Chapter 118

Where did it come from.

Zhen Xiao Lian was hesitant, yet appeared pitiful. But hearing this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but want to laugh. After a brief moment of being stunned, Nie Jinxuan composed her expression.

"May I ask what the Crown Princess means by this?"

Nie Jinxuan's expression was calm, and her gentle voice sounded as if she knew nothing. Seeing this, Zhen Xiao Lian's eyebrows twitched, but she stepped forward and whispered:

"It, it's about the incident at Zuixiashanzhuang... actually, I just want to say, the incident that night was truly a misunderstanding, so I hope the Princess Consort of Prince Chen won't misunderstand..."

"Misunderstanding? I don't know what you mean, Crown Princess. However, since you brought this up, I only want to ask you one thing, I wonder if you can tell me the truth?"

At this moment, even if Nie Jinxuan didn't know Zhen Xiao Lian's full intentions, she could guess seven or eight parts of it. But right now, she had no time to play mind games with her, she only wanted to know one thing!

Nie Jinxuan asked directly. Hearing this, Zhen Xiao Lian, who had prepared her words, was stunned and looked at Nie Jinxuan with a frown.

"Uh... I wonder what the Princess Consort of Prince Chen wants to ask?"

"It's very simple, I just want to know why you appeared in the room of the Prince and me that night!"

Nie Jinxuan emphasized the word 'me'. Hearing this, Zhen Xiao Lian was startled, but then lowered her eyes.

Zhen Xiao Lian remained silent unexpectedly. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan frowned. But just as Nie Jinxuan wanted to ask again, she saw Zhen Xiao Lian, who had been silent, sniffle and look up with tears in her eyes.

"I am not at liberty to speak of this matter. If the Princess Consort truly wants to know the truth, it is better to... better to ask Prince Chen..."

Zhen Xiao Lian's voice grew more choked. Nie Jinxuan was bewildered. But before Nie Jinxuan could ask anything more, Zhen Xiao Lian nodded quickly at Nie Jinxuan and walked away quickly...

Watching her back as she walked away quickly, occasionally wiping tears, Nie Jinxuan stood frozen on the spot.

What is going on?

Go back and ask Yin Fengzhan?!

But didn't Yin Fengzhan say before that it was an accident? And that he didn't know why she appeared... Wait, could it be that that bastard Yin Fengzhan was lying?!

Instantly, as Nie Jinxuan thought of this, an inexplicable anger welled up in her heart, and even her previously calm face became difficult to look at. But just as Nie Jinxuan wanted to leave the palace as quickly as possible and return to the Wangfu to question Yin Fengzhan about what was going on, she saw a young eunuch walking quickly toward her!

And that young eunuch, if Nie Jinxuan remembered correctly, was from Yongxin Palace. So, Nie Jinxuan stopped, and the young eunuch quickly came to Nie Jinxuan and bowed.

"Greetings, Princess Consort of Prince Chen, this servant pays his respects."

"Hmm, what is it, Eunuch? Is Consort Zhang looking for me for something?"

"Oh, the Princess Consort is truly sharp, you guessed it right! Consort Zhang heard that you entered the palace early this morning, so she specifically ordered this servant to invite you over~!"

The young eunuch was also a smooth talker. Since Consort Zhang was looking for her, Nie Jinxuan didn't say anything else, nodded, and followed the young eunuch.

Walking with the young eunuch, they arrived at the entrance of Yongxin Palace before long. Nie Jinxuan looked up and asked the young eunuch in front.

"May I ask, Eunuch, do you know what Consort Zhang is looking for me for?"

Nie Jinxuan lowered her voice deliberately. Hearing this, the young eunuch replied without hesitation:

"Oh, this servant doesn't know. This servant is just following the master's orders to find you, Princess Consort, I didn't hear the master say anything specific..."

The young eunuch answered directly. However, as he spoke, he paused and quietly turned back to whisper to Nie Jinxuan:

"But it looks like something is up. I've noticed that since last night, the master's face hasn't looked very good, as if she has some worries, but what it is, this servant doesn't know..."

