Shen Zhiyi was shocked.
She had originally only wanted to watch the Wang family’s drama, but she didn’t expect Shen Ruoyue to be so capable—she had actually helped expose Leng Zhu’s identity directly.
Madam Chen Wanyan smiled faintly.
Thanks to her daughter’s inner voice, she had already learned in advance that Leng Zhu was allergic to safflower (洛神花).
She knew Leng Zhu would definitely try to stir trouble during the ritual to target Zhiyi, so she had secretly administered safflower pollen to her beforehand, intending to disrupt her plans.
She just hadn’t expected the effect to take so long—it had almost caused a major disaster. Fortunately, Zhiyi was blessed with good fortune, and all the waiting had not been in vain.
As for this unexpected bonus—the exposure of Leng Zhu’s crimes—it was ultimately her dear daughter who had brought her downfall.
Madam Chen Wanyan felt a wave of satisfaction.
Shen Ruoyue was completely stunned.
“How… how could this happen…”
She stared blankly at the nun’s cap and wig in her hands, retreating in panic.
Shen Honglang was furious.
What exactly was wrong with Leng Zhu—how could she fall apart at the most critical moment?!
And this Shen Ruoyue—wasn’t she usually so obedient and sensible? Why was she now only causing trouble?!
What were they supposed to do now?!
This sudden turn of events caused a huge uproar.
“Master Kongwu… is actually a fake nun?!”
In the Great Xia Dynasty, it was not unheard of for women to practice Buddhism with shaved heads, but it was well known that Kongwu had taken full tonsure.
For ten years, she sometimes appeared without a nun’s cap. Just days ago, she was clearly bald—so how had she suddenly grown long hair?
There was only one explanation: Kongwu had always had long hair.
Her so-called shaving of the head and becoming a nun had been a complete lie from the very beginning.
Serving the Buddha required sincerity above all else.
If Kongwu could not even meet this basic requirement, how could she possibly communicate with the divine or interpret Buddhist messages?
The fact that the Buddha had not punished her already felt like a great mercy.
And now, recalling everything that had happened today, it was obvious: Kongwu had never been unwell or mistaken.
She had been deceiving everyone all along!
Several noble ladies could not withstand the shock and nearly fainted.
“If Kongwu was a fake nun… then my child who was sent away to the countryside…”
“If not for Kongwu, how would I have been separated from my child…”
“We were played like fools by her for all these years?!”
Realizing they had been deceived, overwhelming rage swept through the crowd.
For years, Kongwu had been renowned across the capital. Countless nobles had sought her blessings and divinations. Their anger was not merely about lost money—it was the humiliation of being manipulated by a fraudulent nun despite their noble status.
It was an insult to their dignity.
And when they recalled how, moments earlier, they had followed Kongwu’s guidance to condemn the innocent Shen family young lady—how they had still believed her when the Buddha statue was said to be divinely disturbed, and even when the temple scandal broke—they became even more enraged.
“This must be reported to the imperial court!”
“This old witch Kongwu should be thrown into prison—she deserves death!”
The crowd was furious.
Under unanimous condemnation, Leng Zhu still seemed not to hear them. She scratched at her body like a madwoman.
Her skin had already been torn open, leaving bloody marks, yet she continued scratching without stopping.
The itching was unbearable, but aside from her initial confusion, she had regained clarity.
However, she was now trapped.
The situation was completely out of control.
One incident after another had shattered her credibility. At this point, no matter what she said, the enraged crowd would not listen.
She could only pretend she had been poisoned or fallen ill to escape the situation temporarily and plan later.
Hearing someone shout that she should be sent to the authorities, Leng Zhu suddenly roared and crashed into the incense table.
The moment her head hit it, she collapsed on the spot, pretending to faint.
With the culprit carried away, the crowd did not let it end there and instead turned their anger toward the Marquis household.
“Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, Kongwu has been staying in your residence all these years—you must give us an explanation!”
Shen Honglang was forced to step forward.
At this point, he could only distance himself completely to avoid being implicated.
He put on a furious expression and spat loudly.
“Kongwu has deceived us all!”
“Although she stayed in the Marquis household, I knew nothing of her actions—I never imagined she was a fake nun!”
【Tch. When trouble comes, my dear father is quick to clear his name.】
But thinking of Leng Zhu’s connections to his businesses, if she were investigated thoroughly, he might not escape either.
Shen Honglang quickly added:
“Kongwu once cultivated in Qinglong Temple and held a high position there. Since Qinglong Temple is the imperial temple, directly sending her to the authorities would be inappropriate and could damage the dignity of the royal court.”
“I ask everyone to calm down. We should first seek an explanation from Qinglong Temple. Once evidence is confirmed, we can report to His Majesty.”
With just a few words, he subtly redirected the blame.
The situation had escalated too suddenly today—they were completely unprepared.
As long as the emperor was not immediately informed, they would have time to respond.
Xu Jiangchen’s expression turned cold.
Shen Honglang’s actions were clearly an attempt to delay.
Every moment he delayed gave Leng Zhu a greater chance of escape—and gave Shen Zhiyi’s ally less time to return.
Xu Jiangchen felt irritation rising in his chest, but it suddenly eased when he heard Shen Zhiyi’s inner voice.
【Good, good—go demand answers from Qinglong Temple!】
【So-called imperial temple, huh? Qinglong Temple has long been under someone’s control. If they investigate it, the entire capital might turn upside down!】
Shen Zhiyi was thrilled.
She had thought the matter would end with Leng Zhu, and was wondering how to get more gossip. She never expected her “cheap father” to directly shift the storm toward Qinglong Temple.
What a truly “good person”!