By the time they returned to the mansion, night had already fallen. The stone-paved streets were mostly empty of pedestrians, save for the Princess Mansion’s carriage and Miss Fu, who was there blocking their path to lodge her complaint.
The lanterns hanging from the eaves along the road still glowed faintly, casting dim light on Fu Yueer’s face and making her eyes appear even more resolute. She held up the blood letter with both hands. “This humble daughter, Fu Yueer, accuses Temple Deputy Fu of the Dali Temple of murdering his wife, extinguishing all humanity, being unworthy of his post as deputy minister, and unfit even to be called human.”
Fu Yueer’s voice trembled, but her words rang out clear and resolute. The Princess Mansion’s carriage turned into the street, bringing her along back to the mansion.
According to Fu Yueer, on the night of the incident, she had returned to the mansion and personally witnessed Temple Deputy Fu picking up Madam Fu and hurling her toward the bed; that was when she had kowtowed.
She had been unaware of her mother’s long-term abuse, but she knew her father was extremely suspicious by nature, always convinced her mother was having an affair with someone else—even when her mother was merely discussing household matters with the steward, he would find fault and fly into a rage. No matter how humble he appeared outside, once he shut the doors at home, he smashed dishes and bowls, throwing the entire household into chaos.
It was for this reason that Fu Yueer had left home early to board at an academy, putting distance between herself and the Fu Mansion. She had never imagined that a homesick visit to see her mother would lead her to witness such a scene. She had begged the steward to keep quiet about her visit to the Fu Mansion, all so she could escape and seek justice for her mother.
Tears swirled in her eyes, but not a single one fell. Fu Yueer knelt before the study, recounting the full story before prostrating herself on the ground with a resounding thud.
“This humble daughter visited several places, but no one dared to take the case. No one wanted to offend Temple Deputy Fu; they all dismissed it as a family matter. Good officials hesitate to judge family affairs, but this humble daughter refuses to believe it—this is no family matter. It is a murder case.”
Tao Chuyi repeated her words from the side, pausing when she reached “good officials hesitate to judge family matters,” fuming as she smacked the grasshopper.
“Excuses.”
“The Prince Consort is right; they’re all just excuses.”
Nangong Yunshang frowned in response. “Miss Fu, have you thought this through? If the accusation succeeds, not only will you turn against your father, but the Fu Mansion might leave you without a single coin. In the end, you could go from an official’s daughter to an ordinary commoner. Are you willing?”
“This humble daughter is willing!”
Fu Yueer showed no hesitation, her answer firm and decisive. “Even if this humble daughter ends up with nothing, I must press the charge and make the wicked pay the price.”
Nangong Yunshang’s face lit up with approval. “Good. Miss Fu is a brave and righteous young woman. Yinghong, send someone to escort Miss Fu to the Dali Temple and hand her over to Temple Minister Tao Siqing.”
“Yes!”
Once Yinghong led Fu Yueer away, Tao Chuyi had already wrecked the grasshopper to pieces.
She scampered over to Nangong Yunshang, holding up the scattered straw. “Liuzi, you didn’t weave it sturdy enough.”
Nangong Yunshang glanced at her. “Then Liuzi, make two more as punishment.”
“Okay!”
Tao Chuyi tossed the straw aside and plopped down at the table, her mischievous hands reaching for the poria cake in the center.
Watching her nibble at the pastry like a mouse stealing food, Nangong Yunshang picked up her brush and dotted a round ink mark right on her forehead.
“Prince Consort, what do you think is the best way to deal with Temple Deputy Fu?”
Fairy Sister was actually asking her opinion—yay!
Tao Chuyi hurriedly swallowed the food in her mouth, brushed off the crumbs from her hands, sat up straight, and put on a serious expression.
“Kill him.”
Nangong Yunshang was momentarily stunned; the Tao Chuyi who had just uttered that word seemed utterly different from her usual self.
But then Tao Chuyi grinned foolishly again, continuing to munch on the poria cake and even offering one to Nangong Yunshang—no difference at all.
