He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

Ji Chengyun's brows furrowed instantly, and his gaze fell on Rong Shun with scrutiny.

"Mr. Rong, what did you say?"

Rong Shun stared intently at Jiang Bingning with his cloudy eyes, his lips trembling.

"Miss Liu!"

This time, the three words were crystal clear.

Ji Chengyun's doubts deepened, and he turned to look at Jiang Bingning.

Is this old man Rong senile, or is there another reason?

Jiang Bingning's heart skipped a beat.

"Sir, you've mistaken me for someone else."

Her voice was cold and aloof.

My surname is Jiang.

Rong Shun seemed to be awakened by her words.

With a "plop," he knelt down on the ground.

"It was this old servant...this old servant's old eyes are failing, I must have seen wrong! I must have seen wrong!"

"This old servant has been reminded of an old friend. I have offended you, Miss. I deserve to die!"

This reaction is like trying to hide something obvious.

"Please rise, Elder Rong."

Ji Chengyun's voice was unreadable; he personally stepped forward and helped Rong Shun up.

"Elder Rong, there's no need to panic. You've simply misjudged the person."

He led Rongshun to sit on a stone bench in the courtyard and personally poured him a cup of hot tea.

"You're getting on in years, so it's understandable that you might be flustered when you suddenly see someone who looks like an old friend."

Ji Chengyun spoke gently.

"We invited you here today to ask about Hanzhi."

Upon hearing the words "Hanzhi," Rongshun's hand holding the teacup trembled almost imperceptibly.

"What does Your Highness wish to ask? This old servant... will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Ji Chengyun got straight to the point.

"Back then, it was you who recommended Hanzhi to join the household."

Do you know her background?

Rongshun shook his head.

"This old servant does not know."

"That girl came to us herself, saying she wanted to ask for a job."

"Seeing that she was diligent and quick-witted, I took pity on her and recommended her to the household."

This statement is identical to the records in the archives.

Jiang Bingning listened quietly without interrupting. She knew Rong Shun was hiding something.

Ji Chengyun had obviously thought of this as well, and he changed his question.

"After Hanzhi entered the household, did you still have contact with her?"

Rong Shun was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"It has happened a few times."

"She would often come to the flower room and ask the old servant for tips on how to care for the flowers and plants."

"That's all?"

Ji Chengyun pressed for an answer.

A flicker of struggle crossed Rong Shun's eyes. He took a deep breath.

"more than."

"During the three years Hanzhi was in the manor, she did something very strange."

Ji Chengyun was greatly encouraged.

"What is it?"

"On the first and fifteenth of every month, she would come to the old servant's flower room to take something."

"What is it?"

"Special fertilizer for flowers."

Rongshun's voice was kept very low.

Ji Chengyun frowned.

"Flower fertilizer?"

"good."

Rong Shun said with certainty.

"That fertilizer isn't for the use of our household's flower room."

"It was a prescription she brought herself, and she asked this old servant to prepare the medicine according to it."

"Each time I prepare the ingredients, I wrap them in thick oil paper and never let anyone else see them."

Jiang Bingning had almost guessed the answer.

"Where did she take the fertilizer?" Ji Chengyun's voice was tinged with urgency.

Rong Shun's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Consort Lin's courtyard."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Ji Chengyun's face instantly turned so gloomy it could drip water.

"She sent gifts especially frequently during the three months before the princess fell seriously ill."

Rongshun seemed to have gone all out.

"I have to come and pick it up almost every three to five days."

"I sensed something was wrong at the time and even secretly asked her what kind of flower was so precious that it needed so much fertilizer to feed it."

"She didn't say anything, she just gave the old servant a silver ingot and told him to shut up."

Ji Chengyun's fist clenched quietly; the clues had finally connected.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Rong Shun.

"Thank you for informing me, Elder Rong."

"Please keep today's events a secret, Elder Rong."

Rongshun quickly stood up to return the greeting.

"Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant's mouth is very tight."

Ji Chengyun gestured to Chang Fu, who then stuffed a heavy money bag into Rong Shun's hand.

"Please accept this silver, Elder Rong. Consider it a small token of our appreciation."

"Changfu, you personally escort Elder Rong back to Cuiping Mountain and make sure he is safe and sound."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Chang Fu responded and led Rong Shun out of the courtyard.

As Rong Shun passed by Jiang Bingning, he suddenly paused.

