“Minister Shen, you needn’t worry. Although the Third Princess usually acts somewhat irresponsibly, she is clear-headed when it comes to serious matters,” the Governor reassured.

Unexpectedly, the effect was quite the opposite. Minister Shen Sikong’s expression darkened further. Sitting upright in the center of the carriage, she kept glancing out the window. “How much longer until we arrive?”

“One hour.”

Minister Shen: “I will go directly to the Third Princess’s residence. You take the others to the county office.”

Governor: “…Understood.” Minister Shen truly dotes on her youngest son.

Governor: “I heard that in order to marry your son, the Third Princess dismissed all her consorts. Now, your son is the only one in her household!”

Minister Shen scoffed lightly: “Anyone can put on a superficial act. Haven’t you ever secretly strayed behind your husband’s back?”

Governor: “…” This conversation is impossible.

Upon arriving at the county office, the Governor led the physicians to the placement center with the Magistrate, while Minister Shen went alone to the Third Princess’s residence.

When Jiang Deming heard the servant’s report, he hurried to the courtyard gate. The weather was scorching, yet he was drenched in a cold sweat.

“Minister Shen, what brings you here?”

Minister Shen looked displeased, her tone sharp: “What? Am I not allowed to come?”

Jiang Deming hesitated: “That’s not it.” It’s just—why did she have to come at this exact moment!

Just earlier, the Third Princess had dismissed all the servants and entered the main consort’s room alone, claiming she was going to perform acupuncture. But not long after, sounds began emanating from the room.

This was clearly not acupuncture! The Third Princess didn’t even bother to come up with a proper excuse! Having served her for years, how could he not know she had such…capabilities?

The main consort was still recovering from a serious illness. Engaging in such activities now would harm his health! But Jiang Deming didn’t dare interrupt the Third Princess’s mood. He could only wait anxiously outside, having prepared hot water and food.

Minister Shen: “Where is Tang’er?”

Jiang Deming leaned slightly to block her path, his intention to obstruct evident: “The main consort is resting. Minister Sikong, please proceed to the main hall. This servant will go and inform the Third Princess.”

Minister Shen waved her hand: “No need to call her. I am here to see your main consort.”

Jiang Deming’s voice grew increasingly uneasy: “Although you are the main consort’s mother, he is currently resting. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to barge in.”

Minister Shen turned her eyes to him, finally giving him a direct look, and said sarcastically: “You certainly are a loyal dog. What if I insist on seeing him?”

She had already heard in the capital that Shen Qingtang had contracted the plague, which was why she had rushed here in such anxiety. Now, the Third Princess’s subordinate was repeatedly obstructing her, clearly trying to prevent her from seeing him. Something must be wrong!

“If you won’t show me the way, I’ll find it myself.” After all, the courtyard was only so big—she refused to believe she couldn’t find him! With that, Minister Shen strode forward.

Jiang Deming had no choice but to bow and scrape as he led her to Shen Qingtang’s quarters.

He could only hope that the Third Princess would finish quickly. He couldn’t withstand the fury of this powerful minister.

Inside the room, Ji Zhaohe sat beside Shen Qingtang, pinching his cheek lightly as she chatted: “When I was in the capital, I was the same—just eating at restaurants and watching dances. I never did anything else.”

Shen Qingtang felt warmth in his heart. Even the pinching on his face became negligible as he listened to her obediently.

Today, his wife had told him many amusing stories and described numerous snacks, promising to take him to try them once he fully recovered.

Ji Zhaohe: “Actually, staying in one place for too long gets boring. After we return to the capital to report our mission, I’ll ask the Emperor if we can travel to various places together.”

Shen Qingtang’s eyes sparkled as he nodded.

Ji Zhaohe glanced at the incense burner: “It’s almost time to remove the needles. You—”

With a loud “bang,” the door was thrown open. Ji Zhaohe quickly drew the bed curtains and stood up to see.

Minister Shen stood there, her eyes bloodshot, staring straight at her. Behind her, Jiang Deming shook his head repeatedly, his expression frantic.

