Qin Qiancheng arrived at the prince's manor early to confess and express his gratitude. Even after hearing about Qin Yurou’s injuries, he didn’t say much, leaving with an appearance of being deeply grateful.
Xuan Thirteen clicked his tongue in amazement. He had already heard the full story from Xuan Yi yesterday, and even so, it was only today that he truly understood Nan Shiying's motives and goals. He couldn't help but sigh at Nan Shiying's sharp wit and intelligence, but this still didn't stop Xuan Thirteen from feeling that she was a fierce and cold person.
Xuan Thirteen suddenly felt that Nan Shiying and his master were strangely alike.
One male, one female, a formidable duo!
“Thirteen, are there any movements from Xinyuan Pavilion?” Just as Xuan Thirteen was lost in thought, Ji Jinmo’s inquiry suddenly sounded in his ear.
Xuan Thirteen snapped back to attention instantly, casting a peculiar glance at Ji Jinmo.
*Master, since when did you start caring about the inner court matters?*
*Did Nan Shiying drug you?*
“Hmm?” Ji Jinmo paused his hand holding the brush, his gaze towards Xuan Thirteen containing a chilling glint. Xuan Thirteen trembled and quickly lowered his head to reply, “Reporting to master, the breakfast sent to Xinyuan Pavilion from the main kitchen was rather simple. The Consort did not eat it and ordered Baizhi to find someone to go out and buy preserved goods. For lunch, sister Lvwan personally went to the main kitchen and brought back some good food.”
“The Princess Consort should be napping now.”
“Simple?” Ji Jinmo frowned.
Xuan Thirteen said, “You could say it was very simple.”
“But it’s understandable. The prince’s manor has always been managed by the Side Consort. Now that you have punished the Princess Consort, the servants’ minds will naturally become more active. If the Side Consort continues to manage the household affairs in the future, then the Princess Consort’s life will truly be difficult.”
The Side Consort was crippled by the Princess Consort. This enmity was irreconcilable, and the prince’s manor was going to be lively from now on.
“Who went out to buy the preserved goods for Baizhi?” Ji Jinmo didn’t pay attention to Xuan Thirteen’s sigh and suddenly changed the topic. Xuan Thirteen looked at Ji Jinmo resentfully and replied, “Jia Huan.”
Ji Jinmo nodded and instructed, “Tell Jia Huan that as long as Xinyuan Pavilion doesn’t go too far, he should help them run errands more often.”
“Yes!”
Xuan Thirteen replied listlessly.
…
In just one day, the news of Nan Shiying marrying into the prince’s manor through a substitution spread through the streets and alleys, becoming a new topic of gossip for people during their leisure time.
While this news was still fermenting, new information arrived.
“Your news is too slow! I heard that as soon as Nan Shiying entered the manor, she put on airs as the mistress, severely punished the Side Consort, angered the Prince, and was confined. Alas, do you think the Prince will divorce her?”
“What, what? She actually dared to put on airs as the mistress? The Prince didn’t divorce her, most likely out of consideration for Prime Minister Nan’s face. And yet, she really thinks she’s a phoenix that has flown onto a branch? I think she’ll be divorced sooner or later!”
“Tsk, the Prince is also unlucky to have married such a thing. My cousin’s neighbor’s third uncle’s niece is a servant in the Nan household. I heard that Nan Shiying is not only vulgar but also extremely ugly, and she’s a sickly person who won’t live past twenty.”
“Hiss, is what you’re saying true?”
“Is there any falsehood in it!”
All over the streets and alleys, there were rumors and gossip about Nan Shiying. In the tea houses by the street, nine out of ten people were discussing her.
A man sitting at a street-facing seat on the second floor heard the public’s criticism of Nan Shiying. As he lowered his head to drink tea, the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
After draining the tea in his cup, he threw down the silver and left in a hurry.
…
In the study of the Qin residence, Qin Yue, the butler’s eldest son, stood respectfully before the desk.
“Is everything settled?” Qin Qiancheng didn’t look up, holding a brush and tracing a military map before him.
Qin Yue lowered his head and replied, “Reporting to sir, it is settled.”
Qin Qiancheng grunted, “You may leave.”
“Yes!”
He looked at the increasingly clear military map and nodded with satisfaction.
…
Nan residence.
Nan Chaoyin, upon hearing these rumors, had a hint of contemplation hidden in his slightly drooping eyelids. Nan Shiying punished Qin Qiancheng’s daughter?
If it were anyone else, he might have believed it, but his daughter was a useless thing that couldn't be relied upon, and it was impossible for her to do such a thing.
Then what was the truth behind these rumors?
He frowned, unable to make sense of it for the moment.
“Sir, the young lady requests an audience.” Outside the door, a servant’s voice was heard. Upon hearing that Nan Yuan’er requested an audience, he temporarily set aside his doubts and said, “Let the young lady come in.”
Nan Yuan’er pushed open the door and walked to the desk.
“Father, your daughter has erred, and I beg for your punishment.” She suddenly knelt on the ground and loudly pleaded guilty, “Your daughter has failed your trust, letting that wet nurse Wang escape!”
Escaped?
Nan Chaoyin’s fierce eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as a knife piercing Nan Yuan’er. His voice, tinged with anger, pressed down from above Nan Yuan’er’s head: “Did she escape, or did you act too harshly and she died?”
Nan Yuan’er trembled all over, not daring to raise her head, and replied, “She escaped.”
Nan Chaoyin did not speak, quietly gazing at Nan Yuan’er. Nan Yuan’er felt as if her entire body was enveloped by a stagnant aura, suffocating and oppressive as if she were in a swamp. The hand she used to support herself on the ground turned white at the knuckles, and fear churned within her heart. For a moment, she almost couldn’t bear it and confessed everything.
The next second, Nan Chaoyin spoke, “Scram back to your room and reflect in confinement.”
“Yes.” Nan Yuan’er fled as if escaping.
Inside the study, Nan Chaoyin couldn’t help but pace.
The hostage who controlled Nan Shiying was gone, and Nan Shiying was confined for punishing Qin Yurou, meaning she couldn’t return to the Nan residence anytime soon. Then…
Wait a moment, Wet Nurse Wang is missing, and Nan Shiying is confined.
Nan Chaoyin’s eyes suddenly narrowed. If he were to say there was no connection here, even a three-year-old child wouldn’t believe it.
The strict guards of the Nan residence actually allowed a wet nurse to escape?
She probably didn’t escape, but was someone else rescued her!
The only one who could do this so stealthily and have the motive would be the Regent, Ji Jinmo.
So, was Qin Yurou truly punished?
Was Ji Jinmo using Nan Shiying’s hand to warn Qin Qiancheng?
Did a rift appear between their master and servant?
Thinking of this, Nan Chaoyin couldn’t help but become excited. If a rift truly appeared between Ji Jinmo and Qin Qiancheng, then should this rift be widened?
How should he do it?
No, he still had to see Nan Shiying first.