a moment and said, “Miss, this kind of rumor involves His Majesty—the Grand Marshal will find out—”

“It doesn’t matter. Just do as I say.”

Kou’er said no more and gently arranged Luo Sheng’s hair.

Very soon, a rumor spread through the major streets and small alleys of the capital: His Majesty had long suspected that Prince Zhennan’s manor had been falsely accused by Prince Pingnan’s manor, which was why when Prince Zhennan’s youngest son was found last year, he wasn’t executed but protected under the name of house arrest. Now that Prince Pingnan’s manor had fallen, Prince Zhennan’s manor had finally been cleared of its grave injustice and would have a successor…

When the news reached Grand Marshal Luo’s ears, he remained silent for a long while.

“The rumor is spreading quickly. Please set your mind at ease, Foster Father. Your son is currently tracking down the source.”

Grand Marshal Luo came back to his senses, looked deeply at Yun Dong, and patted his shoulder, saying, “Investigate, but rumors are like rootless duckweed—the source isn’t so easy to find. Just do what you can.”

Yun Dong felt there was some deeper meaning in his foster father’s words but couldn’t quite understand it for the moment.

The hand on his shoulder increased its pressure: “Go. You are the one your foster father trusts most.”

“Your son takes his leave.” Yun Dong clasped his fists and withdrew from the study. As he walked, he suddenly paused mid-step and looked back deeply at the tightly closed study door.

Foster Father’s meaning… was for him not to investigate too deeply?

Why was this?

The curiosity flashed by, and Yun Dong walked forward expressionlessly.

Whatever the meaning, in any case, he would just follow his foster father’s instructions.

Grand Marshal Luo stood by the window in contemplation for a moment, then pushed the door open and went out.

“Your Majesty, Grand Marshal Luo requests an audience.”

Emperor Yong’an had just returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation from Noble Consort Xiao’s chambers when he heard the report of Grand Marshal Luo requesting an audience.

“Summon him.”

Before long, Grand Marshal Luo entered, bowing respectfully: “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“What is the matter?” Facing his close minister, Emperor Yong’an got straight to the point.

“Outside they are all saying that Prince Zhennan’s manor has been cleared and rehabilitated…” Grand Marshal Luo recounted the rumors he had heard and clearly saw Emperor Yong’an’s expression darken.

After quite a while, Emperor Yong’an asked coolly, “Where did this rumor come from?”

“This subject is currently investigating.”

Emperor Yong’an furrowed his brow, holding no hope that the first person to spread the rumor could be found.

Rumors were just like that—one person tells ten, ten tell a hundred. Trying to trace back to the source was too difficult. And once they spread, they were like a prairie fire—most troublesome indeed.

Dismissing Grand Marshal Luo, Emperor Yong’an paced back and forth, weighing the matter of Prince Zhennan’s manor.

Zhou Shan stood to the side, not daring to interrupt.

“Zhou Shan, why do you think such a rumor arose?” Emperor Yong’an suddenly asked.

Zhou Shan lowered his head: “This servant feels that the common people are mostly ignorant and often hear the wind and assume rain. They love to make assumptions. Seeing Prince Pingnan’s manor being dealt with, they thought of Prince Zhennan’s manor being restored…”

Emperor Yong’an’s eyes flickered slightly, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

One of Prince Pingnan’s manor’s crimes had been falsely accusing Prince Zhennan’s manor. Now that news of Prince Zhennan’s manor’s restoration was spreading like wildfire and the common people believed it deeply, playing deaf and dumb could no longer gloss over it.

Emperor Yong’an was somewhat annoyed, but he wouldn’t let annoyance cloud his judgment.

In his years on the throne, he had long understood that sitting in this position didn’t mean he could do as he pleased—many things required balance and compromise.

Of course, the prerequisite for balance was that it wouldn’t endanger imperial power.

A child with only one guard remaining, kept under his very nose—could he possibly stir up trouble?

“Summon the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers to the palace for deliberation.”

After two days of deliberation, an edict for the restoration of Prince Zhennan’s manor was issued. Prince Zhennan’s orphan was enfeoffed as the new Prince Zhennan, and the property that had been confiscated to the national treasury would be returned according to the records.

