The Exiled Villainess and Her Shopping Dimension

Chapter 237

Even though she claimed to support the Second Prince because he was endorsed by the Wang, she had made it clear from the beginning that she was the Wang’s person, not the Second Prince’s or his consort’s. Besides, expecting a pregnant woman to run around rescuing another woman who had been abducted—was that really right?

Even though they said she was the most suitable because no one would be watching her and all the young misses should be present here, a pregnant woman wouldn’t arouse suspicion as no pregnant woman would dare to commit such a heinous act.

Were those seemingly sincere words truly sincere? Yueqian could sense the truth for herself. So, when the situation actually occurred, her actions did not follow the plan outlined in the letter sent by the other party. Even the two concubines, Concubine Ji and Concubine Ping, were very surprised. They tried to signal her to investigate the matter because the consort had faith in her abilities. Yet, how could Yueqian remain calm and still?

The Second Prince’s consort’s expression changed slightly, suppressing her anger. She outwardly displayed concern and called for soldiers to investigate and rescue Eldest Young Miss Chang. Because if she lost the other party...it would certainly escalate the situation significantly.

"But what exactly happened? Why did Eldest Young Miss Chang end up in the forest with you? Don’t you know that women should not wander around here!" The Crown Princess said loudly, her slender brows furrowed in displeasure. She didn’t know who was responsible for this incident. If her own faction was involved, shouldn’t they have informed her first? How could they dare to act so boldly like this?

She glanced at the consort, who was now wearing a worried expression. She didn’t want to believe that the other party was behind this since Eldest Young Miss Chang was allied with the Second Prince, right? She was the important betrothed of the deputy general, the Wang’s trusted general. In her eyes, if something like this happened, wouldn’t the consort be blamed?

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t figure it out. She couldn’t be sure that her own side wasn’t involved. Even as she looked around, she saw no suspicious signs from her own people. Nonetheless, she had to fulfill her duty and investigate. No matter what, they had to capture the culprit. As for Eldest Young Miss Chang, she likely wouldn’t survive. The consort was only worried that the enemy might be framing her side.

Yueqian observed the Crown Princess’s expression and then looked at the consort again. The young woman’s face appeared so innocent that it seemed unlikely she was involved. However, when she lifted the hem of her garment to cover her mouth, pretending to swat away a bug, a strange smile appeared.

If it weren’t for Miss Wei daring to greet her first, and if the incident had occurred while she was inside worshiping Guanyin... Yueqian might have followed the other party’s plan.

Thinking about it, wasn’t this plan specifically designed to target her? A woman goes to worship Guanyin and then disappears, only to be found later with Eldest Young Miss Chang. Even if she claimed the consort had asked for her cooperation, what if the consort denied it? What would happen to her?

Wouldn’t she be the one to be dealt with next?!

But why would the consort and those people want to target her? Wasn’t she the one who helped when they were poisoned? She was affected too, wasn’t she? Or was it because she lost her child but she didn’t, and this was somehow her fault?

Ah... thinking it over, that might be the case. Someone as smart as the consort, the daughter of Gui Zhong, would surely understand that Yueqian knew about the poisoning from the start. Perhaps the consort was angry that Yueqian didn’t warn her immediately.

And then there was her friend, Eldest Young Miss Wei, who clearly hated her from the beginning. But would it go so far as to risk her own friend’s life to get at her?

“I-I, I don’t know, Your Highness,” Eldest Young Miss Chang’s maid trembled. She glanced at the Second Prince’s consort as if they had an understanding, but with Yueqian present, she didn’t dare say more.

“How can you not know?! Tell me now why you went there. If you dare say you don’t know, I will have your head for your ignorance!” The Crown Princess was furious. How could the other party still claim she didn’t know?

“I-I, I dare not. Young Miss received a letter. She got one letter, but I don’t know anything else. Young Miss Chang didn’t say anything. Please don’t punish me, Your Highness. I really don’t know anything,” the Chang family maid said, tears streaming down her face. Thinking it over, wouldn’t it be better if she said she didn’t know and let the matter proceed?

But didn’t the consort say she would let the woman from the Du Region go after Young Miss? If she did, then she could claim that Young Miss went to meet Furen Mu, without knowing for what reason. Ultimately, the blame would fall on Furen Mu. If the other party couldn’t explain or give a nonsensical excuse, everyone would believe she was guilty. However, Furen Mu was standing there with a stern face. So what’s the next plan? How could she know?

Given the situation, let others continue their work. She would just excuse herself from this opera play!

"A letter? What letter?! And you, as a servant, didn’t warn your mistress that she shouldn’t be wandering around here? Moreover, your mistress is in danger, and how did you, a servant, come back alive?!" The Crown Princess yelled again. This time, it truly frightened the lowly maid, who quickly stammered an evasive answer.

“I, I, it’s because I wasn’t noticed by the assailant. That’s why I quickly ran to report and find help. I would die for my young miss, but...”

