The eldest daughter's scheming, the crown prince's exclusive favor to the venomous concubi

Murong Chuan entered the palace late at night. When he arrived at Sun Rouxiang's palace, before he could even greet her, he was slapped hard across the face by Sun Rouxiang. He could only stand there silently, listening to Sun Rouxiang's angry curses.

"You've grown quite bold, huh? Such a big matter, and you didn't even consult me. It's just one woman, why are you so reluctant to part with her? What did you promise me before? Huh? Have you forgotten all about it?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I didn't mean to do this either, but I didn't realize that my plan had gone wrong, so I had no choice but to play along."

Murong Chuan spoke in a low voice, and then recounted the whole story to Sun Rouxiang. In addition to the story he had told Jian Yue before, he also recounted Jian Yue's story in a different way.

He said, "The thing Qiu Lingfeng fears most is Shangguan Jianyue. With her around, I believe Qiu Lingfeng will soon slip up."

Sun Rouxiang frowned upon hearing this, her eyes filled with disbelief. She said, "You're saying that Shangguan Jianyue didn't die? How is that possible? The Hongmeng Bridge has a rapid current; how could someone who falls in survive? Besides, didn't that witch send many people down to search for her? They didn't find her at all."

Murong Chuan smiled slightly, his eyes filled with an inscrutable look.

"So, I think the blood coral is still useful."

Sun Rouxiang looked up and saw Murong Chuan continue, "My mother has been investigating the Shangguan family for more than ten years and has put a lot of effort into Shangguan Linglong, but the Ironclad Soldiers are like they don't exist at all. They don't care and let the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family suffer such humiliation."

Afterwards, the Shangguan family fell into poverty and ruin, and they didn't even care about the blood-red coral that I had lost, which was said to be able to command armored soldiers. Did my mother ever have the illusion that these armored soldiers didn't exist at all?

Sun Rouxiang frowned: "Of course, otherwise, if the Emperor were to take action against the Shangguan family, do you think I would just let it go? What? Have you made some new discovery?"

"Exactly."

Murong Chuan laughed and said, "Isn't Mother curious about how Shangguan Jianyue survived? It really is strange from the very beginning. Her appearance seems to be something out of the blue, and it has always been aimed at the Qiu family."

So how exactly did she manage to survive under the Qiu family's nose until now? Qiu Zhenzhou is a ruthless person, and although he is somewhat lecherous, he and Madam Sun would never let go of someone who is harmful to the Qiu family.

Now, she has miraculously survived the floodwaters of the Hongmeng Bridge and returned to the capital, even visiting the Princess's residence right under everyone's noses. If I hadn't discovered her, news of her assassination attempt on Bai Jianan would surely be circulating throughout the capital by now. Doesn't Mother have any suspicions?

Shang Rouxiang's eyes flashed: "You mean all of this was done with the help of the armored soldiers?"

Murong Chuan nodded and said with a smile, "Mother, think about it. Shangguan Jianyue and Bai Jianan broke up on their way to their wedding. In a fit of anger, the young lady of the Shangguan family sank a hundred loads of dowry and even drowned. Afterwards, Shangguan Ting tried to assassinate the heir of Qingyan Marquis in a fit of rage, but was stopped by Father Emperor who arrived in time."

Father Emperor had long intended to take down the Shangguan family, and this was an opportunity he couldn't possibly miss. But unexpectedly, before he could even give the order, the Shangguan family was completely deserted, not even a single servant was left behind. Mother Consort, just think about it, besides the Ironclad Army, who else could accomplish such a feat under the Emperor's very nose?

Sun Rouxiang pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Murong Chuan and asked suspiciously, "Do you have any basis for what you're saying? Could it be that you're just making up lies to deceive me in order to get these two women?"

"Let me tell you, the Emperor has been completely indifferent to you these past few days. Even after such a reputation-damaging incident, he only asked about it once and then ignored it. It seems he has lost faith in you, and your position as Crown Prince is already in grave danger. If this continues, I will have no choice but to force you to abdicate; otherwise, I truly cannot protect you."

Murong Chuan said with a smile, "Mother, don't worry, it will never come to that. I had no feelings for Qiu Lingfeng, but I never expected to be plotted against and have a relationship with her. I had already decided to ignore it, but I thought that if the person behind this was not caught, he would be a threat in the future. That's why I thought of turning the tables and bringing him back to the mansion."

Shangguan Jianyue, having only encountered them by chance, deduced some possibilities. Since these two were sworn enemies, there was no need to worry about them forming an alliance. Instead, they could fight it out and see who revealed a weakness, while they could simply sit back and watch the show, reaping the benefits.

After returning to his residence, Murong Chuan subconsciously headed towards Dexin Pavilion, but after taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and turned to the golden-armored guard beside him, asking, "Where is Qiu Lingfeng staying today?"

The golden-armored guard immediately replied, "Yesterday, His Highness brought her back and settled her in Dexin Pavilion. Today, when she came, His Highness did not settle her in and went straight back to her place."

Murong Chuan narrowed his eyes and after a long while said, "I understand. Is Miss Caiyue resting?"

