Chapter 77: A Clever Plan for Escape

Princess Zhaoren was the mother of Lady Anping. Last year, Lady Anping’s marriage proposal was heartlessly rejected by Meng Yuanheng, and as her mother, Princess Zhaoren naturally felt humiliated, harboring resentment toward the Prince Xuan’s Mansion. Therefore, at this moment, Princess Zhaoren’s suggestion came as no surprise to Shen Qianmo.

Since Princess Zhaoren had made such a recommendation, although Empress Duanjing felt uneasy about it, she could not object. Back when Emperor Mingde first ascended the throne, the political situation was unstable and fraught with difficulty; it was Princess Zhaoren who offered her unwavering support. Thus, the princess’s status and prestige in the Great Sheng Dynasty were indisputable; even Emperor Mingde treated his imperial elder sister with considerable respect, and Empress Duanjing dared not disregard her wishes.

After a brief deliberation, she issued her command. “Attend me! Have the eldest daughter of the Shen family temporarily confined to the Imperial Prison. Take the Crown Prince’s wife to the side hall and summon the imperial physician to treat her wounds. Investigate tonight’s affair thoroughly; leave no stone unturned.”

Lady Anping, standing behind Princess Zhaoren, heard the empress’s decree. A hint of smugness flashed across her cold and beautiful face. She cast a contemptuous glance down at Shen Qianmo, her demeanor arrogant, but beneath it was a deep, burning jealousy.

Why should this woman receive such favor from Prince Xuan, who had always shown no interest in women? Thinking of that aloof, cold man’s indifference toward herself made her heart twist with pain. She vowed that someday, she would make that proud man kneel before her.

Shen Qianxue knelt beside Shen Qianmo, head bowed, a malicious smile curling on her lips now that her scheme had succeeded. Shen Qianmo, you finally have your day! Lady Anping’s ploy has worked; now you’ll forever bear the name of a witch, locked away in prison, never to see the light again. In that moment, even the pain from the wound on her back seemed less severe.

Several eunuchs and palace maids stepped forward. The maids carried Shen Qianxue to a nearby hall to have her wound treated by the hurriedly summoned physician. The eunuchs, meanwhile, went to escort Shen Qianmo to the Imperial Prison.

With both Princess Zhaoren and the Empress giving orders, Ning Hua and Fu Yuechan, though anxious, were powerless to intervene.

Shen Qianmo herself could see no immediate escape. Thinking to herself, without the strength to fight head-on, she could only endure a few days in confinement and plan her next move. She would never admit to any witchcraft; with the support of the Duke’s Mansion and Prince Xuan’s Mansion, they would not dare act against her without solid evidence.

She addressed the eunuchs who approached, her voice cold, “No need for you to lay hands on me. I’ll walk myself.”

She rose, offering Ning Hua and Fu Yuechan a gentle smile. Her demeanor remained calm, her movements unhurried.

Just as she turned to follow the eunuchs, a sharp, familiar voice echoed in the distance—a cold and furious rebuke.

“Who dares touch my woman!”

It was Meng Yuanheng’s voice! How could he have returned?

Shen Qianmo turned toward the sound, and saw Changdong pushing a wheelchair at a speed much faster than usual. Meng Yuanheng sat upright as ever, but his usually impassive face now showed a hint of urgency.

Master and servant strode straight to Shen Qianmo’s side. Meng Yuanheng instinctively took her hand, looked up at her, and asked with concern, “Mo’er, are you all right?”

Shen Qianmo patted his hand and gave him a gentle, reassuring smile, shaking her head slightly.

Meng Yuanheng tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes sweeping coldly over the crowd, finally settling on Empress Duanjing. His voice was deep, “May I ask, Your Majesty, why do you intend to imprison my future princess in the Imperial Prison?”

Empress Duanjing had never seen Meng Yuanheng like this. Usually, Prince Xuan was reserved in her presence, but at least respectful, observing the proper courtesies. Now, he did not even bow, his tone accusatory and indignant—anyone could see he was furious.

Princess Yaohua, accustomed to arrogance, was incensed by Meng Yuanheng’s attitude toward her mother. Unable to restrain herself, she snapped, “How dare you be so disrespectful to Her Majesty! Prince Xuan, perhaps you are unaware—your future princess is a witch! She used witchcraft to harm others here, so my mother is imprisoning her to prevent further harm.”

At that, Meng Yuanheng’s gaze toward Princess Yaohua was icy enough to freeze. He spoke, word by word, “Princess Yaohua, you would do well to mind your tongue. If anyone dares spread slander again, calling my future princess a witch, I will ensure she cannot speak another word.”

Everyone present knew Prince Xuan’s temperament—his word was law. The threat in his tone was unmistakable; no one dared speak carelessly, lest they provoke him and lose their tongue.

