After hearing those words, Liang Can unexpectedly fainted on the spot.

Wen Yuesheng casually sprinkled a powder around, then handed the small porcelain bottle to Gu Yu.

Zhou Manniang had reminded her that the bottle containing the powder could be reused and shouldn’t be discarded.

Gu Yu hadn’t even stowed the bottle away when she looked up and saw two figures approaching.

Leading the way was a man with a detached and indifferent expression—it was none other than Master Yan Ling.

Panicked, Gu Yu instinctively spread her arms wide to block their path. Closing her eyes, she blurted, “Your Highness, leave quickly! None of this has anything to do with you!”

Standing beside Yan Ling, Di Zhu: …

Wen Yuesheng, wiping her hands with a silk handkerchief, gave Gu Yu a light pat on the head and said, “Idiot.”

Gu Yu: ?

Weren’t they caught red-handed?

Wen Yuesheng glanced at the two men and spoke calmly, “Perfect timing.”

From the moment Liang Can had suggested trading the tiger for Gu Yu, these two had already been present.

If they wanted to intervene, they should have done so earlier.

“Take them away,” she ordered, referring to the unconscious palace servant and the severely injured woman.

When they emerged from the forest, Di Zhu carried one person under each arm, looking somewhat dazed.

How had accompanying his master to meet the emperor turned into becoming a porter?

Gu Yu walked beside him, watching him stride effortlessly with two people in tow. She couldn’t help clenching her fists.

She resolved that in the future, she would train with Young Master Zhang.

Forget mastering martial arts—she at least needed to be strong enough to carry a person.

No, two people!

Wen Yuesheng and Yan Ling followed behind.

The wind rustled through the forest, carrying a gentle murmur that swept their robes.

Wen Yuesheng’s voice was soft, almost indifferent. “Is someone like Liang Can merely an exception?”

Yan Ling’s detached gaze seemed to stretch to the distant horizon.

The palace shone under the golden evening sun, tranquil and serene.

His tone was cold as he replied, “Beneath the mud, the decaying roots are already interconnected.”

The palace was just ahead, but Wen Yuesheng remarked, “It seems Master Yan does not favor the royal family.”

They spoke without lowering their voices, and Di Zhu, walking ahead, froze at those words.

That kind of statement, no matter who said it or to whom it was said, was tantamount to treason.

Yan Ling halted, lowering his gaze without meeting Wen Yuesheng’s eyes.

He simply replied, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Wen Yuesheng nodded slightly, perhaps in agreement.

He had allowed Yu Shun to enter Da Hui, caused Prince Hengguang to fall out of favor, orchestrated the empress dowager’s sudden illness and recovery, and now seemed involved in Prince Hengguang’s return to court.

Such actions were unlikely to stem from loyalty to anyone.

It seemed he simply harbored an equal disdain for everyone.

Like an outsider, he watched the declining royal family of Da Hui march toward self-destruction.

What was it called in her past life?

Oh.

Born to rebel.

“Ah, I nearly forgot.” Wen Yuesheng’s voice was so faint it almost lacked emotion. “I am also part of the royal family.”

Yan Ling’s eyes briefly caught the snow-colored belt tied around her waist as it swayed gently before him, leaving behind a faint, sharp scent of sandalwood.

After this delay, it seemed the person Wen Yuesheng had intended to meet would not be available.

“Your Highness,” a young maid unfamiliar to Wen Yuesheng greeted her with a bow. “There’s been an incident at the residence. The mistress has returned ahead of schedule and regrets missing the meeting. She asks for your forgiveness.”

Wen Yuesheng said nothing in response.

She already knew what the maid referred to.

The reason was simple: today, she had planned to meet Jiang Shi, the second wife of the Sun household.

Earlier that day, news had arrived of Sun Shi’s death.

As Sun Shi’s sister-in-law, Jiang Shi would inevitably have to return to her family.

Jiang Shi was the wife of Sun Shi’s legitimate younger brother and the same person who had sent a warning to Wen Yuesheng when Zhou Manniang was in danger.

Jiang Shi had recently sent a letter to the princess’s residence, requesting an audience. Wen Yuesheng had agreed.

But it seemed today’s meeting was no longer possible.

She was in no rush to leave, however.

The carriage that had brought her here had already returned to take Lu Qinghuai back, and she would need to wait for its return.

The palace grounds were quiet; most visitors to the hunting grounds were currently preoccupied with the hunt.

Wen Yuesheng sat down to drink tea, occasionally hearing faint conversations from outside.

As evening approached, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

Palace attendants appeared flustered, and the guards swiftly gathered their men to surround the entire palace.

“This general, may I ask what is happening outside?” A lady resting in the palace softly inquired.

“…A nobleman was bitten to death by a wolf.”

“A wolf?” The lady was startled. “How could there be wolves in the Royal Hunting Grounds?”

The Royal Hunting Grounds were strictly maintained.

All animals allowed inside were carefully examined beforehand.

The most dangerous creatures found were typically foxes, which were difficult enough to hunt.

To ensure the nobles’ safety, ferocious beasts such as wolves, tigers, and leopards were strictly forbidden from entering the grounds.