After Miss Fu went to the Dali Temple to testify, the Fu Mansion was sealed off, its occupants forbidden from leaving, and Temple Deputy Fu placed under house arrest. However, with only Miss Fu’s testimony, it was hard to secure a final conviction.
Through Temple Minister Tao Siqing’s indirect questioning, they finally pried from the steward’s mouth that Temple Deputy Fu’s younger brother had visited the mansion before Madam Fu’s death. Rumors had spread among the household that Madam Fu and her brother-in-law had something improper going on, enraging Temple Deputy Fu and leading him to drive out Second Master Fu.
An investigation revealed that Second Master Fu had opened a restaurant in Wuliang City called the Star Moon Tower.
It just so happened that General Zhao had returned to the capital and secretly invited Nangong Yunshang to meet at the Star Moon Tower for a catch-up.
When Nangong Yunshang arrived for the banquet, a little tail trailed behind her. No one from the Princess Mansion had noticed until they entered the Star Moon Tower and spotted Tao Chuyi.
“You went to eat good food without me!”
Tao Chuyi was furious, puffing out her chest, hands on her hips, looking as if she had every right to be indignant.
Nangong Yunshang couldn’t help sighing. “Well, he’s here now—let him come along.”
The group headed to a private room on the second floor, where Yinghong and the guards withdrew to stand watch at the door. General Zhao had been waiting at the table for some time. Upon seeing the princess enter, she rose promptly to bow in greeting. When she noticed the figure behind, she paused for a moment before addressing the Prince Consort.
“General Zhao, no need for such formality. Everyone, please sit.”
At Nangong Yunshang’s words, Tao Chuyi wasted no time, plopping down right beside her and craning her neck eagerly for the meal.
“Has the princess brought the Prince Consort? I have intruded upon Your Highness and the Prince Consort.”
General Zhao first downed a cup as self-penalty. Today, she had traded her usual armor for a flowing skirt and ornate belt, her hair styled in an elegant bun that softened her former air of stern authority.
Nangong Yunshang smiled faintly. “No matter. He always follows me everywhere—he’s quite the clingy one. Pay it no mind.”
The clingy Tao Chuyi busied herself picking out dishes for the princess. Spotting the princess’s favorite glutinous rice lotus root, she snagged two pieces—one for the princess, one for herself. After serving the dish, she even clapped for herself, praising her own cleverness.
General Zhao’s full name was Zhao Linglong, the dynasty’s only female general. She shared some history with Nangong Yunshang—and an unknown private connection.
Seeing the dynamic between the pair across from her, Zhao Linglong’s gaze grew complicated as she raised her cup to toast Nangong Yunshang.
“Is Your Highness the Princess faring well?”
“Quite well enough.”
Nangong Yunshang used tea in place of wine. “The Princess Mansion has been rather lively lately.”
“As long as Your Highness is well, I am at ease.”
Zhao Linglong tossed back the cup. “That said, Your Highness arrived late—the owner here has already changed. Second Master Fu has vanished without a trace, but from the side information I’ve gathered, he was once an aide to the Second Princess. I’m afraid he’s connected to this case.”
Nangong Yunshang showed no surprise, as if she had anticipated it. Raising her eyes, she saw Tao Chuyi with grease around her mouth and gestured for her to wipe it.
Tao Chuyi caught the hint but stayed still for a long moment, looking utterly innocent.
Why was Fairy Sister glaring at her?
Nangong Yunshang couldn’t bear it any longer; she couldn’t get worked up over this fool. She took out her personal handkerchief and wiped Tao Chuyi’s mouth for her. Once the handkerchief was soiled, she tossed it away—right into Tao Chuyi’s lap.
Fairy Sister’s handkerchief—smells so nice.
Tao Chuyi tucked it away like a hidden treasure, then glanced around furtively to check if anyone had seen.
The Imperial Merchant Co-sponsorship Right had long since fallen into the Second Princess’s hands. Nangong Yunshang hadn’t connected the dots at first, but just now, she had pieced together the whole story.