What a mess! He had clearly said the Third Princess was performing acupuncture, acupuncture! But Minister Shen simply wouldn’t listen, single-mindedly determined to barge in! Even though he knew the Third Princess was actually… engaged in that, he couldn’t just say it out loud!

This Minister Shen truly had no regard for propriety, daring to even burst into the Third Princess’s chambers!

Ji Zhaohe was utterly bewildered. She recognized Minister Shen, but what was the meaning of this sudden intrusion?

Was there not even an announcement?! Minister Shen had entered too quickly. Her glance fell upon Shen Qingtang lying on the bed. The acupuncture needles were extremely fine; she naturally didn’t see them. She only saw what she expected to see, the scene she had already convinced herself was happening.

Clenching her jaw, she bowed her head slightly. “Your subject pays respects to the Third Princess. I was deeply concerned for my son’s health and came abruptly. I beg Your Highness to forgive my offense.”

Ji Zhaohe closed her eyes. There wasn’t much she could say. “Minister Shen, your concern is noted. Tangtang is still undergoing acupuncture. Please wait outside for a moment. You may enter after the needles are removed.”

She felt her tone was respectful enough, yet Minister Shen remained rooted stiffly to the spot, refusing to leave.

“Mother.” A pleading voice came from behind the bed curtains.

Minister Shen couldn’t help herself. She shot a glare at the Third Princess, then turned on her heel and swept out of the room.

Jiang Deming scurried up to Ji Zhaohe, full of remorse. “Your Highness, it was my failure to stop her…”

Ji Zhaohe: “It’s fine.”

Her tone was excessively calm. Jiang Deming couldn’t guess her thoughts, so he could only go out first to attend to Minister Shen, closing the door behind him on his way out.

Ji Zhaohe drew back the bed curtains and saw Shen Qingtang’s worried, furrowed brow. She said nothing, merely quickly removed the needles.

“I will go out now. You have a good talk with Minister Shen.”

With that, she turned and left.

“Wife…” Shen Qingtang was stunned, murmuring the word.

He hurriedly put his clothes back on. Minister Shen, hearing the movement, pushed the door open and entered.

Having not seen him for a long time, Minister Shen looked him up and down, searching for any so-called “evidence.”

Shen Qingtang was still lost in the coldness his wife had shown when she left and didn’t notice his mother’s scrutinizing gaze.

He carefully measured his words. “Mother, your behavior just now was improper. The Third Princess will be angry.”

Minister Shen ignored his comment and asked instead, “What happened to your face? Did she slap you?”

“Ah?” Shen Qingtang touched his face. It was probably the red mark left from Ji Zhaohe pinching his cheek earlier. But he couldn’t very well say the Third Princess enjoyed pinching his face—such a private quirk… Thinking of this, he blushed with embarrassment.

Seeing his spring-struck expression, Minister Shen’s face turned ashen. “Where else did she hit you?”

Shen Qingtang snapped back to attention and hurriedly explained, “No, Mother! The Third Princess has never slapped me, never hit me at all!”

Minister Shen: “You needn’t make excuses for her. Just tell me the truth. I will decide what’s to be done.”

Shen Qingtang mumbled, “But the Third Princess truly hasn’t done any of those things.”

Minister Shen stared into his eyes, as if checking for lies, then changed tack. “Never mind that. Then why would she engage in marital relations while you are still weak and ill? Doesn’t she know it could be contagious? To disregard your very life, thinking only of such matters—it’s utterly absurd!”

Shen Qingtang was stunned again. His mother held many prejudices against the Third Princess and naturally only saw what she wanted to see. He pointed to the acupuncture needles on the table. “The Third Princess was performing acupuncture on me. The reason Tang’er recovered so quickly is entirely due to Her Highness’s efforts. The decoctions, the medicinal meals—she prepared them all.”

Minister Shen let out another cold scoff. “If she didn’t prepare medicine for you, would she just watch you die of illness here? How would she explain that to Her Majesty? She’s nothing but a hypocrite full of false sentiments!”

