After Yuanyang killed that disgusting man, she didn't panic or run away. She threw the knife aside and sat on the steps at the entrance of the Prince of Min's Residence's mansion.
When Ren Yingying rushed out upon hearing the news, she saw a knife stuck in the fat man's chest, the blood already congealed, and her face turned pale with fright.
Yuanyang smiled at her and said, "Princess Consort, I'm sorry I startled you. It's my fault."
These are not Yuanyang, these are not the Yuanyang of the past!
Ren Yingying rushed over immediately, almost slipping and falling in front of Yuanyang, and grabbed her hand, asking, "Are you alright?"
Yuanyang smiled and said, "I'm fine. Madam, he's finally dead, my wish has finally been fulfilled. But... I'm sorry, I'm afraid it will tarnish the reputation of the Prince's Mansion."
The Heir to the Prince of Min's concubine committed murder in the street...
This matter will likely become the talk of the town very soon.
Ren Yingying said, "It's alright, none of that matters. Are you hurt?"
Yuanyang looked at her gratefully, tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them back and gently shook her head. "I'm fine. I've just fulfilled a long-cherished wish. I've wanted to do this for a long time, but I never had the courage; I never expected him to come to me today."
Having resolved my concerns, I feel both fear and longing for my current life, yet also a sense of exhilaration.
She had enjoyed a few good years with Ren Yingying, and that was enough.
She could never be free unless she killed this beast.
Ren Yingying looked at the crowd and suddenly felt a surge of hatred—were these people just bored and looking around? What business was it of theirs to watch other people's affairs?
Screw you! Go home and collect manure!
If it weren't for them, she would have helped Yuanyang dispose of the body and cover up the crime.
However, there are no "ifs".
Officials arrived quickly upon hearing the news and took the Yuanyang away.
Before this, Yuanyang explained the whole story to Ren Yingying in front of everyone.
She didn't want anything anymore, including her life, so she naturally couldn't let those beasts get away with it!
After Yuanyang was taken away, Ren Yingying sent someone to find Qu Nian —that scoundrel, he messed up at the crucial moment and wasn't even in the manor!
Then, in a great hurry, she went to Tang Zhuyun for help.
After Ren Yingying explain the whole story, Tang Zhuyun fell into thought.
Ren Yingying was anxious and shook her sleeve, her voice trembling with tears, "Tangbao, so many people saw it! How can Yuanyang get away with this?! You should first speak to someone and tell them not to make things difficult for her; also, keep an eye on her, I'm afraid she'll do something foolish!"
"Okay." Tang Zhuyun called to Hanxiang, "Did Cui Xiaoqiu go to the palace to see Yanran today?"
Hanxiang said, "Your Majesty, I just saw the princess and Young Master Sixth Young Master Cui flying kites in front."
Yanran has now been promoted to princess, and she wanted a powerful title, but Tang Zhuyun scolded her. In the end, Emperor Wen gave her the title "Yongle".
"Go and fetch Yanran for me."
Ren Yingying: "No, no, no, let's call her Cui Xiaoqiu! I think Cui Xiaoqiu more fitting."
Tang Zhuyun did not give a direct answer.
Can Cui Xiaoqiu really stay out of Yanran's situation?
She asked Ren Yingying, "I know you're worried and making a fuss. Now that Yanran has dealt with it, don't panic. Let's sort this out. Don't you think something's not quite right about this?"
Ren Yingying raised her hand to tidy up a stray hair behind her ear, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"First, you only have Yuanyang and Jinse left by your side now, and you take them with you everywhere you go; outsiders all think that you and your concubines have a harmonious relationship..."
"We were harmonious to begin with!"
It just has the addition of the Qu Nian).
"Let me finish... You've just been bestowed the title of Lady Zhenguo, and you're riding high; why did Yuanyang's spineless older brother dare to come here and bully her?"
Why didn't you come before?
This is going against the grain, and it seems unreasonable.
"Secondly, you said Yuanyang killed someone with a knife, but where did she get the knife?"
Ren Yingying thought about it carefully and realized that the weapon stuck in the foul-smelling man's chest was a dagger she had never seen before.
"Furthermore, the time between the incident and your arrival upon hearing the news should have been very short, so why have so many people already gathered?"
It felt like those people had suddenly emerged after the tragedy occurred.
Based on all these suspicious points, Tang Zhuyun felt that someone was orchestrating this incident behind the scenes, even instigating Yuanyang to commit the crime, so that she would end up in prison.
Ren Yingying was so concerned that she was confused, and her only thought was to save Yuanyang. Now, after listening to Tang Zhuyun's words, she seemed to be deep in thought.
It seems that's indeed the case...
Yanran entered with a cheerful smile, dragging a long, giant dragon-shaped paper kite in her hand. "Mother, you wanted to see me?"
Tang Zhuyun succinctly explained the situation.
Yanran's fists clenched as she listened. She threw down her kite and angrily said, "Mother, Aunt Yingying, I'm going right now! I'll go and poke a few more holes in that bastard so he can't be a man in his next life!"
Tang Zhuyun quickly said, "Alright, let's go see the Yuanyang first."
"Okay." Yanran turned and walked out. "Cui Xiaoqiu, let's go!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
The palace maids stepped forward to pick up the kite that Yanran had thrown down. It took the two of them a lot of effort to lift it, a stark contrast to how easily Yanran had moved it earlier.
Normally, Ren Yingying would definitely have made a few jokes; but today she was worried about Yuanyang, so she wasn't in the mood for laughter.
"Tangbao, can I go see the Yuanyang?"
"No," Tang Zhuyun said calmly. "We don't know yet if this conspiracy is aimed at you. You can't go!"
Yanran is more suitable to step forward because she is still a child.
If things get out of hand, saying "Don't hold it against the child, just discipline them properly when you get home" can turn a big problem into a small one, and a small problem into nothing.
Ren Yingying was extremely anxious.
At this moment, Hanxiang came in to report that Qu Nian had arrived and was not able to enter the inner palace, so he was waiting outside for Ren Yingying.
Ren Yingying stood up and said, "Tangbao, I'll go take a look first. Maybe he can come up with an idea."
This guy Mu Ziyu have been up to something lately, always going out early and coming home late together.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Don't panic; even if things really don't work out, I'll arrange a way out for Yuanyang."
What way out?
"Linlin is going to Liaodong, and I'm worried about not having anyone to look after him. I'm looking for a suitable person; His Majesty has also been troubled by this matter these past few days. If Yuanyang were the Yuanyang person, she would be perfect."
It does have a hint of taking advantage of someone's vulnerability.
But Yuanyang are indeed a good match.
They are mature, considerate, and quiet, yet intelligent and perceptive, able to understand the thoughts of all parties.
Ren Yingying: "Alright, I agree on Yuanyang's behalf! It's settled then!"
After what happened, Yuanyang must be in a bad mood; it would be good for her to go away from the capital for a while and adjust her mood.
Moreover, for a murder committed in public, this outcome is already the best possible result; there's not much room for criticism.
Tang Zhuyun said, "We'll discuss it with her later, and we also need to find someone else to help persuade her..."
"You don't need to worry about that. I'm going with her!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
It seems I've let Qu Nian down.