“The news about the Emperor executing the Wen family has spread.”
Qingyao reported the latest developments to Shang Changge.
“At first, someone deliberately released rumors that concealed the Wen family’s attempt on Your Highness’s life.”
“They avoided mentioning the important parts and only spread the story that Miss Wen offended Your Highness.”
“They said you became unhappy, went crying to the Emperor, and had the entire Wen family executed.”
Shang Changge raised an eyebrow.
“And then?”
Qingyao continued.
“Common people believe whatever they hear.”
“Once the rumors started spreading, curses and insults against Your Highness were everywhere.”
“Only later, during the afternoon, did the situation begin to change.”
“A restaurant called Fragrance Returns Again on South Street spread the truth about the Wen family’s attempt to kill Your Highness.”
“After that, the criticism gradually died down.”
“Oh?”
Now Shang Changge was genuinely interested.
Who was this kind soul willing to clear her name despite her notoriously awful reputation?
“I sent people to investigate.”
“The restaurant owner said the person who publicly defended Your Highness was Miss Feng, the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”
These past three days had been incredibly busy at the Princess Estate.
As the only person Shang Changge fully trusted, Qingyao had been handling countless matters personally.
She herself had only learned about this incident around noon and immediately sent people to inquire.
Shang Changge quickly searched through the original owner’s memories.
She immediately found information about this Miss Feng.
A smile appeared on her lips.
“Really?”
“Then make a note of it.”
“When the opportunity is right, we should properly thank her.”
Now wasn’t the appropriate time.
The old emperor had just failed to kill her and was undoubtedly still furious.
Anyone who got too close to her now might end up earning the Emperor’s resentment as well.
However…
After thinking for a moment, Shang Changge suspected Miss Feng’s actions had been arranged by someone else.
The rumors that had initially harmed her reputation were clearly intentional.
And they had very likely originated from the old emperor himself.
The officials of the court were all crafty old foxes.
The moment news spread that she had been attacked within the imperial capital, most of them had probably figured out exactly what was happening.
Under those circumstances—
anyone with common sense would avoid opposing the Emperor.
Only the Empress and her powerful Chancellor grandfather would be willing to publicly defend her.
And the most suitable person for that role happened to be Feng Xiyao, the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
The Court of Judicial Review handled investigations.
As the minister’s daughter, Feng Xiyao speaking a few fair words on behalf of the Princess was perfectly reasonable.
Even the Emperor would struggle to find fault with it.
More importantly—
the minister himself had been personally promoted by her powerful grandfather.
Tsk.
Power truly was a wonderful thing.
No matter the era.
“Oh, right.”
Suddenly remembering something important, Shang Changge set down the wolf-hair brush she had been using.
She turned to Qingyao.
“Go to Mingxuan Hall.”
“Ask the physicians for several bottles of poison.”
“And bring the antidotes as well.”
Although Jing Xiuming was gone, Mingxuan Hall remained.
The Princess Estate was huge.
Leaving the place empty would be wasteful.
So Shang Changge had moved several physicians into the hall.
These physicians, like many of the estate’s servants, had originally been sent over from Crown Prince Changze’s residence.
Whether they had been loyal before was unclear.
But now?
They were absolutely loyal.
Because if Shang Changge died, everyone in the estate—including their families—would be buried alongside her.
Qingyao immediately obeyed.
Not long afterward, she returned carrying an assortment of bottles and jars.
Then something unexpected happened.
Her delicate face lit up with excitement.
Her voice was full of eager anticipation.
“Your Highness.”
“Who are we poisoning?”
“Miss Yun?”
Although the Wen family had taken the blame for everything, Qingyao had remained by Shang Changge’s side throughout the entire affair.
After hearing and witnessing so much, she had naturally pieced together some of the hidden truths.
Shang Changge nearly choked.
Instantly, she remembered the corpses of Qinghe and Qingyu—
the ones decorated with pink ribbon bows.
Ahem.
Maintaining a solemn expression, she assumed the air of someone profound and mysterious.
The nonsense rolled off her tongue effortlessly.
“Qingyao.”
“I’ve recently discovered something.”
Qingyao blinked.
“What is it, Your Highness?”
Shang Changge sat upright with utmost seriousness.
Then declared:
“I seem to be immune to all poisons.”
Qingyao: ………???
What?! 😶