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

While Jiang Xianyue was thinking, the Zhao family had already come out and knelt at the door.

Knowing that Shen Shijing was coming terrified everyone in the Zhao family.

After all, although Shen Shijing was the crown prince, he did not have the noble character of the other princes. His reputation for being unreasonable spread throughout the capital, so it was understandable that Minister Zhao was afraid.

"I see His Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Shijing got off the carriage, straightened his clothes, and walked inside without looking up.

Jiang Xianyue followed behind Shen Shijing and suddenly felt that following such an important figure was quite pleasant. At least Jiang Xianyue didn't need to worry about others disrespecting her.

Shen Shijing walked to the main hall and sat down in the main seat.

"I wonder what brings Your Highness here in particular?"

Minister Zhao walked over, looking worried, his mind still racing, wondering if he had offended Shen Shijing in any way.

Shen Shijing narrowed his eyes, speaking directly.

"I've heard that Miss Zhao from the Minister's mansion is exceptionally beautiful, but I haven't seen her today!"

Minister Zhao was taken aback.

When the topic of Qianjin came up, he began to stammer.

"Your Highness, my daughter is unwell, so..."

"I think Miss Zhao isn't unwell, but rather imprisoned."

Jiang Xianyue spoke calmly, because no one knew about Liu Miaomiao's punishment. The Emperor had suppressed the matter, and the fact that Shen Qingge had beaten Liu Miaomiao was now something that was not for outsiders to know.

Therefore, Minister Zhao was still afraid of offending Liu Miaomiao.

"how come……"

Zhao Shangshu looked embarrassed.

“You’re joking, young lady. My daughter is perfectly fine. Why would I imprison her?”

Jiang Xianyue simply smiled faintly.

"Your Excellency, there is no need to worry that Miss Zhao will be retaliated against by the Princess. The Princess herself is in dire straits these days. His Highness the Crown Prince has some matters to ask Miss Zhao personally. Please lead the way, Your Excellency."

The Zhao family's affairs were kept tightly under wraps, and Minister Zhao had no idea how Jiang Xianyue knew about them. Now, Minister Zhao's face was grim, and seeing the serious threat from Shen Shijing, he quickly turned around and led the way.

One of the rooms in the backyard was nailed shut.

Jiang Xianyue had just arrived at the backyard when she heard the girl's shouts from inside.

"Father, let me out!"

The young woman's voice was hoarse, indicating that she had been imprisoned for a long time.

"Release him, Minister Zhao."

Minister Zhao could only order his servants to release Zhao Xiuxiu, the daughter of the Zhao family.

Zhao Xiuxiu was disheveled and in a sorry state. She was trying to break free from her imprisonment and now looked somewhat insane.

"presumptuous!"

At this moment, Minister Zhao could no longer contain himself. He was naturally ashamed that a lady of such high birth could behave like this. However, he couldn't care less about that now and immediately knelt down to explain.

"Your Highness, my daughter has been rude."

"His Royal Highness!"

Zhao Xiuxiu's eyes lit up, clearly showing that she liked Shen Shijing, and then she looked at Jiang Xianyue.

At the palace banquet, Zhao Xiuxiu saw Jiang Xianyue from afar. Jiang Xianyue was surrounded by a crowd of people, which made many noble ladies envious.

"What's Miss Jiang doing here?"

Zhao Xiuxiu clearly couldn't understand it.

Jiang Xianyue didn't keep anyone in suspense.

"Minister Zhao, could you give us some space? His Highness the Crown Prince and I would like to have a word with Miss Zhao."

Although this is the Minister's residence, the current situation does not allow Minister Zhao to disagree.

He bowed and turned to leave. Once no one was around, Jiang Xian Yue finally spoke: "Miss Zhao, what exactly did you see that day?"

Jiang Xianyue's tone was calm, but Zhao Xiuxiu became nervous. What seemed like an ordinary question made her extremely nervous.

“Then…that Princess Liu, there’s a problem.”

Zhao Xiuxiu was somewhat flustered, but she managed to utter a sentence.

“My father was afraid that I would offend Princess Liu. Princess Liu’s family was full of loyal and righteous people and she had a very high status in the capital. Others thought that the princess was generous and magnanimous, but only those who had come into contact with Princess Liu knew that she was extremely ruthless.”

I only found out later, when I went to find His Highness the Crown Prince by the lake that day.

When Shen Shijing was mentioned, Jiang Xianyue couldn't help but look over.

Shen Shijing frowned slightly, as if trying to recall something.

"Have I seen you before?"

Zhao Xiuxiu was heartbroken.

"Many years ago, my family came to the capital, and His Highness the Crown Prince helped me. At that time, I was still young, but I have always remembered His Highness the Crown Prince."

I went to see His Highness the Crown Prince that day specifically to express my gratitude, but I never expected to discover Princess Liu's secret.

Zhao Xiuxiu spoke with grace and poise. Although she harbored some unspoken feelings for Shen Shijing, Jiang Xianyue wouldn't pay attention to these details.

"what?"

Jiang Xianyue actually sensed that something was wrong with Liu Miaomiao because an evil spirit wanted to harm her, possibly due to karmic retribution. However, the evil spirits that Jiang Xianyue sensed all had one thing in common: they were completely disfigured.

If Liu Miaomiao was jealous of other women, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to kill them. However, if those evil spirits were disfigured, it's unknown whether Liu Miaomiao had other motives.

She had no evidence and dared not say more, but she felt that this was the only way to resolve everything.

"Princess Liu, she..."

Zhao Xiuxiu shivered.

"Princess Liu nourishes her skin with the blood and flesh of young girls!"

Zhao Xiuxiu gritted her teeth and decided to speak out.

“I heard Princess Liu say this with my own ears. Afterwards, I tried to escape, but I caused another girl to be captured. Then I told my father what happened, and he was worried that the truth would come out, so he imprisoned me.”

He's really ruthless; he nailed the doors and windows shut, trying to trap me to death.

"If the princess has powerful backing, then Miss Zhao's father is doing this to protect her."

Jiang Xianyue's tone carried a hint of understanding.

No wonder Minister Zhao was acting secretly.

Jiang Xianyue looked at Shen Shijing. This simple matter had become so complicated; no wonder Shen Shijing's expression had turned ugly.

"So it was Liu Miaomiao..."

Liu Miaomiao was a princess personally appointed by the emperor. She had been infatuated with Shen Shijing for a long time. To be honest, no noble lady in the capital was as beautiful as Liu Miaomiao. Liu Miaomiao's success was not short-lived.

so……

Jiang Xianyue wondered why Liu Miaomiao was doing this.

Liu Miaomiao was just a princess, how could she have such great power? After being reborn, she realized that many things were different from her previous life. Jiang Xianyue felt that there was a force pushing things along.

Could it be Shen Qinglan?

Jiang Xianyue hadn't seen Shen Qinglan for many days since the last incident. Now, thinking back to how someone who had been by her side in her past life harbored such wolfish ambitions, it was truly terrifying to contemplate.

Jiang Xianyue was at a loss for words to describe her feelings at that moment; they were extremely complex.

“Your Highness, I know how to resolve Qingge’s situation, and I also know why I saw death energy on Qingge. It’s not because of that evil spirit, but because of Liu Miaomiao.”

Shen Shijing's gaze was solemn.

Zhao Xiuxiu looked curious and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Jiang, what do you mean by that? What is it that you and His Highness the Crown Prince came to see me about?"