The Hengshan Grand Princess’s manor was as grand as a prince’s residence.
It housed numerous advisors, with officials constantly coming and going.
Qu Ling presented the jade pendant gifted by the Princess years ago and was swiftly admitted.
The Princess abandoned her political affairs and hurried to the drawing room.
“Aunt—”
Qu Ling threw herself directly into her embrace.
The Princess paused briefly before wrapping her arms around her.
“…I originally sent your sister Yuan Rong to fetch you, but she ended up fighting with the Crown Prince and even injured him. She’s now confined in the palace being punished.”
Qu Ling lifted her head, her face strikingly similar to her mother’s.
The Princess caressed her face in a daze, tears involuntarily falling. “You’ve grown up.”
She continued, “Do you resent me for only allowing your return to the capital today?”
Qu Ling shook her head. “If not for you, Aunt, I would have been killed long ago.”
She relayed every word Mama Fang had spoken before death to the Princess.
“Aunt, I dare not return. In that place, everyone wants me dead.”
The Princess immediately summoned an Imperial Physician to assert her authority. “Don’t be afraid. Your aunt will surely seek justice for you.”
The sun reached its zenith.
Qu Sheng had lingered outside the manor for a long time before mustering the courage to knock on the Hou Manor’s gate. Standing in the Old Madam’s chamber, his mouth felt parched.
“You say she went to the Princess Manor?” The Old Madam’s expression darkened.
The Marquise Song Shi accompanied by her daughter Qu Lianzhi and stepdaughter Qu Lianxue, along with Second Madam He Shi and her daughter Qu Lianjia, had all gathered there.
“The eldest young lady still holds a grudge against me,” Song Shi sighed. “I should have gone to fetch her personally.”
Qu Lianzhi complained, “What right does she have to resent Mother? Years ago, she brandished a knife threatening violence—who in the entire capital disrespects their legal mother like she did? Grandmother showed mercy by not sending her to the family temple, only exiling her to Jiangzhou. What more could she want?”
“If she doesn’t wish to return, then don’t let her!” the Old Madam snorted. “If she seeks entry another day, it won’t be so easy.”
Song Shi secretly smiled but spoke gently, “Mother, please calm your anger. For a Hou Manor young lady to reside in the Princess Manor would disgrace the Marquis if word spread. This daughter-in-law will go personally to bring her back.”
A grand procession would let everyone know how arrogant and disrespectful this eldest young lady was.
The Old Madam nodded. “Then I must trouble you.”
Inwardly, she cursed Qu Ling’s incompetence.
She had hoped to pit her against Song Shi, never expecting she wouldn’t even dare enter the family gate.
Qu Lianzhi rose alongside her. “I’ll accompany Mother.”
There was someone at the Princess Manor she wished to see.
Song Shi had just returned to the Main Courtyard to change into outdoor attire when a commotion erupted.
“What’s happening?” Mama Cao scolded. “Disturbing the Madam—what offense is this!”
Unexpectedly, the Princess Manor’s female official entered, followed by several maids and Capital Prefecture officers.
“By the Princess’s order, we search these premises. All unrelated personnel, step aside immediately,” the female official declared coldly.
Song Shi frowned.
“How dare you act so recklessly!” Mama Cao snapped, shielding the Marquise. “This is the inner quarters of Dingxiang Marquis Manor! Our Madam is the Empress’s own sister—how dare you offend!”
The female official stepped forward, holding the Capital Prefecture document. “The Imperial Hospital has confirmed the Hou Manor’s eldest young lady is poisoned with Hibiscus Frost. This toxin accumulates over time. The Princess has filed a case with the Capital Prefecture.”
Mama Cao was shaken, instinctively glancing at Song Shi.
Song Shi’s eyes flickered, nails digging into her palms as she steadied herself. “The eldest young lady grew up in Jiangzhou. What has her poisoning to do with me?”
The court lady produced another blood-stained letter. “This is the confession written by Mama Fang, who served by your side, before her death.”
