If not for the overwhelming evidence pointing to the truth, even Xiao Yan might have doubted whether his suspicions were misplaced. But years of experience had taught him that in this world, no absurdity was impossible—especially when it came to the royal family.
Recalling events from the past, a flicker of coldness passed through Xiao Yan’s eyes as he addressed Tang Ning:
“We can’t determine exactly which one of them it is just yet, but if we truly want to find out, there are ways.”
“Brother, are you suggesting... Aunt?” Tang Ning’s lips turned pale.
Xiao Yan nodded. “Your aunt has been married into the Cheng Prince's manor for years. In the eyes of the public, she and the prince share deep affection, but despite many years of marriage, she has only given birth to Xie Yin.”
“The rumors outside claimed her health was frail, but now that she is with child again, it’s clear her body is fine. The years of barrenness were likely caused by someone’s interference.”
That someone couldn’t tolerate the Cheng Prince having a second heir. They had suppressed the princess for years. Now that she was pregnant again and the Cheng Prince was making every effort to have her return, if that person were truly as extreme, they might act once more…
Xiao Yan paused, then frowned. A second heir?
No, something didn’t add up.
If that person were truly so obsessive, they wouldn’t have allowed the princess to give birth to Xie Yin in the first place.
The thought flitted through his mind, leaving a trace that he carefully noted but chose not to voice. Instead, he said,
“If she moves against the princess, we’ll catch her trail.”
Tang Ning hesitated. “But the Lu family just had their incident. If it really is the Empress, would she dare to stir up more trouble…”
“It’s precisely because the Lu family is in trouble that she has to act.”
Seeing Tang Ning’s confusion, Xiao Yan spoke coldly,
“With Lu Zhao imprisoned, Lu Chongyuan under house arrest, and the Lu family suffering consecutive blows, all of this ultimately traces back to you and me. The canal grain case has left the Lu family no room to recover. If they are thoroughly defeated, the Empress and the Fourth Prince will also be implicated. At a time like this, nothing turns the tide better than taking a desperate gamble.”
“Consider this: if something untoward happens to the Cheng Princess now—if, like before with Gu Helian, she is framed for an affair, accused of adultery, or worse, if there are doubts that the child she carries is Gu Helian’s illegitimate offspring—”
“With the Cheng Prince’s manor using this as leverage, would you back down?”
Tang Ning’s expression changed drastically. “I…”
Xiao Yan gazed at her. “To protect the princess, you wouldn’t just back down; you’d plead with me to spare the Lu family in exchange for her safety.”
“And if I were ruthless and ignored your plea, the shame would fall entirely on you and the princess. If I chose to shield you, I’d retreat step by step, giving the Lu family the leverage to make a comeback.”
Tang Ning’s hands trembled. She wanted to say she wouldn’t, but the words wouldn’t come.
Her aunt was her only living relative by blood. In her past life, she hadn’t even known how her aunt had met her end. Guilt overwhelmed her, driving her desire to protect her aunt at all costs.
If Xiao Yan’s predictions came true, and her aunt was framed, unable to clear her name, then if the Cheng Prince’s manor and the Lu family used this as a bargaining chip, she wouldn’t stand idly by and let her aunt die.
Seeing her pale face, Xiao Yan sighed. “The Empress knows how to tug at your heartstrings.”
The girl had been under the Lu family’s thumb for so many years. No one knew better than the Empress how to exploit her vulnerabilities. There were only one or two people she truly cared for, but that was enough.
Tang Ning clutched his sleeve instinctively. “Brother, they’ll hurt my aunt…”
“Gu Helian was framed once before. He won’t let himself fall for the same trick twice.”
“But the Empress… if she really plans something, it’s impossible to guard against her. Can’t we expose her in advance?”
“There’s no evidence.”
Xiao Yan looked at her slender fingers gripping his sleeve and lowered his gaze, his voice softening.
“This entire matter is still just speculation. For now, we can’t even prove who is involved with the Cheng Prince’s manor, let alone pin anything on the Lu family. If the Empress is involved, she’ll cover her tracks thoroughly. And the Cheng Prince… he wouldn’t be foolish enough to confess and send himself to the chopping block.”
An affair with the emperor’s sister-in-law, the current Empress, hidden from the emperor for years—if exposed, the Cheng Prince’s entire household would lose their heads.
Even in death, the Cheng Prince wouldn’t breathe a word.
And whether for her own sake, the Fourth Prince’s, or the thousand members of the Lu family, the Empress would ensure no evidence could be used against her.
Xiao Yan lightly patted Tang Ning’s hand. “Discovering that there’s someone pulling the strings was already a pleasant surprise. Don’t rush the rest.”
Seeing her pale, he added,
“Have you forgotten what I taught you? Plan thoroughly before acting. Whatever happens, don’t panic. Once we have a target, we’ll bide our time and strip them of their defenses layer by layer. Right now, they’re the ones under pressure, not us.”
His voice softened, steadying her frayed nerves.
“If it’s the princess, any rash action will expose her. If it’s the Empress, she’s trapped by the Lu family’s downfall, a cage of her own making. She’s more desperate than anyone. Whatever she does, her ultimate goal is still us.”
Tang Ning tilted her head to look at Xiao Yan. His calm composure and the warmth of his hand gave her a sense of security. Her racing heart slowly steadied.
She tightened her hold on his sleeve. “Brother…”
“Don’t be afraid.” Xiao Yan’s voice was firm and steady, like a tolling bell. “I’m here.”
Tang Ning felt her heart settle. Holding onto his fingers, she murmured, “I’m not afraid.”
Because her brother was there.
She wouldn’t fear anything.
The sound of wind and rain grew louder, droplets tapping against the carriage window. The six-sided wind chime hanging by the carriage swayed gently.
As Xijue Tower prepared to close for the night, the carriage from the Supervisor’s residence arrived. The shopkeeper, familiar with the driver from Xiao Yan’s frequent visits for sweets, hurried to greet him.
“Chief Jin, is the Supervisor here to buy pastries for Miss Song again? The usual? Or something different this time?”
Jin Yun smiled. “My young lady isn’t eating sweets today.”
The Supervisor was sweet enough himself—no need to overindulge.
Glancing at the untouched curtain of the carriage, Jin Yun struggled to reconcile the current Xiao Yan with the sharp-tongued man he used to know. His master’s words, once biting like blades, now dripped with honey.
He turned to the shopkeeper. “Prepare some gifts for others instead—something nice, in a good-looking box. The Supervisor and the young lady are visiting friends.”
“What kind of friends?” the shopkeeper asked casually, trying to gauge what sort of items would be appropriate.
Jin Yun gripped his umbrella and replied nonchalantly, “The kind who’ve been sweet-talked into submission.”
Shopkeeper: “...”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
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