Chapter 64: How to Prove She Is Chang Yuniang

A secret cannot be kept forever. The news of the Dowager Consort and the Prince of Liang, specifically about Xiao Yunji's menstrual period, quickly reached their ears.

"How can this be!"

The Dowager Consort's voice trembled with sheer disbelief. She clutched the prayer beads in her hand tightly, her gaze sweeping back and forth across Xiao Yunji's pale face as if searching for a trace of hope.

Looking at the estate physician, Zhao Shenxing still dared not believe it was true. "What on earth is going on here? Yunji, she..."

His voice was low and powerless, clearly showing his shock and displeasure at this sudden turn of events.

The estate physician knelt trembling to one side, sweat beading on his forehead. "Reporting to Your Highness and the Dowager Consort, the Noble Consort is indeed not pregnant. This old official was previously misled by her pulse. This matter may be related to Miao Shan; the medicine the Noble Consort previously took and all her symptoms were far too coincidental. This old official has secretly investigated and found quite a few clues."

"This cannot be blamed on the physician. Master Yunyin mentioned earlier that Yunji was bewitched by sorcery, making it very difficult for ordinary people to detect the false pregnancy..."

Hearing this, the Dowager Consort paused the prayer beads in her hand, a flash of complex emotion crossing her eyes. "Miao Shan? Though that woman's reputation is widespread, if it is truly as you say, then this is an act of deceiving the sovereign and committing a grave offense, which cannot be forgiven!"

The Prince of Liang nodded, his voice cold and hard. "To dare deceive even this Prince—she is truly audacious! This Prince will have her arrested immediately!"

Zhao Shenxing personally led a contingent of men straight to the Yiyi Hall, only to find the place completely deserted.

The Yiyi Hall, which used to bustle with activity, was now entirely devoid of people!

Scattered medicinal herbs and unfinished prescriptions remained, and a faint fragrance of herbs still lingered in the air, but the busy figures were conspicuously missing.

Zhao Shenxing sighed, fearing that someone had leaked the news beforehand!

"This... how could this be?" A guard following behind cried out in low astonishment, looking around in utter confusion.

Zhao Shenxing pressed his lips tightly together, his brow knitted with lingering anger and frustration.

He turned and instructed a trusted aide beside him, "Guard the city gates strictly. Thoroughly investigate everyone leaving the city and make sure you find Miao Shan's whereabouts! Search the medical halls and temples in the city with utmost care as well. Once found, bring her directly before me!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Receiving the order, the aide hurried away, his figure quickly vanishing into the sunlight outside the door.

Within the city, an atmosphere of panic and tension prevailed for a time. The common people discussed the matter animatedly, feeling both curious and fearful about the sudden actions of the Prince of Liang's estate.

In the bustling market, crowds surged, and the cries of peddlers rose and fell continuously.

***

Ning Junruo changed into humble attire and blended into the crowd. Her target was the group of women who had previously sought children from Miao Shan.

"Auntie, this fabric of yours looks rather nice. Where did you buy it?" Ning Junruo casually walked into a fabric shop and struck up a conversation with the proprietress.

"Ah, miss, my daughter-in-law had someone bring this back from the capital, saying it's prepared for my future grandson." The proprietress beamed with pride, though she could not entirely conceal the worry in the depths of her eyes.

"A grandson? Auntie, is there a joyous occasion in your family?" Ning Junruo feigned surprise.

"Sigh, don't even mention it. It was all caused by that Miao Shan. My daughter-in-law took her medicine and her belly grew, but later we found out it was a false pregnancy! Our joy was for nothing, and we wasted a good deal of silver too." The proprietress sighed, and the surrounding people all clicked their tongues in sympathy upon hearing this.

Ning Junruo felt a tightness in her chest; she had heard stories like this more than once in the market.

It seemed that Miao Shan's methods were far more vicious than she had imagined.

"What a sin. Is that Miao Shan still in Liangzhou City?" she asked, pretending to be curious.

"Who knows? I heard that when people from the Profound Gate of the Nether Valley came, she vanished without a trace. But some also say she is hiding in a small cottage outside the city, continuing to harm people," chimed in an elderly man nearby.

Ning Junruo silently noted this information, a plan already forming in her mind.

Just as she was about to leave, a familiar voice sounded beside her.

"Your Highness, why are you here?" Lingxiao appeared beside her out of nowhere, looking tense.

"I just came out for a stroll and didn't expect to hear so many stories."

Ning Junruo smiled faintly. "Lingxiao, let's go take a look at the outskirts of the city."

The carriage stopped at the academy outside the city. Ning Junruo lingered at the academy for half an hour before coming to the adjacent detached courtyard.

In the height of summer, the courtyard was lush with vibrant trees and flowers. Before a pavilion surrounded by grassy turf, Ning Junruo met Xu Mingyi, who stood tall and graceful.

For the sake of convenience, Ning Junruo had given him a key to the courtyard.

Catching sight of her, Xu Mingyi's eyes visibly brightened. "Your Highness has finally arrived. Mingyi has been waiting for a long time."

"Apologies for keeping you waiting, Young Master!" Ning Junruo slightly curtsied, her tone carrying a hint of apology yet retaining her noble bearing.

The two stepped into the covered winding veranda, talking as they walked.

***

"Where is that person now? Is his information reliable?" Ning Junruo asked impatiently.

"He is right in the northern wing-room. Would Your Highness like to go take a look?" Xu Mingyi asked.

Ning Junruo had come precisely for this matter; how could she not go look?

While talking, they soon reached the northern wing-room, where Ning Junruo laid eyes on a man of about thirty with a shifty, rat-like appearance.

At a single glance, the man looked like a profit-driven wretch who would betray anything for the right amount of silver.

Since it was lunchtime, several maidservants were serving him good food and fine drink.

The man, named Wu Yong, was devouring the dishes on the table with ravenous speed, completely unconcerned with his image, looking much like a starving ghost cast into mortal life.

Seeing Ning Junruo and Xu Mingyi enter, he froze abruptly, then scrambled to his feet, wiping his greasy fingers haphazardly across his lapel.

"Young Master Xu, this is..."

Wu Yong's eyes darted restlessly, as if trying to gauge the newcomers' status and intentions.

"Who I am is not important. What matters is whether the information you provided is accurate."

Ning Junruo's tone was calm yet carried an unquestionable dignity. She gave a slight wave of her hand to signal the maidservants to withdraw, and the room was instantly left with only the three of them.

"Absolutely accurate! Although this humble one engages in shady dealings, this matter is 100% true." Wu Yong smiled fawningly, attempting to use his words to win their trust.

"Then tell me, what does Chang Yuminiang actually look like?" Ning Junruo asked.

At the mention of Chang Yuminiang, Wu Yong's eyes instantly lit up. "Chang Yuminiang? Why, she is an exquisite beauty! Skin white as snow, eyes brimming with amorous charm, and a voice so sweet it makes one go numb—especially that water-snake waist of hers, when she sways..."

His lewd expression was truly nauseating. Ning Junruo sneered inwardly; although this man was despicable, his powers of observation were reasonably keen, and at least his description matched Chang Yuminiang as she knew her.

She decided to probe further: "Beauties like that are everywhere. How can you prove that she is indeed Chang Yuminiang of the Water Cloud Pavilion?"