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Ying Que entered with a box of fragrant pills and said, "Miss, these are Lady Shen's osmanthus-scented pills for County Princess Danzhu. When the county princess returns in a few days, don't forget to bring them along."

Mu Nijing loved the osmanthus-scented pills made by Madam Shen. Whenever she returned from Datong, Shen would prepare a box for her.

Rong Shu couldn't initially recall when Mu Nijing was due back in the capital. It was only through a special message delivered by the old steward of the General Guardian's Manor that she learned of it.

On the second day of the fifth lunar month, Mu Nijing would be returning to the capital with her elder brother Mu Rong for an official report. If she found out about Rong Shu's divorce, her eyes might widen in surprise.

Smiling, Rong Shu said, "Put it away. After the Dragon Boat Festival, we'll visit the General Guardian's Manor."

Whenever Mu Rong and Mu Nijing returned from Datong, they attended numerous banquets – both in the palace and at other noble families.

However, Mu Nijing had never been fond of such social gatherings. Rong Shu guessed that she would endure it for no more than three days before seeking refuge in the general's manor, pretending to be ill, just as she did before.

After Ying Que put away the pills, she suddenly asked, "When you returned to the marquis estate the other day, did your brother mention anything about Scholar Pan's case?"

Ying Que had overheard the conversation between Pan Xueliang and Gu Changjin at the secret meeting in the Board of Censors. As a result, she would ask her brother about it every time she visited the Cheng'an Marquis Estate and then relay the information to Rong Shu upon her return to Minglu Yard.

Knowing that Pan Xueliang hadn't committed suicide in prison in this lifetime, Rong Shu genuinely felt relieved.

Yet, she couldn't help but recall Xu Li'er and Zhong Xueyan. Since Pan Xueliang wasn't dead, would an innocent person have to die in his place someday?

Was what happened to Xu Li'er and Zhong Xueyan just a coincidence?

Or... was it destined that one of them had to die?

In two years, if she were fortunate enough to survive, would someone else have to die in her place?

As she pondered, Ying Que shook her head in disappointment and said, "My brother mentioned that after the case enters the three judicial departments, it will be hard to obtain any news. We won't know the outcome until the very end. But—"

Ying Que glanced at Rong Shu. "I still believe that Lord Gu will clear Scholar Pan's name."

Hearing this, Rong Shu smiled slightly. She also believed that Gu Changjin would uncover the truth.

On the day of Dragon Boat Festival, Rong Shu was hanging mugwort and calamus in the west wing when Mama Zhang entered and said, "Miss, County Princess Danzhu is here!"

Just as Mama Zhang finished speaking, a figure in red appeared beyond the Moon Cave Gate, smiling as she said, "God of Wealth Rong, I'm here."

Rong Shu froze. Handing the mugwort and calamus to a servant, she asked in confusion, "I thought you were going to attend a banquet today."

"Please spare me, my ladyship," Mu Nijing said with a frown. "I've already attended four banquets since I returned just two days ago." "Even Brother Mu didn't go?" It wasn't unusual for Mu Nijing to decline invitations, but it was quite rare for Mu Rong to do so. The men of the Mu family were all warriors, known for their straightforward natures. However, due to his frail health since childhood, Mu Rong had stayed in the capital and even enrolled in the Imperial Academy. When his father and elder brother tragically fell on the battlefield, he was preparing to take the imperial examination to become the first scholar of the Mu family. But later, to uphold the family's reputation, Mu Rong abandoned his pursuit of literature and took up arms, heading to Da Tong. Back then, people assumed that with his delicate constitution, Mu Rong wouldn't survive half a year. To everyone's surprise, instead of news of his demise, they received reports of the Mu family army's victories. Growing up in the capital, Mu Rong understood the intricacies of human relationships better than anyone else in his family. He always attended banquets and excelled in social interactions compared to other noble sons. "Both the First Prince and the Second Prince sent invitations. Brother couldn't offend either of them, so he claimed illness as an excuse to decline," Mu Nijing said coldly. "Our Mu family never competes for credit in court; we let our military achievements speak for themselves. These two princes must be desperate." Such remarks shouldn't be overheard by others, so Rong Shu hurriedly signaled to Mother Zhang. Once she led Yingyue and Ying Que out of the room, Rong Shu guided Mu Nijing into her chambers and said, "Brother Mu was right not to attend the banquet."

Emperor Jia You's health had deteriorated significantly over the years. With only two princes as his heirs, not only were the officials in the imperial court speculating, but even the common folk of the capital were guessing which prince would ascend to the throne.

Mu Rong had restructured the Mu Family Army in Datong Prefecture, amassing considerable military strength. Both the First and Second Princes sought to ally with him. Only Rong Shu knew that it would be Prince Gu Changjin who would ultimately be crowned the crown prince.

Therefore, no matter what, the Mu family must not become too closely associated with either of the two princes.

"You speak just like my elder brother. He has expressed the same sentiment. It's best for Brother Mu not to attend the banquet. He should stay out of the conflict. Whoever ends up on the throne will surely value the Mu family's loyalty if they see it."

Mu Nijing chuckled. "What you say is identical to what my brother said. That's why he'd rather claim illness than accept the invitation. You don't know, but my brother is now quite the catch. Yesterday, at a banquet, both Lord British and the wife of General Qi were competing to introduce their daughters to him."

Speaking of which, a serious look briefly crossed her face as she asked, "What happened between you and that Lord Gu from the Board of Censors? Last year, you were eagerly anticipating the Moon Lady Festival. Why did you suddenly divorce him without a word? Did he mistreat you?"

Rong Shu smiled and replied, "I simply lost my affection for him. To be honest, it's partly my fault. I mentioned in the letter I sent you before about Miss Wen. In truth, she is the one Gu Changjin truly loves."

There were some matters Rong Shu didn't wish to disclose to her mother, but with Nijing, she had no intention of hiding anything.

So, she recounted everything about Wen Xi, as well as how she was sent to Su Prefecture by Nurse Zhou.

"Miss Wen and Lord Gu have known each other since childhood and shared mutual affection. If Mother hadn't sent Nurse Zhou to discuss marriage in Wutong Lane back then, they might have already married. Miss Wen, perhaps fearing that the Cheng'an Marquis Estate would use its power to bully, didn't want to hinder Gu Changjin's future. So, she requested Nurse Zhou to send her to Su Prefecture to search for her relatives, even saying that she wouldn't return to the capital to disturb me and Gu Changjin anymore."