Initially, upon hearing the rumors, Nan Shiying almost spat. So in the end, she couldn't escape it?
Listen, were those even human words!
"Speaking of which, why can't the woman in power be Princess Nan Shiying? Our Lin Yuan's Regent has always been eyeing the throne, hasn't he? If one day he… given how much he dotes on his Princess, perhaps he might actually let the Princess wield power! Besides, wielding power doesn't necessarily mean holding that position. If the inner palace can interfere in politics, that's also considered wielding power, isn't it?"
"Thinking about it that way, it does seem plausible. Compared to Nan Yuan'er, who hasn't even entered the central palace yet, Nan Shiying, who is already part of the Regent's manor, seems to fit the description of a woman in power better!"
"That makes sense. We've all overlooked someone like her before."
"Do you think it's possible that she's not human, but a demon that bewitches people? Otherwise, with our Prince's self-control, how could he fall for a mere concubine's daughter from the Nan residence?"
"Hiss, a woman in power brings disaster to the nation and ruin to the people… Who would be called a bringer of disaster to the nation and ruin to the people? A demon, a fox demon!"
Nan Shiying pondered for a long time. If they said she would interfere in politics, that would be one thing, but calling her a demon? Were the people's imaginations really that overactive? Or perhaps, the people spreading these rumors had read too many storybooks to be able to say such things!
"Based on the current situation, it's highly likely that the news was released by the Nan residence," Ji Jinmo told Nan Shiying. There was no need to investigate; one only needed to see who benefited most from the rumors to know who was spreading them.
"Besides that old scoundrel, who else could it be?" The moment the rumors spread, Nan Shiying knew that this matter was definitely related to that bastard Nan Chaoyin!
"However, the mastermind behind this scheme has left traces. Shiying, do you want to guess who it is?" Ji Jinmo peeled an orange and handed it to Nan Shiying. These oranges were transported from Xiangnan by official boat. They were sweet and juicy, even delicious. If you didn't order them in advance, you wouldn't be able to get them by the time they reached the capital.
Of course, if he truly wanted to snatch them, no official would dare to compete with him.
Nan Shiying broke off a segment of the orange and put it into her mouth. The sweet, slightly cool orange eased some of her anger. Seeing that Ji Jinmo had a lead on the matter, Nan Shiying pondered for a moment, stroking her chin.
This matter clearly couldn't be the work of Nan Chaoyin, nor could it be the greatly weakened Miao Jiang region at this time. Primarily, Miao Jiang lacked sufficient motive. Similarly, the motivation for Changsheng Sect and Xiliang wasn't particularly strong. If they wanted to disrupt the court, they wouldn't start with this. Before Nan Chaoyin stepped in to muddy the waters of public opinion, Nan Yuan'er was the biggest victim.
So, who, and why, would go to such lengths to smear Nan Yuan'er's name?
"Da Li? Yu Chengxuan?"
Nan Shiying suddenly thought of the Seventh Prince, Yu Chengxuan, who was currently in Lin Yuan.
"Does he really want to marry Nan Yuan'er?"
To marry her, was he willing to fabricate divine warnings about women in power, about bringing disaster to the nation?
Nan Yuan'er herself was naturally not worth such great effort from others, but compared to herself, she possessed a destiny that everyone who harbored ambitions for the throne dreamed of possessing!
"The Empress's destiny, unspeakably noble!"
Nan Shiying: "…"
Indeed!
Nan Shiying inexplicably thought of Hui'an again. If this stone tablet had appeared in Da Li, then Hui'an might not have had the chance to come to Lin Yuan for a marriage alliance, but would have died of some sudden illness.
"So, is it really him?" Nan Shiying sucked on her teeth. Why would a perfectly fine person become so infatuated with the throne?
Ji Jinmo said, "Most likely!"
The Shadow Guards and Xuan Guards were dispatched together, quickly uncovering the backgrounds of those spreading the rumors. Some had been paid, while others were Da Li's planted spies in Lin Yuan. However, they were only minor figures who couldn't accomplish anything significant, so Da Li didn't bother to conceal their involvement.
"So Yu Chengxuan isn't afraid of us knowing?"
"That's right. Anyway, the rumors have already spread. Even if Ji Hong doesn't believe it, the people and officials of Lin Yuan might have their doubts. Nan Yuan'er's path into the palace has essentially been blocked. Nan Chaoyin's current actions are just a last-ditch effort. Even if they smear her name, it won't change the impact the rumors have had on everyone."
Ji Jinmo nodded, "That's why Da Li didn't conceal anything."
"Knowing that spreading rumors would be discovered, they still spread them widely, as if they were afraid we wouldn't find out."
"Isn't he afraid of Ji Hong…"
Nan Shiying wanted to say, wasn't he afraid that Ji Hong would bestow Nan Yuan'er upon someone else? After thinking about it, with Nan Yuan'er's destiny, no one within Lin Yuan would dare to marry her. Moreover, Ji Hong wouldn't bestow her upon anyone in Lin Yuan.
If she didn't want to be led by the nose by Yu Chengxuan, then…
"The only way is to kill her!"
A sinister glint flashed in Nan Shiying's eyes. Just thinking of this possibility made the corners of her mouth curl upwards uncontrollably.
Ji Jinmo picked up the tea caddy lid, scraping the tea leaves, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. His long lashes cast a shadow beneath his eyes, making him appear even more stern. He spoke, his voice laced with a smile, "After all, this season is prone to colds, and many people can't survive the winter!"
At the same time Ji Jinmo found the mastermind, Ji Hong also received the news.
Da Li, Yu Chengxuan.
Ji Hong rubbed the corner of the letter, feeling the rough texture of the paper. His slightly downward-sloping outer eyelids and the drooping arc of his pursed lips were almost identical. His gaze fell on the name Nan Yuan'er. His face showed no signs of struggle, regret, or pity for anyone, only a sense of melancholy, a melancholy that he was supposed to display at this moment to make him appear less cold-blooded and heartless.
He picked up a brush, dipped it in cinnabar, circled Nan Yuan'er's name, and then drew a cross through it.
There will always be people who die in this world, either by accident or by illness. Life spans decades, merely a drop in the vast ocean, returning to the void sooner or later. What does it matter? As long as one dies for a worthy cause, it is the greatest meaning of being human.
So… what illness should Nan Yuan'er contract to die from?
Tomorrow, when the Imperial Aunt and Imperial Uncle come to the palace, he would discuss it with the Imperial Aunt. Preferably, Nan Yuan'er should have a quick and painless death, thus fulfilling the meager affection between them over the years.
It would also be a fulfillment of his duty as a sovereign to Prime Minister Nan!
Ji Hong thought, then crumpled the letter into a ball.