The bloody handprint was startling, causing Song Shi’s legs to nearly give way.
“She died in Jiangzhou. I’m afraid someone is crying thief while being the thief themselves.”
“Since that’s the case, please step aside, Madam. A search will reveal the truth,” the court lady said.
Song Shi lifted her chin. “If the Princess insists on framing and humiliating Hou Manor like this, what will she do if nothing is found?”
“The Princess says she will personally apologize to you and secure a County Princess title for Second Miss.When Empress Dowager Song was still alive, Song Shi had countless times tried to obtain a County Princess title for Qu Lianzhi, but the Princess had always interfered and ruined her efforts.
The court lady’s words made her waver.
“Fine,” she stepped aside. “Since the Princess wishes to search, then search away.”
That old wretch Mama Fang had confessed everything to save her own skin.
Only now did Song Shi finally recall a neglected question.
Why did Mama Fang kill Mama Zhou?
There was no reason.
Could it be that Qu Ling had discovered something?
Impossible.
If she had known, how could she have remained so composed?
Song Shi used this moment to ponder, and the more she thought, the more alarmed she became.
Mama Fang knew nothing about the Lotus Mist. Then… how did Qu Ling find out?
After much thought, the only explanation was that Mama Zhou had betrayed her, and Mama Fang had eliminated the traitor, only to be used by Qu Ling in turn.
Song Shi pressed her chest, breathing heavily.
Thank goodness.
The Lotus Mist had never passed through her hands, much less been kept in the manor.
A wave of regret washed over her.
She should have killed that wretched girl Qu Ling back then.
Then murderous intent surged.
Now that she’s back, there are plenty of ways to kill her quietly.
“Found it! Found it!”
The voice from inside the room startled the birds on the eaves into flight.
Song Shi whirled around, disbelief in her eyes as she watched the court lady emerge holding a porcelain bottle.
The accompanying Imperial Physician stepped forward to examine it. “It is indeed Lotus Mist.”
“Impossible!” Song Shi exclaimed. “You brought this yourselves and planted it in my room to frame me.”
Such a scheme was utterly clumsy.
The Old Madam, having heard the commotion in Hou Manor, hurried over.
The Imperial Physician stated bluntly, “The poison in the Eldest Miss’s body has been there for seven years.”
Both Song Shi and the Old Madam recognized this Imperial Physician—he had treated Empress Dowager Song.
His words could not be false.
“Seven years ago, the Eldest Miss was only nine years old. She left Hou Manor at age ten. Lotus Mist causes restlessness and haunting nightmares,” the court lady said. “It seems her stabbing you back then was also part of your scheme of self-injury.”
Song Shi shook her head in fury. “I wish to see Her Majesty the Empress. The Princess is fabricating charges against me.”
“Silence!” The Old Madam was truly angered.
Trembling, she ordered, “Send for the Marquis to return at once!”
It wasn’t out of concern for Qu Ling, but fear for herself.
This poisonous woman had dared to secretly poison Qu Ling in Hou Manor—could she not do the same to her?
The mere thought made the Old Madam’s soul shudder.
Pointing at Mama Cao nearby, she commanded, “Bind this wicked servant who harmed her mistress and hand her over to the Princess immediately.”
The Old Madam hadn’t lost her senses—Song Shi still had the Empress and Crown Prince behind her.
Mama Cao was initially horrified but quickly composed herself.
Someone had to take the blame.
“This servant acted alone in poisoning the Eldest Miss. It has nothing to do with the Madam.”
If she died, her family would likely be well taken care of.
The court lady did not press the matter further.
Before coming, Miss Qu had instructed, “Just break her wings. It’s not the right time for Aunt to openly clash with the Song Family.”
Nanny Cao, her face ashen, was bound and dragged out of Hou Manor.
The Old Madam raised her hand and struck Song Shi’s knee hard with her cane.
Song Shi cried out in pain and fell to the ground in disarray.