Once Zhao Housheng finished speaking, no one else responded.
Even soone not from the inner chambers could think of these things, revealing the significant suspicion surrounding Mrs. Kong. Liang Hui had remained silent until now, but couldn’t hold back any longer, "Currently, Sister Ning isn’t aware. We must find the child before she finds out; otherwise, given her nature, she won’t be able to handle it. Grandmother is right, we can’t let Sister Ning know, or she’ll worry."
Gu Yifeng stood up, "I’ll handle it."
Now that the child was missing, he couldn’t trust anyone and had to deal with it personally. Besides, waiting around in the mansion was making him restless with anxiety.
Everyone understood this, but Chancellor Liu stopped him, "Sister Ning will surely want to see you when she wakes. You shouldn’t go. Right now, as long as we know who acted, this matter will be easier to handle."
Chancellor Liu didn’t elaborate further but called a servant over, "Go back and ask the master to co over, saying it’s urgent."
The servant left promptly. Everyone in the hall understood this was the best course of action; otherwise, sharp-minded Sister Ning would definitely notice sothing amiss.
However, just as the servant left, Shanmoi entered, "Marquis, Mr. Liu from the Pri Minister’s Mansion has arrived."
Gu Yifeng hurriedly asked to let him in, and everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. Given their impatience to wait, it was fortunate that he arrived without summons.
Liu Wen entered, and Gu Yifeng, unlike his usual calm self, recounted the entire situation. Listening to it, Liu Wen said nothing, "I’ll head out now."
Gu Yifeng escorted him out, "I’ve already sent people to keep an eye on the Prince Xian Mansion, fearing they might have figured this out too. The person won’t linger in the Capital; I’ve dispatched the Hidden Guards beyond the capital. However, the Prince Xian side still requires you to personally make the visit, Uncle."
Liu Wen nodded, "Leave this matter to ; you can rest assured."
Zhao Housheng also followed out of the hall, "I’ll go too. Sister Yue must have left from the side gate of the Marquis Mansion. If so, there must be an insider at the Marquis Mansion; I’ll head there first."
Gu Yifeng couldn’t leave, so he called Zhao Wu over, "Accompany him and fetch Nanny Chang and Nanny Chi to discuss matters with them."
At this point, the matter couldn’t be concealed any longer.
Zhao Wu acknowledged and went with Zhao Housheng to the Marquis Mansion, while Liu Wen headed straight to the Prince Xian Mansion. Prince Xian was at ho listening to opera, surrounded by a few perforrs, engaging in banter until he heard soone outside ntioning a visitor from the Pri Minister’s Mansion.
Prince Xian, being the current Holy Emperor’s brother, regarded the Liu family as Prince Shou’s relatives. Hence, seeing soone from the Pri Minister’s Mansion, he promptly invited them in.
After exchanging formalities in the study, Liu Wen began explaining the situation at the East Mansion, "Sister Yue is, after all, the daughter of Consort Kong from your mansion. Given her recent actions, I wanted to ask if Consort Kong is aware of this."
Prince Xian’s expression changed; being from the Royal Family, he quickly grasped the intricacies with just a light thought. With troubles at the East Mansion and the Pri Minister’s people reaching out to Prince Xian Mansion, it implicated his mansion. Else, they’d have directly sought out Mrs. Kong.
"Don’t worry, my dear nephew. I’ll have soone summon Mrs. Kong imdiately. If she’s involved, my Prince Xian Mansion won’t shield her," Prince Xian declared his stance.
Liu Wen, aware of Prince Xian’s inclination, maintained composure without expressing anger, offering polite thanks. As Mrs. Kong arrived, initially pleased—since the prince seldom summoned her—her smile faded upon spotting an outsider in the study.
Not recognizing Liu Wen, Mrs. Kong showed a montary surprise when Prince Xian introduced him, then quickly regained composure, "So it’s the Grand Master of the Pri Minister’s Mansion."
With that, she greeted him properly.
Liu Wen stepped aside, "I presu Consort Kong knows why I’m here. This matter hasn’t escalated yet. Since Prince Xian is of the Royal Family, as long as Consort Kong surrenders the person, everything will be negotiable. Otherwise, if it alarms the Holy Emperor, it won’t be as simple."
Mrs. Kong smiled faintly, "Grand Master Liu, your words intrigue ; I really don’t understand what you’re talking about."
Prince Xian grew anxious beside her, "Mrs. Kong, with evidence pointing here, there’s no point in denial. You’re carrying the Prince Xian Mansion’s heir. If you co clean now, I can spare you and the child."
Tears welled in Mrs. Kong’s eyes, "Your Highness, I truly don’t understand. What do you want to admit? If Your Highness wants to bear this cri, then so be it; my life and the child’s are worthless in your eyes anyway."
Prince Xian furrowed his brows tightly.
Liu Wen remained unmoved, "Consort Kong, Sister Yue should now be outside the Capital. Once we find the middleman, would you still feign ignorance?"
Mrs. Kong sneered coldly, glaring at him, "Grand Master Liu, who are you looking for? Since marrying Prince Xian Mansion, Sister Yue has only visited once in the past few months; how is her wrongdoing relevant to ?"
"After getting pregnant, how have your days been in the Prince Xian Mansion? How’s your relationship with the Heir of Prince Xian? Originally, I refrained from bringing these up to spare your dignity. Yet, if you continue to play dumb, don’t bla ."
"Originally, I’m just a concubine—a re mistress—in your noble families’ eyes, when have you ever taken seriously? Even if you don’t say it outright, you gossip behind my back. I’ve long stopped caring. But now, you’re pinning Sister Yue’s deed on , roping the Heir of Prince Xian into it. Clearly, the Pri Minister’s Mansion has gained power and might tread over the Prince Xian Mansion soon enough," Mrs. Kong deftly sowed discord between the Pri Minister’s and Prince Xian Mansion.
Yet Prince Xian, fearing trouble and acknowledging the upright Pri Minister’s Mansion, was unaffected. Instead, fury flared on his face hearing these words, "Mrs. Kong, cease this nonsense. Evidence points to you, so stop the denial. You seem not to fear the coffin until in sight!"
Prince Xian was truly frightened, especially as Liu Wen referenced his son again, further alarming his heart. Initially uncertain, he now comprehended the entire affair.
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