Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

"Her friend wanted to marry her daughter to the Prince of Shu as his second wife."

Zhao Mingyue lowered her eyes. "Madam Liu immediately objected, saying that the Prince of Shu had someone he loved, but that person did not like him."

"Since the Prince of Shu couldn't marry the woman he loved, it didn't matter who he married, so he just casually married the previous princess."

After handling her father's funeral, she made a last-minute decision to go to the temple to express her gratitude, but unexpectedly overheard those conversations.

"That person was the cousin of the Prince of Shu. On the eve of her wedding, the Prince of Shu got drunk and then personally escorted her to her husband's home in Guanzhong."

He then traveled extensively before returning to the capital to heal his heartbreak. On the way, he bought a woman who resembled the princess…

She paused again, her fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of her dress.

Gui Yao knew that Zhao Mingyue must have some basis for her statement, so she didn't interrupt and waited for her to continue.

Zhao Mingyue gave a bitter smile. "She also said that the reason why the Prince of Shu was willing to approach me, a righteous merchant, was because I was somewhat similar to his beloved."

I checked, and he does indeed have a cousin he grew up with. It was indeed the year his cousin got married that he left Beijing, and upon returning, he met me in the dilapidated temple… and my eyes do resemble that cousin's somewhat.”

Still haunted by the scheming and deception of Tong Qingyuan, she found it hard not to suspect that the Prince of Shu might have been plotting against her.

If so, then he is Tong Qingyuan's accomplice.

But he was also the father of her child, and Zhao Mingyue didn't want to think the worst of him, so all she could do was keep her distance.

Gui Yao thought for a moment, then took her hand. "Let's go."

"Where to?"

Zhao Mingyue was suspicious. "Don't ask him, I don't want to confront him... ah..."

Before she could finish speaking, Gui Yao put his arm around her waist and carried her up to the rooftop. "We're not looking for him."

She led Zhao Mingyue directly to Madam Liu's bedroom.

As night deepened, Mrs. Liu was fast asleep.

Gui Yao lightly twirled his long fingers twice in the air, injecting a wisp of malevolent energy into Madam Liu's brow.

While fast asleep, Lady Liu suddenly dreamt that the Prince of Shu, with bloodshot eyes, was chasing after her with a large sword, shouting, "You wicked woman, you dare to ruin my reputation! I'll kill you first, then your whole family..."

"what!"

Madam Liu was awakened by a nightmare, which also woke up Liu Zhanshi beside her.

"What happened?"

Liu Zhanshi was woken up and was a little impatient. "I'm tired enough during the day, and you can't even let me get a good night's sleep?"

"The master is still blaming me."

Mrs. Liu was so frightened that her heart was pounding.

"I was just following my master's orders. That day I deliberately spoke ill of the Prince of Shu, and I just dreamt that the Prince of Shu was chasing me and trying to kill me."

As a result, the master not only didn't care about her, but also disliked her.

Madam Liu felt extremely wronged and worried, "Wouldn't Zhao Mingyue go to confront the Prince of Shu?"

If the Prince of Shu finds out, I'm afraid he won't just hunt me down, he won't even spare my master."

Although that person has lost his official position, he still has His Majesty to rely on. I don't know why the usually cautious gentleman would want to provoke him.

Who is Zhao Mingyue?

Liu Zhanshi, however, did not take it seriously. "A merchant who was despised by her husband, consummated her marriage with a beggar on her wedding night, had no mother or father, no one to rely on, and was raising a child alone."

Such a person is the most insecure, and also has to consider the child's future, so how could she dare to question the Prince of Shu?

Furthermore, it was true that the Prince of Shu got drunk because of his cousin, bought a girl after the marriage, and slept with Zhao Mingyue.

As for whether he loves his cousin, and whether he bought the girl to save her or to possess her.

Does that girl resemble my cousin? Was sleeping with Zhao Mingyue a conscious or unconscious act?

All his former followers are dead; he's all alone. How can he possibly explain himself?

Sometimes, the more you explain something, the more suspicious people become.

He pulled Madam Liu down to lie down with him, saying, "You're such a coward. Is this really something to give you nightmares about?"

Would he dare to act like this without careful planning?

"Master didn't dream about it. The Prince of Shu was terrifying."

