NOVPUBQiao Xun frowned and explained, “She only came to hand over the things from the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion to me. Nothing else.”
Shen Roujia, beginning to understand, instinctively looked at Gu Zhi.
“So that’s it. The real clue is hidden in the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion.”
Gu Zhi, not fully grasping Shen Roujia’s point, looked at Qiao Xun. “You mean the late empress never used my mother’s later refined incense pastes?”
Qiao Xun nodded. “I don’t know the specifics, but those years they often met in the palace. There might have been some discord. When Luo Yunzhi left the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion, Chuyi didn’t react at all.”
Suddenly, Qiao Xun recalled something. “Ten years ago, I took the imperial examination, but the Qiao family deliberately abandoned me. Even though I passed, I was pursued for two years. After that, I hid in the black market.”
Shen Roujia couldn’t help but pat his shoulder. “Master Qiao, I have one last question for you.”
Qiao Xun turned his gaze to Shen Roujia, her white veil fluttering in the breeze.
“Ask.”
Shen Roujia spoke calmly, “Is the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion connected to the Qiao family?”
Though hesitant, Qiao Xun nodded. “Yes.”
Shen Roujia let out a soft laugh. “The truth is clear. The Hundred Knowledge Pavilion used everyone. They had the refined formula long ago, and you, Master Qiao, became a discard.”
“And the late empress, at the center of it all, was already deeply entangled.”
Shen Roujia spoke each word with clear logic, her tone deliberate and measured.
Gu Zhi looked at Qiao Xun, seeming to come to a realization. “The Qiao family…”
After a night of confusion, the two emerged from the black market just as dawn broke.
They walked in silence until Gu Zhi finally spoke, “Leave the rest to me. Let’s go back.”
Shen Roujia gently took Gu Zhi’s wrist. “Zhi Zhi, these are past matters. You must remember that right or wrong, they were the choices of the previous generation. Even if you uncover something, don’t burden yourself.”
Shen Roujia knew Gu Zhi was meticulous and would think everything through, often hurting herself in the process.
Gu Zhi smiled wearily, “Alright.”
As Shen Roujia turned, she pondered how to explain everything to Xu Zening.
To her surprise, Xu Zening was sitting by North Lake, enjoying the breeze.
Hearing her approach, Xu Zening turned, picked up a cloak, and handed it to Shen Roujia. “It’s chilly at night. You should wear more.”
Xu Zening’s gentle and thoughtful demeanor made Shen Roujia momentarily see him as perfectly fitting this image.
She didn’t take the cloak, but Xu Zening smiled self-deprecatingly. “Don’t misunderstand. I know you’ll still take risks to investigate. I’m worried. As long as we’re not divorced, you’re still my wife.”
Xu Zening’s most captivating feature was his eyes, deep and filled with stories like the heavenly Jade Pool.
Hearing his words, Shen Roujia caught a glimpse of sadness in his eyes, as if he was the one abandoned.
Shen Roujia couldn’t help but feel moved by his actions.
She bit her lip. “Your Highness, if I uncover the truth but lack evidence, will you believe me?”
