"""
In the afternoon, Noble Consort Dugu was in the palace, dressing and grooming herself in front of a mirror, obviously in a good mood today.
Feng Zhan Tian was tasked with framing the Drunken Immortal Inn, a task that, with Nalan De’s help, was almost certain to succeed.
By the end of today, the Drunken Immortal Inn would be shut down, and she would control all the taverns and tea houses in Chu City.
Then she could proceed to the next step according to her plan.
The demise of Dugu Wu and Feng Bailing, the couple, would also be closer.
Just as Noble Consort Dugu looked at her reflection in the mirror, showing a bright smile, a hurried set of footsteps ca, and a palace maid walked in hastily.
"Your Majesty, terrible news, Manager Qiu has been taken away by the people from the Capital Governor’s office."
The maid whispered a few words into Noble Consort Dugu’s ear, and her face imdiately turned pale.
She rose abruptly, her beautiful face marred by anxiety.
"What happened? Was there a problem with Wushuang Building instead?"
"Your Majesty, this is quite a strange matter."
The maid quickly briefed her on the events, and Noble Consort Dugu paced back and forth in the palace.
"This is impossible. Is that good-for-nothing Nalan De sabotaging us? His poison should have had no issues. That poison is lethal."
"But Your Majesty, if Nalan De actually ingested the poison, he would undoubtedly die. But if there was sothing wrong with the poison, then how did Feng Zhan Tian collapse? After he collapsed, how was he revived? They are all at the Capital Governor’s office now, and the Second Prince is personally interrogating them. This is a matter of great importance; I’m afraid Manager Qiu won’t be able to keep it hidden for long."
The maid was a confidante of Noble Consort Dugu, and her worries had also been considered by the latter.
Manager Qiu had done many dirty deeds for her, especially the acquisition of taverns and tea houses, which were almost entirely managed by him. If he confesses, all of Noble Consort Dugu’s plans would be destroyed.
Now, the entire Chu City was spreading rumors that Wushuang Building sold poisoned food and drinks, while proclaiming the Drunken Immortal Inn’s wine to be unparalleled divine liquor.
The signboard of Wushuang Building had been smashed, and the Drunken Immortal Inn was flooded with people, all willing to pay high prices for a taste of their divine wine. The contrasting fortunes, much like Noble Consort Dugu’s current mood.
"Take the initiative, send soone to the Capital Governor’s office to find a way to deal with Manager Qiu."
Noble Consort Dugu felt a wave of irritation. For now, this was the only thing that could be done.
But she quickly beca disappointed; the Capital Governor’s office was taking this case very seriously. The Second Prince had Manager Qiu imprisoned, heavily guarded, and not even Noble Consort Dugu’s people could break in.
On the other side, at the Grandmaster Mansion.
Nalan Yan’er, upon hearing the news, hurried back.
"My father has been so foolish."
Nalan Yan’er’s face was also filled with urgency, wondering how they had gotten themselves into such trouble.
She had been under a lot of stress lately, with Noble Consort Dugu, a sudden newcor, already giving her a headache.
To make matters worse, Nalan De had gotten into trouble at such a critical ti.
"It’s all because of that damned girl."
Mother An of Noble Consort Dugu wiped the corner of her eyes, glaring at Nalan Chun beside her.
Nalan Chun appeared confused. After learning everything from An, Nalan Yan’er glanced at Nalan Chun.
"""
"This matter arose because of you, so you should go to Prince Shun’s Mansion. Dugu Wu and Feng Bailing have a good relationship with the Second Prince, having them intervene will surely ensure father’s safety."
Nalan Yan’er didn’t think highly of Nalan Chun’s marriage. Her sister seed demure and polite, but in reality, she was full of sches; otherwise, how could a concubine daughter like her have married Dugu Wu in the first place?
Nalan Yan’er was also against the idea of Nalan Chun marrying into Prince Shun’s Mansion.
Even though Nalan Chun is now married to Dongfang Yong, the thought that she could be happier than herself, living under the sa roof as Dugu Wu, filled Nalan Yan’er with displeasure.
"Sister, do you not plan to handle this matter?"
Nalan Chun was sowhat surprised.
In the past, it was always Nalan Yan’er who dealt with the affairs concerning the Grandmaster Mansion.
"Our father got into trouble at Wushuang Building, how can we trouble the people from Prince Shun’s Mansion? After all, I’m not yet married into Prince Shun’s Mansion."
"Let tell you the truth, there’s sothing fishy about this. It must be that Princess Consort Wu’s doing. Father must have fallen for her tricks. You just need to ntion it to Feng Bailing, and if she doesn’t help our Crown Prince Mansion to rescue father, then consider your marriage with Dongfang Yong to be off."
Nalan Yan’er said with a stern face.
Nalan Chun opened her mouth but ultimately remained silent, turning around and walking out.
"Yan’er, are you really not going to care for your father?"
Madam An wept and wailed.
"We can’t get involved in this matter, it’s not simple. Do you know who’s behind Wushuang Building? It’s Noble Consort Dugu from the palace. If I ddle, Noble Consort Dugu might confront head-on. Having the people from Prince Shun’s Mansion intervene is just right, letting the two sides fight like dogs."
Nalan Yan’er spoke, taking a delicate sip of tea. Observing with a cold eye, she also recognized that Noble Consort Dugu was not simple. She wanted to use the incident at Wushuang Building to suppress Zuixian Inn as well.
This ti Noble Consort Dugu tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; she must have other moves to make.
The Grandmaster Mansion and the Crown Prince Mansion just need to watch the changes unfold.
After leaving the Grandmaster Mansion, Nalan Chun went to find Dongfang Yong.
Dongfang Yong could only look for Feng Bailing, but even after waiting half a day, he did not see her.
On inquiring, he found out that Feng Bailing had taken Dugu Xiaojin and Feng Xiaoli back to the Princess’ Mansion.
It was said that Princess Yong’an had been feeling unwell lately, and Feng Bailing went back to stay for a few days.
Dongfang Yong, despite his thick skin, did not have the audacity to go to the Princess’ Mansion. After all, the incident originated from his marriage affair. After much deliberation, he decided to wait for Dugu Wu to return tonight and discuss the matter with him.
As Wushuang Building and Zuixian Inn caused a stir throughout the city, inside the Princess’ Mansion, there was a scene of tranquil calm.
Feng Bailing also knew that after this incident, the Grandmaster Mansion would surely take action, and as expected, Nalan Yan’er would force Nalan Chun to seek her out.
Feng Bailing, however, had no intention of dealing with Nalan De. Nalan De was nothing but a tool, after all—a man with no grand ambitions, greedy for wealth, and easily exploited by people like Manager Qiu.
In the evening, as she sat under a wisteria trellis in the courtyard, sipping tea and pondering these affairs.
Not far away, a pair of children were playing.
Feng Bailing instructed Chun Liu to prepare so tonics for Dongfang Lianhua to drink.
Her return to the Princess’ Mansion was not only to avoid people, but also because Dongfang Lianhua’s health was indeed not very good.
Although Dongfang Lianhua’s complexion has not been well lately, she wasn’t seriously ill. To put it plainly, she was suffering from lovesickness.
Even though Dongfang Lianhua hadn’t said anything, ever since she found out that Li Mubei was about to get married, she had been in low spirits. Feng Bailing had already sent people to Nanshe to gather information, but there had been no news yet.
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