Chapter 216 The Crown Princess’s Background

The elderly steward, well over fifty, was covered in fine beads of cold sweat across his forehead.

“R-Replying to… to this young master’s question…”

“The Crown Princess… her given name is Lin Wan’er.”

“She is the daughter of a distant branch of the Crown Princess’s natal family—so distant that it can hardly be considered close at all.”

As he spoke, the steward anxiously lifted his sleeve to wipe the sweat from his brow.

“The Lin family fell into hardship many years ago, and Miss Lin’s parents passed away early, leaving her a pitiable orphan.”

“The Princess, mindful of their shared bloodline, could not bear to neglect her. A few years ago, she brought her into the mansion to raise and educate her.”

The steward’s eyes darted nervously, as if struggling to recall the carefully prepared explanation word for word.

“Although Miss Lin was born into a humble background, she possesses a gentle and virtuous character—an exceedingly well-mannered young lady.”

“Our Young Master and she grew up together, childhood friends turned lovers, and he is deeply devoted to her.”

“The Prince and Princess could not refuse the Young Master’s affection, so exceptionally, they arranged the marriage, making her the Crown Princess.”

Having rattled off this explanation in one breath, the steward bowed his head deeply to the ground.

At first listen, this story seemed impeccably clean—flawless, even.

It could easily be sung as a beautiful love ballad of the mansion, celebrating a romance that defied social status and prejudice.

Yet, in Su Hewan’s ears, it sounded… odd.

【Do they really think I’m some sheltered young miss, so that they can spin a Cinderella story and I’d swallow it?】

She stood still, expression unreadable.

【The illustrious Crown Prince of Zhen’nan, commanding the formidable armies of the Southern Frontier—what immense power and prestige!】

【In an era when imperial authority and noble families constantly vie for influence, and marriages are key political instruments, unions are never just personal affairs!】

【As the heir of the Southern Frontier, how many high-ranking officials and noble families must have tried desperately to marry their daughters into his house?】

【Even to secure military power, he should marry the daughter of a commanding general!】

【At the very least, he should marry a legitimate daughter of a prominent Beijing family to maintain political connections at court.】

【How could he possibly ignore so many alliances that would bring enormous political advantage, to marry a low-born, background-less orphan?】

【Parents dead, distant relatives, dependent on others…】

【This not only means Lin Wan’er has no foothold in the mansion, but also that, should she die mysteriously, there would be no powerful natal family to defend her or demand justice!】

【This isn’t a marriage—it’s clearly a union with a perfect sacrificial pawn, one that could be discarded at any moment!】

A few steps away, Shen Jue heard the rapid-fire, crystal-clear analysis echoing in Su Hewan’s mind.

A glint of extreme admiration flashed in his narrow, upturned fox-like eyes.

This girl’s mind worked even faster than the most cunning strategists of the Eastern Depot.

Direct, precise, and hitting the mark.

The corners of Shen Jue’s lips curled into a deeper smile, and the irritation that Lu Yan had stirred earlier inexplicably lifted.

Su Hewan quickly sorted through her thoughts and decisively ignored the steward.

She no longer paid attention to the onlookers with their differing intentions. Turning, she stepped back into the bridal chamber.

From the wide sleeves of her robe, she deftly retrieved a pair of self-made sheer gloves.

Crafted from the thinnest ice silk, this pair was designed using the habits she had acquired as a modern-day museum researcher—to protect evidence when investigating a scene.

She slipped the gloves onto her hands.

“Qingqing.”

Without turning her head, Su Hewan’s voice was cold and steady.

“Come, help me direct the light over here.”

Standing at Lu Yan’s side like a quail, Yu Qing felt as if she had been granted a pardon when she heard the summons.

She immediately sprang to life like a playful little deer, eager to escape the low-pressure aura around Lu Yan.

“I’m coming! Wanwan, I’m here!”

Yu Qing chirped cheerfully and, in three quick steps, was at Su Hewan’s side.

Her eyes immediately caught the sight of the polished rhombus-patterned bronze mirror on the dressing table.

At this moment, the extraordinary adaptability and sense of purpose of a performing arts student were fully on display.

She understood instantly, grabbed the heavy bronze mirror with both hands.

“Wow! This feels perfect!”

“Isn’t this like an ancient version of a major crime investigation scene?”

Yu Qing went wild in her mind, adding drama to the scene, yet her hands worked with absolute precision.

She half-squatted, carefully adjusting the angle of the bronze mirror.

Listening to the almost airborne excitement in her thoughts, Lu Yan’s furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

What a carefree, shameless girl.

Unconsciously, Lu Yan rubbed the hilt of his sword, his gaze fixed tightly on the small figure holding the mirror.

As Yu Qing adjusted the mirror, sunlight from outside was successfully captured.

The beam refracted off the bronze mirror, casting a sharp light spot directly onto the disheveled bridal bed.

Under the brighter, more focused light, the details previously hidden in the shadows were finally revealed.

Su Hewan bent down, conducting a meticulous, carpet-like search that spared no trace.

Her eyes scanned inch by inch over the red silk.

From the curved folds of the quilt, to the subtle wrinkles in the sheets, to the scattered longans and peanuts.

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, broken only by Su Hewan’s gentle breathing and the rustle of her clothing.

Suddenly, her gaze locked onto a Mandarin duck-patterned pillow at the head of the bed.

The pillow was slightly off-center, with a very faint indentation at the edge.

Through her thin gloves, Su Hewan traced the indentation slowly and repeatedly with her fingertips.

One inch.

Two inches.

Suddenly, she stopped abruptly!

Her fingertip had come to rest beside a deep-red, double-lotus embroidery.

“Found it.”

Su Hewan’s voice was soft, yet it rang through the quiet room like a thunderclap.

She didn’t turn around, only slightly tilted her face, her tone carrying an unquestionable command.

“Shen Jue, come take a look.”

Hearing his name, Shen Jue raised an eyebrow.

“As you command, Lady Su.”

With a soft laugh, his robes fluttered as he silently moved behind Su Hewan.

Following her indication, he bent down naturally.

To see the tiny detail clearly, Shen Jue pressed almost his entire body against Su Hewan’s back.

The tall, imposing figure of the man immediately cast Su Hewan’s petite form completely into shadow.

He tilted his head slightly, his delicate, almost ethereal handsome face now just inches from Su Hewan’s profile.