Inside the capital.
It seemed as if the situation changed in an instant.
The plaque of the Regent's Mansion was removed and sealed.
There was originally a grand funeral, but because the Regent was demoted to commoner status and could not be buried in the imperial mausoleum, he was hastily buried in a common graveyard.
Some of the servants in the Regent's Mansion who were Zhan Ming's confidantes were arrested, while the rest were released.
In a moment, the Regent's Mansion, once powerful and feared, was gone.
Rumors about the Empress Dowager and the Regent spread throughout the streets and alleys, with various versions circulating.
The Geng family's gates were shut, refusing all visitors.
And old Master Geng had been bedridden and gravely ill since leaving the palace.
The people of the capital now understood one thing: the Geng family, once a prosperous clan, would have little standing in the capital from now on.
However, the current situation was also becoming difficult to decipher.
Someone went to the Prince Ning's Mansion.
Informing Zhan Tianyu of the stirrings in the capital.
The people of the capital were still not accustomed to the sudden presence of Prince Ning.
After so many events, they had not considered the changes Prince Ning's existence would bring to the capital's dynamics.
Zhan Tianyu listened to the servant's report.
He savored his tea with interest.
The tea in the capital was good.
He liked it.
"Your Highness, the Prince Ye's Mansion and the General's Mansion have been quiet these past two days." The servant reported on the situation of the General's Mansion and Prince Ye's Mansion.
Zhan Tianyu grunted, "It seems like there will be a period of calm again. I haven't seen the Emperor for a few days. I'll prepare these next two days and go to the palace to see His Majesty."
"Yes."
In the blink of an eye.
A few days passed.
Yun Shu was having a meal with the three little ones.
The kitchen had prepared a feast.
A table full of dishes.
Yun Changfeng had left early in the morning, saying he was going to visit Marquis Zhongyong, as the old brothers wanted to have a chat.
Yun Shu could see that since leaving the palace that day, Yun Changfeng had been melancholic. He had some things he wanted to say to his daughter but couldn't find solace, so he'd rather talk to his good friend, sharing stories from all over.
"Mother, eat this! Mother has lost weight these past few days!" Yun Xiaojing saw Yun Shu lost in thought and was very worried.
Since her great-grandfather passed away, her mother had been getting thinner and thinner.
He knew the woman who assassinated his great-grandfather was in the palace, and because the Emperor protected that woman, his father and mother couldn't avenge their great-grandfather for now.
"Mother, eat this!" Zhan Xiaoli also served Yun Shu a piece of braised pork.
Zhan Xiaofeng also served a piece of meat, "Mother, braised pork is too delicious!"
Seeing their mother grow thin, they felt heartbroken.
The three of them had been secretly plotting these past two days; they were going to avenge their great-grandfather!
Yun Xiaojing and Zhan Xiaofeng planned to use their strengths and give the bad woman a lesson first!
Yun Shu, lost in thought, hadn't noticed the exchanged glances between the three little ones. When she snapped out of her thoughts, she saw the mountain of meat and vegetables piled in her bowl, and she was instantly warmed by her three sons.
"Thank you. Mother was too fat a while ago, and I'm currently on a diet. As a woman, being too fat can affect one's physique," Yun Shu offered an excuse.
The three little ones had their own plans. Even though they knew their mother didn't want them to worry, they still nodded, "But Mother looks better when she's a bit chubbier!" Yun Xiaojing said.
Zhan Xiaoli nodded earnestly, "Mother looks good no matter what. In my heart, no one can compare to Mother."
"Mother is the most beautiful woman in the world in my heart, no one can compare to Mother!" Zhan Xiaofeng quickly added.
They were afraid that if they spoke a moment later, it would seem as if their mother wasn't important enough in their hearts.
The faster they spoke, the more it showed how important their mother was to them!
Seeing them eagerly praise her and try to cheer her up, Yun Shu couldn't help but smile, "Alright, Mother will try her best to be a beautiful mother all the time."
Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror not far away, she did look a bit haggard.
Fortunately, they reminded her.
It wasn't something that couldn't be resolved; why worry.
There was a knock on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
If it were the gatekeeper, they would report from outside.
Yun Shu glanced, sensing the presence at the door, and said, "Ruan Xi, come in."
The next moment.
The door indeed opened.
Ruan Xi walked in with a grin.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Yun Shu asked Ruan Xi, quite speechless.
He had been lingering in the capital for nearly a month; hadn't anyone from the Ruan family come to urge him?
Ruan Xi's eyes flickered, and he waved his hand, "I don't want to go back to the Ruan family at all. It's so carefree in the capital! Plus, I can see you, Jing Heng, and these three adorable little ones from time to time. It's too boring back there."
"Speak, what is it?" Yun Shu asked with a deep voice.
Ruan Xi immediately became serious, putting away his playful expression. "Has Qiu Lu been looking for someone these past two days? A woman."
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow. "Do you know where the person is?"
Many things in the capital couldn't escape Ruan Xi's notice, especially things that the capital's powerful families couldn't detect. What happened in the streets, as long as Ruan Xi wanted to know, he could find out.
Qian Le'er was missing.
Qiu Lu had been searching for her whenever he had free time these past two days.
She had asked Jing Heng to help.
She guessed that Qian Le'er was killed by Jiang Luoxi to silence her.
After all, with Qian Le'er's methods, she wouldn't leave loose ends.
"Mother, we'll go play after we finish eating!" Yun Xiaojing jumped off his chair and said first.
Zhan Xiaoli and Zhan Xiaofeng also jumped off their chairs.
Yun Shu looked at them. "Go ahead."
"Xiaojing, you're getting more and more observant! How about we make a deal? Help me with something, okay? Come back to the Ruan family with me and pretend to be my son, help me trick those people? Once it's done, whatever you want, Uncle Ruan will give it to you." Ruan Xi grinned, staring at Yun Xiaojing, a new idea forming in his mind.
Yun Xiaojing made a face at Ruan Xi. "Dream on!"
Ruan Xi's mouth twitched.
This little fellow was getting more and more cunning!
After the three little ones left, Ruan Xi's expression became mysterious, and his voice lowered slightly. "I know where Qian Le'er is, but you should tell Qiu Lu to be prepared. Qian Le'er's situation is probably more tragic than you imagine."
"Where is she?" Yun Shu's beautiful eyes deepened.
Ruan Xi said, "She's in the capital."
Yun Shu immediately stood up. "Let's go to Prince Ye's Mansion. Qiu Lu should be there at this hour."
"Wait, you're a woman. You shouldn't go. I'm afraid you'll have nightmares later! I have to say, if Jiang Luoxi did this, then that woman is too vicious!" Ruan Xi curled his lips, showing utter disdain for Jiang Luoxi's methods.
...