But Madam Liu was still shaken. "Master, why did you stop Zhao Mingyue from marrying him?"

He's just a remarried merchant; is he really worth your trouble, sir?

"A woman shouldn't concern herself with so much."

Liu Zhanshi is very tight-lipped.

"The master doesn't even believe me."

Madam Liu was displeased. "What if Zhao Mingyue is still persistent and asks me about it? If I say something wrong, please don't blame me, sir."

Hearing her say this, Liu Zhanshi slowly said, "Now that Zhao Mingyue is cooperating with His Majesty, her business will surely grow bigger and bigger."

The Crown Prince's Palace is also short of money, but if Zhao Mingyue marries the Prince of Shu, it would be unseemly for His Highness to ask his own cousin-in-law for money.

The Prince of Shu is a man of great loyalty and affection. Once he falls for Zhao Mingyue, he might not be willing to give away the money she worked so hard to earn to someone else. As an official of the Eastern Palace, it is natural for me to do more for the new emperor.

"I see. You've thought of everything, sir."

Lady Liu praised her husband, and Liu Zhanshi was quite pleased. The couple talked for a while and then fell asleep again.

Gui Yao led Zhao Mingyue away from the Liu residence.

"Mingyue, I shouldn't have interfered in your affairs."

Gui Yao escorted her to the Zhao residence. "It's not that I'm trying to defend the Prince of Shu, but I saw the thread of fate connecting you two."

Fate is unpredictable; your marriage to him is inevitable. Since you can't escape it, I hope you can try your best to live well within your predetermined destiny.

Suspicion, conflict, and resentment will naturally prevent one from living well.

Zhao Mingyue was surprised, "We're actually destined to be together?"

Gui Yao nodded.

She knew all along that the two would have an entanglement, and wasn't the Liu family's actions also a sign from heaven?

"He asked me to find you back then, and I took the opportunity to ask him for 100,000 taels of silver. That 100,000 taels was the betrothal gift I asked for on your behalf."

"Gui Miao".

Zhao Mingyue took her hand and said, "Meeting you is truly my luck."

After listening to the couple's words, it became clear that they were deliberately slandering the Prince of Shu. Now that they knew the Prince of Shu was willing to offer 100,000 taels of silver to find her, it was evident that Gui Yao was right.

But what Liu Zhanshi said was right; she was indeed insecure. If Gui Yao hadn't taken her to the Liu residence and let her hear those words with her own ears...

She would never ask the Prince of Shu for the rest of her life; she would only torment herself in her heart.

"I will ask him for an explanation myself, and I will also live a good life with Cheng'er, in accordance with the will of Heaven."

Even the Crown Prince has his eye on her; she definitely needs a better identity.

Gui Yao's ears twitched. "I suppose he's worried that you resent him and can't sit still anymore. I'll head back now."

Zhao Mingyue didn't let go. "Gui Yao, I'm a merchant. I have nothing but money. If you need anything, just ask."

Even the Crown Prince needs her money, so Gui Yao might need it too. She'd rather give it to whoever she wants to give it to.

Gui Yao smiled and said, "Maybe I'll really need a lot of money in the future."

She waved to Zhao Mingyue, turned and left, but then slipped into the shadows. Only after confirming that the person who came was the Prince of Shu and not someone else who was harmful to Zhao Mingyue did she feel at ease and return to the Prince of Shu's residence.

Li Deshun hadn't left yet. "Miss, why did you leave with Zhao Mingyue?"

Gui Yao pondered for a moment and then told him about Liu Zhanshi's conspiracy.

"How dare he! His Majesty is still alive, yet he dares to call the Crown Prince the new emperor and even dares to try to rob His Majesty of his money."

"They certainly have big ambitions."

Gui Yao laughed, "I wonder who gave him that confidence."

Is this a blatant attempt to undermine the Crown Prince?

After thinking it over, Li Deshun decided to reveal the matter to the emperor.

Gui Yao, seeing his expression, knew what he was thinking and reminded him, "Could De Shun keep the matter of Cang Lan Yue's family a secret for now?"

She wanted Zang Lan to take credit for reporting the Yue family and uncovering the smuggled salt case.

She should start cultivating her own officials in the court.