Did Miss become a nun today?

Pei Changyu glanced at the figure without changing his expression. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I would like to handle this matter myself."

Upon hearing this, Prince Su was stunned. He had only been bluffing, but it turned out to be true?

I was instantly intrigued by all the girls in the garden. Which one was it?

After looking at it for a long time without figuring it out, he gave up.

"Alright, it's good that you understand. If you can settle down, His Majesty and the Crown Prince won't always be trying to play matchmaker for you."

Having said that, he looked at Mr. and Mrs. Du Shaoqing standing outside and asked, "Is your summons to me today related to these two people?"

Pei Changyu glanced over, his eyes turning frosty. "Yes."

Prince Su understood. "Since you're here, I won't leave empty-handed. I'll make the decision for you this time."

The two drank a cup of tea in the pavilion before getting up and leaving.

When he passed the trembling Du Shaoqing, Prince Su paused, a gentle smile playing on his lips, his eyes calm as a spring breeze. But when his gaze fell, it was like a slithering snake. "Du Shaoqing, tell me, of all people to mess with, you had to mess with that ruthless bastard. Your predecessor is still in jail."

Du Shaoqing dared not raise his head. "Your Highness, please forgive me. I truly do not know. Please enlighten me."

Prince Su closed his eyes slightly. He was here to support Pei Changyu, not to stand up for the Du family. He stroked the pattern on his cuff and said, "You should think carefully about who you have offended and apologize as soon as possible."

Having said that, he walked past him and left the garden. He glanced over casually and, seeing something, his gentle brows furrowed suddenly, and his gaze swept over sharply.

The garden was full of young women, and there were no acquaintances among them.

"What is Your Highness looking for?" the guard asked.

He suppressed the fierceness in his eyes and resumed his refined and gentle demeanor. "It's nothing, go back."

After seeing Prince Su off, Pei Changyu glanced around and found Xie Yun Chu in a corner where no one paid attention.

Xie Yun Chu had just changed locations because she found the other place too crowded, and people arrived as soon as she sat down.

"Big cousin."

Pei Changyu stared at the Buddhist scripture in her hand for a moment before saying, "It's time to go back."

Inside the carriage, Pei Changfeng was unusually quiet, but Pei Changyu suddenly asked, "Did anything happen at the Du residence today?"

Xie Yunchu's heart skipped a beat. "They were all minor issues and have already been resolved."

"A small matter? What small matter?" Pei Changfeng frowned, his gaze sweeping over her. "Has someone given you a hard time? Tell me, I..."

"Is it really resolved?" Pei Changyu interrupted him.

"Yes, it's all over now."

"The person has been found? And the person behind it knows too?"

Xie Yun Chu lowered her head and heard a sigh beside her, "Weren't you supposed to be quite bold? How come you just let it go after being tricked today?"

A hand stroked her head. "I told you before, you can come to me if you need anything."

Pei Changyu was silent for a moment, then his face darkened. "If you suffered injustice outside, why didn't you say so?"

Xie Yun Chu stared at her fingers resting on her knees, remaining motionless for a long time.

The carriage was quiet and somewhat stuffy. Pei Changfeng sat to one side, his gaze shifting between the two of them. He wanted to speak, but didn't know where to begin, as if it were a matter between the two of them, leaving him out.

"What are you talking about? Did someone bully you? Tell me who it was, and I'll help you get revenge."

Pei Changfeng's voice was exceptionally loud in the cramped carriage, but he received no response after speaking.

He felt uneasy and aggrieved. Just now, the two of them were exchanging words, but as soon as he spoke, they fell silent.

Isn't this just ostracizing him?

Xie Yun Chu was unwilling to say anything more. Only when the carriage stopped did she quickly jump off and enter the mansion without looking back.

*

The next day, when His Majesty's imperial decree was delivered to the Du family, Du Shaoqing and his wife's legs went weak.

The imperial edict accused Du Shaoqing of failing to manage his household properly, questioning his ability to govern the country.

Considering his diligence over the years, he was not reprimanded much. However, Du Shaoqing's hard-earned position as Shaoqing was now completely gone.

The Du family members were frantic, and Du Shaoqing was so angry that he lost his mind. He pointed his finger and asked his wife what she had done yesterday before fainting.

Madam Du was also anxious, but after racking her brains, she couldn't think of anything. If she had to say something, it would be...

Her face paled. Could it be that cousin from the Marquis's mansion?

Meanwhile, inside the Zhaoping Marquis's residence.

Pei Changyu looked at the message handed to him and asked coldly, "Have you found out who led that person to the same room that day?"

"Reporting to Young Master, we have found out. After leaving, that person first went to Madam Du's courtyard, and then went to the Lu family's residence."

"The Lu family? The residence of Grand Tutor Lu?"

"Exactly."

Pei Changyu sneered. Du Shaoqing was not strict in managing his household, and it turns out that Lu Taifu... is no good either.

"Send someone to keep an eye on things, and report back to me immediately if there's any news."

"Yes."

After the person left, Guan Yun came in. "Young Master, the matter you asked me to handle last time has been settled."

"explain."

"The person you sent to investigate appeared in Chongde County three months ago, stayed there for a few days, and then left. However, according to the information we have found, she sent a letter to the capital before she left."

Pei Changyu frowned. "Have you been able to find the recipient of the letter?"

Guan Yun shook his head. "That person was very cautious. The recipient didn't go to pick up the letter in person; it passed through several hands in between, so it's impossible to confirm."

After a moment of silence, Guan Yun asked, "Young Master, is the person we're looking for truly Miss Biao's mother?"

Pei Changyu did not answer, and Guan Yun did not dare to ask any more questions. She bowed and withdrew.

Xie Yun Chu was surprised for a long time when she heard the news. Du Shaoqing had been demoted?

Lan Yue was delighted. "Serves her right. That Madam Du left Miss hanging, showing such a lack of manners. Du Shaoqing must not be a good person either. Who knows what bad things he did in private that he got his comeuppance."

Xie Yun Chu, holding the Buddhist scriptures in silence, asked, "What are you thinking about, Miss?"

"...It's nothing."

She just felt that if someone were to be sent to harm her at her own chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, what would be the point?

If something happens to her at the Du residence, the Du family's reputation will suffer, and who would dare to go there in the future?

As for her not seeing anyone when she went to pay her respects, that's a minor matter. After all, she is the wife of a high-ranking official, so it's normal for her to take care of a real noble person. They had never met her before, so why be so malicious?

She had also wondered if it might be Mrs. Lu.

Even her aunt knew that Madam Lu and Madam Du were on good terms. If something really happened, Madam Du would know, so how could she not? She would inevitably be the subject of gossip.

According to my aunt, Madam Lu's methods shouldn't be so blatant. If they were discovered, even Grand Tutor Lu would be implicated, which isn't worth it.

After thinking for a moment, I really couldn't think of anyone she had offended, or anyone else who would want to harm her.

Moreover, the ladies left before even entering the house, presumably because Prince Su had suddenly arrived.

"His Highness Prince Su's visit yesterday might have been to find evidence," Lan Yue muttered.

"However..." Lan Yue's eyes darted around, and her voice brightened a bit, "I had heard before that this Prince Su was a kind and generous man, and was one of the most handsome men in the capital back then. This is the first time I've ever met him."

As she spoke, she laughed first, her eyes curving into two crescent moons.

Xie Yun Chu glanced at her and couldn't help but laugh. "If I remember correctly, that Prince Su is already thirty-six years old this year."