He glanced quickly to the left and right, and taking advantage of Ji Chengyun's inattention, leaned forward slightly and whispered something in her ear in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"There are still some former members of the Liu family..."

Jiang Bingning held her breath instantly.

"...Zhang's Blacksmith Shop in the south of the city."

After saying that, Rong Shun followed Chang Fu without looking back and quickly walked out of the courtyard gate.

Jiang Bingning was left standing there, frozen in place.

The Liu family... former subordinates?

Her mother never mentioned anything about the Liu family to her!

But now, this old gardener is telling her that the Liu family still has old followers? And they're located in the south of the capital?

A blacksmith shop?

What do these former subordinates do?

---

Upon returning to the Prince Xin's residence, Jiang Bingning first went to the Dowager Consort's room.

She briefly recounted her experience of leaving the mansion to "select maids".

The Dowager Empress leaned back on the soft couch, not even lifting her eyelids, clearly unconcerned about these trivial matters.

Then, she opened her eyes and looked at Jiang Bingning.

"There's something I need to tell you. The Lin family sent an invitation today."

Jiang Bingning's heart skipped a beat.

"I invite you to the Lin residence for a plum blossom viewing banquet in three days."

The Dowager Empress's tone was calm and indifferent, but Jiang Bingning's back tensed up instantly.

After the fire at Jinse Courtyard, Consort Lin remained in seclusion.

Now, she has finally made her move.

Without thinking, she curtsied.

"This humble woman thanks Consort Lin for her kindness."

"It's just that I'm a woman of special status and it's not appropriate for me to show my face in public, so I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the plum blossom viewing banquet."

After hearing this, the Dowager Empress finally smiled approvingly.

"Hmm, it's good that you refused."

She patted the seat next to her, gesturing for Jiang Bingning to sit down.

"The waters around the Lin family's place are very murky."

"That family is full of wolves who eat people without spitting out the bones. You were right not to go."

Jiang Bingning felt somewhat relieved to receive the Dowager Empress's affirmation.

"There's one more thing."

The Dowager Empress took her hand and patted it gently.

"I received a letter from Yunhan."

Jiang Bingning's heart jumped.

"The letter says that the arrow poison in your mother's body is no longer a serious problem."

"Zhang Xuanzhi said that he would need to return to the capital to recuperate afterward."

The Dowager Empress looked at her, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes.

"I have already sent someone with utmost speed to deliver the message."

Your mother should arrive in a few days.

Jiang Bingning's eyes lit up immediately.

Is Mother... coming back?

She was overjoyed, but after this joy came a deeper worry.

Mother is back.

Will Consort Lin let this go?

She will definitely launch a fierce counterattack at all costs!

---

Inside the post station.

Jiang Yuerong was facing the mirror, inserting a newly acquired hairpin into her hair. Since reconnecting with the envoy from the Zhou Kingdom, their lives had become much easier.

Outside the door, two maids who were serving her were whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? That Miss Jiang living in the Prince Xin's mansion has quite the airs!"

"What's wrong?"

"The Lin family, the most prestigious family in the Northern Barbarian lands, personally sent an invitation to her residence to admire the plum blossoms, but she actually refused!"

"My God! Really? That's the Lin family!"

"Absolutely! So many people would love to curry favor but can't find a way, yet she turns down opportunities that are offered to her!"

Jiang Yuerong paused, her hand still holding the hairpin.

She slowly turned her head, a sneer curling at the corner of her lips.

The Lin family's plum blossom appreciation banquet?

Of course she remembers.

At this time in her previous life, she had also refused the Lin family's invitation.

idiot.

Jiang Yuerong sneered inwardly.

Just like in his previous life, he's still stupid, arrogant, and doesn't know how to appreciate kindness.

What kind of family is the Lin family?

She was the most trusted maternal relative of the Northern Di emperor, and her power was truly immense.

Having boarded the Lin family's big ship, one can do whatever one wants in the Northern Di.

She turned down such a great opportunity.

Jiang Yuerong looked at her beautiful face in the mirror, her eyes gleaming with a determined light.

The opportunity that her sister didn't want is perfect; she can take it in her place.

She was worried about not finding a way to get close to the real powerful figures in the Northern Barbarians.

Isn't this just like a pillow being delivered to someone who's sleepy?

Jiang Bingning, just you wait.