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The ceremonial robes for tomorrow were delivered yesterday, and Xiao Jinyan did not even glance at them, leaving them in the side hall.

Shen Chuwei saw Xiao Jinyan sitting motionless, neither leaving nor sleeping.

"Your Highness, wasn’t my performance today quite good?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded, "Mm, if all goes well, we should be able to drag out the mastermind behind the scenes tomorrow."

Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved into a smile: "Your Highness performed very well today too."

Xiao Jinyan was amused into laughter, "Tomorrow, I will have someone send a sheep over for you, which you can roast and eat."

"Really?" Shen Chuwei had not eaten a whole roasted sheep in a long time, the last occasion being with Xiao Jinyan last year, and now that it was mentioned, she was salivating.

Xiao Jinyan chuckled softly, "When have I ever deceived you?"

Shen Chuwei’s eyes lit up, "Then I will have roast whole sheep to eat tomorrow. Will Your Highness eat with me? I won’t add any spicy seasoning..."

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze paused, his lips pressed tightly together.

Shen Chuwei finished speaking and felt the atmosphere turn a bit strange. It was then she remembered that tomorrow was the grand day for the Crown Princess’s establishment, which would be incredibly busy, with no time to eat roast whole sheep.

"Your Highness is busy with official duties every day. When you want some, I will have Chun Xi roast it for you," Shen Chuwei tried to ease the awkward mood.

Xiao Jinyan nodded in response, "Mm, you should rest early."

"Mm." Shen Chuwei took the soft pillow from behind her, lay down on the bed, tugged at the quilt, and prepared to close her eyes, yet she saw Xiao Jinyan still sitting motionless.

"Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan stood up, bent down to tuck her in properly, looked at her for a while, "Go to sleep."

After speaking, he straightened up and walked out.

Shen Chuwei watched Xiao Jinyan’s retreating figure until she heard the door close, and only then did she turn her gaze away and close her eyes to sleep.

After returning to his sleeping quarters, Xiao Jinyan went straight to the study for, unable to sleep, he decided to investigate throughout the night and settle the matter to prevent future harm.

Liu Xi was quick to act, and in a short while, he had dug up the background of the Imperial Doctor Zhao.

Xiao Jinyan asked, "How’s the investigation?"

"Your Highness, Imperial Doctor Zhao originally practiced medicine on Champine Street; he has elderly parents and a family with a wife and children. He was recommended by a scholar and thus managed to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau, having served there for over a year. Furthermore, Imperial Doctor Zhao’s mother is the wet nurse of Scholar Chang. "

Scholar Chang was the second brother of Lady Chang and the second son of General Chang.

Immediately after, Liu Xi took out a lotus pouch and handed it to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this was found on Imperial Doctor Zhao."

Xiao Jinyan took it, giving it a glance—it was just an ordinary lotus pouch, fairly heavy. Opening it and pouring its contents, he found three gold bars. Guessing something, he ordered, "Go to the Sky Prison."

"As you command," Liu Xi replied, leading the way with a lantern.

By now, it was the second watch of the night, and the entire Imperial Palace was enveloped by darkness.

Led by Liu Xi, they arrived at the Sky Prison.

Weichi never left, guarding Imperial Doctor Zhao, fearing any mishaps.

To the sound of movement, Weichi looked up and saw His Highness arriving; he quickly stood up, bowing deeply, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan stood outside the prison cell, clad in a dark brocade robe, his gaze fixing on the inside where Imperial Doctor Zhao was tied up and gagged with a cloth.

Weichi’s work was always both direct and sound.

He inquired, "Has he confessed to anything?"

Weichi shook his head, "Your Highness, he has not."

By now, Imperial Doctor Zhao was exhausted. Although tightly bound and faced with great trouble, the weight of fatigue had him dozing off in the corner.

Xiao Jinyan instructed coldly, "Wake him up."

"Your servant obeys," Weichi approached the corner, picking up a bucket of cold water from the floor. Unlocking the cell door, he lifted the bucket and poured it over the head of Imperial Doctor Zhao.

The icy water cascaded down, jolting Imperial Doctor Zhao instantly awake.

Xiao Jinyan waited a moment, and when Imperial Doctor Zhao lifted his head, he sternly accused, "I have already investigated: you have close ties with the Chang Family, and the mastermind behind this is—Lady Chang."

The last three words were spoken after profound consideration.

Perhaps with some bias, but Lady Chang was the prime suspect.

The Chang Family owed a debt of gratitude to Imperial Doctor Zhao, making it highly likely he was doing Lady Chang’s bidding.

"Your Highness, it was truly only I who acted, it has nothing to do with anyone else."

Imperial Doctor Zhao had intended to remain steadfast, for there was no evidence linking him to Lady Chang.

But as soon as he spoke, Xiao Jinyan interrupted with his icy voice, "Even now, you refuse to speak the truth? Do you want me to bring your family here and question them each in turn?"

Before Imperial Doctor Zhao could retort.

Xiao Jinyan showed him the lotus pouch, "You should recognize this, right?"

Imperial Doctor Zhao immediately recognized it as the gold bars bestowed by Lady Chang, and his entire being slumped.

In the end, Imperial Doctor Zhao confessed the entire sequence of events and signed his confession.

It was thanks to Scholar Chang that Imperial Doctor Zhao was able to secure a position in the palace, and with Chang Huilan soon entering the East Palace, they needed familiar people to aid her, making an Imperial Doctor indispensable.

Otherwise, Scholar Chang would not have recommended just anyone.

After Imperial Doctor Zhao and Chang Huilan entered the palace, they remained in contact.

Not long ago, Concubine Xu inquired about a fertility recipe, which Imperial Doctor Zhao overheard and reported to Lady Chang, who then provided Concubine Xu with a fake recipe. The goal was to bring down Concubine Xu.

Xiao Jinyan looked at the confession, pleased that his overnight efforts were not in vain as the truth was brought to light, and moreover, solved the matter of establishing the Crown Princess.

The position of Crown Princess for Lady Chang was now unattainable.

It was now the fourth watch of the night. Xiao Jinyan did not rush to confront Lady Chang but returned to his sleeping quarters to rest well, intending to disclose the matter publicly first thing in the morning.

As dawn approached

Lady Chang was soaking in a bathing tub, which was not only scattered with fresh petals but also contained precious essential oils.

The old maids attended her while discussing the etiquette of the ennoblement ceremony.

Lady Chang listened quietly. Though she felt somewhat sleepy at the moment, the thought of the ennoblement ceremony in just an hour invigorated her, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

After bathing and various skincare routines, she dressed in the ceremonial robes.

The robes were elaborate, layered one upon the other, with great attention to detail.

Once dressed, it was time for the makeup application, which also had its protocols, tasks completed by the experienced palace maids.

Lady Chang sat in front of the dressing table, watching the maids skillfully arranging her hair and adorning her with the dragon phoenix hairpins exclusive to the Crown Princess, barely concealing her joy.

Finally, with the maids’ deft hands, a dignified and elegantly magnificent look was achieved.

Supported by the maids, she walked out.

At the entrance of the Grand Ceremony, aside from the ceremonial unit and master of ceremonies, there was no sign of the Crown Prince.

"How has the Crown Prince not arrived at this hour?"

"Weren’t we prepared in advance?"

"Quick, go and see what has happened; being late and missing the auspicious time would be unfortunate."

Everyone was abuzz with concern showing on their faces.

Lady Chang looked in the direction of the Crown Prince’s sleeping chambers, not seeing Xiao Jinyan’s figure, and couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Could it be that Xiao Jinyan spent last night at Hehuan Hall?