The Crown Princess calculated with her fingers and the prince was terrified.

Jiang Xianyue was startled and took a step back.

It wasn't because everything in front of her was too terrifying—she'd seen dead people before—but because the person in front of her had clearly been alive just moments before, and she still had many questions she hadn't asked.

Shen Qinglan reached out her hand to block Jiang Xianyue.

Although he was bound hand and foot, he was now emaciated and withered compared to before, clearly having died from having his life force drained. The Star Palace here was heavily guarded; who could have possibly been here?

Jiang Xianyue remembered that she had only frozen him in place.

Furthermore, in order to find out the truth about Chu's actions, she dared not kill him.

Even after I and Shen Shijing left, someone else came.

Jiang Xianyue felt nervous and couldn't help but look around. When did that person arrive? Did he already know her secret?

Jiang Xianyue was in a state of utter confusion.

The Grand Master lowered his head to examine the cause of Su Yong's death.

"It was done by people of our generation!"

He sighed, then, as if remembering something, ran towards another cabinet.

"Oh no, the Chaos Pearl is gone!"

With a roar from the Grand Preceptor, a large number of people dressed in black robes rushed in, crowding the entire Star-Picking Tower. Jiang Xian Yue then tensed up, her expression filled with terror.

She had heard of the Chaos Pearl; it was considered a treasure.

That man also seemed to be a thief.

As Jiang Xianyue was pondering this, she watched as the Imperial Advisor methodically issued orders to search the Star Palace.

Then he came over and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Second Prince, theft and murder have occurred in the Star Palace. I, the Imperial Preceptor, will investigate this matter thoroughly. Please do not speak of what happened today."

"And the lost Chaos Pearl is a treasure of the Star-Picking Tower; this Imperial Preceptor will also examine the two of you!"

"That's alright!"

Shen Qinglan remained calm, then suddenly changed the subject.

"Regarding the fate of this Miss Jiang..."

The Grand Master glanced at the incense burner from earlier, but only for a fleeting moment.

"My diviner's predictions are never wrong. It's just that this Miss Jiang is just an ordinary woman, nothing more!"

The Grand Preceptor sent people to investigate, and while they were at it, they also investigated her and Shen Qinglan.

Jiang Xianyue harbored resentment over what he had just said.

What does it mean to say that she is just an ordinary woman?

Could it be that Shen Qinglan has begun to doubt herself?

Such a thing never happened in their past life, and their relationship was never so impulsive. But today, he seemed to be trying to prove his suspicions, but by some twist of fate, he managed to avoid it.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xianyue's gaze darkened, and she remained silent the whole way.

Shen Qinglan did not take her to the Jiang family. As the carriage drove further and further away, Jiang Xianyue lifted the curtain and became nervous.

She looked at Shen Qinglan warily. With the Second Prince right in front of her, Jiang Xianyue probably wouldn't be able to escape easily.

Therefore, Jiang Xianyue tried her best to remain calm.

"Second Prince, where are you taking me?!"

Shen Qinglan smiled faintly: "You'll know when we get there!"

Jiang Xianyue's mind became even more uneasy.

"Miss Jiang seems to be avoiding this prince!"

Jiang Xianyue looked up again and found that his eyes were full of inquiry, that kind of strange, inquisitive look that made her involuntarily clench her clothes. Thinking of her past life, she tried her best to make her voice less cold.

"Second Prince, it's not that I'm afraid, but we've only met a few times, and yet you've brought me to such a place. It's hard for me not to be afraid!"

Shen Qinglan continued, "Most women in the capital want to marry into the royal family, and even if they have such an opportunity, they are overjoyed."

"But ever since Miss Jiang arrived in the capital, she has been neither warm nor cold towards me!"

Jiang Xianyue tilted her head.

"The Emperor has given me several princes; I don't have only one choice. What do I have to do with the noble ladies of the capital? Second Prince, where do you see my wealth?"

If it weren't for this fate that came from who-knows-where, I'd still be farming on the mountain.

However, I'm a person who takes things as they come. Now that I have the opportunity, I'll make a good choice and not let myself down!

She was calm, but what she said was correct.

At this moment, the second prince, a favored son of heaven, was just as worthless as the other princes. This made Jiang Xian Yue, who came from the countryside, seem utterly ignorant of human relationships and social customs.

Jiang Xianyue, however, was not in a hurry at all.

She smiled slightly: "Even though I live in the countryside, I have never seen a man show me such affection."

The first time he invited me out wasn't for a boat trip or a banquet, but to watch a murder case, and it still makes me a little uneasy!

Speaking of the Star Palace, Shen Qinglan sighed.

"It should have been a good thing, but unfortunately, it happened to coincide with the theft of the Star Palace. This is the first time in so many years. I wonder how things are going now?"

"I see that the Star Palace is heavily guarded; anyone who can get in must be very capable!"

Jiang Xianyue's voice was indifferent, as if she didn't care much about the matter.

Shen Qinglan originally had a lot to say, but she was surrounded by this unpleasant topic and found it difficult to speak.

"How can this jade pendant be explained as broken?"

"The Second Prince and the Grand Preceptor have such a good relationship, didn't you even ask about it?"

Shen Qinglan frowned slightly as she looked at the butterfly pendant in front of her.

"Ok!"

"I wanted to ask today, but I didn't have the chance!"

His words clearly indicated hesitation.

They probably knew why the butterfly pendant broke, which is why they came to me.

Jiang Xianyue had no idea what lay ahead.

Unless absolutely necessary, she didn't want to share a room with the person who had killed her. However, Jiang Xian Yue was certain that the matter of the shattered butterfly pendant on the Grand Preceptor's side was definitely related to her.

That belonged to her mother, the old man said. It was a magical object with spiritual power, how could it have broken for no reason?

"Actually, this jade pendant had a small crack from the day you came to the capital. I originally thought it was an accident, but now that I think about it, I never imagined it might be related to you!"

So, you're blaming yourself?

Jiang Xianyue ignored these words and denied the matter of the jade pendant, turning her head to one side.

"We hadn't even met them back then, how could we know!"

"I was just saying it casually!"

Shen Qinglan hesitated to speak, and Jiang Xianyue was very annoyed that he knew the answer but didn't say anything.

The atmosphere inside the car became tense. Jiang Xianyue was now desperately suppressing her temper. Although she was also curious about the butterfly pendant, she knew that saying more would only make things worse and arouse more suspicion, so it was better not to say anything.

and so……

Taking advantage of this moment, Jiang Xianyue carefully observed Shen Qinglan. These days, Shen Qinglan's complexion had improved, and her purple aura had become more vigorous, which must be related to the situation on Shen Shijing's side.

If the curse under the tree is broken, everything should be different.

Just then, the carriage stopped.

Shen Qinglan got out of the car first, preventing Jiang Xianyue from wanting to see the outside.

"Miss Jiang, we've arrived!"

Jiang Xianyue then lifted the carriage curtain, and the scene that appeared outside was exactly what Jiang Xianyue had considered countless possibilities, but never expected.

"Second Prince, you..."