Acupuncture? Since when did the Third Princess, coddled in luxury, learn such a skill? She’s just applying her superficial, pillow-prince charms to her own young son!

Shen Qingtang: “…”

It seemed no matter what he said, his mother wouldn’t believe him.

“Mother,” he said, biting his lip, speaking slowly. “Since marrying my wife, Tang’er has not suffered the slightest grievance. She is not at all as the rumors say. On the contrary, she understands pharmacology, is knowledgeable in governance, is perceptive, and treats me extremely well. She has even promised me ‘one lifetime, one love, only us two’.”

Minister Shen saw that her youngest son was completely blinded by fleeting passion and couldn’t bear to shatter his illusions.

Having close ties to the imperial family, she knew well which rumors were true and which were false. The Third Princess was indeed exactly as the rumors described.

“One lifetime, one love, only us two”—what woman in this world could actually achieve that?

What a smooth-talking, honey-tongued deceiver.

She never expected the Third Princess would bother to waste her breath on such lies. She had always been recklessly confident, but now she knew to put on a pretense.

Oh well. As long as everything appeared proper on the surface. If she could keep up the act, it might even be a good thing. After all, Shen Qingtang was receiving tangible benefits.

Minister Shen asked a few questions. After the mother and son caught up for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Minister Shen, seeing nothing major was amiss, took her leave.

Minister Shen: “I must go to the relief center to check the situation. You focus on recuperating. If anything happens, send someone to notify me.”

Shen Qingtang nodded. Just before she left, he seemed to want to say something more, but ultimately couldn’t find the words.

He would just have to coax the Third Princess himself.

The Third Princess was actually quite easy to coax. It just cost his cheeks a bit.

“Your Highness, Minister Shen was in there for so long. Do you think she was speaking ill of you?” Jiang Deming fretted.

Ji Zhaohe set down her teacup and glanced at him sideways. “Why are you always so worried about this?”

Minister Shen wasn’t some monstrous beast. She just had rather poor manners. No matter how worried she was, she couldn’t just break the door down, could she? What if they had actually been… engaged in that? Wouldn’t she have seen everything? Even with blood ties, a grown son should maintain some privacy from his mother; some things simply shouldn’t be seen.

Ji Zhaohe shook her head. “Minister Shen is still too impulsive.”

Jiang Deming, seeming to guess her thoughts, mumbled, “Your Highness, you… perhaps you could exercise some restraint and not… proclaim your affections in broad daylight…”

This made it sound like she had actually done such a thing! Ji Zhaohe thought inwardly.

Wait, what if the original owner had indeed done such things?

Better not to slap her own face.

After bidding farewell to Shen Qingtang, Minister Shen arrived at the main hall. From a distance, she saw the Third Princess, dressed in splendid robes, resting her head on her hand as she spoke with Jiang Deming, her expression lively and spirited.

Seeing her like this, the Third Princess did indeed seem different from before. In the past, she always seemed weary, her body like a manipulated puppet, as if guided by an invisible hand. She was indifferent to everything, showing no emotional fluctuations.

Now, just as Tang’er had said, she was different from before.

But no matter how much the exterior changed, Minister Sikong Shen still believed a person’s core nature was difficult to alter. Promises of “one lifetime, one love” remained highly questionable.

Thinking this, she stepped across the threshold and offered Ji Zhaohe a dignified bow. “This subject was rash. I hope the Third Princess will forgive my offense.”

Ji Zhaohe waved her hand. Her moods came and went quickly, and she wasn’t really upset anymore. Besides, this Minister Shen was a key figure in the book’s plot. She didn’t dare show displeasure. If not for her status, she might even have to curry favor.

Ji Zhaohe: “Minister Shen was merely acting out of deep love for her son.”

Minister Shen pulled a letter from within her robes. “This is a letter the Crown Princess entrusted me to deliver to the Third Princess.”

She handed the letter to Jiang Deming, then bowed in farewell. “Third Princess, I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave.”

Ji Zhaohe nodded, her attention captured by the letter. What kind of letter needed to be delivered through Minister Shen?