I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 16: Find the Third Prince to Ask

Although spring is the peak season for rashes, the ones on Nanxiang are different. Her body contains a mild toxin, which is why the rash erupted so quickly.

Princess Changyang was alarmed. "You mean..."

Ye Qianning nodded, her way of giving the princess a heads-up.

With the confirmation, Princess Changyang was astonished that the child before her knew such things. Her own daughter had fallen ill so rapidly, yet she hadn’t suspected anything was amiss.

’If she hadn’t taken down that public notice...’ The more Princess Changyang thought about it, the more terrified she became.

"Cui’er, have Granny Zhang investigate everyone who has entered or left the mansion recently. Scrutinize every single person the Commandery Princess came into contact with before her rash appeared." A dark look entered Princess Changyang’s eyes.

’I have to find out exactly who is trying to harm my daughter.’

"Yes, I’ll go at once."

Ye Qianning was all too familiar with such deceit and intrigue. The battlefields of modern business were no less treacherous than the inner courtyards of these ancient, noble houses.

’The person who poisoned Nanxiang to give her this rash is no simple character. The hearts of those in these great houses are truly unfathomable.’

"Greetings, Your Highness." The butler hurried in.

Princess Changyang turned to him. "What did the magistrate’s office say? Did they give you the Jade Pendant?"

The butler glanced at Ye Qianning before replying, "Magistrate Song has arrived in the front hall. The Prince requests the Princess Consort to join them."

Princess Changyang hadn’t expected the magistrate to come in person. She stood up. "Pangtuan, come. You’ll accompany me to the front hall."

Ye Qianning hopped off the chair and scurried over to the Princess Consort’s side.

’The Prince Mansion certainly has clout,’ she thought. ’That’s all it took to get him here.’

「The Front Hall of the Prince Mansion.」

Prince Changyang sat in the host’s seat, already aware of the situation. His expression was grave as he held the Jade Pendant in his hand.

"Your Highness, this matter concerns the Imperial Family’s bloodline. I had no choice but to have the Jade Pendant retrieved. If someone with ill intentions had seen it and used it to stir up trouble, the consequences would have been severe." Magistrate Song felt miserable. He hadn’t slept a wink for the several days the pendant was in his possession.

"Indeed. The fewer people who know, the better," Prince Changyang said. "The old woman came from Nanyuan, and the child appears to be about six." He couldn’t help but recall his first meeting with Ye Qianning.

’That child wasn’t the least bit deferential or arrogant when she saw me. Her eyes were bright and clear, and she carried herself with an air that didn’t seem to belong to a village girl.’

’The Third Prince traveled to Nanyuan with the sons of several prominent families once. If I recall correctly, that was exactly seven years ago. The timeline adds up.’

"To muddle the Imperial Family’s bloodline is a capital crime. But if this is true, then that child’s identity is naturally noble. I was at a loss for how to proceed and didn’t dare publicize the matter. If Her Highness, the Princess Consort, hadn’t sent someone to retrieve the Jade Pendant today, I wouldn’t have dared to bring this up with you, Your Highness. Now, I must ask you to decide how to handle this." Magistrate Song seized the opportunity to get rid of this hot potato.

Prince Changyang fell into a thoughtful silence, his fingers tracing the patterns on the Jade Pendant. After a long moment, he said, "The Third Prince happens to be visiting the mansion today. Why don’t we summon him and ask?"

...

Magistrate Song was stunned. ’Ask him directly?’

"Someone, fetch the Third Prince," Prince Changyang commanded. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

COUGH! COUGH! Magistrate Song choked on his own spit.

"Is there a problem?" Prince Changyang shot him a sidelong glance.

"Asking him directly... I’m afraid that might not be wise..."

"What’s not wise about it? I think confirming it with him face-to-face is the best possible course of action."

Magistrate Song still had his reservations, but he knew better than to say anything more.

Just then, Princess Changyang arrived at the front hall with Ye Qianning in tow.

"Greetings, Princess Changyang." Magistrate Song bowed.

Princess Changyang gave a slight smile and walked to Prince Changyang’s side. "Magistrate Song, there’s no need for such formalities."

The moment she stepped into the hall, Ye Qianning felt the Prince’s gaze on her. It was heavy with scrutiny. ’Looks like the Prince already knows about the Jade Pendant,’ she thought.