TRBDM -Chapter 150 Who exactly is she?

She didn’t decide to support the Tenth Prince’s rise on a whim.

The rise and fall of the Marquisate rested in her hands, and as the helmsman, she had to make decisive choices.

After sending that letter to the Tenth Prince, Wei Zhaorong arranged people around the capital—so that if the Tenth Prince encountered danger, they could immediately come to his aid.

Tomorrow, the Tenth Prince would move back to Qingfeng Hall. Since Wei Zhaorong’s people couldn’t get inside, she would have to think of another way.

The Tenth Prince had been hiding in the Imperial Academy for three years. Outwardly it seemed like he had fallen on hard times, but in reality, it was a clever self-preservation tactic.

However, once he entered the palace, enemies were everywhere.

These people excelled at hiding daggers behind smiles; they were impossible to fully guard against.

Especially the Third Prince—Wei Zhaorong knew his methods well. Violent and ruthless, he would stop at nothing.

As for the Crown Prince, he seemed gentle and meek, but in truth was deep and calculating.

Add to that the influence of each prince’s maternal clans, and the scheming of high ministers in court, and the Tenth Prince was navigating a solitary boat through treacherous waters.

The Emperor’s sudden, ostentatious “attention” on the Tenth Prince made him the target of everyone’s hostility—danger lurked everywhere.

This move was merciless.

The isolated Tenth Prince must have faced countless life-or-death crises in his previous life before he could sit on the throne.

Wei Zhaorong could not imagine what storms of blood and fire he had endured at not even twenty years old.

“Nanny Qi, I recall you had a close friendship with Nanny Wang in the palace. Can she be trusted?”

Money could sway people, but hearts were unpredictable. If someone betrayed the Marquisate, the entire household would fall with them.

After thinking for a moment, Nanny Qi said, “Nanny Wang is greedy; I fear she won’t do. But I know Nanny Ding from the Imperial Kitchen.”

“And what about her? Tell me in detail.”

“Nanny Ding used to serve in Consort Shu’s palace. After the consort passed away, she transferred to the Imperial Kitchen. Nanny Ding is honest, speaks little, and rarely makes enemies. She also watched the Tenth Prince grow up. There’s no doubt about her loyalty.”

Wei Zhaorong nodded after hearing this. It seemed that Nanny Ding was indeed a suitable choice.

The Tenth Prince’s situation in the palace was difficult. A reliable informant was needed to relay messages so Wei Zhaorong could provide timely assistance.

Choosing the right informant was crucial.

“Find a chance to approach Nanny Ding and test her attitude.”

“Yes, Madam.”

At Qin’s Sweet Shop, a maid reported, “Princess, Fourth Master Xie and the others have arrived.”

Zhao Lingchen immediately stood, a smile spreading across her face that she herself barely realized: “Understood.”

The Xie family’s carriage stopped not far away. Xie Yu asked, “Third Brother, I’m going to get some sweet drinks. Want to come?”

“Mm.”

Xie Lan followed him down from the carriage.

Xie Yu had been craving the sweet drinks for several days, and today he could finally have them. Eagerly, he rushed into the shop and called out:

“Boss Qin, hello—”

Zhao Lingchen had already been waiting in the shop, her almond-shaped eyes curved like crescent moons: “Little Yu, hello! School’s over, huh?”

“Yes!” Xie Yu nodded. “Boss Qin, I’m sorry. We promised to come yesterday, but Third Brother fell ill. I was anxious and forgot our appointment with you.”

Xie Yu always kept his word. He felt guilty for missing the appointment with Boss Qin, even though he had promised.

Zhao Lingchen inwardly wished she could tie Xie Lan up and send him out of the capital, but outwardly, her smile was flawless: “No matter. My shop is open every day. As long as you want to come, you can always see me.”

“All right—” Xie Yu grinned happily. “Same as before: one sour plum soup and one iced almond tea.”

Zhao Lingchen smiled as she prepared the drinks for him.

Seeing her skilled hands, Xie Yu asked, “Boss Qin, are your hands healed?”

“Yes. After resting a few days, they no longer hurt.”

As Zhao Lingchen handed him the drinks, Xie Yu didn’t take them immediately. Instead, he pulled a bottle of medicine from his schoolbag.

“Boss Qin, I brought you some medicine. The doctor said to apply it three times a day, rubbing gently with your palms until it warms the area. It can help relieve the pain.”

Zhao Lingchen stood frozen, surprised. “You brought this for me on purpose?”

“Mm.”

A warm current flowed through his heart, and Zhao Lingchen inexplicably felt like crying.

Her eyes were slightly red, but she managed to suppress the surge of emotion.

“Thank you, Xiao Yu.”

“No need to thank me.”

Xie Yu picked up the sweet drink and left some small silver coins behind. “Boss Tang, the money is just right—no need for change.”

Worried that Zhao Lingchen might miscalculate again, Xie Yu had prepared the coins in advance.

Zhao Lingchen looked at him deeply; the affection in his eyes was almost overflowing.

Such a thoughtful and kind child—he was her son.

The Mingde Marquis Household had raised Xie Yu very well.

“See you next time, Boss Qin.”

Xie Yu cheerfully came over to Xie Lan, holding up a jar of sweet drink. “Third Brother, here.”

Xie Lan was facing the sweet shop, while Xie Yu had his back to him.

From that angle, Xie Lan could see two faces.

Xie Yu’s and Boss Qin’s.

Boss Qin’s eyes were gentle, slightly emotional, watching Xie Yu’s back as if the whole world contained only him.

The two faces appeared simultaneously before him, both with identical peach-blossom eyes. When they overlapped, Xie Lan suddenly had a ridiculous suspicion.

“Third Brother? Third Brother?” Xie Yu waved in front of Xie Lan. “What are you looking at?”

Xie Lan came back to his senses. “Nothing, let’s go.”

As he turned to leave, Xie Lan glanced at Boss Qin. She had hidden her smile, her gaze toward him now cold and distant.

Xie Lan quickly withdrew his eyes. For some reason, he felt a little afraid in front of Boss Qin.

She was clearly just the owner of a small sweet shop, yet he could always sense “high status and authority” in her eyes.

Once they were on the carriage, Xie Lan’s doubts didn’t dissipate; they only grew heavier.

After the carriage had traveled a considerable distance, Xie Lan found an excuse to get off. “Fourth Brother, wait in the carriage. I’m going to buy a brush.”

Xie Yu didn’t suspect a thing. “Mm, okay.”

Xie Lan got off and headed toward Qin’s sweet shop.

The street was bustling with people.

When he arrived, he found the shop already closed.

Strange. This should be the busiest time, so why was it closed?

An idea struck him. He circled around to the back alley.

By chance, he saw Boss Qin being assisted by two maids dressed as servants, entering a carriage.

The carriage wasn’t luxurious, but it was definitely not something a small sweet shop owner could afford.

Moreover, even from a distance, Xie Lan noticed that the two maids carried themselves with extraordinary poise, their clothes more refined than those of typical young ladies.

Who exactly was she?

She wore coarse linen clothing, yet could ride in a carriage with maids attending her.

Could she and Xie Yu be… just as he had suspected?

Zhao Lingchen got into the carriage. A guard reported, “Your Highness, Xie Lan is at the corner of the back alley. He seems to suspect your identity.”

Zhao Lingchen’s narrow eyes slightly squinted. She lifted the carriage curtain and, from ten meters away, locked eyes with Xie Lan.

The gaze, lofty and looking down on all beings, made Xie Lan tense.

“Hah.”

Zhao Lingchen sneered. A mere Xie Lan was nothing to her.

And so what if he had noticed?