"Oh, so that's how it is..."

"Oh, but don't worry, Princess Consort, it shouldn't be anything major. I haven't seen the master get angry, so you can rest assured... Alright, we've arrived, this servant will leave, you go in, Princess Consort, the master is waiting for you in the hall~!"

Saying this, the young eunuch bowed to Nie Jinxuan and left. After hearing the young eunuch's words, Nie Jinxuan felt suspicious, but she walked into the side hall of Yongxin Palace... As soon as she entered, she saw Consort Zhang waiting for her.

Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Consort Zhang."

"You've come~! Alright, get up quickly, come to my side~"

Consort Zhang remained easygoing. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan bowed again and walked slowly to Consort Zhang's side. At this moment, Yuzhu, the palace maid standing beside Consort Zhang, waved her hand, dismissing all the palace servants serving in the hall, and finally, Yuzhu herself left quietly, closing the door behind her.

Once Yuzhu and the others left, Consort Zhang took Nie Jinxuan's hand and said slowly:

"Jinxuan, now that there is no one around, tell me, what is going on? Why do you want to divorce Zhan'er?"

Nie Jinxuan had never expected that Consort Zhang would look for her for this matter. So, the moment she heard this, Nie Jinxuan was shocked, but she asked in a low voice:

"Uh... what makes you say that, Consort Zhang?"

"What? Am I wrong? Did you not propose a divorce?"

"Uh... no, it's not that, I just..."

"Alright, Jinxuan, I have never treated you as an outsider. Zhan'er was raised by me, even if I am not his biological mother, we are still connected by blood! And Jinxuan, you are Zhan'er's wife... So, tell me the truth now, why do you want to divorce Zhan'er? Could it be that this matter is fake?"

At this moment, Consort Zhang looked distressed and solemn. Meeting Consort Zhang's eyes, Nie Jinxuan swallowed the words that were already on her lips, and after a brief silence, she said slowly:

"Since you know, Consort Zhang, I don't want to hide it from you anymore... It is true that I and the Prince are divorcing, as for the reason, actually, it is truly... truly hard to explain in a few words..."

Nie Jinxuan didn't think she could tell Consort Zhang all the problems between her and Yin Fengzhan! And in the end, if she had to give a reason, she couldn't. But the problems between them couldn't be solved in a few words. Even in Nie Jinxuan's view, perhaps it was a mistake from the beginning, so why continue?!

Nie Jinxuan couldn't explain it to Consort Zhang. Hearing this, Consort Zhang frowned and said:

"Since you can't give a reason, I won't force you, but Jinxuan, this divorce is no small matter, it's not just about you and Zhan'er, it even involves the entire Nie family. Have you considered all these things?"

"And as the saying goes, a virtuous woman does not marry twice! So Jinxuan, think about it, once you divorce Zhan'er, regardless of who is right or wrong, it will do you no good, after all, you are a woman... Jinxuan, do you understand what I mean?"

Consort Zhang spoke earnestly. Nie Jinxuan naturally understood all these things. So, she nodded solemnly.

"I understand what you mean, Consort Zhang. But if two people are truly not suitable together, isn't it better to separate early? But as for the divorce, it hasn't been finalized yet. The Emperor said he would give me three days to consider, so I am still hesitating..."

Nie Jinxuan didn't say anything more. Hearing that she was considering it, Consort Zhang breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good! But Jinxuan, don't blame me for being meddlesome, I truly think you are good. Of course, I also know about Zhan'er's stubborn temper, he doesn't say anything whether it's good or bad, even if he likes someone in his heart, he is still stubborn... That's why they say, men all have the same problem! So Jinxuan, you must be more patient..."

Afterward, Consort Zhang tried to persuade Nie Jinxuan for a long time, but Nie Jinxuan said nothing. Finally, it was almost noon, and Consort Zhang let Nie Jinxuan go.

