Chapter 3: So It Was a Setup

Qian Ning hurriedly wiped away her tears, then, choking back sobs, recounted the entire incident of how Shu Ruohua was demoted and sent to the Cold Palace.

She choked up several times as she spoke, taking a long while to explain everything, but in the end, Xiao Che still managed to understand.

…

Half a month ago, ever since the Crown Prince left the palace to oversee military training, Consort Yang fell ill. Her condition lingered for over ten days without improvement, and even the imperial physicians couldn’t identify the cause.

The Empress, who was Consort Yang’s maternal aunt, heard that her niece had suddenly fallen ill with a strange disease and summoned a Taoist priest.

The priest performed a divination and claimed that Shu Ruohua had created a voodoo doll with Consort Yang’s birthdate and used witchcraft to harm her.

The Empress ordered a search of Shu Ruohua’s residence, and sure enough, a doll was found.

Witchcraft was a forbidden practice, typically punishable by death. However, in consideration of the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince, the Empress merely stripped Shu Ruohua of her title as Crown Princess, had her flogged with thirty strokes, and banished her to the Cold Palace.

…

The more Xiao Che listened, the darker his expression became.

The Empress wasn’t his birth mother, but she had raised him with her own hands and nurtured him, so he had always held great respect for her.

But this time, it was clear that the Empress and Consort Yang had deliberately framed Shu Ruohua.

They had even made such a major decision without consulting him, demoting his Crown Princess as they pleased.

How was he, the dignified Crown Prince, supposed to establish authority under such circumstances?

…

Thinking of this, Xiao Che’s fists unconsciously clenched, and his gaze turned even colder.

He struggled to suppress the fury burning in his chest, casting a frosty glance at Shu Ruohua, who had already fainted beside him. “Take her back!”

Zhong Zihan responded immediately.

He escorted Shu Ruohua and Qian Ning back to Lengfeng Pavilion, then issued a strict order to all personnel on duty: no one was to speak a word about what had happened tonight—any violators would be executed without mercy.

…

The Main Hall.

By now, it was already midnight. Xiao Che sat with a cold, gloomy expression, his fury still simmering.

“Your Highness, it’s time to rest,” Zhong Zihan said, remaining by his side.

Seeing the Crown Prince like this, he naturally understood—His Highness was deeply upset by the Empress’s arbitrary actions.

Xiao Che said nothing.

Only half a year ago, he had just been officially appointed as the Crown Prince, and his influence in court was still far from solid.

With his current capabilities, he wasn’t yet in a position to challenge the Empress. So for now, he had no choice but to suppress his anger.

…

But what occupied his thoughts at this moment was not the Empress—but Shu Ruohua.

Shu Ruohua was allergic to Jieyou flowers.

Six months ago, a newly assigned maid, unaware of this, lit an aromatherapy incense made from Jieyou flowers in Shu Ruohua’s chamber, causing her to suffer an allergic poisoning.

Although her life was saved, her health never fully recovered. Ever since then, she would gain weight from the slightest food intake, and her voice had become impaired—she could no longer speak.

Since then, already naturally introverted, Shu Ruohua had refused to leave her room.

Xiao Che furrowed his brows. Although he had never loved Shu Ruohua, she had still married him.

Looking back, since their wedding, it seemed he had never once shown her any concern.

Now, she had been subjected to such grave injustice again.

His chest felt inexplicably tight.

“Go to Lengfeng Pavilion,” he ordered, his cold gaze hardening. With that, he left.

Zhong Zihan was a little stunned.

…

Lengfeng Pavilion.

Shu Ruohua still lay pale-faced on the hard wooden bed.

Qian Ning knelt by the bedside, sobbing pitifully like she was mourning the dead.

Half a year ago, due to the poisoning, the original Shu Ruohua had developed an easily fattening body type. As a result, she had been extremely restrained with food, but this led to malnutrition.

With such a frail body, taking thirty strokes that day had seemed fatal to everyone. They all believed she wouldn’t survive. But she did wake up.

When Consort Yang heard this, she was furious and ordered the eunuch delivering meals to only give Shu Ruohua spoiled pickled vegetables and sour rice.

Naturally, such food was inedible. With no other choice, Shu Ruohua and Qian Ning had survived on purslane—wild weeds growing in the courtyard.

Tonight, though Zhong Zihan had indeed struck Shu Ruohua, it wasn’t hard enough to knock her unconscious.

The real reason she fainted was due to the malnourished and weakened state the original Shu Ruohua had left her in.

…

Xiao Che changed into stealth attire and arrived at Lengfeng Pavilion with Zhong Zihan.

At first, when they entered, Qian Ning saw the two men dressed like assassins and panicked.

In a rush, she threw herself in front of Shu Ruohua’s bed, assuming a posture of dying to protect her mistress.

Xiao Che’s face darkened, a trace of disdain flashing between his brows.

Zhong Zihan quickly stepped forward and pulled Qian Ning aside.

Only then did Qian Ning see clearly—it was the Crown Prince. She hurriedly knelt and bowed to him.

…