Chapter 171: Night Intrusion into the Imperial Palace

Meng Hui patted the desk, sighed: "Had I known, I would never have taken you, such a disgraceful, eye‑catching thing, back into the Meng Family."

What premonition dream?

It's just a ruse, merely a means to drive Yi'er away!

If Yi'er were still here, they would certainly not have given the Meng Family someone like this.

"Ask a man's name on the street…" Liu Yiniang added fuel at the right moment: "Miss, if this gets out, who knows what they'll say outside!" She whispered: "I have heard that day at Jiang Yuan Pavilion, the second floor was full, and the private room on the fourth floor had two lamps lit; I don't know which noble person it was, whether they saw these events."

The fourth floor lit up too?

Meng Hui recalled the Crown Prince's gaze at him during the morning court, and his heart sank.

He smashed the tea cup in his hand at Meng Qinghe's feet: "You worthless thing! From today onward, you are confined to your own courtyard, just like your mother; without my order, you may not leave!"

Confinement?

"Father, I know I was wrong!" Meng Qinghe cried: "That man is the master of the number‑one manor in the world; I only wanted to use the opportunity to ask a question, had no other intent, but others twisted it."

"Enough." Meng Hui said coldly: "Further words are useless; copy the female discipline a hundred times, otherwise don't even think of stepping out of the courtyard!"

When they immediately took Meng Qinghe away, Liu Yiniang saw that the matriarch and the Minister had something to discuss, and she excused herself.

The Meng Family matriarch paused the prayer beads she was twirling, and said lightly: "Qinghe is after all a legitimate daughter of the Minister's Residence; that cannot be changed. Yet given her mind, even entering the Crown Prince's Residence would make it hard for her to find footing."

"Mother's meaning is…"

"Qinghe is a legitimate daughter of the Minister's Residence, but our Minister's Residence has more than just her as legitimate daughters."

Meng Hui heard this, his eyes brightened: "You mean… Chi Nan Yi?"

"Indeed, Yi'er was raised in the Minister's Residence from childhood; the family's prestige is not comparable to Qinghe's. When you expelled her, I did not know. Though it is hindsight, had you at least told me then, it would not have turned into today's humiliating state." The matriarch said gravely: "In any case, bring Chi Nan Yi back, raise her again under the Jiang Clan's name as a legitimate daughter. This would add another pawn to our hand, and could secure you a good reputation."

Meng Hui nodded: "My son is dull, lacking your foresight, Mother."

"Only a few months' time, everything can still be remedied. Yi'er is clever but also stubborn; otherwise she wouldn't have resolutely left the residence back then. Yet this also has its benefit: letting her endure some hardship outside will make her realize how comfortable life in the Minister's Residence is. First, have her marry into the Crown Prince's Residence to gain favor; when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, we can then send Qinghe in. As long as she is not a fool, she should understand how to repay, support Qinghe's rise to the Empress position, bear a prince, and then we can dispose of her."

Hearing the matriarch's words, Meng Hui couldn't help but feel his eyes brighten.

"Yes, yes, yes, Mother, that's what you said; I will now send someone to fetch her."

Chi Nan Yi still didn't know she had already been targeted again by the Meng Family, and was walking with Ji Bai through the city looking for a shop.

At that moment, a carriage stopped beside her.

"Southern First Young Master."

A familiar voice came, and Chi Nan Yi was startled.

Chi Shao yuan?

How is he here?

"From afar, it looks just like you." Chi Shao yuan stepped down from the carriage, a sincere smile on his face: "Long time no see, why are you still wearing a mask? Did your face get injured?"

"No injury, just makes walking a bit easier this way."

Hearing her explanation, Chi Shao yuan understood in his heart; it seemed she didn't want to be recognized by anyone.

"Chi Young Master, how did you come to Jingcheng?"

"Since Grandfather's health has greatly improved, he has been thinking of returning to his homeland. So I am taking some people back to repair the ancestral residence. I think they have already set out from Nanpu; it will take less than a month to reach Jingcheng."

Return to his homeland? Is Grandfather heading back to the capital?

"Speaking of it, I must thank you, Southern First Brother; had it not been for you, my grandfather might not have made it through this year. By the way, I saw you seemed to be looking for something just now; is there anything I can help with?"

"I want to open a shop, but haven't found one that catches my eye."

"Isn't that a coincidence?" Chi Shao yuan said with a smile: "Our Chi Family has many shops in Jingcheng; having been away from the capital for years, many are vacant. If you don't mind, you can take a look."

"Alright!"

The shops Chi Shao yuan mentioned should all be in good locations; indeed, the first one was on the most bustling, lively street in Jingcheng.

"This shop has been vacant for ten years; if you think it's suitable, I'll give it to you."

Give?

"How could that be?"

"Why not?" Chi Shao yuan waved his hand: "It's just a shop; compared to my grandfather's life, it's not even a drop in the bucket. Moreover, you helped us find the household spy and detoxified me. By that account, the Chi Family owes you more than a speck of dust."

"But…"

"No need for 'but', consider this shop a gift; if you refuse, it means you look down on me."

Hearing him say that, Chi Nan Yi stopped refusing; after all it was her maternal grandfather's shop, taking it wouldn't be a loss, and opening a beauty salon in such a prime location would surely bring in a full pot.

After several days, the palace layout map was finally completed.

Chi Nan Yi's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, and Qing Shan's scalp instantly tingled.

"You… why are you looking at me like that?" He covered his body and shouted: "Let me make it clear, I sell performances, not my body."

"Tsk, seeing you like this, even if you were selling yourself, I still wouldn't look at you!"

"Then why are you staring at me lecherously?"

Lecherous?

Is this person cross‑eyed?

"You've gone in and out of the palace several times, surely you're quite capable; why not take me this time?"

"Take you? Why?"

"I haven't seen much of the world; I want to go inside the palace to take a look."

"You're courting death? I can barely escape on my own; bringing you along, you're just looking for death and dragging me in."

"Stretch your leg…"

"Stop!" Qing Shan frowned and said: "Next time, can you give a different reason? There's no novelty at all."

"What's the use of novelty? Effectiveness is what matters."

That night, two figures slipped over the palace wall and quietly landed in a secluded palace building.

This side here is the Cold Palace; normally only two guards stand watch.

A gloomy wind blew, and the two guards leaned against the wall and fell into deep sleep, not noticing anyone passing by them.

After passing several uninhabited palaces, Qing Shan whispered, "Just ahead are the residences of a few nobles; where exactly do you want to go?"

Chi Nan Yi took out a porcelain bottle, waved it around him, and before he could notice, he fainted; with a swing of her arm, she pulled Qing Shan into a space.

The next thing, Chi Nan Yi can complete alone.

Chi Nan Yi took out a map, looked at the marked palace, concealed herself in the shadows, and hurried toward the residence where the Empress lives.