The Double-Chapter 578 - 170: The Real Culprit

News of Princess Yongning’s miscarriage eventually spread throughout the palace.

Empress Dowager Liu was furious upon hearing it and insisted on a thorough investigation. The Li Family agreed to cooperate as rumors abounded outside. People said that Princess Yongning’s joyful news had not been kept secret for the first three months, which was why King Yama had claimed the child. This was but a tale, and many no longer believed it. Moreover, Princess Yongning herself had said that she was victimized while at the Li Family’s residence.

The words "victimized" were no small matter; they implied that the princess had not lost her child due to carelessness, but through a meticulously orchestrated conspiracy. Even the emperor took the matter seriously and ordered the Li Family to identify the perpetrator at all costs.

In comparison, Prince Cheng, Yongning’s older brother, seemed to care little, not because he was indifferent to his sister, but because he was preoccupied with more pressing matters—pressuring the palace and instigating rebellion. Thus, the matter of Princess Yongning was temporarily set aside.

The Li Family, for the time being, became the target of public outrage, putting their all into discovering the assailant. Naturally, nothing was found in two or three days. But Princess Yongning, almost crazed with persistence, demanded answers from the Li Family from dawn until dusk. Unable to find the culprit, she vented all her anger on the Li Family. She looked less like the lady of the Li Family, more like their nemesis.

At night, Princess Yongning sat in her room, her expression restless.

Her recovery was swift; miscarriage, which usually sapped a woman’s strength, had seemingly left her unaffected. She was able to move about freely within a day, and if the Li Family had not known of her condition, nobody would have believed she had ever been pregnant.

Perhaps because of this, Li Xian did not anticipate Yongning’s rapid recuperation. His response to her pressing demand to find the murderer was somewhat panicky and haphazard.

Mei Xiang entered with the simmered medicinal soup.

"The Li Family has yet to give an account today," Princess Yongning said angrily, "This is simply outrageous!"

Having lost her child, Yongning’s weak spot had vanished, and she reverted to her haughty, overbearing self, demanding everyone to follow her will. Her bad temper showed without restraint.

She glanced at the soup Mei Xiang had brought, a bowl of blackish brew concocted to replenish her body after the miscarriage. Its bitter scent wafted through the air. As Princess Yongning gazed at it, she was once again reminded of her innocent lost child, and her heart began to ache. What chilled her even more was the thought that her miscarriage was probably common knowledge—not just among the commoners, but within the court as well. Shen Yurong must have heard something about it, but he hadn’t come to see her, nor had he sent even a letter or a message in his stead.

There was nothing, absolutely nothing; all she had received was news of the Li Family’s failure to find the culprit—a total void.

This was Shen Yurong’s own flesh and blood! Yet, he showed not the slightest regard for kinship.

As Princess Yongning reflected on this, she felt hurt. She knew Shen Yurong was likely a heartless man—this was evident in how he treated his wife, Xue Fangfei. However, she never imagined that one day his indifference would extend to her as well.

The more she thought about it, the more agitated and indignant she became. Princess Yongning asked, "Mei Xiang, has there been any message from Mr. Shen today?"

After a moment of silence, she turned her head to see Mei Xiang standing by the table, repeatedly wiping the same spot and seeming lost in thought. Obviously, Mei Xiang’s mind was elsewhere, and Yongning, suspicious, called out again, "Mei Xiang!"

Mei Xiang turned around in a fluster and said, "Your Highness?"

"What’s wrong with you?" Princess Yongning frowned. "Are you hiding something from me?"

Mei Xiang had been with her for many years, always composed; it was rare to see her as distracted as she was now, prompting Yongning to grow suspicious.

"This servant... This servant..." Mei Xiang turned, checked the doorway for others, saw no one else, closed the door, returned to the room, bit the bullet and knelt before Princess Yongning, saying, "This servant just returned from outside, and while passing a small room, I overheard something..."

"What is it?"

Mei Xiang recounted what she had witnessed. While fetching a tonic for Princess Yongning, she passed by a faintly open side room. She had intended to walk on by, having no knowledge of the Li Family’s affairs; because she had not strayed from her mistress’s side for two months, there had been no opportunity to wander and get to know the place. As Mei Xiang attempted to pass the room, she heard voices from within. This wasn’t unusual—the Li Family’s servants often talked among themselves, and she did not plan to eavesdrop. But when they mentioned Princess Yongning’s name, she stopped in her tracks. Concerned for her mistress, Mei Xiang positioned herself near the door’s crack, secluded from view, and listened carefully to what was being said about her mistress inside.