RWNEFE -Chapter 378 The Ji Prince’s Mansion Turns Black-Faced

The next day, Shen Lanxi brought Sun Feng to meet with the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince—”

“Lord Shen!”

After exchanging greetings, they immediately got down to the case.

Zhou Rulin said, “Yesterday, I had people investigate the incident of Princess Yunxue falling into the water. Opinions are varied—everyone says something different.”

Shen Lanxi nodded understandingly. “It happened so long ago. Some things, clearly wrong, eventually get spoken of so much that they’re taken as true.”

Zhou Rulin cleared his throat lightly.

“If Your Highness’s health is not fully recovered, we can take a couple of days to rest. This matter has gone on for so long; there’s no rush.”

Zhou Rulin waved his hand. “I’m fine now. Since the incident with Princess Yunxue happened long ago, and now something has happened to her in the Western Mountains, it’s all the more necessary to restore her innocence quickly.”

Shen Lanxi said respectfully, “Your Highness truly has the heart to help the world. I feel unworthy in comparison!”

Zhou Rulin smiled humbly. “You flatter me. As a human being, one should act with a clear conscience and be blameless before heaven and earth.”

Shen Lanxi expressed her admiration again.

Zhou Rulin continued, “Back then, Princess Yunxue and a few noble girls were enjoying the lakeside scenery. The others were: Zhou Yunjuan, an illegitimate daughter of Prince Ping’s household; Chen Suizhu, cousin of the Crown Princess’s maternal family; Chen Qianqian, an illegitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household; Zhang Jingshu, legitimate daughter of the Minister of Ceremonies; and Chang Yu, legitimate daughter of a Grand Minister.”

Shen Lanxi praised him without restraint. “Your Highness’s investigation is so thorough—it truly makes me ashamed!”

The Crown Prince, looking refined and calm, said, “This is simply my duty. Since I have nothing pressing in the capital, I took the liberty to inquire in advance.”

Shen Lanxi said, “When Yunxue’s incident occurred, I was already on the way to Dongchuan, so I knew nothing of what happened in the capital. So much time has passed—things and people have changed, and those once familiar are now strangers.”

Zhou Rulin, as if reminded of a sad memory, sighed, “I left the capital at a young age. Each year, I only return to pay respects on my mother’s death anniversary, then depart again. Compared to the capital, I feel my fief feels more like home.”

Shen Lanxi, sensing the emotion, gently said, “Your Highness means we should first question these women?”

Zhou Rulin shook his head, thinking clearly: “These women are all married now. The daughter of the Grand Minister passed away two years ago due to childbirth complications. Zhang Jingshu and Chen Qianqian married far away. In the capital, only Zhou Yunjuan and Chen Suizhu know the truth.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes lit up. “What a coincidence—both of them have grudges against me!”

The Crown Prince looked apologetic. “I’ve heard. My wife, Madam Cao, has wronged you in many ways. I apologize on her behalf.”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow. “You mean the matter of the flower-viewing banquet at the Crown Princess’s residence?”

Zhou Rulin nodded. “I’ve punished Madam Cao severely. She will be confined at home for a time. Once the case is clarified, I will personally go with her to ask for forgiveness.”

Shen Lanxi quickly interjected, “It was only ordinary bickering between women. There’s no need for the Crown Princess to apologize on my behalf. It’s truly too much kindness—too much!”

The Crown Prince replied, “Yes, yes. I’ve already asked someone. She was rude first. Marrying her was never my wish, so our marital relationship was never close. Later, I will petition the Emperor to have the palace tutors correct her behavior.”

Shen Lanxi said, “The Crown Princess is just straightforward and honest. There’s no fault in that.”

Zhou Rulin waved the matter aside. “Let’s put that aside for now. My thought is to start with the Ji Prince’s mansion. Back then, Princess Yunxue surely had maidservants with her, and she would have told her family about the fall.”

Shen Lanxi agreed: “Makes sense. Let’s go to the Ji Prince’s mansion right away.”

As it happened, when they arrived at the Ji Prince’s estate, they coincidentally ran into the Marquis of Yong’an visiting.

Zhao Zheng, remembering how Shen Lanxi humiliated him that day, snorted coldly upon seeing her, ignoring her entirely and greeting only the Crown Prince.

“This must be the Marquis of Yong’an, Zhao Zheng. We met briefly at the palace banquet, but with so many formalities, we didn’t get a proper introduction,” Zhou Rulin said with a smile.

Zhao Zheng awkwardly exchanged formalities with the Crown Prince. They had never spoken before. Had the Crown Prince not returned to the capital suddenly, most in the city would have long forgotten this son of the late Empress.

“The Crown Prince’s bearing and grace are remarkable. That you remember me leaves me rather embarrassed,” Zhao Zheng said. In the capital, everyone knew the Marquis of Yong’an was practically on the edge of leaving court. It was surprising that the Crown Prince could speak to him so calmly.

“Marquis of Yong’an, are you here regarding Princess Yunxue?” Zhou Rulin glanced at Shen Lanxi, noticing tension between her and Zhao Zheng, and asked proactively.

Zhao Zheng cast a complex glance at Shen Lanxi. “His Majesty has wisely permitted the investigation into the case of Princess Yunxue being framed. I was betrothed to her since childhood. Had that incident not happened, the current position of the Marquis of Yong’an’s wife should have been Yunxue’s.”

Seeing Zhao Zheng’s distress, Zhou Rulin patted his shoulder in consolation. “I will make sure the truth of that matter is revealed, giving Yunxue and you a proper resolution.”

Zhao Zheng clasped his fists. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Upon learning the Crown Prince and Marquis of Yong’an were visiting, the people of the Ji Prince’s mansion hurriedly came out to greet them.

Unexpectedly, Shen Lanxi was with them.

What is this woman doing here?

Opening up old scandals, exposing the Ji Prince’s mansion to criticism—what benefit is there for her?

“Please, Your Highness, come in.”

“Please, Marquis of Yong’an, come in.”

The household completely ignored Shen Lanxi. Even as they welcomed Zhou Rulin and Zhao Zheng inside, they deliberately kept her separated.

Shen Lanxi looked up at the Ji Prince’s plaque and smiled coldly.

Were they trying to keep her outside?

“I, together with the Crown Prince, have been ordered to reinvestigate the incident of Princess Yunxue falling into the water. His Majesty has commanded that all relevant persons actively assist in the investigation—no errors are allowed!” Shen Lanxi’s voice rang out, stopping everyone at the entrance.

Zhou Rulin, as if just remembering, realized she had been left outside. Smiling, he said, “Please, Lord Shen, come in with me for questioning.”

The people of the Ji Prince’s mansion scowled. Seeing Shen Lanxi smiling as she entered, their hearts burned with anger, yet they had no choice but to give way.

“Earlier, the mansion only welcomed the Crown Prince and Marquis of Yong’an inside. They were the only ones invited. I thought the Ji Prince’s mansion wanted to block the investigation, refusing entry,” Shen Lanxi said.

The faces of the mansion staff turned black with fury.

Shen Lanxi clearly held a grudge against the mansion for not interceding for the Shen family back then. Now, she was deliberately making things difficult for them, using Yunxue’s case to cause them trouble.

To come in and accuse them of defying an imperial order—that woman seemed to wish them dead!

Such a vicious woman… no wonder Yunxue had been blind to follow someone like her. And now she was bringing such huge trouble to the Ji Prince’s household.