The cruel little princess

After initial treatment, Shen Youyou and Xu Qingxue were sent back to their respective residences. However, before Shen Youyou was sent back home, she saw the person she missed day and night - His Royal Highness Prince Jin!

"Huai Jin, shouldn't you be at the palace banquet right now? Why are you here?" Shen Youyou looked at him in surprise, with joy glittering in her eyes.

His Royal Highness Prince Jin's eyes were filled with tears, and his voice was filled with endless apology: "Youyou, I'm sorry! It's all my fault. I thought the palace was well guarded, but I didn't expect you to be injured!" He rushed forward excitedly, hugged Shen Youyou tightly in his arms, and asked with concern: "Youyou, I'm sorry! I made you suffer! What did the imperial physician say?"

Because the Empress had stationed a large number of guards, Prince Jin had to go through great pains to sneak in. He didn't dare to make a loud noise, and he couldn't openly summon the imperial physician to ask questions. Therefore, he could only whisper to Shen Youyou about the situation.

Shen Youyou smiled gently and comforted him, "It's nothing serious. It's just that you were soaking in water for too long and caught a cold!"

Prince Jin held her cold little hand in his, saying distressedly, "I've ordered the secret guards to interrogate that young palace maid, but she refuses to reveal the mastermind behind this, insisting it was all an unintentional mistake." He gritted his teeth and continued, "It's a shame she's in the palace, so I can't interrogate her openly. Besides, my father and mother will definitely interrogate her personally after the palace banquet, so I can't torture her or use 'psychedelic powder' on her."

"Don't worry, they'll reveal themselves sooner or later." Shen Youyou comforted him softly, "If she refuses to speak, then ask around among those around her to see if she's exhibited any unusual behavior recently, or if she's been in contact with anyone."

"Yes, I understand. I've already sent secret guards to investigate." His Royal Highness Prince Jin hugged her tightly and said firmly, "I have to return to the palace banquet later. The secret guards just reported that Lao Wu came to see you, but was driven away by the Queen Mother. Now, listen to the Queen Mother's instructions and return to the Shen Mansion first. Don't worry about Lao Wu. I will come back to find you after the palace banquet!"

"The weather is cold and the snowy road is slippery. You should just go back to the palace and rest early. There's no need to run back and forth for me!" Shen Youyou looked at him lovingly, not wanting him to always run back and forth in the dark.

"It's okay. I can't sleep in the palace either, so I can go and keep you company." His Royal Highness Prince Jin kissed her hair lovingly. "Be good! Go back to the palace and wait for me first!"

Under Shen Youyou's repeated urging, His Royal Highness Prince Jin left the side hall and returned to the palace banquet without anyone noticing.

At the palace banquet, a burst of stringed instruments and orchestral music filled the air, creating a peaceful scene of rejoicing among the emperor and his subjects. Except for a small number of people who knew that the Princess of Rui'an and Prime Minister Xu's daughter had fallen into the water, the rest of the crowd was all smiling, speaking auspicious words, and congratulating each other.

At the same time, two luxurious and spacious carriages drove out of the palace one after another under the protection of heavy guards, one heading to Shen Mansion and the other heading to Xu Mansion.

In the first carriage, Shen Youyou leaned against the wall and closed her eyes to rest. Although His Royal Highness Prince Jin had arranged everything, she still felt a little uneasy.

"Miss, don't worry, the Queen will definitely give you justice!" Chuntao sobbed softly, and did not forget to gently comfort her own lady.

"Yeah." Shen Youyou responded, but her heart was still restless. She was still wondering if there were any suspicious people among the people she had come into contact with since returning to Beijing.

In the second carriage, Xu Qingxue was also leaning against the wall, her face as pale as paper.

"Mother..." she began, her voice trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Is what the imperial physician said true? Does it mean my daughter will never be able to become a mother again?"

"My child, don't be afraid. I'm here." Madam Xu held her daughter's hand tightly, her eyes filled with heartache and anger. Unfortunately, the maidservant was in the palace. One could only hope that the Empress and the Emperor would conduct a fair and impartial trial. The imperial court was ruthless. If the person behind this was powerful, the Emperor might even consider the matter carefully before proceeding. Worse still, he might even execute the maidservant to protect the person behind it.

The carriage moved forward slowly, and the atmosphere inside was heavy and depressing.

