"Yingchun, quickly go assist Madam Chang." Song Shihuan's large eyes were filled with concern. "I noticed Madam Chang seems unsteady on her feet."
No one could find the slightest fault with Song Shihuan's actions.
Yingchun stepped forward with a bright smile, but the moment she touched Madam Chang, the latter recoiled as if shocked.
"No, I just remembered there are urgent matters at the residence... I... I shall return another day." As she turned to leave, she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Madam Chang's vision darkened, her breathing grew rapid, and her sight blurred further.
How could this be?
Gu Zheng and his men had gone straight to Pingzhou and were now targeting the Qu family.
Her mind reeled in shock. She tried several times to get up but collapsed weakly each time, finally breaking down into loud sobs.
"Yingchun, fetch a physician for Madam Chang at once."
To Madam Chang, Song Shihuan's voice now sounded like the chanting of a demon. She shook her head violently, like a rattle-drum. "Take me... take me back to the Chang Residence."
She had to return and inform her husband immediately—there wasn’t a second to lose.
Yet Song Shihuan personally stepped forward to support her. "Baoxia, lend a hand and help Madam Chang rest inside the Prince's Mansion first."
Helpless, Madam Chang was led into the mansion, her eyes red with desperation.
"I said I must return to my residence!"
Baoxia shuddered at Madam Chang’s fierce expression, her lips pursing in surprise. Who would have thought the ever-smiling Madam Chang could look like this?
"Madam Chang, our Princess has instructed that since you fell outside the Prince's Mansion, a physician must examine you first. Only after confirming your well-being can we send you back."
Baoxia’s pretty face turned stern. "Please rest here. The physician is already on his way."
The Princess had specifically ordered a physician from the farthest part of the southern city.
Thus, Madam Chang endured every agonizing second in the mansion, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead.
It was over. Everything was over.
......
Pingzhou.
Shen Qingping easily located a servant named Qu Shen.
"This man is clearly a wastrel, spending lavishly of late." Shen Qingping pointed at Qu Shen, who was engrossed in a cockfight. "I’ve played all these games before—his tactics are idiotic."
Exchanging a glance with Gu Zheng, Shen Qingping walked into the crowd and tapped Qu Shen’s shoulder. "Your rooster looks sick, like it’s got the plague."
The crowd fell silent at his words.
"Where did you come from?" Qu Shen, irritated at the interruption, glared at him. "You think roosters catch plagues as easily as horses?"
Shen Qingping smirked. "I can tell—that rooster’s diseased."
A pockmarked man in the crowd spoke up, "Qu Shen, didn’t you handle a plague-stricken horse recently? Maybe your rooster caught it too."
"Wang Mazi, shut your mouth! When did I ever touch a sick horse?" Qu Shen roared.
"Qu Shen, I heard you cursing about a plague-ridden horse!" Wang Mazi shot back. "Get that sick rooster away before it infects ours!"
The two nearly came to blows.
Seeing this, Gu Zheng stepped in, gripping Qu Shen’s wrist with an iron hold. No matter how hard Qu Shen struggled, he couldn’t break free. His face darkened. "Who the hell are you?"
"Gu Zheng."
A rare smile touched Gu Zheng’s usually stern face as he struck Qu Shen’s neck, knocking him unconscious. He then glanced at the stunned Shen Qingping. "Let’s go, Lord Shen."
Shen Qingping gaped as Gu Zheng hoisted Qu Shen over his shoulder and strode off.
Since when was General Gu so ruthlessly efficient?
Qu Shen was a lazy, greedy man who had landed this job—and a hefty sum of gold—only because his father was the Qu family’s steward, tasked by Madam Chang.
A few rounds of interrogation were all it took for him to confess everything.
"The Princess was right—it was the Chang family all along!" Shen Qingping spat angrily. "Now there’s no escape for them."
Gu Zheng exhaled in relief. "Lord Shen, we depart for the capital tomorrow. The Emperor and the Prince await our report."
......
While the investigation in Pingzhou proceeded smoothly, Madam Chang, upon finally returning to the Chang Residence, rushed to the front courtyard in despair.
"My lord, disaster has struck!"
Chang Qing, who had been picking up scattered chess pieces, jerked his head up—only to slam it against the table corner, leaving a bloody gash.
Wincing in pain, he demanded, "What’s happened?"
"Gu Zheng... they went straight to Pingzhou and are targeting the Qu family." Madam Chang clutched his sleeve, panic-stricken. "My lord, beg the Crown Prince at the Eastern Palace for help. There’s still time before Gu Zheng uncovers the truth!"
Chang Qing’s face twisted in fury. "You assured me this was foolproof!"
Tears streamed down Madam Chang’s face. "They weren’t just suspecting us—they knew it was the Chang family all along and sought evidence to confirm it!"
"Our only hope is the Eastern Palace now."
Chang Qing’s face paled, aging a decade in an instant.
"Prepare the horses. To the Eastern Palace."
Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess exchanged uneasy glances as Chang Qing stood before them.
"Your Highness, only you can save the Chang family now," Chang Qing said hoarsely. "Gu Zheng is in Pingzhou, digging into the Qu family. If we don’t act, we’re finished."
"Chang Qing, I asked you repeatedly if the Chang family was involved," the Crown Prince said, eyes narrowing. "You denied it every time."
"Brother, I questioned you as well," the Crown Princess added anxiously.
Chang Qing lowered his head in silence.
The Crown Prince’s mind raced. It was clear now—the Chang family was beyond saving, and any intervention would only drag the Eastern Palace into the scandal.
With cold finality, he said, "This matter has nothing to do with the Eastern Palace. I cannot help you."
Chang Qing looked up, his laughter eerie.
"Your Highness, the Chang family acted only because the Second and Third Imperial Grandsons hinted at punishing the Qin Prince's Mansion during their stay with the Qu family in Pingzhou." His voice dripped with venom. "If the Eastern Palace abandons us, we’ll expose the Imperial Grandsons’ involvement."
"Chang Qing, you liar!"
Song Yanzheng stormed in, seizing Chang Qing’s collar. "They knew nothing of the Qin Prince's Mansion’s affairs! How could they have ordered anything?"
Chang Qing’s face flushed, but his lips curled.
"Regardless... the Chang family and the Eastern Palace are bound together."
If the Chang family fell, the Eastern Palace wouldn’t emerge unscathed.
The Crown Prince’s eyes blazed with fury.