In the past, there had been incidents, but after injuries occurred, the grounds were thoroughly cleared to avoid further harm to the nobles.

Even then, previous incidents were limited to greedy individuals venturing too far into the forest and getting injured.

This, however, was the first time someone had been bitten to death.

“We do not yet know for sure. Please remain in the palace. Once the generals capture the beast, you may leave.”

Hearing that soldiers were already pursuing the creature, the people in the palace breathed a sigh of relief.

In less than half an hour, news arrived that the beast responsible for the attack had been shot dead by General Dingyuan.

Although the creature was dead, the unsettling event had left everyone uneasy.

They were unwilling to remain at the hunting grounds any longer.

Just as they were about to leave, they saw a commotion in the distance—it was the emperor’s royal procession arriving at the palace.

The emperor’s expression was grim.

Listening to Marquis Zhongyong’s report, he said coldly, “So this wolf was kept privately by Liang Can and brought here deliberately?”

“Yes, and according to palace servants, Liang Can did not only bring one beast but also a tiger.”

At the mention of a tiger, the expressions of everyone present changed.

Marquis Zhongyong continued, “However, the tiger was already dead when it was discovered.”

After a brief hesitation, he added, “It was killed by an arrow to the throat.”

“Has it been determined who did it?” the emperor frowned slightly.

“With so many people at the hunting grounds today, and Liang Can’s death occurring in a remote part of the forest, evidence is lacking. The guards were also sent away at Liang Can’s orders.”

The key issue, however, was that Marquis Zhongyong had inspected the tiger’s body himself.

Whoever had killed the tiger possessed extraordinary skills.

Such a ferocious creature had been pinned to a tree with a single arrow, piercing it from head to tail.

The force required was beyond imagination.

Even Marquis Zhongyong’s own son, known for his great strength, would not have been capable of such a feat.

Marquis Zhongyong truly could not think of anyone in the capital with such ability.

“The person who shot the tiger is likely an envoy from Haozhou…”

The emperor, hearing this, coldly interrupted, “No need to investigate further!”

“To dare bring such beasts into the Royal Hunting Grounds—his death is deserved.”

That such an incident had occurred in the royal grounds, and that one of the beasts had been killed by an envoy from Haozhou, was humiliating enough.

“Summon Liang Ji here!”

Marquis Zhongyong quickly left the palace and, at the gate, found Liang Ji and his son Liang Wenhao kneeling in penitence.

Unlike others who would feign ignorance, the Liang family had taken the initiative to acknowledge their wrongdoing, knowing that Liang Can was responsible.

Marquis Zhongyong gave them only a glance before shifting his attention to the figure standing behind them.

“Greetings, Prince Jingkang,” he said softly.

Prince Jingkang waved him off slightly and turned away to cough.

His health was poor, and he rarely attended hunting events.

Yet the one time he did, the Liang family caused such a disaster.

Uninterested in conversation, Prince Jingkang left.

Marquis Zhongyong turned and decided to speak to his foolish son.

Zhang Yulin was waiting outside the side chamber where Wen Yuesheng was resting.

When questioned, he shook his head. “I did not kill the tiger.”

“That’s surprising,” his father replied.

As they spoke, they failed to notice three other princes arriving—besides Prince Jingkang.

Hearing that Liang Ji and his son had been summoned, Prince Wei Yangwang, curious as ever, overheard the conversation between Marquis Zhongyong and Zhang Yulin.

“Wait, so the person who killed the tiger wasn’t the young lord Zhang either? Then who could it be?” Prince Wei Yangwang turned to Marquis Zhongyong. “Do you not know, Marquis?”

Marquis Zhongyong shook his head.

Prince Wei Yangwang grew even more curious. “I heard the arrow pierced the tiger from head to tail and pinned it to the tree. The iron arrow shattered when the tiger was removed.”

“The force needed to do that is unimaginable. Is there such a person among the Haozhou envoys?”

“Could it have been a crossbow?”

Marquis Zhongyong hesitated but eventually said, “Your Highness, crossbow bolts are quite different from arrows.”

Prince Wei Yangwang: …

Well, that was obvious. Did he really need to point it out?

Frustrated, Prince Wei Yangwang stopped asking questions.

Instead, he pushed open the door to the side chamber.

Inside, Wen Yuesheng was sitting in meditation.

Hearing the commotion, she opened her eyes.

Surprised to see her, Prince Wei Yangwang asked, “What are you doing here?”

Wen Yuesheng looked up at him without answering.

Prince Wei Yangwang’s eyes fell on the prayer beads in her hand.

No need to ask further.

Seeing that she wasn’t inclined to talk, Prince Wei Yangwang turned to leave.

However, as he stepped away, a breeze swept through the room.

Although it was still hot in September, the scent carried by the wind made Prince Weiyang pause.

Surprised, he turned back toward Wen Yuesheng. “Sining, aren’t you supposed to be praying?”

“Why are you sneaking meat?”

The faint aroma of meat lingered in the air. As someone who loved meat, Prince Wei Yangwang recognized it immediately.

…So Sining was living by the philosophy of “wine and meat pass through the body, but Buddha remains in the heart,” wasn’t she?

His words drew Xiao Jin’s attention to Wen Yuesheng as well.

The smell of meat?