Along with the carriage, rumors spread throughout the palace: "Princess Rui'an has been injured after being submerged for too long, and she fears she will never have children." This news was like a bombshell, instantly causing an uproar in the palace. The palace maids and eunuchs began to discuss the matter, and speculation and rumors abounded. Some claimed it was divine punishment for the princess, while others said she was deliberately framed. Regardless, this news undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to Princess Rui'an.

Shen Youyou returned home quietly, and the maids in the palace carried her back to her courtyard in a sedan chair. When she passed by the courtyard, she happened to meet Zeng Bo who had rushed over after hearing the news. Shen Youyou saw Zeng Bo standing at the door with a worried look on his face, and quickly signaled the maids to stop. Zeng Bo walked quickly to the sedan chair and asked with concern: "Miss, are you okay? How could someone fall into the water out of the blue, and you jumped into the lake to save them?"

Shen Youyou shook her head gently and replied with a smile: "Uncle Zeng, I'm much better now. I just caught a cold."

Zeng Bo frowned and said distressedly, "Miss, you must have a good rest! Your health is important."

Shen Youyou nodded gratefully, then briefly recounted what had happened to Zeng Bo. She told Zeng Bo that she saw the situation was critical, and fearing Miss Xu wouldn't survive until someone else could help her, so she jumped into the lake and rescued her. She was now fine.

Zeng Bo heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this, then as if remembering something, he asked, "How are you feeling now, young lady? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Shen Youyou smiled and comforted Uncle Zeng, "Don't worry, Uncle Zeng, I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine after a rest. As for you, don't worry too much."

Zeng Bo nodded, his worries slightly relieved. He knew his daughter was kind-hearted and strong-willed, so he believed she could get through this difficult time.

Shen Youyou continued, "Oh, Uncle Zeng, my dad's side..."

Zeng Bo quickly interrupted her and said, "Don't worry, young lady. I haven't had time to write to the general yet, so as not to worry him."

Shen Youyou breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "That's good, Uncle Zeng, please help me arrange accommodations for Old Yang and Old Wang. The two imperial physicians will live in our Shen Mansion from today until I recover."

Zeng Bo nodded, indicating that he understood. Shen Youyou then continued to ride in the sedan chair back to his own courtyard.

She returned to her room and looked at Chuntao who was following her around. She found that she was silent and her eyes were red. It was obvious that she had just cried. Shen Youyou's heart softened and she whispered to comfort her: "Chuntao, I'm fine, you don't have to worry."

Chun Tao raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, and she choked up and said, "Miss, this is all my fault. If I hadn't been so playful and wandered around, you wouldn't have to jump into the water to save people! Just leave this matter to me!"

Shen Youyou gently patted Chuntao's hand and said softly, "How can I blame you for this? Accidents are always inevitable. Am I not fine now?"

Chun Tao sobbed and said self-reproachfully, "But if I hadn't been there, Miss wouldn't have had to jump into the lake to save people. I could have just done it! Miss wouldn't have gotten hurt! It's all my fault. Miss should have scolded me."

Shen Youyou smiled helplessly, pulled Chuntao to sit on the bed, and comforted her, "Chuntao, don't take all the responsibility on yourself. I know you blame yourself, but this is not your fault. I'm back now, don't cry anymore."

Chun Tao wiped her tears and said firmly, "Miss, I will be more careful in the future and will never let something like this happen again."

Shen Youyou nodded with relief, and looking at Chuntao's serious expression, a warm feeling surged in her heart.

"Silly Chuntao! I..." She looked around, "Please trouble all the aunts to send me back to the palace. I am tired after a whole day. Aunts, please go back early! Chuntao, send all the aunts back for me!" Shen Youyou gestured to Chuntao to send these aunts back to the palace first, and the rest can be discussed later.

Chuntao, with red eyes, respectfully sent all the aunts back to the palace.

"Chun Tao, come here!" Shen Youyou forced herself to stay awake and called Chun Tao to come over.

"Miss! Are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me, are you?!" Chuntao's eyes were still filled with tears as she heard her mistress whisper in her ear that it wasn't serious and that she had deliberately asked the doctors to say that. It all depended on how the emperor would investigate and handle this matter.

She couldn't just sit there passively waiting for someone to plot against her. This time, she had to take the initiative and find out the identity of the person behind the scenes!