“Would you die? Then let it be so!” the Crown Prince roared, walking quickly into the area. Although men were usually not allowed here, this was not a normal time. Even many soldiers had entered. Mu Heng followed closely, almost being the first to rush in to take care of his wife.

Normally, he was seen quietly following along, understanding the situation. But when something happened, Mu Heng was the first to rush out. Naturally, no one dared to criticize him at this moment. Everyone was focused on the unfolding events.

“You lowly maid. How dare you abandon my daughter and save yourself? Then you shall die!!” The head of the Mu family raged. He almost grabbed the maid by the throat if not for the many monks who intervened, reminding him that this was a sanctuary. So he ordered everyone to detain the lowly maid, as there was much to investigate.

“Go find Eldest Young Miss Chang first. We must capture the assailant! How could this happen without anyone seeing her leave? What kind of joke is this?” The Second Prince asked sternly. This Young Miss Chang was certainly on his side, and he needed to resolve this matter. Otherwise, the head of the Chang family might think he was incompetent.

Everyone fell silent, faces laced with worry. Yueqian stood simply in her husband’s arms, observing the expressions of others.

Before long, the soldiers discovered that the culprit had committed suicide to silence himself. They also found the body of Eldest Young Miss Chang, who had disappeared earlier. Her face was horribly disfigured, causing people to scream in horror. If it weren’t for her clothes and the waist pendant with the "Chang" insignia, no one might have believed it was her.

"Mei’er, my Mei’er!!" The cry of the head of the Chang family rang out upon seeing his daughter’s attire. However, the deputy general furrowed his brows slightly. Yueqian noticed this display as well, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"Search her body. If there’s any evidence, bring it out," said the Crown Prince. He instructed the court ladies of everyone present to help. Eventually, the Second Prince’s consort’s court ladies shouted.

"I found it!" She exclaimed, running over with a bloodstained, crumpled piece of paper to her mistress.

The Second Prince’s consort looked at the paper in her hand, her slender fingers trembling with shock. A tear ran down her cheek out of sympathy and sorrow.

"Consort," the court lady said, seemingly trying to comfort her. The beautiful woman took a deep breath before speaking a single word that evoked great pity.

"What kind of year is this for me? I’ve lost both a child and a friend," she said, before handing the paper to the Chang family maid, who was the close servant of Eldest Young Miss Chang.

"Is this the paper your mistress received?" She asked in a serious tone, transforming into a strong woman in an instant. This scene elicited much admiration, even prompting the Second Prince to touch the back of her hand as if to comfort her.

Concubine Ji and Concubine Ping felt great pity and cast angry glances at Yueqian. They believed if Yueqian had followed the consort’s plan, perhaps Young Miss Chang might have returned safely.

Yueqian saw their looks and felt slightly amused. She had thought the two concubines weren’t foolish, but now she had changed her mind. Initially, Yueqian believed they were part of the consort’s scheme. But after seeing the gazes of the two looking at her as if she was in the wrong, she realized they genuinely believed this was a rescue plan by the consort, not a plot to frame someone else as a scapegoat.

"Y-yes, that’s right," the maid replied earnestly, her face showing relief as if she had weathered the storm of anger. Of course, those letters were written by the court ladies themselves just moments ago.

As the consort’s people, a light squeeze on the arm was enough to understand. Without evidence, they simply created new evidence. The mention of a letter by Young Miss Chang’s maid was a perfect opportunity. They had quickly written the letters using the ink from the temple and sent someone out, pretending to deliver a message when, in fact, they were writing these letters.

The consort’s voice gradually grew louder as she read the bloodstained letter with trembling hands.

“Young Miss Chang, don’t forget to meet me behind the thousand-year-old tree of the temple. I will tell you in detail how to win a man’s heart. You want to know why my brother is so enamored with me, don’t you? Since you’re worried that your fiancé doesn’t love you enough, come meet me with 100 gold taels.”

After finishing the letter, the consort’s eyes were red with emotion. She glared at Yueqian, who was still in Mu Heng’s embrace. Now, all eyes turned in that direction as well. If there was talk about a man being most enamored with a woman, it would undoubtedly be Mu Heng. If asked who needed money the most, it would undeniably be the Mu family.

So, was this letter written by Furen Mu?!

“Ah! Now I remember. Young Miss Chang mentioned how she envied Furen Mu for having such a loving husband. Besides, her husband hasn’t taken in any other women and cares only for his wife. So maybe this matter...” The quick-witted maid, adept at wrongdoing, spoke up loudly, further convincing everyone.

Yet Yueqian remained silent, not responding to anyone. At most, she raised her eyebrows as she listened to the various remarks from other people. Was this not an admission of her guilt? How could she maintain such a brazen attitude?! The head of the Chang family was furious and rushed towards the Mu couple!

"You. How could you do this? What did my Mei’er ever do to you!! If you can’t explain, I will kill you both today!"

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