Fourth Master Xiao disagreed, pulling her aside and, after some thought, told her what he had said to the Emperor in the palace today: "Today in the Imperial Study Room, while discussing Fujian, Lord Hong from the Fujian Governor and Chief Lei had many disagreements in their political views, I mentioned that I had met Lord Hong a few times in the past..." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Xiqiu realized what Fourth Master Xiao was about to say and looked at him somewhat nervously. Fourth Master Xiao paused and continued, "...the Emperor then started talking about Min’s studies, praising him highly."

Xiqiu’s eyes lit up as she listened. Fourth Master Xiao mentioning the Fujian Governor was an indication to the Emperor: if Min was not in his favor, he might as well take the whole family to Fujian. The Emperor did not mention sending Fourth Master Xiao away but praised Min’s excellent academic performance.

"Fourth Master." Xiqiu felt both worried and happy: "Is the Emperor intending to acknowledge Min?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded: "From my understanding of the Emperor, that’s indeed the case." He then looked at Xiqiu and added, "But don’t get your hopes too high. If this matter is to be pursued, it’s not easy to accomplish. Even for the Emperor, it requires a step-by-step strategy and planning."

Xiqiu nodded: "I understand." She was pleased that at least after this incident, the Emperor had frankly expressed his intentions to let Min acknowledge his ancestry. Although this matter may not be resolved immediately, being under the protection of the most powerful person ensures Min is considerably safer.

Shen Ji entered the main hall, where the Old Madam Shen was holding a cup of tea. She looked up casually upon seeing him and asked, "Any news?"

"Yes!" he replied and continued, "I found the dwelling place of that actor from those years and found the person. After investigation, it was confirmed that she gave birth to a child back then. The time and place match, with no discrepancies." He paused and looked at the Old Madam again: "Mother, I think you are overthinking this. Many people look alike; it’s just a coincidence. Besides, no matter how bold or capable Fourth Master Xiao is, it would be impossible to smuggle a newborn out of the Emperor’s residence surrounded by the Third Prince’s people and raise him openly at home." He added gravely, "If this matter is exposed, even the Xuanning Marquis Mansion will be hard to protect."

The Old Madam Shen was pondering over his earlier mention of the actor. As he spoke about Fourth Master Xiao, she glared at her son: "The courage, cunning, and guts of Fourth Master Xiao are beyond your comparison. If he weren’t bold back then, how could he have escorted the Emperor out of the capital alone? How could he have turned Qian Wenzhong against his own, persuaded the Teng Family to provide so much money, plundered so many merchant ships, yet the Third Prince’s extensive manpower found nothing? If he were timid, how would we have the current Emperor?"

"But!" Shen Ji hadn’t finished when the Old Madam waved her hand: "Given the situation, let’s put this matter aside for now. Follow up on the fishery tax issue and check Fujian again. If there are any surviving members of the Shen Family, it would be best if they could secretly assist Xiao Qing. This would prevent them from leveraging their ties with the late Empress to coerce the Emperor into introducing another woman into the palace to trouble the Empress."

This task was straightforward. Shen Ji promptly accepted the order and then inquired about Min’s injury: "I heard that the Eldest Prince and Li scalded Xiao Huaimin. Is that true?"

Old Madam Shen had already heard the background from Shen Wenli and nodded, "It’s just children bickering. You shouldn’t blame Li. Besides, the Eldest Prince has already apologized to that child. Don’t bring it up again in the future." She sighed, "Such a hardship for the child, yet at only five years old, he could think so comprehensively."

Shen Ji hesitated, somewhat disagreeing with his mother’s view. But after some thought, he felt that it was inappropriate to say more, so he replied, "I understand."

Xiqiu and Chunliu rushed for ten days, finally completing the remaining Hundred Sons Painting. When Min came home each day, he saw his mother embroidering at the frame, often rubbing her neck. Chunliu would stand behind massaging her shoulders, and Min said, "Mother, you should let the needlework team do it. You’re overworking yourself." He didn’t understand what it was for but was worried seeing Xiqiu so tired.

"The needlework front and back are different; how can it be sent out like this?" she replied with a smile and instructed Chunliu, "Bring it to the Brocade Pavilion to be mounted tomorrow and add a chicken-wing wood frame."

Chunliu agreed, and Min didn’t say anything more.

A few days later, he finally understood that the embroidery his mother worked so hard on was meant for Consort Le. He stood in shock, realizing his mother’s painstaking efforts to protect him from further grievances in the palace by personally crafting such a meaningful gift for Consort Le to ensure her care for him.

Min stood outside Wenhua Hall, gazing at the magnificent and bright palaces before him, his emotions surging and difficult to calm.

Madam Shen quickly exited the Second Madam’s quarters, and upon seeing her, Jinxiu rushed over: "Madam, what’s going on?" She noticed Madam Shen’s tilted bun, missing hairpins and jewelry, a blood scratch on her face, and her clothing’s buttons undone, appearing quite disheveled.

Madam Shen covered her face, which burned with pain, furrowing her brows, and angrily said, "Truly a madwoman." She initially intended to glean some information, but unexpectedly, before she could say three sentences, the madwoman attacked her wildly. If she hadn’t knocked her out with a vase from the table, she couldn’t imagine how much more she would have suffered from the madwoman.

"What an ill-fated encounter, let’s go back, quickly!" Madam Shen glanced around quickly, making sure no one was in the yard, and instructed Jinxiu to arrange her hair and clothing before returning to Mei Garden, where she sat in her room, panting furiously. Jinxiu brought tea carefully and asked, "Madam, the Second Madam has been mad for years and can’t even speak coherently. I doubt you’ll get any answers."

Madam Shen had been optimistic, but now she had to accept that Princess Chengning was indeed insane. She looked into the mirror, growing angrier by the minute, and tossed it aside, exclaiming, "Just a lunatic, yet she still thinks she’s a Commandery Princess."

Jinxiu remained silent. Madam Shen turned to her and demanded, "Bring me pen and ink."

Jinxiu complied, bringing the requested items. Madam Shen meticulously wrote a letter and handed it to Jinxiu: "Find a way to return tomorrow and deliver this to the Grand Dowager."

Jinxiu agreed, and Madam Shen sighed again, uncertain if the Grand Dowager would be angry for coming back empty-handed.

When Jinxiu returned from the Shen Mansion, Madam Shen anxiously asked, "What did the Grand Dowager say?" Shuffling her feet, Jinxiu glanced at Madam Shen, lowered her head, and replied, "The Grand Dowager said she knew all along and told you to rest well."

Madam Shen’s face changed in realization that the Grand Dowager was indeed displeased!

But what could she do? She had tried every possible avenue. Would she really need to ask the Marquis? The Marquis was so astute; he would undoubtedly infer her intentions even before she spoke, likely provoking his anger before uncovering the truth.

After pondering, she clenched her fists and shot to her feet. Jinxiu looked at her and added, "The Grand Dowager said that it was fortunate for the palace to have taken such careful care of Princess Chengning all these years, despite her lunacy."