NOVPUBA cool scent wafted into the air, and Gu Zhi looked at the worried Shen Roujia, “I’m fine.”
Shen Roujia handed her the piece of ointment, “The reason you think I smell good is because of this.”
Gu Zhi took it, showing confusion, and then a bit of shock.
“What is this?”
Shen Roujia gently closed the container.
“I researched it. This is an ointment made from a concentrated extract of poppy. It has a strong addictive effect but also makes people infatuated.”
“That’s probably why it has this effect.”
Gu Zhi paused, as if something had suddenly come to her mind.
“Where did you get this?”
Shen Roujia pursed her lips slightly, “Why? Have you seen it before?”
Gu Zhi hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Shen Roujia’s hand and cautiously spoke, “Speaking of poppies, I thought of that foreign merchant.”
Seeing the hesitation in Shen Roujia’s expression, Gu Zhi continued to explain, “My mother was also harmed by this kind of thing and was controlled by a few people in the Gu family.”
Gu Zhi clenched her fists tightly, “I haven’t avenged my mother to this day!”
Shen Roujia hadn’t expected such a coincidence, so she comfortingly patted Gu Zhi’s shoulder.
“Zhi Zhi, let’s not talk about sad things. Since you say that foreign merchant knows about this, how about helping me with something?”
…
Through researching the records, Shen Roujia accidentally found many former palace staff. Even if she couldn’t find the people around the late Empress, she could still find those who had been in the palace for a long time.
Among them was a palace maid who had come to her voluntarily.
Shen Roujia was somewhat surprised to see Su Wen, an old attendant of the Emperor, coming to her.
“Aunt Su Wen.” 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Su Wen didn’t delay and spoke straightforwardly, “Are you investigating the events of the past, Crown Princess?”
Shen Roujia was slightly stunned, “Huh?”
Su Wen sighed softly, “You’re too impatient. You shouldn’t have alerted His Majesty.”
Shen Roujia’s heart tightened, “What? How could I, I clearly…”
Su Wen immediately interrupted, “I’ve already stopped the messenger. His Majesty doesn’t know yet. I just want to advise you, Crown Princess, that the past has nothing to do with you, and you shouldn’t get yourself into trouble.”
Shen Roujia felt a surge of gratitude hearing Su Wen’s words.
But she couldn’t understand why Su Wen, with whom she had little interaction in the past, would take the risk to help her.
Shen Roujia didn’t know how to explain what investigating this matter meant to her.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Xu Zening’s figure at the corner.
Without thinking, she said, “Aunt, you’re mistaken. I am one with the Crown Prince. His matters are my matters.”
Su Wen looked even more exasperated, “Crown Princess, there are many complexities involved. You, a young girl, are lonely and helpless in the palace. If something happens, how will you manage?”
Su Wen was a cautious person and rarely showed such urgency. It suggested that there might indeed be some hidden truth in this matter.
Shen Roujia’s expression gradually calmed down. She looked straight at Su Wen and suddenly asked, “Aunt Su Wen, do you know something?”
Su Wen was suddenly at a loss for words, her expression evasive, “Crown Princess, many things are not as simple as they appear.”
Shen Roujia continued to stare intently into her eyes.
“Fine.”
Seeing Shen Roujia’s determination, Su Wen had no choice but to relent, “I hope you will heed my advice, Crown Princess.”
