If all these possibilities exist, then, could the deposed Crown Princess’s near miscarriage despite being pregnant have been a performance for the Emperor?
If someone truly intended harm against the deposed Crown Prince, they might use this incident to inform the Emperor, prompting him to intervene on the deposed Crown Prince’s behalf and allowing him to see that there are still those who seek to eliminate the deposed Crown Prince.
As for who this person might be, it is simple: whoever most opposes the deposed Crown Prince’s resurgence, whoever stands to gain the most from his death, would become the Emperor’s prime suspect—and that would undoubtedly be the Fourth Prince.
If this was a scheme orchestrated around the pregnancy, then…
Lan Jin suddenly stood up. She had made a grave mistake! Over the years, she had focused her attention on the deposed Crown Prince but had treated the deposed Crown Princess as an ordinary noblewoman.
Yet a deposed Crown Princess capable of stabilizing the emotions of a deposed Crown Prince under house arrest could not possibly be ordinary, let alone the fact that the Deposed Crown Prince’s Mansion had endured countless schemes over the past three years without any scandals leaking out, and the deposed Crown Prince’s reputation remained intact. This was no ordinary feat.
She had acted with the power of "Feng Deng" but had overlooked a woman of such significance.
However, it was not too late.
Lan Jin lightly tapped the table: "Find Wen Xi. Apart from continuing the investigation into Wu Er, set aside all other less urgent matters. Gather information on the deposed Crown Princess, starting from her childhood. The more detailed, the better."
Zhao Tang, who had been startled into standing up alongside her, acknowledged the order and quickly left.
Sunlight streamed in through the doorway. Lan Jin gazed at Aunt Chang’s half-shadow on the floor, repeatedly rubbing the scar on her little finger.
Upon careful reflection, the deposed Crown Princess had concealed herself too well. Even when she was the Crown Princess, she was only known for her virtuous reputation, and her conduct was that of a typical noblewoman from a prominent family. During these three years of downfall, she had remained utterly silent. This pregnancy was the first ripple she had caused in all that time.
With her previous reputation as a foundation, even if she had orchestrated the scheme herself, no one would suspect her.
Could it be her?
Lan Jin suddenly smiled. She hoped it was.
Compared to the deposed Crown Prince, she preferred dealing with women—especially clever ones.
Rising to her feet, she stepped into the sunlight, squinting as she looked up. This capital, with its wealth and luxury that everyone yearned for, had a sky no different from anywhere else.
Little did she know at that moment, the bustle of the capital was indeed somewhat distinct from the outside world.
Although "Feng Deng" brought excitement wherever it went, such excitement had never before fallen upon her personally. Yet, in the past two days, the capital’s excitement had truly landed on her, and this news was of a scandalous nature.
In the study so large it occupied the entire courtyard, Zuo Li hesitated after reporting his matters.
The matter was truly peculiar, but precisely because it was so peculiar, he was unsure whether he should inform his master.
Lin Xihe set down his brush, reviewed the memorial from beginning to end, and glanced at him. "Speak."
"Yes." With the command given, Zuo Li no longer hesitated. "After you acted as an intermediary for that young lady at the Chengenhou Manor yesterday, rumors began circulating outside, saying… that the young lady, Lan Jin, is your woman."
Lin Xihe had just opened a new memorial and was about to pick up his brush when he paused at these words. He looked up at Zuo Li. "My woman?"
"Yes." Knowing his master was puzzled about how this conclusion had been reached, he quickly explained: "Miss Lan Jin arrived in the capital yesterday, and you happened to return yesterday as well. Moreover, you never normally take the initiative to attend anyone's wedding banquet, yet yesterday you went to Chengenhou Manor. When Miss Lan Jin needed an intermediary, you even stepped forward. So…"
Stealing a glance at his master, Zuo Li thought to himself that if he weren't following his master every day and certain that his master truly didn't know the girl, judging by his master's actions yesterday, he too would think his master had deliberately gone to the Marquis Mansion to provide backing for that girl. After all, his master wasn't in the habit of meddling in others' affairs.
Now Lin Xihe also found it strange. People had cursed him with all sorts of things and flattered him with all sorts of things, but being paired up with someone—that really hadn't happened before.
Leaning back into his chair, Lin Xihe asked, "What else are they saying?"
"They say no wonder Miss Lan Jin dared to be so arrogant in the Marquis Mansion—it turns out she has you as her backer. They also say, they also say…" Zuo Li stole another glance at his master, his voice lowering: "They also say the reason you haven't married yet is because you have a marriage arrangement back in your hometown, and Miss Lan Jin is your fiancée, who has come to the capital to marry you."
Lin Xihe laughed upon hearing this. If not for this reminder, he would have forgotten that marriage was even a matter in this lifetime.
"Have you traced the source?"
"Yes, as soon as I learned of this, I investigated. It was spread by those who went to Chengenhou Manor yesterday. Many people are spreading it; no one is deliberately pushing the matter."
Lin Xihe asked again, "What movement is there from Lan Jin's side?"
"None yet. The news is still circulating within small circles. She just arrived in the capital; even if she has some background, she probably won't get the news that quickly."
"Keep an eye on it. Report back if there's any movement."
Zuo Li hesitantly acknowledged, puzzled in his heart—was that all?
Lin Xihe picked up his brush again, preparing to write his second memorial. Seeing Zuo Li standing motionless, he asked, "Is there something else?"
Zuo Li took his leave, but after taking two steps, he felt uneasy and stopped, turning back to ask for instructions: "Does this matter require any action?"
"Can you seal everyone's mouths?" Lin Xihe dipped his brush in ink, saying as he did so, "This trifle isn't worth worrying about. Others don't know the truth and make wild guesses, but we know what the truth is. Going forward, you only need to pay attention to Lan Jin's reaction to this matter and what she will do."
"Yes, I take my leave."
In the quiet study, after finishing his second memorial, Lin Xihe set down his brush and stared at the still-wet ink, lost in thought.
Marriage—these two words felt too unfamiliar to him.
The Emperor had once spoken of arranging a marriage for him—sincerely at first, then as a test. After he refused several times, the Emperor never mentioned it again. Even when ministers who wanted to offer their daughters to curry favor brought it up, before he could speak, the Emperor would block them first.
Even in matters of marriage, he was allowed his way—what kind of imperial favor was this?
Lin Xihe lowered his head and smiled. Was it really allowing him his way? It was making him a lone minister!
As long as he remained a lone minister, a blade in the Emperor's hand, then whether he was arrogant, domineering, corrupt, or deceitful, the Emperor could tolerate it.
But so what?
Closing the memorial with dried ink and replacing it with a new one, Lin Xihe once again dipped his brush in ink to write his third.
Lan Jin received the news only a moment later than Lin Xihe. Her first reaction was: "There's such a good thing?"
Zhao Tang, who had brought back the news, was taken aback: "This is a good thing? Isn't this damaging your reputation, miss?"
"What good can a good reputation bring me, and what harm can a bad reputation do to me?" Lan Jin said with little concern. "Besides, it's not as if they're spreading rumors about me having an affair with someone, so it hardly counts as a bad reputation. Let Wen Xi do nothing and allow it to continue. It wasn’t me who claimed to be his fiancée—it was others who speculated. If anyone really wants to hold someone accountable, what does it have to do with me?"
Zhao Tang was still worried. "What if someone truly believes you are Lord Lin’s fiancée and tries to cause trouble for you?"
"Then turn that trouble into business and sell a few more lanterns. If they only dare to trouble me, it means they don’t dare to offend Lord Lin outright. That’s a perfect opportunity to make some silver."