BDSMST -Chapter 97 The Crown Princess Extends an Olive Branch

The Empress’s declaration brought this smoke-free war to a close.

Madam Wang, Madam Zhou, and the others slunk back to their seats, not daring to utter another word. The remaining noblewomen now looked at Jiang Suisui with eyes no longer filled with scrutiny and hostility, but with respect—and curiosity.

The atmosphere of the banquet gradually softened. Palace maids flowed in like a stream, serving exquisite refreshments, while musicians began to play gentle, melodious tunes.

Several quick-witted ladies took the initiative to approach Jiang Suisui. No longer did they mention sensitive topics like her estate or wealth. Instead, they politely asked about child-rearing or the latest fabric shop to open in the capital. Their words were filled with goodwill and subtle attempts to curry favor.

Jiang Suisui handled them with ease. Her speech was gentle, her manner warm—neither distant nor overly familiar. She maintained just the right degree of poise at all times.

This performance did not escape the notice of the Empress and the Crown Princess, who both raised their estimation of her yet again.

Unperturbed by honor or disgrace, measured in advance and retreat—this was no rustic country woman. She carried herself like the capable matriarch of a great aristocratic clan.

Midway through the banquet, the Empress felt somewhat fatigued and returned to her palace to rest. Before leaving, she specifically instructed the Crown Princess to properly entertain the guests.

With the Empress gone, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

The Crown Princess clapped her hands lightly and smiled at the crowd. “The weather is lovely today, and the autumn chrysanthemums in the garden are in full bloom. Sisters, why not accompany me for a stroll? We can admire the flowers and walk off our meal.”

Naturally, everyone readily agreed.

The procession wound its way through the imperial garden. The Crown Princess, noble in status, walked at the front, and Jiang Suisui, as a first-rank titled lady, rightfully followed at her side.

As they walked, the Crown Princess pointed out rare flowers and exotic plants along the path, explaining their origins and anecdotes to Jiang Suisui. Her manner was cordial, as though they had been close friends for years.

The other noblewomen could only trail several paces behind, watching the two converse intimately. In their hearts stirred an indescribable mixture of envy and jealousy.

They all understood: from this day forward, the balance within the capital’s circle of noble ladies would change.

With the Crown Princess’s explicit support, the position of the Marchioness of Yongning would be unshakable.

Passing through a chrysanthemum garden, they arrived at a small pavilion by the water. The Crown Princess dismissed the attendants and most of the ladies, leaving only Jiang Suisui behind.

“Madam Jiang, you were wronged today,” the Crown Princess said frankly, personally pouring her a cup of tea.

“Your Highness overstates it.” Jiang Suisui quickly rose. “If not for Your Highness speaking up for me, I do not know how I would have concluded the matter.”

“Sit,” the Crown Princess gestured gently. She herself held her teacup and gazed out at the lake beyond the pavilion, her expression distant. “In truth, by helping you, I was also helping myself.”

Jiang Suisui remained silent, listening attentively.

“You should know that the Crown Prince’s health has long been poor.” The Crown Princess’s voice was soft, tinged with faint weariness. “The physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau have used countless rare medicines and prescribed every remedy recorded in ancient texts, yet they can only barely maintain his condition—never cure it. There is always a lingering chill in his body. On rainy days, his limbs grow icy cold, and he cannot sleep.”

A thought stirred in Jiang Suisui’s mind. She recalled the villagers of Woniu Village who had suffered mild cases of the epidemic—their symptoms, too, had been related to internal ‘cold.’

“Not long ago, Father Emperor delivered your Handbook on Epidemic Prevention and Control and the recipe for the ‘Peace Soup’ to the Imperial Medical Bureau,” the Crown Princess continued, a flicker of light appearing in her eyes. “Director Zhang found inspiration in your formula. He discovered that although the Crown Prince’s internal chill is not identical to the epidemic toxin, there are similarities. He boldly borrowed several cold-expelling and detoxifying herbs from your prescription, adjusting the dosage for the Crown Prince.”

“The results… have been very good.” A genuine smile, rare and heartfelt, appeared on her face. “In just ten days, his complexion improved markedly. A few nights ago, when it rained, he slept peacefully until dawn. Director Zhang said that if this regimen continues, His Highness may truly have hope of full recovery.”

She turned to Jiang Suisui, rose solemnly, and gave her a deep, formal bow.

“This bow is on behalf of His Highness, to thank you for saving his life.”

Jiang Suisui was startled and hurried to support her. “Your Highness, you must not! I dare not accept such thanks!”

