Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The little black dog jumped out, floating around Shen Zhinuo: "Yes, Princess."

Shen Zhinuo first walked around the main courtyard where the Crown Prince and Crown Princess lived. Seeing Coral instructing the palace maids to tidy up and air the winter clothes, she thought for a moment and said, "Dog, check Coral first."

Princess Wen'an grew a little anxious and instinctively glanced at her second brother, Shen Weiqing.

Coral was the chief maid serving the Crown Princess. When the Crown Princess was busy, aside from Nanny Gu, it was Coral who took care of Princess Wen'an and Shen Zhinuo the most. Although they were master and servant, in Princess Wen'an's heart, she regarded Coral as family. She dreaded hearing any bad news.

Seeing his elder sister's unease, Shen Weiqing understood her thoughts. Reaching past their younger sister, he patted Princess Wen'an's head, silently reassuring her.

The little black dog obeyed, quickly flying around Coral and searching for her related plot: "Princess, Coral is fiercely loyal and devoted to her masters. When your family was exiled, she followed. When assassins attacked, she shielded you sisters, sustaining over a dozen knife wounds without stepping aside, and ultimately died under the assassins' blades."

Princess Wen'an was moved, but her tense little face relaxed slightly, and she felt reassured.

As long as Coral was good, that was fine. Now that their family knew about these events, they would surely find a way to change things, and naturally, Coral wouldn't be dragged to her death.

After hearing the system's words, Shen Zhinuo also breathed a sigh of relief, releasing her siblings' hands and running over to Coral, stretching out her little arms for a hug.

Coral smiled happily, bending down to pick up the little girl: "Would you like me to carry you somewhere to play?"

Shen Zhinuo hugged Coral's neck, patting her back with her little hand: "Coral, I love you."

Princess Wen'an, being more introverted, was too shy to say such emotional words directly, but she also walked over and leaned against Coral, using her body to express her affection.

Coral had long known that her two little princesses liked her, but seeing them like this still filled her eyes with tears of joy. She crouched down, holding the little princess and pulling Princess Wen'an into her arms, smiling and saying, "I also love our two little princesses, and I will love them forever."

Shen Zhinuo giggled, then got out of Coral's arms, took her sister's hand, and ran off.

There was little she could do for Coral here, but as long as she found a way to protect her family, Coral would naturally be safe.

The little girl then found Nanny Gu, who was overseeing the inventory in the storeroom. Seeing the three little masters running over, Nanny Gu hurried out, first bowing in respect, then crouching down to support the chubby little girl, smiling and asking, "Princess, do you need anything from this old servant?"

Now not only was Princess Wen'an nervous, but Shen Weiqing's heart also leapt to his throat. As the Crown Princess's wet nurse, Nanny Gu was like a beloved elder to the children of the Eastern Palace.

Shen Zhinuo smiled at Nanny Gu but didn't answer, letting the little black dog analyze Nanny Gu's face.

After scanning, the little black dog said, "Nanny Gu's plot is similar to Coral's, both perished protecting their masters, but she died before the exile. On the day the Crown Prince was deposed, when your family was arrested, she rushed to the Old Emperor to plead for your father's innocence and was ordered to be beaten to death by the Old Emperor."

Both Shen Weiqing and Princess Wen'an felt relieved.

Shen Zhinuo reached out to hug Nanny Gu, patting her back, speaking in a childish yet serious tone: "Nanny, Nuo Er loves you. You must stay healthy and live to be a hundred."

Nanny Gu was so happy she couldn't close her mouth, "Yes, yes, this old servant will remember. When the Princess gets married, this old servant will still follow to care for you."

With both Coral and Nanny Gu being fine, Princess Wen'an was happy and, in an uncharacteristically playful mood, joked, "Nanny Gu, if you follow Nuo Er, what about Hui Er?"

Nanny Gu laughed happily, quickly hugging Princess Wen'an to comfort her: "This old servant will also follow our Princess Wen'an, spending one day at each house, shuttling back and forth."

Princess Wen'an proudly raised her little face: "That's more like it."

Shen Zhinuo giggled, got out of Nanny Gu's arms, and ran off with her siblings.

After scanning everyone they could see in the Eastern Palace and finding no issues, the three siblings felt proud, thinking their father and mother ruled well. They strolled back, ready to call it a day.

