Yu Wenxin offered a few humble words, then Meng Qing changed the topic: “I wonder, after working hard for most of the night, have you discovered whether Fifth Brother’s scheme today was a coincidence or premeditated?”
“Fortunately, this half night was not wasted. I have indeed found some clues. From three days ago, a mysterious guest has been staying in the Fifth Prince’s residence, and this guest left in the afternoon and has not returned by late night.”
“Oh? Premeditated?”
“I’m afraid it was premeditated.”
“So could he also be responsible for the Prime Minister’s death?”
“I have no definitive proof of the Prime Minister’s death, but I’m afraid it’s not unrelated to the assassination attempt on the Second Prince tonight.”
Meng Qing pondered privately that he only needed to remind Luo Ye about this matter, and Luo Ye would naturally use it to deal with Luo Ding. But this matter also couldn’t be revealed too early, for if all enemies were defeated, Luo Ye’s next target would be him.
Meng Qing said: “Please investigate the Prime Minister’s cause of death in detail.”
“I will certainly do my best.”
“Zhan is fortunate to have you, like having an extra brain and a pair of far-sighted eyes.”
Yu Wenxin slightly bowed: “This subordinate is fortunate to be valued by Your Highness.”
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
On the second day, Meng Qing and Yu Wen Xin went to visit the injured Luo Ding.
Luo Ding had only a light wound on his left arm and was not bedridden. As soon as Meng Qing and Yu Wen Xin entered, he rose and saluted with one hand: “Third Brother.”
Luo Ding had planted informants in both Luo Ye and Luo Zhan’s households, though his status was not high enough to learn the most confidential information. Even the low-ranking servants in Luo Ye’s household knew something had happened last night. Despite Pan Xian’s strict orders not to leak information, the servants were secretly discussing the incident, only knowing that the Second Prince had nearly been harmed.
Luo Ding learned that Luo Zhan had visited Luo Ye’s residence late last night and left only in the early hours, and shortly after, Luo Ye had almost met with an incident. Connecting these two events, Luo Zhan was most likely involved. Luo Ding was pleased to see Luo Zhan and Luo Ye at odds and thus tried to probe Luo Zhan with his words.
Yu Yi was listening to Meng Qing and Luo Ding’s conversation when she suddenly heard a maidservant greeting the prince’s consort outside. When she walked to the outer room, Shu Lan had just entered. Yu Yi performed a half-kneeling male courtesy to her.
Shu Lan had only learned that morning that Luo Zhan had brought back a woman last night. Luo Zhan had been keeping her at a distance recently, which had already made Shu Lan feel frustrated. Now, allowing a strange woman to stay in the Sheng Xue Yuan adjacent to the main courtyard made Shu Lan even more unsettled.
Shu Lan had specially changed into a dress that best showcased her elegant demeanor. She had carefully applied makeup, styled her hair in the recent popular capital hairstyle, and wore the set of East Pearl jewelry gifted by the Empress Dowager during the mid-autumn audience. She brought four of her most trusted maidservants to visit this Yi lady at Sheng Xue Yuan.
Shu Lan had arrived at Sheng Xue Yuan with a combative spirit, but was surprised to find that this Yi lady was dressed in plain men’s clothing, with a man’s hairstyle, and an extremely ordinary appearance.
At first glance, Shu Lan was shocked, then inwardly laughed. How could Luo Zhan be infatuated with such a woman? With her suspicions dispelled, Shu Lan’s demeanor softened. She smiled and asked Yu Yi to rise, inquiring about her comfort in Sheng Xue Yuan and if she needed anything.
Yu Yi casually responded to Shu Lan while simultaneously listening to Meng Qing and Luo Ding’s conversation through her earpiece.
Shu Lan did not notice her divided attention, merely thinking the Yi lady was somewhat reserved, perhaps shy from their first meeting. After talking for a while and finding no particular connection, Shu Lan left Sheng Xue Yuan.
At noon, Meng Qing returned to his residence and then went to Sheng Xue Yuan.
He and Yu Yi left the room and found an open area, having their attendants stay far away to facilitate their conversation. They discussed Luo Ding’s probing, with Yu Yi saying, “Luo Ding is pleased to see you fighting.”
Meng Qing laughed, “He keeps trying to provoke, so I deliberately made him think Luo Zhan hates Luo Ye, and vice versa.”
Yu Yi said, “I heard everything you said. Also, Shu Lan came here today.”
Meng Qing asked in surprise, “Did she give you a hard time?”
Yu Yi glanced at him, “In my current appearance, how could she possibly trouble me?”
The conversation continues with playful banter between Meng Qing and Yu Yi about eating lunch together and their current disguised states.
Those clothes in the box were not bad, some had hardly been worn, just made the year before last. The maids sorted these dresses and accessories into a specific box.
Shu Lan said softly, “Since they’re unwanted, give them away. Quickly find someone.” After a moment, she added, “Find the brightly colored ones.”
Yu Yi was chatting with Meng Qing when he heard Shu Lan arrive. He glanced at him with a smile and whispered, “Your prince’s wife is here.”
Meng Qing grimaced and said, “Men don’t interfere with inner courtyard affairs. I should leave.”
Yu Yi glared at him, “Dare to leave now? Isn’t this because of your frequent visits to Sheng Xue Yuan? If you had used video chat, Shu Lan wouldn’t have come to trouble me.”
Meng Qing smiled bitterly, “I wouldn’t dare.” He turned to Shu Lan with a calm expression, “Shu Lan, what brings you to find Yi Gugu?”
Shu Lan, seeing Luo Zhan clearly standing up for Yi Yao, felt increasingly uncomfortable. She smiled, “I noticed Yi Gugu lacks clothing and accessories, so I specially selected some clothes to give her.”
Yu Yi shook her head, “Your Highness is too kind. How could a commoner accept such noble clothing?” She understood Shu Lan’s implied criticism, making her feel inferior while appearing generous.
Shu Lan was stunned, looking inquiringly at the woman before her, wondering if Luo Zhan didn’t know her true appearance? She asked in confusion, “Why are you…
“
Meng Qing, hearing their conversation outside the door, asked, “Miss Yi, have you changed?”
Yi Yu smiled at Shu Lan and shook her head, then slightly raised her voice: “The empress’s clothing is too noble. This commoner looks inappropriate wearing it, so it’s more comfortable to change back to the original attire.” She then turned and returned to the inner room.
Meng Qing mouthed outside: “My wife, what tricks are you playing inside?”
Yi Yu replied: “To reassure the prince’s wife, to let her know I won’t steal her Third Prince.” Her intention was to avoid conflict with Shu Lan, but she didn’t want to be completely submissive or ridiculed, so she changed back to her true appearance to intimidate Shu Lan.
Meng Qing said: “I don’t need to stay here, right? You’re changing clothes back and forth, wasting so much time. My feet are getting sore. If there’s nothing for me to do, I’ll leave first.”
Yi Yu complained: “I told you to leave long ago, but you insisted on staying. In fact, she used the terminal to change clothes in an instant, but removing makeup and using special glue to attach eye corners took more time.”
Meng Qing begged: “I was wrong. I promise not to come to Sheng Xue Yuan to find you again. Can we communicate through the terminal from now on?”
Yi Yu laughed: “Remember these words.”
Go.”
Meng Qing pretended to be impatient and said to the room: “Shu Lan, you women never stop talking about clothes and accessories. You can try them slowly here. I’m leaving.”
