After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

Not daring to stay any longer, the maid reluctantly left, carrying the box. A short while later, Ding Yinan arrived with his sword at his side, kneeling on one knee beside Fu Qingbai and whispering, "General, He Tao is indeed as Princess Miankang said, not the wet nurse from six years ago. That wet nurse died at the hands of Young Master Wei. The reason Wei Wenrun insisted on killing He Tao is because..." He hesitated before finishing his sentence.

"Go on."

"It is related to rumors about the general and Princess Miankang."

pat-

The porcelain fish food box was placed heavily on the steps by a fair and slender hand.

Ding Yinan seemed not to hear him and continued, "I also found out that His Majesty seems to be involved."

The fish food box was kicked over by the embroidered gold boots, spilling the fish food and rolling it into the pond. The plump koi scrambled to get to it. Fu Qingbai stood with his hands behind his back, one hand clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hand slightly bulging. After a moment of silence, he said, "This matter ends here."

Ding Yinan agreed and was about to leave when Fu Qingbai stopped him and said, "Investigate how much private property Wei Wenrun has. Also, now that her injuries have healed, you don't need to send Lingnan Ointment anymore."

"Yes."

Ding Yinan strode away from the Anwu Marquis's residence. The fish food that had fallen into the pond had already been devoured in a fierce struggle, and the koi, which had been so aggressive, had returned to their usual peaceful and gentle state. The turbid pond water was now calm and still.

After much hesitation, Xiang An finally handed the vase to Xiang Xin.

Open the bow without turning back the arrow.

Since Xiang Xin already knows that she is going to make a move against Wei Wenrun, she will definitely drag him down with her, otherwise Xiang An will not be at ease.

"Princess, what did the imperial physician at the First Prince's residence say after examining your pulse?" Xiao Ling followed Xiang An with trepidation, feeling extremely uneasy.

Her unease had been lingering for a long time. Ever since Xiang Xin forced her to have the imperial physician examine her pulse, she had been on edge ever since, as she was about to return to the princess's residence. Her tense demeanor made it seem as if she herself was seriously ill.

Xiang An waved her hand: "It's alright." Indeed, it was alright. After the imperial physician carefully examined her pulse and conducted a thorough examination, she was better than ever. The medicine was also genuine Lingnan Ointment.

"Then what about this medicine..." Xiaoling held the bundle, unsure of what to do.

"Take it... What happened to your hand?"

Just as Xiang An was about to pick up his bundle, he suddenly noticed the bruises on Xiao Ling's wrist hidden under her sleeve.

"This servant did something wrong. The Crown Prince had the tutors in the palace teach me a lesson. It's alright, Princess." As she spoke, Xiao Ling pulled down her sleeve to cover the scars on her wrist.

Xiang An stared thoughtfully at her wrist.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, several voices outside the curtain shouted, "Greetings, Princess Miankang!" Xiaoling peeked out from behind the curtain, then with a look of fear on her face, she shrank back and lowered her head, stammering that she couldn't give a reason.

With a sigh, Xiang An stopped asking and went out to look. In front of the princess's mansion, a crowd of people were kneeling. Only a few women at the front, adorned with jewels and dressed in fine clothes, stood out. They were only bowing slightly and raising their hands in greeting, exuding an air of superiority. The maids beside them were either holding or carrying a wooden box.

"Rise." The scene before her was indeed intimidating, but Xiang An was able to pretend. She remained calm, though she vaguely guessed why they had made such a grand display.

“Princess, half a month ago, my son made some disrespectful remarks at a teahouse, which tarnished your reputation. We have come here today to apologize.”

He thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

Half a month ago, she was beaten, and then someone went to the palace to see the emperor to apologize. Today is the first time she has left the palace since she was injured. This afternoon, the person came to apologize in a grand manner with gifts, which shows that they were prepared in advance.

The capital city is a chessboard, people are chess pieces, and the crisscrossing lines on the chessboard are invisible networks of relationships.

"Madam, young master, let's go inside and talk." Xiang An smiled faintly as he glanced at the crowd of pedestrians who had gathered on the street.

The group entered the mansion and sat down in the hanging flower hall. After exchanging pleasantries, they continued their conversation from the entrance of the princess's mansion. Liu smiled first, then gestured for Su Yicheng to step forward and speak. Su Yicheng, who was usually proud and always held his head high, was unusually humbled today.

He apologized quickly and vaguely, and only once. No matter how Liu tried to make faces or give him meaningful glances, he refused to repeat himself. He kept his head down, making it impossible to see his expression, but his tightly clenched hands at his sides revealed his unyielding spirit.

Xiang Anquan pretended not to see it. None of the people present came with a genuine apology during today's visit. What they said in the teahouse was their true feelings.

She could choose to see these people today or not. Seeing them would appease her anger, while not seeing them meant she was still angry. Seeing them would bring everyone joy, while not seeing them would mean a second visit with even more generous gifts to apologize. Whether she would give them the face to meet or not depended entirely on her mood.

To put it bluntly, as a princess, she didn't need to have a good relationship with the court officials, and the court officials didn't want to have a good relationship with the princes and princesses either. The court officials were the emperor's officials, and they were all proud and unyielding.

Sitting quietly in a large chair, holding a teacup in one hand and the lid in the other, I casually slide it along the rim of the cup, my eyes lowered as I watch the tea leaves slowly unfurl and sink in the cup.

In the awkward situation, everyone exchanged glances without showing any emotion, all thinking the same thing: unfathomable.

“Princess, we were impetuous in the teahouse. Marriage should be arranged by parents and matchmakers, with proper formalities and formal betrothal. It is not proper for us to discuss it casually during our leisure time. This is extremely disrespectful to an unmarried woman. When I returned home, my father was furious and scolded me for being out of my mind. After reflecting on my actions for the past few days, my muddled mind has cleared up, and I regret it. Today, I have come to apologize to Your Highness and beg for your forgiveness.”

Qi Yuanshen raised his hand in a gesture of respect before him. His words, though impolite, were like an icebreaker entering a frozen lake, forcefully breaking the ice and creating a waterway.

Xiang An glanced at him, her eyes shifting slightly from the teacup. He wore a white robe embroidered with delicate green bamboo branches, exuding elegance and a touch of noble character.

In the previous game, he and his brother worked together to collect Fu Qingbai's remains.

To risk allowing his brother to steal a corpse under the nose of a perverted emperor like Xiang Xin shows that even when someone is involved in murky waters, they still have their own bottom line and principles.

Though right and wrong may not be spoken or shown on the surface, there is a scale in one's heart.

Xiang An's expression softened slightly, and everyone immediately seized the opportunity to share how they had been punished at home—some had been beaten, others had been forced to copy books fifty times…

Each one was deeply moving and heartfelt. Unfortunately, not three out of ten sentences were genuine.

She covered the teacup with the lid, raised the corners of her mouth, and revealed a perfectly standard smile: "I know what the ladies and gentlemen are thinking. Since your families have already punished you, I will not punish you again. As for the gifts, I like them all. The ladies have good taste."

That concludes today's tasks.

The ladies were overjoyed upon hearing this. They took their children and thanked the princess one by one before leaving in a hurry. They couldn't stay in the princess's residence for long; it was too frightening. Only Qi Yuanshen did not move.

Xiang An asked in confusion, "Is there something else?"

Qi Yuanshen gave his anxious mother a reassuring look before slowly saying, "There is something I don't understand, and I would like to ask the princess for an answer."