But as they walked back from the garden, they saw a eunuch in his twenties or thirties holding a broom, sweeping the path. Seeing the three little masters approach, he quickly stepped aside to bow and pay his respects.

The little black dog had been flying beside Shen Zhinuo all along, and seeing the person, it didn't need Shen Zhinuo's reminder, directly flying over to scan his face.

After sweeping, he said: "Little Dumpling, this eunuch was planted in the East Palace by the Old Emperor."

Shen Weiqing's expression darkened, and he clenched his fists. Seeing this, Princess Wen'an quickly grabbed her second brother's arm, afraid he might rush forward to hit the man.

Shen Zhinuo thought to herself, "Why did the Old Emperor plant someone in our East Palace? Is he trying to monitor our family?"

After a quick search, the system responded, "The Old Emperor has become increasingly suspicious in recent years. Not only has he planted people in the East Palace to keep an eye on things, but he has also placed spies in the residences of other princes. Even those princes who have already left the capital to govern their fiefdoms are not spared, with spies planted in each of their households."

Learning that it wasn't just their family being watched, Shen Zhinuo felt somewhat relieved. "When did this eunuch come to our East Palace?"

The system checked and said, "It only specifies the past two years, but it doesn't mention exactly when."

Shen Zhinuo frowned in thought, "If it were someone else's spy, I could just tell my father that I don't like him and have him transferred out of the East Palace. But if it's the Old Emperor's arrangement, it's not easy to move him, or else the Old Emperor would become even more suspicious."

"But if I don't warn my father, and this eunuch reports everything from the East Palace to the Old Emperor, what should we do?"

Shen Zhinuo thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a good solution. "Ah, this is giving me a headache."

The system commented, "Political intrigue is always mentally exhausting."

Seeing her sister troubled, Princess Wen'an tugged on her second brother's sleeve and whispered, "Second brother, think of something."

Shen Weiqing, already fuming, nodded and walked forward. He said to the eunuch, who was still holding the broom and waiting nervously, "I see you sweep quite well. My courtyard is short-staffed. From today on, you'll sweep in my courtyard."

Shen Zhinuo tilted her little head, curious, and looked at her second brother. "Doggy, my second brother's idea is quite clever. But why did he suddenly transfer this eunuch to his courtyard?"

The system replied, "I don't know, but your second brother has always been unpredictable."

Shen Zhinuo said, "For the first time, I think my second brother's impulsive nature is actually beneficial."

Hearing her sister praise him, Shen Weiqing straightened his posture, feeling proud.

The eunuch, however, was both surprised and shocked. He quickly knelt down and said, "Junior Prince, this servant was originally assigned to..."

Shen Weiqing didn't even bother to listen and waved his hand to cut him off. "I don't care where you were stationed. Do you dare disobey my orders? Do you believe I'll have you beaten thirty times?"

The eunuch knew that this Junior Prince was a little tyrant who always followed through on his threats. He didn't dare argue further and kowtowed in agreement. He thought to himself that he would find a chance to report this to Chong'an Palace.

Shen Weiqing waved his hand, "Alright, go now. From now on, work diligently in my courtyard and don't wander around aimlessly."

The eunuch had no choice but to stand up, bow, and leave with his broom.

Shen Zhinuo watched the eunuch's departing figure, still feeling uneasy. She thought she should find a chance to warn her family. Just as she was thinking this, her usually unreliable second brother spoke again, "This person is sneaky and shifty. He doesn't seem trustworthy. I'll mention him to Father and have him thoroughly checked."

For the first time, Shen Zhinuo looked at her second brother with newfound respect. "Doggy, I think my second brother is quite clever. I used to think he was a fool."

The system agreed, "Perhaps this is what you humans call 'great wisdom appearing as foolishness.'"

Princess Wen'an stifled a laugh and, while her sister wasn't looking, mouthed to her second brother, "Fool."

Shen Weiqing gritted his teeth and pinched his elder sister's cheek.

Shen Zhinuo looked up and saw her second brother pinching her sister's face, making her sister grimace in pain but not dare to speak.

The little girl was furious and immediately lifted her little foot to kick, "Second brother, you're bullying sister again. I'll hit you!"

Shen Weiqing let go, grabbed his little sister, and tossed her into the air, making the little girl scream in fright, her voice cracking.

