Poisonous Goddess: I'm just lazing around in the mortal realm.

"The eldest young lady has always doted on the second young lady, so you can rest assured. Let's go make some late-night snacks for the young ladies and wait for them to come out to eat."

Ah Meng was also perceptive. She knew that the eldest young lady would punish the second young lady in the ancestral hall, so she couldn't let them hear anything they shouldn't hear outside the ancestral hall.

“Then the second young lady…” Aru looked flustered, thinking that the second young lady was also most afraid of her own sister.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen."

A-Meng glanced at the ancestral hall out of the corner of her eye, then quickly led A-Ru away from the courtyard.

In the ancestral hall

As soon as Pei Suisui entered the ancestral hall, she knelt down in front of the rows of neatly arranged memorial tablets. She pinched her ears with both hands, buried her head deeply, and waited for her sister's punishment.

Ever since she was old enough to understand, whenever she made a mistake or caused trouble outside, her older sister would take her to the ancestral hall to discipline her.

Even her father rarely knew that she would kneel in the ancestral hall to be punished.

Inside the ancestral hall, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the room.

In the dim candlelight, Pei Nanyue lit incense and offered prayers before the memorial tablet, inserting the lit incense sticks into the incense burner, clasping her hands together, and chanting incantations.

The Pei family ancestral hall is dedicated to the soldiers of the Pei family who fought alongside the ancestors of Nanyang to conquer the land. After the ancestors ascended the throne, the Pei family feared that their prestige in the army would become too great and arouse their ancestors' suspicion.

To avoid future punishment from his ancestors, he requested to relinquish his title and hand over his military power.

This phrase has been used for decades.

It wasn't until the late emperor visited the Pei family three times that her father, Pei Zhiheng, was finally persuaded to serve in the court, eventually becoming the most renowned Prime Minister Pei in Nanyang.

The Pei family had a total of fifty-one deceased generals, all of whom became stepping stones for their ancestor to become emperor.

When Pei Nanyue finished the worship and slowly opened her eyes, they were cold and expressionless.

She turned around and slowly walked past Pei Suisui, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Do you know that you've caused a huge disaster by running away today?"

Pei Suisui trembled slightly in fright and quickly lowered her head, saying...

"Sui Sui knows she was wrong! Sui Sui shouldn't have run away from the manor without informing her sister!"

Is this what I meant?

Pei Nanyue specially brought over the soft cushions that had been prepared in the ancestral hall and placed them next to Pei Suisui before continuing her speech.

"Kneel here. You're not fully recovered yet. Don't hurt your knees again and complain to Father!" Although her tone was a bit cold, she still cared about her younger sister.

Pei Suisui's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and she looked up at her sister with a smile.

"I knew my sister cared about Sui Sui!"

Seeing her younger sister's shamelessness, Pei Nanyue's softened heart hardened again.

"Kneel down!" She pointed to the soft cushion with her finger.

Pei Suisui quickly knew when to stop, moved to a different spot, and knelt on the soft cushion.

Do you know why the princess went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find you at that time today?

Pei Suisui frowned upon hearing this, and quickly shook her head.

"I don't know..."

She couldn't understand why the Fourth Princess knew about her visit to Shen Mu at night. She even knew that Lord Shen was in the side room at that time.

Pei Nanyue, of course, knew her younger sister's naiveté and chuckled softly.

"The fourth princess is utterly enamored with Lord Shen; perhaps she's watching his every move..."

"Sister, are you saying the Fourth Princess is spying on Lord Shen?" Pei Suisui looked up at her sister in surprise, only to see her sister gently shake her head in denial.

“No… I originally thought the same way as you.” She lowered her head and stared at the ground, somewhat lost in thought.

Ever since she heard the news that the princess had gone to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, she had been restless. The fact that her carriage broke down on the way only made it harder for her to calm down and think about the matter.

Until she happened to spot Eunuch Tao at the entrance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Her already somewhat chaotic thoughts finally came together.

"Does Sister mean that someone deliberately leaked this information?" Pei Suisui wasn't stupid; after all, she was a daughter of an official family who grew up in the capital, and she understood immediately.

"Hmm... not only did they tell the Fourth Princess about your whereabouts, but I'm afraid they even told the Emperor..." She hesitated, then swallowed the rest of her sentence.

After all, gossip can be a powerful force, and right now, the Pei family isn't exactly a safe place.

Pei Suisui nodded in agreement, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"I knew the Fourth Princess was here so fast. I had disguised myself."

Although she had sent a visiting card to Shen Mu, she was still careful before leaving home, so she wore a dark black cloak to cover herself completely.

Even so, she didn't expect that someone would still recognize her.

Thinking about this, Pei Suisui was somewhat confused.

"Who exactly knew about this? And how could they have gotten involved in the palace?"

Pei Nanyue glanced at her and said indifferently

"The Third Prince's abilities should make this easy for him." Although she also understood that her younger sister had once been deeply in love with the Third Prince.

But right now, if what she guessed was true, and the Third Prince deliberately leaked the news of his sister going to Shen Mu's place to the Fourth Princess, then it was likely that the Third Prince had been using the Pei family from beginning to end!

Including her own sister!

"You mean the Third Prince passed this on to the Fourth Princess?" Pei Suisui thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out why it would be the Third Prince's doing.

Her face was pale, and she looked on in disbelief.

She forgot that she was being punished by her sister and slumped down on the cushion.

"How could it be... how could it be him!" Pei Suisui muttered to herself, making Pei Nanyue frown slightly.

"You should think about it carefully yourself. That Third Prince might have been using you from the beginning." Pei Nanyue knew that her sister's body couldn't withstand a second blow.

However, her conversation with her father has made it clear that they will leave the capital city, this place of trouble, immediately.

Therefore, she must first expose the true face of that hypocritical prince in front of her sister.

"Sister...are you lying to me?" Pei Suisui slumped to the ground, looking dejected.

Although she had already said that she would let go of the Third Prince and no longer like him.

But now she realizes that even that vague mutual affection was just wishful thinking on her part!

She simply couldn't convince herself why it was the Third Prince who relayed the message.

Seeing her younger sister so haggard, Pei Suisui couldn't bear to expose her anymore and quickly comforted her.

"This is just my guess. But given the personalities and methods of the princes, only he would scheme against you like this, otherwise..."

Pei Nanyue dared not continue speaking, fearing that her sister would break down.

But at this moment, Pei Suisui continued, picking up where her sister left off.

"Otherwise, why would I be recognized even when I'm dressed like that? Sister... don't try to comfort me!" She clenched her fists, her eyes filled with anger.

She could no longer deceive herself!