"殿下，唆使高姑娘的贼人，找到了。”冯渊上前，向谢锦宴施了一礼，又深深的向俞青芜看了眼，神色有些复杂。

Xie Jin Yan keenly noticed the change in Feng Yuan's expression. He frowned slightly and solemnly instructed Feng Yuan, "Come in and speak."

After speaking, Xie Jin Yan took Yu Qingwu's hand again, and led her into the Qingning courtyard.

Once inside, he slowly released her hand, sat down on a chair, gave Feng Yuan a look, and said, "Speak."

Feng Yuan secretly glanced at Yu Qingwu again, paused, and then opened his mouth, "Your Highness, this matter... is of great importance, with Consort Yu here, I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Seeing him hesitating, Xie Jin Yan became a little impatient.

Seeing this, Yu Qingwu quickly patted him on the shoulder and said softly, "If it's something this concubine shouldn't hear, then this concubine will take her leave first."

Although she was still angry with Xie Jin Yan, she still knew what was important.

She was clear that women shouldn't meddle in politics; at least, she wouldn't actively get involved at the moment.

Thinking this, Yu Qingwu retreated into the inner room.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Feng Yuan finally finished his report.

Xie Jin Yan leaned back in his chair, his face gloomy.

Feng Yuan bowed slightly, and asked very carefully, "Your Highness, what do you think? Should that maid be put to death?"

Xie Jin Yan didn't speak, only supporting his forehead with his hand, as if pondering something.

After a moment of silence, he said, "No need. Give her a beating and send her back to the palace."

"As for the others, investigate them thoroughly as well. Anyone found to be acting strangely should be sold off."

After saying this, Xie Jin Yan waved his hand at Feng Yuan, signaling him to leave.

Then, he walked into the inner room.

In the clear, pale yellow light, the woman was looking down at a book.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly raised her head and asked him, "Has Your Highness finished?"

"Yes." Xie Jin Yan leaned down and sat beside Qingwu, resting his head on her shoulder.

Beneath his handsome face, his phoenix eyes were dim and tired.

"Shijie, I'm so tired..."

Accompanied by a hot breath, the man's deep voice entered her ears.

It was filled with fragility, desolation, and helplessness.

His weak and helpless appearance was completely different from when he had almost crushed her jaw just now.

If she hadn't already grown accustomed to his unpredictable mood swings, Yu Qingwu felt that she might have thought Xie Jin Yan was playing some other trick.

She pursed her lips, turned her head to look at him, suppressed the lingering anger in her heart, and softly asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness? What exactly happened?"

"Heh..." Hearing this, Xie Jin Yan suddenly smiled faintly, a smile that was somewhat bleak. A hoarse voice came from his throat, and he said softly, "The maid who instigated A-Yue was someone from my mother."

???

The Empress sent someone... to help Gao Minyue compete for favor?

This didn't make sense.

Hearing Xie Jin Yan's answer, Yu Qingwu was shocked and even more puzzled.

But soon, Xie Jin Yan provided the answer.

He sighed and coldly laughed, "Mother has always wanted to eradicate the root of the problem, but she needs to maintain her reputation as a virtuous empress, so..."

"So, she sent that maid to instigate A-Yue to compete for favor, to oppose me, in order to provoke me to deal with A-Yue?"

After speaking, Yu Qingwu couldn't help but gasp.

She had originally thought that after the Empress's 'guidance' failed last time, she wouldn't try to target her again. However...

Thinking of this, Yu Qingwu felt a lingering fear and also became increasingly curious.

After a pause, she looked at Xie Jin Yan again and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, why is your mother so determined to kill A-Yue? What is the reason behind all this?"

Reason?

To cover up the scandal? To completely erase her embarrassing past of being dependent on others and even engaging in illicit affairs?

Xie Jin Yan was lost in thought, and memories from his childhood that were embarrassing and difficult to talk about involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

The lewd appearance of his mother pleasing that man...

In the dilapidated fisherman's hut, his noble and dignified mother was like a prostitute, using all her charms to please that widower.

Almost every night, he could clearly hear the constant lewd sounds and the violent creaking of the bed next door...

At that time, he hated his mother's behavior.

But even if he hated it, he had to accept that his mother used her body during those years of fleeing to exchange for food for him and his sister, and to exchange for Uncle Gao's care and protection...

Uncle Gao was very good, but unfortunately, he coveted something that didn't belong to him, and ultimately lost his life as well.

Closing his eyes, Xie Jin Yan pulled himself out of his memories, slowly sat up straight, lowered his eyes to look at the woman in his arms who was full of questions, gently scratched the bridge of her nose, and said softly, "Shijie, knowing too much will only bring you danger..."

"It's enough to just hug me."

He smiled, lowered his eyes to gently caress her face, and then tightly hugged her.

Seeing that Xie Jin Yan had said this, Yu Qingwu didn't continue to press him, only letting him hug her...

That night, Xie Jin Yan stayed close to her.

Looking at the dark night, Yu Qingwu's heart was filled with countless thoughts.

Suddenly, she felt a little afraid of the Empress, and didn't want to see her again.

But often, what you fear most is what comes to pass.

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.

Early in the morning, Nanny Xun had prepared the palace attire and applied makeup to Yu Qingwu.

After applying the rouge, Qingwu got up and stepped out of the Qingning courtyard.

Today, the entire Prince's residence was decorated with festive red lanterns, and even Xie Jin Yan's carriage had been decorated.

Compared to usual, his court attire today was even more luxurious.

In the warm sunlight, Xie Jin Yan leaned lightly against the carriage, his deep features with a layer of gorgeous devilry, gently beckoning to her, "Shijie, come over."

That posture, those words, made Yu Qingwu involuntarily recall the face he had when he came to pick her up when she had just returned to the capital, it was exactly the same.

It was just that now, the mocking expression was gone from that handsome face, replaced by a bit of indolence and ease.

Yu Qingwu curled her lips and slowly walked over.

As soon as she got close, Xie Jin Yan took her hand, pulled her onto the carriage, and his eyes gently looked at her face with rouge, as if examining something.

But in the end, he didn't say anything.

He only sat down and stroked her hand, asking softly, "A-Wu, have you remembered all the portraits I had you memorize before?"

"I remember." Yu Qingwu nodded. As she spoke, she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive at the thought of meeting the Empress. After a pause, she asked Xie Jin Yan in a low voice, "Your Highness, how long will we have to stay in the palace today?"

"Tonight, according to etiquette, you and I must spend the night in the palace." Xie Jin Yan looked at the woman's uneasy gaze, as if seeing through something. He chuckled softly and stroked her hair to comfort her, "Shijie, don't be afraid. With me here, the Empress won't do anything to you."

"On the contrary..." He pursed his lips, then lowered his eyes to stare at her, his eyes flickering, "Tonight, the Empress intends to match me with that Qiu Shiyi Niang."