无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

“So what if they changed clothes, it’s nothing that unusual.

People in this palace, maybe they have too many clothes to wear, they always have to change clothes.

Take a walk outside, sweat a few drops, they need to change clothes.

Have a meal, smell a bit like the food, they need to change clothes.

Leave the house and they need to change clothes, come back and they still need to change clothes.

The Clothing Bureau is arguably the busiest department in the entire Imperial Palace.

Wenzan and Lingzi are still kids, they are naughty, and it’s natural for them to change clothes when they are dirty.”

Li Hongyuan suddenly took her by the chin, sizing her up, “Jiang Ning, don’t you dare have any wicked thoughts, I know all about you.”

“Oh? What do you know, Your Highness?” Jiang Ning remained still, allowing him to hold her chin.

“Your little moves, not one escapes my eyes,” Li Hongyuan let go, gently stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. “What were you doing at the Splendid Palace in the middle of the night? Hm?”

“I missed the imperial concubine, I went to see her, is that wrong?”

“Really?”

“Of course. The imperial concubine treated me so well, just like my own mother. She’s gone now, and I’m sad. That’s just human nature.”

“You cozy up to the concubine mother only so she will favor you and help you.”

“True, but that doesn’t contradict with me liking the imperial concubine, does it?” His cool hand slid across her face, and it felt odd. Without realizing it, Jiang Ning turned her face away, avoiding his touch.

Li Hongyuan paused, slow to put down his hand, speaking softly, “Better be careful, stay obediently in the East Palace, at least you’d be safe there.”

Jiang Ning remained silent.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince, both old and young, say they keep her close for her safety, but they refuse to tell her anything.

What does that mean?

Are they treating her well out of their good intentions, or is there a bigger plot?

Although Jiang Ruobai and Jiang Mubai were pretty calm, Jiang Ning, who understood history, knew that no emperor could tolerate a subject becoming too powerful and outshining him.

Especially as the emperor’s health worsened, would there be any schemes between him and the crown prince, in order for the crown prince to ascend to the throne without trouble, to strike the Jiang family?

It wasn’t an unfounded concern for Jiang Ning, countless examples of bloody tragedies in history proved so.

Given the situation, it was impossible for Jiang Ning to fully trust the words of the emperor and Li Hongyuan.

Despite the fact that Li Hongyuan seemed to treat her well, had done a lot for her.

But she would never naively think that Li Hongyuan valued her more than his empire.

Li Hongyuan noticed a trace of disdain and coldness remaining on the corners of her lips.

“Let me make it clear again, I know the concubine mother was not harmed by you, don’t overthink it,” he said.

“So, do you know who the real culprit is?” Jiang Ning gazed into his eyes, trying to find a hint of information from him.

But, she was disappointed.

Li Hongyuan’s eyes were calm and flat, revealing nothing out of ordinary, “I am not sure yet, but I have some clues.”

Just then Huang Ying brought in tea, offering it to Li Hongyuan: “Your Highness.”

Li Hongyuan said, “Save your tea for your master. I have some business to attend to, I must leave.”

He straightened his hem and left without looking back.

Once he made sure he had left, Jiang Ning rushed to find Gucheng.

Gucheng said, “It’s been delivered.”

“Where was it delivered?”

“It was placed on Mu Jian’s horse.”

“Did he receive it?”

“Yes.”

Gucheng had personally witnessed Mu Jian pick up and open the letter before he came back.