"What has been found regarding Wei Yu?" Wang Qingyao asked.
Xiao Yun's lips curved into a smile. "Your earlier guess was correct. Wei Yu is indeed colluding with Prince Wu. They are very close and often meet in secret."
"Is she involved in Prince Rong's incident?"
"On the surface, no. But it's thanks to her that Fang Zheng managed to apprehend that beast tamer."
The incident where Prince Rong fell from his horse, on the surface, benefited the Fourth Prince, Prince Qi, the most.
Although the Emperor furiously ordered an investigation, who would dare truly investigate Prince Qi? Prince Rong was incapacitated, and Prince Qi was the most likely successor to the throne. If he couldn't be definitively implicated, no one could bear the wrath of the new Emperor's retribution after his ascension!
Therefore, the investigation was merely superficial.
Who would offend a future Emperor for the sake of a mere prince?
The Emperor likely understood this as well, which was why he instructed Fang Zheng to investigate privately.
Prince Qi was ruthless, but not particularly cunning. He was a bit too clever for his own good.
If it were someone else, they would have silenced the beast tamer long ago. But he, feeling secure, claimed innocence and kept the beast tamer in his residence, merely preventing him from leaving.
Fang Zheng overheard Wei Yu mention it incidentally while visiting Prince Rong's manor to see Wei Qing. She had come to visit Wei Qing and happened to run into Fang Zheng. While chatting, she casually mentioned it, and nothing more was said afterwards.
Fang Zheng investigated upon his return and indeed found a clue. He apprehended the beast tamer when he went out to perform at the Grand Tutor's mansion.
Prince Qi rarely allowed the beast tamer to leave his residence, but if Wei Yu requested it, that was another matter.
Before Wei Qing married Prince Rong, despite everyone in Duanjing knowing her heart belonged to Prince Rong, Prince Qi fearlessly courted her. After Wei Qing married Prince Rong, he shifted his target to Wei Yu.
They were both legitimate daughters of the Wei family, and to him, there wasn't much difference.
He probably believed that marrying a daughter of the Wei family would greatly increase his chances of ascending the throne.
Wei Yu neither accepted nor rejected Prince Qi's advances; she simply kept him hanging.
Xiao Yun summarized, "She is secretly in contact with Prince Wu, and at the same time, she is entangled with Prince Qi."
"She's keeping a backup."
"What?" Xiao Yun didn't understand.
Wang Qingyao kindly explained, "It's when a man or woman, already having a partner, still holds out hope for others."
Xiao Yun said "Oh," indicating he understood.
Wang Qingyao asked again, "Besides this 'unintentional' remark Wei Yu made in casual conversation, has anything else been found linking her to Prince Rong's incident?"
Xiao Yun shook his head. "Even if she instigated Prince Qi, with her cunning, she would surely leave no evidence. She could claim it was just idle talk. She's young and appears innocent and carefree; she wouldn't know that some people take her casual jokes seriously!"
His tone was filled with contempt and disdain, as if Wei Yu would use such an excuse to escape if suspected.
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Xiao Yun asked, his brow furrowed.
Wang Qingyao sat up, not fully rising, still leaning on the couch. "I can't sleep. I'm not going to. Tell me, what else did Fang Zheng find?"
"Regarding Prince Rong, that's about it. However, while investigating Prince Qi, there were some unexpected findings."
"What?"
"Your third young lady from your family, it seems she's taken a liking to Prince Qi and has orchestrated several chance encounters."
Damn it! Wang Qingyao's eyes widened again. She remembered that Aunt Ying had indeed asked her to play matchmaker, introducing Wang Qingzhen to several princes and imperial grandsons. She had refused mercilessly at the time.
She hadn't expected them to give up and try on their own.
Who was Prince Qi? Malicious and dark-hearted, willing to harm his own brothers for the throne. Now that Fang Zheng had found some leads, they were recklessly getting involved. If something were to happen, the Wang family would inevitably be implicated.
The Wang family wasn't entirely composed of scoundrels; at least Prince Zijing and his wife were good people. For their sake, she couldn't let Wang Qingzhen act recklessly!
"To what extent has it developed?" Wang Qingyao asked urgently.
"Don't worry," Xiao Yun said. "Nothing has happened yet. It's just a glance back and a smile to make an impression, or dropping a handkerchief to send a flirtatious look. In public, they can't do anything too outrageous. Besides, Prince Qi isn't a lustful demon; his focus is currently on Wei Yu."
Wang Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief and planned to subtly advise Wang Qingzhen during the New Year's visits.
Speaking of which, Wang Qingzhen was the cousin of the Princess of Ding'an. If Prince Qi came to his senses, he might deliberately show favor. After all, wealth is tempting, and Xiao Yun enjoyed great favor. With the support of Prince Ding'an, Prince Qi's chances of ascending the throne would be even greater.
Just as Wang Qingyao opened her mouth, Xiao Yun said, "Don't worry, I've already sent people to keep an eye on Prince Qi."
Wang Qingyao smiled at him, her heart filled with sweetness. Was this what it felt like to be in sync?
"Do you prefer a boy or a girl?" she asked.
"I'll love any child you bear," Xiao Yun murmured, stroking her face and kissing her lips.