“After Miss Caiyue went into the room, she fell asleep. As Your Highness instructed, we stayed more than three zhang away from the room and did not approach it. There were no candles lit in the room, so it seems that she has really gone to bed.”

Murong Chuan nodded and smiled slightly, "That's good. Continue to do the same with Caiyue. Don't keep too close an eye on her, or it will backfire. As for Qiu Lingfeng, stick with me and I'll see what kind of trouble she's up to."

After giving instructions to the Golden Armor Guards, Murong Chuan suppressed his urge to go to Dexin Pavilion and went straight back to his study. With a furrowed brow, he began searching through the bookshelves.

Qiu Lingfeng was somewhat disappointed when she finally did not see Murong Chuan. However, when the maid she sent out returned and said that Murong Chuan had not gone to Qing Su Zhai either, she felt a slight sense of relief, but she was still on edge.

The appearance of this Caiyue is really too strange. How come she looks so similar to Shangguan Jianyue? And her name also contains the character for "moon"?

"What's wrong? Can't sleep?"

The familiar voice immediately made Qiu Lingfeng stand up nervously and look towards the source of the sound. Then, she looked around even more nervously, ran to the door to check, and said, "What are you doing here? He has a lot of people with me. If we are discovered, I'm finished."

The woman, her face veiled in white, smiled slightly and walked towards Qiu Lingfeng with ease, saying, "What? Trying to kick me away after I've served my purpose? Have you forgotten what you promised me?"

Qiu Lingfeng frowned and pursed her lips: "No, it's just that this really isn't the time to meet. What urgent matter do you have? Tell me quickly."

"Don't worry, if I couldn't even handle a few watchdogs, why would I be here questioning you? I haven't had anything else to ask you lately, just whether there was anything unusual happening at the Crown Prince's residence today?"

As the woman in white spoke, she looked at Qiu Lingfeng, observing her facial reaction. Qiu Lingfeng did not notice her gaze, but pondered for a moment and said, "Nothing strange happened. However, tonight, he brought a woman from somewhere who looks extremely similar to the deceased Shangguan Jianyue, only more beautiful than Shangguan Jianyue."

"What did you say?"

The woman in white suddenly stood up and stared intently at Qiu Lingfeng. Qiu Lingfeng frowned: "You don't believe me? Then go and see for yourself. She's currently staying in the master bedroom of Qing Su Zhai."

The woman in white did not speak immediately, but her fists clenched slightly, her eyes dark and unfathomable. Qiu Lingfeng observed her closely and made a decision in her mind. Then she said, "At the welcoming banquet for the Marquis of Qingyan's heir, His Highness the Crown Prince looked at Shangguan Jianyue with a strange expression. I wondered why he was like that. After seeing that woman today, I wondered if he was surprised that the two were so similar."

The woman in white veil raised her eyes and asked, "Is it possible that this woman is actually Shangguan Jianyue?"

"How can this be?"

Qiu Lingfeng almost retorted directly, staring at the woman in white gauze with wide eyes and gritting her teeth, saying, "I pushed her into the river myself, and I personally stabbed her in the heart with a dagger coated with deadly poison. How could she still be alive? Absolutely impossible."

The woman in white paused for a moment, and only after Qiu Lingfeng calmed down did she say, "Try to check her chest to prove whether she is Shangguan Jianyue or not."

Qiu Lingfeng frowned immediately and said with dissatisfaction, "You still don't believe me?"

“It’s not that I don’t believe her, but I’m ruling out any possibility. If she really is Shangguan Jianyue, I believe that you are the biggest threat to both of us. Aren’t you afraid?”

Qiu Lingfeng clenched her fists, a ferocious glint in her eyes. The woman in white raised an eyebrow and said mockingly, "Or are you afraid to kill her again?"

"How could I not dare? Even if I had to do it a few more times, I would do it without hesitation."

Qiu Lingfeng sneered, looking at her hands, her eyes suddenly becoming unfocused, and said, "If it weren't for her, how could I have ended up like this? Although I love His Highness the Crown Prince, I am still the eldest daughter of the Qiu family. She was originally the candidate for the future Crown Prince's principal wife. If she had never appeared, I would not be in this situation. I hate her, I hate her so much that I wish I could eat her flesh and skin her alive."

After Qiu Lingfeng finished speaking, the woman in white suddenly smiled and walked to Qiu Lingfeng's side. She placed her fair fingers on Qiu Lingfeng's face. The icy touch made Qiu Lingfeng shiver, but she didn't dare to move. She stared blankly at the woman in white teasing her.

When the woman in white finally lowered her hand, she came to her senses and heard the woman say, "That's good. Don't worry, as long as you are obedient, the position of Crown Princess will eventually be yours."

As for Shangguan Jianyue, whether she's alive or dead, she won't be an obstacle for you. On the contrary, if she's alive, she might even become our scapegoat. Why not?

Qiu Lingfeng was puzzled, but the woman in white gauze didn't wait for her to think of anything and said directly, "In that case, I'll be leaving. You need to confirm her identity as soon as possible so that we can formulate the next plan. Otherwise, the Crown Prince's residence may have to welcome a second mistress."