Chapter 65 Irrefutable Evidence

Wu Yong immediately rubbed his fingers together and smiled ingratiatingly, "This humble servant naturally has evidence, but..."

"But what?" Ning Junruo stared at him coldly.

Wu Yong said flatteringly, "As long as the silver is delivered, this humble servant will share everything he knows without reservation!"

Ning Junruo drew a thousand-tael banknote from her sleeve and waved it in front of him. "Is this enough?"

"O... One thousand taels!"

Wu Yong's eyes instantly lit up. With this banknote, he would be free from worries about food and clothing for the rest of his life.

"Enough, enough! Thank you, Madam. This humble servant will definitely tell you everything and hold nothing back!"

Overjoyed, Wu Yong reached out to take it, but Ning Junruo quickly pulled it back. "Don't worry, you won't be short of your share once the matter is done. However, it also depends on whether your evidence is worth a thousand taels!"

Wu Yong hurriedly pulled an embroidered handkerchief from his bosom, carefully unfolded it, and handed it to Ning Junruo.

"Please take a look, Madam. This handkerchief was hand-embroidered by Chang Yuniang, bearing the two characters 'Yuniang' along with this unique cloud pattern, which is the exact emblem of the Waterside Pavilion."

Ning Junruo took the handkerchief and examined it closely. The embroidery indeed looked like Chang Yuniang's work.

She nodded inwardly, keeping her expression neutral. "Even if it was embroidered by Chang Yuniang, if she refuses to admit it, there is nothing we can do. This evidence is still not enough to convince me."

Wu Yong thought for a moment and lowered his voice. "This humble servant also knows a rather secretive detail: Chang Yuniang has a birthmark on her waist shaped like a peach blossom. If Madam doesn't believe me, you can go and see for yourself."

A chill ran through Ning Junruo's heart. Such privacy was not something ordinary people would know; it seemed this man had indeed been in contact with Chang Yuniang.

Without taking the handkerchief back, she said expressionlessly, "Stay here in peace for now. I will have someone verify this. If what you say is true, you naturally will not be mistreated."

"Thank you, Madam. This matter is absolutely true," Wu Yong said with a beaming smile.

As the two stepped out of the private room, Xu Mingyi softly asked, "If the information he provided is authentic, what does the Princess plan to do next?"

Ning Junruo pondered for a moment before replying, "We will remain quiet for now. Once those arrangements are properly made, we will expose Chang Yuniang's true colors in one fell swoop. As for Miao Shan, even if she escapes Liangzhou City, she must be captured."

Xu Mingyi nodded in strong agreement. "What we lack now is the most crucial evidence. Once we find proof supporting the military provisions, the day the Princess leaves the Prince's Estate will not be far off."

Why did he seem even more anxious than she was?

Ning Junruo gave a faint smile. "I will find that out as soon as possible. As for that Miao Shan..."

For some reason, whenever he saw her smile, Xu Mingyi felt his heart inexplicably settle, as if no matter how difficult the path ahead might be, with her around, everything could be easily resolved.

"Leave the matter of Miao Shan to me. You should return to the estate and focus on finding the evidence in peace."

Just as the two were talking, Lingxiao's voice hurried over. "Princess, someone from the estate has come saying the Dowager invites you back. It seems there is an urgent matter."

Ning Junruo furrowed her brows slightly, wondering silently what had happened again.

She smoothed her robes and said to Lingxiao, "Let's go back to the estate and see."

Upon returning to the Prince's Estate, Ning Junruo noticed a crowd gathered outside the Cining Residence, and the atmosphere felt somewhat eerie.

Upon seeing them, everyone hastily lowered their heads and averted their gaze.

"This..."

Ning Junruo asked softly, "The atmosphere feels a bit off. What on earth is going on?"

Nanny Wei hurried to her side, lowering her voice with worry. "Young Master Xu's trip to the annex courtyard has been discovered."

She thought it was some major crisis!

Ning Junruo curved the corners of her lips and said with confidence, "Don't panic, I have a way."

"Both the Dowager and the Prince are furious..."

Nanny Wei appeared rather anxious. After all, if this matter was not handled properly, not only would her young lady's reputation be ruined, but even Young Master Xu would be implicated.

Ning Junruo gently patted the back of Nanny Wei's hand to signal her not to worry, then quickened her pace toward the Cining Residence.

As soon as she stepped inside, the Dowager sternly barked, " kneel!"

Ning Junruo paused, but instead of kneeling, she asked with a smile, "Why is Mother so furious? May I ask what wrong I have done?"

"As the dignified Princess of Liang, not only do you privately meet an outside man, but you also let him stay overnight at the annex courtyard! What kind of decency is this?" The Dowager's eyes widened in anger, her tone filled with disappointment and wrath.

Didn't Mumian and Mujin make thorough arrangements? How did these people find out?

Ning Junruo collected her thoughts, then unhurriedly replied, "Mother has misunderstood. I went to see him purely because of an important matter."

"What important matter could possibly outweigh your own chastity?" The Dowager let out a cold snort, clearly disbelieving her.

Ning Junruo glanced to the left and right. "You may all withdraw first."

Once the servants had all exited, Ning Junruo handed the handkerchief to Zhao Shenxing. "I wonder if the Prince recognizes this item?"

Upon seeing the emblem of the Waterside Pavilion, Zhao Shenxing's expression changed drastically, and even his voice trembled as he spoke, "I... I don't recognize it!"

"No, you do recognize it!" Ning Junruo said coldly, pointing out the two characters "Yuniang" embroidered on the handkerchief to him.

"This handkerchief is the handiwork of Chang Yuniang, and that cloud pattern is the exclusive emblem of the Waterside Pavilion. I dare wager that the Prince also owns such a handkerchief."

Zhao Shenxing's eyes darted away, a flash of panic crossing his gaze. "What Waterside Pavilion? I don't know what you're talking about!"

Ning Junruo raised her eyes, staring fixedly at Zhao Shenxing like a torch. "Prince, if you continue to deny it, I will have no choice but to make everything I know public, including your secret dealings with Miao Shan."

The air hung heavy with tension.

"You... are you threatening this Prince?" Zhao Shenxing's voice carried an imperceptible tremor.

"Threatening? No, I simply dislike being tracked and misunderstood." A trace of helplessness flashed through Ning Junruo's eyes.

"What Waterside Pavilion?" Dowager Xu said coldly. "Bring that handkerchief in your hand over here for me to see!"

"Don't!" Zhao Shenxing said in a low, almost pleading voice.

A wave of joy washed over Ning Junruo, though she remained calm on the surface. "He that does no ill, needs no port-watch. If the Prince truly knows nothing, why would you be so worried?"

"Mother, take a look."

Composed and steady, Ning Junruo handed the handkerchief to Dowager Xu. The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and the room grew so quiet that the drop of a pin could be heard.

Dowager Xu took the handkerchief, examining the exquisite cloud pattern and the characters "Yuniang." Her expression gradually grew complex. "This... what does this mean?"

"Mother, I obtained this handkerchief as evidence from a knowledgeable person while investigating Miao Shan. According to that informant, Chang Yuniang has intricate ties with the Waterside Pavilion, and this cloud pattern is the very emblem of the Waterside Pavilion." Ning Junruo patiently explained.