Princess Yaohua, frustrated, her pretty face flushing and paling, did not dare further defiance. She called out, “Mother,” and hid behind Empress Duanjing, glaring but silent.

Seeing Meng Yuanheng’s defiance, even Empress Duanjing, usually patient, could not maintain her composure. Her tone grew stern. “Prince Xuan, restrain yourself! Yaohua is not mistaken; the maid’s corpse has yet to be removed, the Crown Prince’s wife is receiving treatment, and both accuse your future princess of witchcraft. There are numerous witnesses. I am merely acting impartially. Attend me! Take Miss Shen away.”

“Who dares!” Meng Yuanheng’s cold retort made his opposition clear.

The eunuchs hesitated, seeing Prince Xuan protect Shen Qianmo so fiercely, Changdong blocking their path, unsure how to proceed.

As tension mounted, a shrill announcement rang out.

“His Majesty arrives!”

Emperor Mingde strode toward them, dignified and imposing. Behind him followed Grand Eunuch Li, Grand Eunuch Wei, and the four princes: Meng Tianluo, Meng Tianxu, Meng Tianlin, and Meng Tianyan—a formidable entourage.

Shen Qianmo sighed inwardly. Tonight’s affair had escalated; how could it possibly be resolved?

Grand Eunuch Wei, head bowed, followed the emperor, inwardly lamenting his misfortune. He had suspected that Prince Xuan’s unprecedented attendance at the Qixi banquet was a bad omen—now, it was confirmed.

Ah, how unlucky he was! He wished he could bang his head against the wall.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the emperor!” All present, except Meng Yuanheng, knelt in salute.

“Rise,” Emperor Mingde commanded, his tone authoritative.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Meng Tianlin, eager to greet Shen Qianmo and Meng Yuanheng, was about to rush forward, but Consort Xian quickly pulled him back—this was no time for the foolish boy to add to the chaos.

Emperor Mingde, his face grim, swept his gaze over the crowd. Seeing the maid’s corpse laid by the rockery, his expression darkened further. He addressed Empress Duanjing. “What happened here?”

He had spent the evening at the banquet, already exhausted, and had just wanted to retire to Funing Hall. But Grand Eunuch Wei intercepted him, saying there was trouble at the Beauty Pavilion. Judging from the tense atmosphere, Wei had not exaggerated.

Recently, following the Five Stone Powder incident, many palace maids and eunuchs had been executed. Things had just begun to settle, and now a murder had occurred—how was anyone supposed to get a peaceful night’s rest? The emperor was furious.

Empress Duanjing recounted the events in detail. Emperor Mingde’s expression grew darker.

The Shen girl practicing witchcraft? Controlling others with her gaze? What nonsense was this? Besides, injuring people with witchcraft was a serious accusation—did the Shen girl seem so reckless?

Yet, the maid had testified with her life, and Shen Qianxue, newly treated, now accused her as well. The emperor was momentarily unsure how to judge.

He looked at Shen Qianmo, protected by Meng Yuanheng, and noted her calm, untroubled demeanor. He was somewhat surprised—this Shen girl truly had the composure to remain unmoved even with disaster looming.

“Miss Shen, how do you respond to the accusations from this maid and the Crown Prince’s wife?” Emperor Mingde asked gravely.

At last, it was her turn to speak. Shen Qianmo bowed her head, her tone steady. “Your Majesty, I am but an ordinary woman, incapable of any witchcraft. The maid suddenly went mad and attacked my sister Qianxue. I suspect the issue lies with the maid herself. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to have the imperial physician examine the maid’s body for any abnormalities.”

Emperor Mingde considered her words—reasonable enough. He ordered the physician, who had just treated Shen Qianxue, to examine the maid’s body and see if he could determine the cause of her sudden violence.

The physician complied, and upon careful inspection, discovered a packet of white powder on the maid’s person. After identifying its contents, his hands trembled and his face turned pale as he reported, “Your Majesty, this… this is Five Stone Powder.”

The crowd was astounded. How could such a thing still be found in the palace?

The emperor’s anger burned hotter. Despite a thorough search, some had slipped through the net; even a mere maid had access to it—how widespread was this poison?

Shen Qianmo sighed inwardly. Meng Yuanheng’s methods were indeed ruthless—of all substances, he had chosen Five Stone Powder. Where had he obtained it? Yet, this would implicate many in the palace.

She glanced at Meng Yuanheng from the corner of her eye, clearly disapproving of his disregard for others’ lives in order to clear her name.

Indeed, while Empress Duanjing recounted the events to Emperor Mingde, Changdong had moved like a shadow, unnoticed by all, and slipped the packet onto the maid’s body.

Shen Qianmo knew this well; thus, she had specifically asked the emperor to have the physician examine the maid’s body.