Coincidentally, a few days ago, Hongshen was about to leave the capital and head south. At the city gate, she ran into Xie Xiner.
Xie Xiner, going by the name of Madame Xin, had set up a tea stall outside the city gate. She was chatting with passers - by, trying to get information about the elderly Madame Shen.
When Hongshen stopped for a cup of tea, she was on her guard. With just a few words, she managed to find out that this tea - selling "Madame Xin" was originally surnamed Xie. Further inquiry revealed that Madame Xin was actually the third miss of the Xie family. While out on a trip, she was seduced by a glib - tongued scholar, and the two eloped.
After living together, she found that the scholar was lazy and spent his days in brothels. Unable to tolerate such behavior, Xie Xiner took the money and left under the cover of night. She wandered all the way to the capital.
Since she didn't have the proper travel permit, she couldn't enter the city. So, Madame Xin made a living by selling tea outside the city.
Looking at Madame Xin, Princess Jingning said softly, "I heard that you're the third miss of the Xie family. How did you end up alone in the capital?"
"I'm somewhat acquainted with the Xie family. How about I send some guards to escort you back home?"
At first, when Madame Xin left the scholar, she was still a bit stubborn. She didn't want to admit that she had misjudged the man, and she was reluctant to return home in disgrace. That's why she left the south against everyone's advice.
Now, she deeply regretted her impulsive actions in her youth. She was extremely grateful for Princess Jingning's offer of help.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Madame Xin said, "Your Highness, do you know the elderly Madame Shen of the Shen family in the capital? The Shen family that once had a prime minister. The elderly Madame Shen is my aunt. Could you please help me send a letter to her?"
Hearing Madame Xin reveal her identity, Princess Jingning lowered her eyes and started thinking. She led Madame Xin on to get more information.
Finally, Princess Jingning was certain that the false identity Bai Xinrou was using was actually Xie Xiner's. It was also Shen Yunfeng who had helped Bai Xinrou forge the identity. She just didn't know if the Shen family was aware of this.
After leaving the inn, Princess Jingning took Hongshen back to the general's mansion...
At the princess's mansion.
Shen Yunfeng was sitting at his desk, carefully recalling what Shen Heqing had said the day before. There was a hint of cruelty in his eyes.
The butler whispered, "Sir, someone from the main courtyard came to say that the expenses in recent days have been too high. Also, Miss Qingdai sent someone to urge us to transfer Cuiliu away."
"Judging from the situation in the main courtyard, the princess doesn't seem to be suspicious yet..."
Shen Yunfeng frowned and said in a bad mood, "Why haven't you gotten rid of Cuiliu yet? Find an opportunity to get rid of her quickly."
"Cuiliu is the personal maid of the young miss. They've been together for more than ten years, and the young miss is still reluctant to take action." The butler whispered Bai Xinrou's thoughts.
Shen Yunfeng was already in a bad mood because of Shen Heqing's matter. He waved his hand and told the butler to get rid of Cuiliu to avoid future trouble.
Soon, Shen Yunfeng received the news that Shen Heqing hadn't returned to the academy.
According to the academy's rules, Shen Heqing had taken a day off yesterday and should have returned to the academy early this morning. But Shen Heqing was thinking about the "pills" from Doctor Liu, so he sent his personal servant to ask for leave.
The teacher approved the leave because of Shen Heqing's good performance in the past.
Shen Yunfeng was very dissatisfied. "Heqing is becoming more and more naughty. He's been spoiled. He's not sick, so why is he asking for leave?"
He even wanted to scold Shen Heqing but was stopped by the butler.
The butler gently reminded Shen Yunfeng, "Sir, when the eldest young master came back yesterday, he needed someone to support him while walking. The effect of the medicine was quite strong."
Shen Yunfeng finally remembered that he had asked the young miss to drug Shen Heqing. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.
It wasn't that he was worried about Shen Heqing's health, but rather that he regretted the timing of the drugging.
Shen Heqing was young and knowledgeable. The Shen family had high hopes for him. With the imperial examination less than a year away, he shouldn't have been drugged.
But the deed was done, and it was too late to regret.
Without much hesitation, Shen Yunfeng made up his mind. He said, "Since the drug has been administered, we shouldn't waste it."
"There's a sachet in the storeroom. It's ordinary on normal days, but when it comes into contact with this drug, it will enhance the drug's effect. Go and find it now. I'll take the sachet to Heqing. We must prove that Heqing and Baozhu are incompatible."
Judging others by himself, Shen Yunfeng didn't believe that Shen Heqing would really abandon his future...
In the study of the main courtyard.
On the surface, Shen Heqing was sitting there reading, but in fact, he was watching Shen Baozhu practice calligraphy.
Shen Baozhu looked at the calligraphy copybook in front of her and felt completely drained of energy.
She lay on the table and said softly, "Baozhu doesn't want to practice calligraphy. She wants to go out and play."
Shen Heqing was very strict. "No. You've only written fifteen sheets. You have to write twenty more before you can take a break."
"You're only five years old now. This is a good time in your life. You should practice more now..."
These words kept drilling into Shen Baozhu's head. She was so annoyed that she covered her ears.
Big brother was not only hard - working himself but also always dragged others along.
Shen Heqing couldn't stand Shen Baozhu's lazy posture lying on the table. He reached out and lifted her up. "Baozhu, finish your calligraphy quickly. I'll take you to read books later."
"Ah? Can I stop practicing calligraphy? Baozhu wants to play with the Luban Lock..."
Before Shen Baozhu could finish her sentence, Shen Heqing covered her mouth. "No playing. Practice calligraphy and read books."
Unable to resist her big brother, Shen Baozhu had no choice but to pick up the brush and practice calligraphy seriously.
Maybe it was the blessing of heaven for Shen Baozhu. Just as she picked up the brush, Shen Yunfeng came to the main courtyard looking for Shen Heqing.
Shen Baozhu was about to step forward and call out to her father when Shen Heqing grabbed her.
Shen Heqing pressed her in front of the desk. "Father is here to find me. You just practice calligraphy quietly. I'll check later."
Looking at the piles of paper on the table, Shen Baozhu felt that her hand was a bit sore.
The study was used by Shen Baozhu for calligraphy practice, so Shen Yunfeng sat in the front hall and deliberately placed the sachet on his waist in front of him.
When Shen Heqing saw Shen Yunfeng, he bowed respectfully. "Father."
Because he had just been playing wits with Shen Baozhu and was still worried that she would be lazy, this absent - minded look in Shen Heqing's eyes made Shen Yunfeng think that the effect of the drug was still there.
Shen Yunfeng pretended not to know. "Heqing, you still haven't returned to the academy?"
"I'm not feeling well. I've asked the teacher for leave." Shen Heqing answered seriously. He also reminded Shen Yunfeng, "Father, don't trust others easily and hurt your own family."
Shen Yunfeng was taken aback by this. He retorted, "What if what the great master Huijue said is true? Are you really willing to sacrifice your future just because Baozhu is in the capital for a few days?"
"It's just sending her away for a few days, not that we won't bring her back..."
Shen Yunfeng said a lot, all trying to persuade Shen Heqing. He hoped to convince him while he was still dizzy.
Shen Heqing hadn't agreed the day before, and now that he was clear - headed, he was even less likely to agree. He looked at Shen Yunfeng thoughtfully. "I won't send Baozhu away. Even if we really have to, father shouldn't use me as an excuse."
"Father's words sound like you're trying to sow discord. In my opinion, maybe it's you who are incompatible with me and Baozhu."