After tossing and turning all morning, Nie Jinxuan was also tired. After leaving the palace, she originally wanted to return to the Wangfu, but then she changed her mind—to the Nie residence.

The Nie residence was very close to the palace, so she arrived shortly. The gatekeepers saw Nie Jinxuan return and immediately went in to report. But Nie Jinxuan didn't have time for this, walked into the residence, and headed toward Nie Jinhui's room.

But when Nie Jinxuan arrived at Nie Jinhui's room, she discovered that besides Nie Jinhui, there was someone else in the room, and that person was the married eldest daughter of the Nie family, Nie Jinlan!

Nie Jinlan was nineteen, two years older than Nie Jinxuan. As the eldest daughter of the Nie residence, Nie Jinlan indeed had the temperament of a wealthy young lady. Two years ago, she married the eldest son of the Zhenguo General's residence, becoming the eldest young mistress of the General's residence, and her glory was unmatched for a time! Shortly after, she began managing the General's residence, so Nie Jinlan rarely returned to the Nie residence on weekdays.

So, seeing Nie Jinlan sitting in the room, Nie Jinxuan was stunned. At this moment, seeing Nie Jinxuan arrive, Nie Jinhui was the first to react.

"Jinxuan?! Why are you back? Come, come, sit down, oh my, today is truly a good day, the eldest sister is back, and you are back, truly rare~!"

Nie Jinhui was as enthusiastic as ever. At this moment, seeing Nie Jinxuan arrive suddenly, Nie Jinlan, sitting in her chair, frowned slightly and said slowly:

"Jinxuan is back! How have things been? Are you doing well in the Wangfu?"

Nie Jinlan's voice was steady, which made people feel very comfortable. So Nie Jinxuan smiled slightly and stepped forward.

"I'm doing well. How about you, eldest sister? I haven't seen you for many days, how are things at the General's residence?"

Nie Jinxuan responded naturally, but hearing this, Nie Jinlan was stunned, turned to look at Nie Jinhui, and then Nie Jinhui let out a light laugh.

"Hehe~, look, eldest sister, I was right! Jinxuan is different from before! Not to mention this, even Consort Zhang in the palace speaks highly of her~!"

Originally, Nie Jinxuan's sharp-tongued, shrewish appearance was famous throughout the capital of Dongling. So Nie Jinlan had never had a good impression of her. But seeing Nie Jinxuan so steady and polite now, she was naturally startled.

But Nie Jinlan was, after all, a young lady of a wealthy family who had received an elite education since childhood, so after a brief surprise, she smiled and said:

"So that's how it is, no wonder! Ever since the third sister came in, I felt she was different from before, so it really is different... Hehe, but this is a good thing, come, third sister, sit."

Nie Jinxuan hadn't expected that she would run into the eldest sister, Nie Jinlan, when she returned to the Nie residence to find Nie Jinhui today. Because Nie Jinlan was present, Nie Jinxuan naturally couldn't ask Nie Jinhui anything, nor could she send Nie Jinlan away, so she had to go along with it.

Finally, after a long while, Nie Jinlan stood up to go prepare tea and snacks herself, and Nie Jinxuan took the opportunity to whisper to Nie Jinhui:

"Second sister, actually I came back today because I have something I want to ask you."

There wasn't much time, Nie Jinxuan said straight to the point. Hearing this, Nie Jinhui, who was drinking tea, was stunned and responded with a smile:

"What is it?"

"Second sister, tell me the truth, before at Zuixiashanzhuang, was it you who told Xiao Xiu to drug the Prince?"

"Uh... Jinxuan, you, listen to me... actually..."

Nie Jinhui hadn't expected that Nie Jinxuan would return today for this matter, and she became nervous. But before she could finish explaining, Nie Jinxuan interrupted her directly:

"Alright, second sister, I've already heard the specific reasons from Xiao Xiu. So, I know you did it for my sake, but second sister, what I want to tell you is, although you did it with good intentions, it didn't do the Prince or me any good! And I came back today not to question you, but just to know... where did you get that drug at the time?"