Chapter 132: Put It to the Test

She remembered that before she was betrothed to the Prince of Duan, his maternal grandmother had visited the Tan residence under the pretext of seeking medical advice.

Later, after having Qingdai and the others investigate thoroughly, she discovered that the Prince’s maternal grandfather was the former Prime Minister, Ran Yungui. It was said that although Ran Yungui had resigned and retired shortly after the passing of Empress Duanxian, he still maintained many followers and former students within the imperial court.

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. She had found something odd about Consort Shu earlier that day. If Ran Yungui had truly retired due to the Empress’s death, why would he send Consort Shu into the palace immediately after, seemingly positioning her to vie for the position of Empress?

If the person behind Consort Shu was indeed Ran Yungui…

Even… Tan Qingjiu’s eyes began to brighten bit by bit… even if the person who poisoned the Prince of Duan was Ran Yungui… then everything suddenly made sense.

If Ran Yungui was the one manipulating events, it meant he was a man of immense ambition. And if his ambition lay in the highest seat of power, then Shen Yingjue, as the legitimate imperial prince, was indeed his best pawn.

Thus, Ran Yungui had the motive to poison Shen Yingjue: to control him.

The poison in Shen Yingjue’s body was meant for control; the victim needed to take an antidote every month to prevent the poison from flaring up. Consequently, if Ran Yungui were the poisoner, Shen Yingjue would be forced to go to him for the antidote each month. If Shen Yingjue were ever disobedient, Ran Yungui could simply withhold the medicine.

This conjecture aligned perfectly with the conversation she had overheard between Shen Yingjue and Consort Shu.

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. It would not be difficult to verify if her guess was correct. Consort Shu had mentioned that the person would come to talk with Shen Yingjue again. She only needed to observe whether anyone from the Ran family, or Ran Yungui himself, paid a visit in the coming days.

Tan Qingjiu tilted her head, her gaze resting on the flickering candlelight. If it truly was Ran Yungui, she could use this to her advantage and negotiate terms with the Prince. Although it was a risky move, the rewards would be proportional to the danger. If her calculations were correct, she could leverage this to obtain something she had long coveted from him.

She slowly brushed her fingers through the candlelight before standing up. "Time to rest."

She had not expected the person she was waiting for to arrive so soon.

***

By the afternoon of the following day, Tan Qingjiu heard the ringing of a bell outside. Shen Yingjue disliked being served, so servants were required to signal their arrival at the main courtyard with a bell.

Hearing the sound, Tan Qingjiu stepped out of her room. As expected, the steward hurried in. "Your Highness, Master Ran is here."

Tan Qingjiu tilted her head; "Master Ran" must be Ran Yungui.

Soon, she saw the Prince of Duan emerge from his room. He looked rather pale, and upon noticing her gaze, he looked toward her.

"Your Highness looks unwell. Would you like me to accompany you?"

The Prince paused, let out a soft cough, and shook his head. "No need, I will go alone."

Tan Qingjiu nodded. It seemed he intended to have a serious talk with Ran Yungui. She watched him leave the courtyard before turning back into her room. She wasn't worried about him compromising; since he now knew she could cure the poison, Ran Yungui no longer held the upper hand. Unless Shen Yingjue intended to play along with Ran Yungui’s game, but given how he had reached such a breaking point—choosing the risk of death over being used—that seemed unlikely.

She paced the room, lost in thought. After about an hour, she heard movement outside. Looking out the window, she saw Shen Yingjue returning. He was still wearing his mask. She scoffed internally—the mask was a convenient tool, hiding all his expressions and keeping his true thoughts unreadable.

"Your Highness."

Shen Yingjue looked up and saw her leaning out of the window. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is the Princess... waiting for me?"

"Indeed, I am."

He chuckled. "Does the Princess know what kind of people stand at windows to greet men passing by?"

Tan Qingjiu blinked, sensing that nothing pleasant was about to follow.

"In many places, there are low-class flower districts, or perhaps rivers lined with flower boats," he continued. "The courtesans there, to entice guests, lean out of their windows and wave their handkerchiefs at the men below, calling out, 'Master, come in! I have been waiting for you for so long!'"

Perhaps to ensure she fully understood the scene, he even mimicked the coy, affected tone of a brothel woman at the end.

"..." Tan Qingjiu pressed a hand to her forehead, truly unable to bear it.

Shen Yingjue stepped closer, one step at a time. "Standing at your bedchamber window, leaning out just like that... how does the Princess expect me to interpret this?"

She glanced at him. "You seem quite knowledgeable, Your Highness. You must have frequented these flower districts and boats often, haven't you?"

"Now, the Princess wrongs me. To prove my innocence, would the Princess like to examine me herself?"

"Examine?" She narrowed her eyes. "And how would one do that?"

Shen Yingjue, who seemed to have been waiting for her to take the bait, curled his lips into a sly smile. "Isn't the Princess a physician? Do you not know how to examine a man's body? I have heard that those with rich experience can tell everything with a single touch."

His eyes were filled with mischief. "However, the Princess likely doesn't have much experience. Why don't you give it a try, my dear Princess?"

"Ha..." Tan Qingjiu remained unperturbed. "I'll pass. I find it filthy."

"Tsk..."

She huffed, wondering how the conversation had veered so far off course.

"I called you over, Your Highness, because I wanted to ask: regarding the matter of Ran Yungui, do you need my help? I am willing to assist, for a price."