Shen Weiqing laughed heartily, caught Little Dumpling, and ran off carrying her.

As expected, right after that, the older sister chased after him to hit him: "Second Brother, you’re ditching Nuo Er again! Last time, Mother scolded you. Have you forgotten?"

Shen Zhinuo was equally furious, flailing her tiny hands to grab Shen Weiqing’s hair: "Second Brother is the worst."

The three siblings chased each other around, making a lot of noise.

Back in the main courtyard, seeing the Crown Princess was still busy, Shen Zhinuo decided not to disturb her. Thinking of Nanny Fang’s grandchildren, she said to her sister and second brother, "Nuo Er wants to see Grandmother. Second Brother, take me there."

Naturally, the siblings knew why their sister wanted to go. They shared a look, and Shen Weiqing placed the little girl on the couch, messing up her hair: "Alright, Nuo Er, you and Hui Er stay here. Second Brother will go tell Mother and be right back."

With that, he didn’t wait for a reply, got up and dashed off to find the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess was busy with the accountant, going over the accounts. Seeing her second son at the door, giving her a meaningful look, she knew he must have gotten some news from Nuo Er. She set her work aside, letting the steward take over, and walked out.

Mother and son stepped into another room, and Shen Weiqing whispered, quickly explaining the news he had heard from A Tong that morning.

Hearing that everyone around them was reliable, the Crown Princess sighed in relief, "Mother will reward Coral and Nanny Gu later on. As for that spy, keep him in your courtyard for the time being, but don’t beat or scold him, and don’t keep too obvious an eye on him, in case His Majesty notices something."

Shen Weiqing thumped his chest: "Mother, don’t worry, I’ve got it."

Shen Weiqing then mentioned that Nuo Er wanted to go to Fengyi Palace, and the Crown Princess agreed: "Go, but be careful to avoid certain people."

Shen Weiqing naturally knew who to avoid and nodded in agreement. He went back to pick up his two sisters and led them out of the Eastern Palace, heading towards Fengyi Palace.

Remembering his mother’s instructions, Shen Weiqing took his sisters through secluded and less crowded paths.

But after winding around, they unexpectedly bumped into someone—the 13th Prince.

Shen Weiqing’s first reaction was to pick up his little sister, grab his elder sister, and turn to run.

The 13th Prince, being skilled in martial arts, caught up in a few leaps and blocked their path: "Weiqing, why are you running when you see your 13th Imperial Uncle without greeting him?"

Shen Weiqing, holding his sister, subtly stepped back, but his face showed a playful smile: "Ah, it’s the 13th Imperial Uncle! Your nephew’s eyes are dull, I didn’t recognize you just now. I apologize."

Shen Zhinuo had originally planned to have the dog scan anyone they encountered on the way, but her second brother, for some reason, kept dodging and hiding with her and her sister, acting like thieves.

Finally encountering the 13th Imperial Uncle, she was delighted and called out the dog, but before they could get close, her second brother inexplicably picked her up and ran. She was absolutely furious.

Now that the 13th Imperial Uncle had stopped them, she couldn’t stay mad at her second brother and quickly called the little black dog to scan the 13th Prince’s face.

After scanning, the little black dog flew back to Shen Zhinuo: "Young Master, haven’t you always wanted to know who was behind the incident with the 14th Prince's Consort?"

Hearing the sudden, strange male voice, the 13th Prince’s heart skipped a beat.

Who was speaking? How did he know about that?

He looked around but saw no one except the three children. He wondered if he had misheard and rubbed his ears.

Hearing this, Shen Weiqing perked up, stopping his retreat and staring straight at the 13th Prince.

Princess Wen'an, recalling the malicious things she had heard before, instinctively grabbed her second brother’s sleeve, hiding behind him, and looked at the 13th Prince with wary eyes.

Shen Zhinuo’s eyes lit up: "Are you saying it was my 13th Imperial Uncle who did it?"

Hearing this, the 13th Prince felt a chill down his spine, realizing he hadn’t hallucinated earlier.

He also recognized that the voice came from the little girl standing a few steps away, but she hadn’t opened her mouth.

Before he could figure it out, the strange male voice spoke again: "It was indeed the 13th Prince. He orchestrated Wei Cang’s accidental killing to threaten Wei Yun into harming the 14th Prince's Consort."