Chapter 305: Chapter 248: Seeking the Reason Behind It

Nanny Gui hurriedly walked out, appearing flustered yet trying to maintain her composure. "This maid, when did this happen? How am I unaware of it?"

Firmly in her heart, she thought that she was a staunch loyalist of the Eldest Princess and could not admit anything. Once admitted, it would inevitably implicate the Eldest Princess.

Just then, Mi Er strode in and knelt down with his fists clasped. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, my lord, I have something to report."

"Speak." The Emperor’s cold eyes carried an air of authority.

"The day before yesterday, I accidentally passed by Quanjude and unexpectedly saw the Eldest Princess coming out together with Old Mrs. Xiao."

Upon hearing this, both people present froze.

Old Mrs. Xiao was feeling restless, constantly pondering whether the medicine had gone wrong. This medicine was purchased from the best pharmacy.

Originally she thought that once things succeeded, it wouldn’t matter how the drug was administered or what plans were made. Prince Zhan would have only one path forward — he must marry her granddaughter.

But now that the matter is exposed, Prince Zhan will certainly pursue the issue to the end. Her granddaughter’s hopes of entering the Prince Mansion are now slim.

The Eldest Princess had actually never intended to collaborate with Old Mrs. Xiao. She was more focused on how to retaliate against Shen Ruoxi, yet the streets were buzzing with rumors of Miss Xiao’s admiration for Jun Moling.

This was gossip deliberately spread by Old Mrs. Xiao, as she thought that with such public opinion, they would have an advantage even if Jun Moling wanted to deny it.

As the Eldest Princess reconsidered, if Xiao Chengyu were really to be pushed into the Prince Mansion, wouldn’t the currently pregnant Shen Ruoxi be heartbroken?

Thus, she invited Old Mrs. Xiao to Quanjude, and the two agreed on a scheme at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.

The two never expected that everything would be seen by others.

At that time, to avoid being recognized, the Eldest Princess even wore a veil hat, thinking she could hide in plain sight. Who knew they would be exposed?

"This guard must be joking, I never met with Old Mrs. Xiao," the Eldest Princess was firm in her denial, regardless of anything anyone said.

"I have the specialized Silver from the Princess Mansion that you spent at Quanjude."

The Eldest Princess was momentarily stunned, just about to refute when Mi Er cut in, "Right, Eldest Princess, you and Old Mrs. Xiao were in the Heaven-class private room. My manager saw it clearly."

The Eldest Princess’s face suddenly became extremely ugly, a cold sweat forming on her forehead. She never imagined that what seemed to be a flawless plan would be caught on such details.

With a face full of disbelief, the Eldest Princess asked, "Your manager?"

Quanjude’s reputation for its restaurant in the Capital City was widely known, and everyone knew the formidable power behind it. The owner always acted low-key, but who would have thought it was actually Jun Moling’s enterprise.

"It is indeed a property of the Prince Mansion," Jun Moling’s voice was deep.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi was shocked and her eyes widened. This was their own business, and her husband had been keeping it from her. Was he secretly hiding money?

Thinking of this, Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but become angry, giving Jun Moling a fierce stare.

Seeing her expression, Jun Moling was secretly amused.

He had his reasons for not telling her; he belonged entirely to his wife, so how could the enterprise be considered his private property?

"Your manager must have mistaken someone else!" The Eldest Princess said coldly at the moment.

"Shall we have the manager and attendants confront you directly, Eldest Princess?"

At this moment, it seemed impossible to avoid.

The Empress Dowager’s expression turned extremely ugly, "Eldest Princess, why is this? If you want Prince Zhan to marry, just say so. As long as he agrees, it’s fine. Why resort to such schemes against him?"

The Empress Dowager knew well that no matter how talented Xiao Chengyu was, she couldn’t bribe the eunuchs and maids in the Imperial Palace. Only the Royal Family could achieve this.

According to the maid’s testimony, the Eldest Princess was certainly responsible.

Although the matter wasn’t an earth-shattering issue, at most, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor would reprimand her a few times. After all, she was Jun Moling’s aunt; surely he couldn’t do anything drastic to her.

"It was indeed my doing. I heard that Miss Xiao of the Xiao Family and Prince Zhan were affectionate, so I sent someone to invite Old Mrs. Xiao to inquire about the situation.

Moling is my nephew. I don’t hope that the dignified Prince Zhan has only one Princess Consort, besides which the Princess Consort is already pregnant. So what harm is there in finding another woman to serve?

The Xiao Family has some grudges with Shen Ruoxi. I thought she would surely not agree to have Miss Xiao enter the Prince Mansion, but Miss Xiao has deep affection for Prince Zhan, hence I devised this plan to help her.

Since normal means couldn’t work, I resorted to this method thinking Moling wouldn’t suffer any loss. I underestimated, so let’s admit Miss Xiao anyway!"

After hearing her out, both the Emperor and Empress Dowager fell silent. Jun Moling was so infuriated that he laughed, "Aunt, she Xiao..."

Shen Ruoxi reminded him, "Xiao Chengyu."

Jun Moling continued, "Yes, Xiao Chengyu. Is she made of Gold? Can she marry whomever she wishes? What gives?

Aunt, your ideas are too absurd and laughable! How many men wish to marry Ruoxi? Should she marry each one of them?

What is it called when one breaks up marriages? Aunt, don’t think I will lightly let you get away with this."

The Eldest Princess was momentarily speechless, still wanting to argue, "Are men and women the same?"

Seeing the situation, the Emperor quickly stepped in to mediate, "Prince Zhan, today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. This incident wasn’t intentional on Aunt’s part. Could we possibly defer it and discuss later?"

Jun Moling’s expression remained cold, looking as though he still wanted to speak.

At this moment, Shen Ruoxi lightly smiled and spoke, "Naturally, we heed His Majesty’s words."

The Emperor was slightly taken aback, while the Empress Dowager whispered from the side, "I promise to provide you with an explanation, don’t worry."

Shen Ruoxi gave a graceful courtesy and softly said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager. The grand opera prepared outside is worth your attention."

"Alright, you accompany Prince Zhan, and the family will go watch the opera. It’s reputedly very exciting," the Empress Dowager said with a faint smile.

"As soon as you watch it, you’ll know," Shen Ruoxi respectfully responded.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly before leading everyone away.

Mrs. Zhou quickly untied the ropes on Xiao Chengyu, pulling her to kneel down together, urgently saying, "Prince Zhan, Princess Consort Zhan, my daughter committed such a grave mistake, I hope you both can forgive."

Shen Ruoxi chuckled lightly, saying, "Mrs. Xiao, get up! We will talk about it later."

Mrs. Zhou wanted to speak again but was interrupted by Shen Ruoxi, "All of you go out! I need to take a good look at my husband."

When they heard this, everyone inside the room retreated as ordered, even the offending maids were taken away.

Now, there were only Jun Moling and Shen Ruoxi left. Jun Moling’s eyes carried a cold gleam as he asked, "Wife, why do you think Aunt would do such a thing?"

Shen Ruoxi frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before speaking, "I remembered hearing a rumor a few days ago, saying the Commandery Princess’s leg was crushed by a carriage, and it was my doing. Perhaps, the Eldest Princess’s actions are related to this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Jun Moling’s expression grew more solemn. He murmured, "Could it really be because of this?"

Shen Ruoxi chuckled, looking firmly at Jun Moling. "Find a suitable opportunity to have a good talk with the Eldest Princess, I believe she’ll reveal the truth."

Jun Moling nodded in agreement, already having a plan in mind. Since this matter concerned his cousin, if it was indeed his mistake, he would clarify things with his aunt.