“You deserve it.” The Crown Princess clasped her hands earnestly. “You may not realize that your unintentional act saved more than the Crown Prince’s life alone.”

Her voice lowered further, so that only the two of them could hear.

“At present, the faction of the Marquis of Anyuan holds overwhelming power in court, their influence swelling beyond restraint. As heir apparent, the Crown Prince has long been looked down upon because of his frail health. If his body truly recovers, the political landscape of the court may change entirely.”

Jiang Suisui understood at once.

The Crown Princess’s goodwill today was not born solely of gratitude—it was also a calculated political investment.

Gu Yan was on the court front in bringing down the Marquis of Anyuan, while she, Jiang Suisui, had—by chance—cured the Crown Prince, becoming the very ally the Eastern Palace most needed to win over.

They shared a common enemy.

“Your Highness’s intentions, I understand,” Jiang Suisui said at last, no longer declining, but openly accepting the goodwill offered.

She knew that in the vast vortex that was the capital, fighting alone was not an option. To protect herself and her family, she needed powerful allies. And the Crown Princess was undoubtedly the best choice at present.

Seeing how quickly she grasped the situation, the Crown Princess’s smile grew even more sincere.

“I know that the Marquis of Yongning is investigating the military grain case from three years ago,” the Crown Princess said casually as she guided Jiang Suisui to sit on the stone bench within the pavilion. “The Marquis of Anyuan has always been meticulous in his actions, leaving almost no evidence behind. To find proof of his crimes directly would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.”

Jiang Suisui’s heart tightened. She knew that what followed was the true purpose of today’s conversation.

“However, even the most cautious person cannot avoid every oversight.” The Crown Princess lifted her teacup and gently stirred the leaves with the lid. “I once heard from a steward of the Eastern Palace about something. Three years ago—just one month before Censor Xie met with his misfortune—a steward from the Marquis of Anyuan’s household, surnamed Qian, who was in charge of managing the marquis’s estates and commercial properties, suddenly died of an acute illness.”

“Died suddenly?”

“Yes. It was said to be a sudden heart ailment. He passed quickly, and the funeral was handled in haste. Shortly afterward, his family received a sum of condolence silver and were sent back to their hometown in Jinling. Since then, there has been no news of them.” The Crown Princess looked at Jiang Suisui, wisdom glinting in her eyes. “A steward who had served the marquis’s household for over twenty years, dying so abruptly—and his family dispatched so swiftly. Don’t you find it a little too… clean?”

Jiang Suisui’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.

A longtime steward overseeing estates and shops.

A mysterious sudden death.

A timeline that aligned perfectly with the military grain case.

When these threads were woven together, they pointed to a chilling possibility.

That Steward Qian had likely discovered the Marquis of Anyuan’s secret—using his private estates and businesses to transport and conceal the stolen military grain—and had been silenced for it.

“Perhaps it is merely a coincidence,” the Crown Princess said lightly, setting down her teacup. “I simply found the matter peculiar and thought to mention it to you. Whether it proves useful depends on you.”

She rose, smoothing her sleeves. “It is getting late; I should return to the palace. I feel as though I have met a kindred spirit today. In the future, I hope Madam will visit the palace often to keep me company.”

Jiang Suisui also stood and curtsied. “I obey, Your Highness.”

She understood. What the Crown Princess had given her was not a “coincidence,” but a key capable of prying open the truth.

After seeing the Crown Princess off, Jiang Suisui remained alone in the pavilion for a moment, striving to steady her surging emotions.

By the time she returned to the manor, night had already fallen.

Gu Yan was waiting in the study. The moment she entered, he stepped forward.

“How did it go?”

Without speaking, Jiang Suisui withdrew a slip of paper from her sleeve. Written upon it were three characters: Steward Qian.

She recounted in detail her entire conversation with the Crown Princess.

When Gu Yan finished listening, his eyes sharpened instantly.

He walked to the map on the wall, his gaze moving back and forth between the capital and Jinling.

“Darkness beneath the lamp,” he said slowly. “Everyone assumed the evidence lay in the northern frontier, in Wolf Fang Valley. Yet the most crucial clue was hidden right here in the capital.”

“Send men to Jinling immediately,” Jiang Suisui said. “We must find Steward Qian’s family. Alive, we must see the person. Dead, we must see the body.”

“I understand.” Gu Yan turned to look out at the heavy night beyond the window. “It is time for the Yongning Guard to truly unsheathe its blade.”

He summoned Wei Ziqian at once and issued a secret order.

Watching Wei Ziqian depart into the darkness, Jiang Suisui knew—

The vast net that had stretched across three long years was finally about to be torn open with a decisive breach.