Subtly, the bestowed manor residence was precisely the recently vacated former Prince Pingnan’s manor.

On the day renovations began on the former Prince Pingnan’s manor, it was surrounded by crowds watching the excitement. Luo Sheng stood among them, witnessing with her own eyes the gilt door plaque inscribed with “Prince Pingnan’s Manor” being taken down and replaced with a brand new plaque.

From this day forward, this residence with green-tiled vermilion gates would be Prince Zhennan’s Manor.

By the time the wintersweet blossomed in the eleventh month, the prince’s manor renovations were complete, and the new Prince Zhennan chose an auspicious day to move in.

For the new Prince Zhennan’s housewarming celebration, all officials and nobles showed their respects, either attending in person or sending congratulatory gifts.

When Grand Marshal Luo was preparing to attend the banquet with Luo Chen, he was stopped by Luo Sheng.

“Does Sheng’er have something to say?”

Luo Sheng spoke with complete confidence: “Father, I want to go too.”

Grand Marshal Luo was stunned: “Go… to Prince Zhennan’s Manor?”

Luo Sheng nodded and glanced at Luo Chen: “Why would you only take younger brother to such an exciting event?”

The corner of Luo Chen’s mouth twitched.

Grand Marshal Luo laughed dryly: “Prince Zhennan is still very young. If Sheng’er goes, the prince’s manor may not have suitable female family members to receive you.”

“As long as I can see Prince Zhennan, that’s enough. Your daughter heard that Prince Zhennan is about the same age as younger brother. I’m very curious what he looks like to have become a prince at such a young age.”

Luo Chen couldn’t bear it any longer and spoke up: “What does this have to do with age?”

As if it were an imperial examination!

Seeing Grand Marshal Luo remain silent, Luo Sheng softened her tone: “Father—”

“Alright then.” Grand Marshal Luo agreed immediately.

Luo Chen silently rolled his eyes.

On the journey there, Luo Sheng rode in the carriage while father and son rode horses.

Grand Marshal Luo sat astride his horse, gazing at the completely renewed Prince Zhennan’s Manor from afar, his expression somewhat complicated.

Luo Sheng lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, taking in Grand Marshal Luo’s reaction completely, then lowered her eyes with a smile.

She could probably understand Grand Marshal Luo’s current state of mind.

Grand Marshal Luo had led troops to raid Prince Zhennan’s Manor, then raided Prince Pingnan’s Manor. Prince Pingnan’s Manor in the capital had transformed into Prince Zhennan’s Manor, and now he was leading a son and daughter to offer congratulations.

And the son beside him was actually the true new Prince Zhennan…

If his feelings weren’t complicated, that would be strange indeed.

Luo Sheng’s mood was equally complicated.

Facilitating the restoration of Prince Zhennan’s manor’s rightful reputation could be considered a step forward, but now the one occupying the title of Prince Zhennan wasn’t Bao’er. Restoring Bao’er’s true identity wouldn’t be a simple matter.

Luo Sheng gazed for a long while at the refined young man riding the horse.

Luo Chen kept his eyes straight ahead on the road, yet that gaze still rested on him.

The young man couldn’t help but frown.

Why did Luo Sheng keep staring at him? Even though they were biological siblings, it wasn’t appropriate to keep looking at him endlessly.

Could his hair be messy, or had he not washed his face clean?

Luo Chen struggled to suppress the urge to touch his hair or face, turned his head with a stern expression, and asked Luo Sheng, “Does elder sister have something to say?”

Luo Sheng came back to her senses and shook her head: “Nothing.”

With that, she decisively lowered the carriage curtain.

Luo Chen stared at the swaying carriage curtain and took a deep breath inwardly.

He wasn’t angry—who told him to be stuck with such a sister!

After traveling a bit further, the carriage stopped, and Grand Marshal Luo’s voice reached inside the carriage: “Sheng’er, we’ve arrived at Prince Zhennan’s Manor.”

The carriage remained quiet for a moment, then the carriage door curtain was lifted, and Luo Sheng emerged with her head lowered.