Chapter 4 — Sacrificed by the Heir: Reborn as Yue Zhaoyue to Avenge Sixteen Years of Injustice

How could he ever allow that precious pearl to gather dust? Therefore, I had to die. Only through my death could that magnificent pedestal be cleared, creating the space to exalt the beautiful, romanticized tale of him defying social conventions for the sake of true love. The Grand Princess smiled and asked me which young nobleman I favored. The name of Xie Linchu was already on the tip of my tongue, yet I could not utter it. Every event in my dreams felt as vivid as if I had lived through them myself. In truth, the affection I once held for him had been worn away by the passage of time. What remained was perhaps nothing more than deep-seated resentment. I set my wine cup down.

"Highness, I humbly beg you to preside over this matter for me."

The smile on the Grand Princess's face dimmed slightly. "And what matter is this?"

I stood up and knelt before her. "The events of that day were never my intention. I do not seek rewards or status; I only ask that Your Highness investigate thoroughly to uncover who truly spiked the wine with an aphrodisiac at the estate." Xie Linchu's cup clattered against the table. At the far end of the row of noblewomen, Shen Yuntang turned deathly pale. The Grand Princess glanced toward Xie Linchu. "Linchu, did you not tell me the maid who spiked the wine had already jumped into a well and perished?"

Xie Linchu replied, "That is correct."

I lifted my head. "When did that maid jump into the well?"

Xie Linchu looked at me. "That very night."

"Who witnessed it?"

"The steward of the household."

"And the body?"

Xie Linchu's face showed clear signs of impatience. "Shen Zhaoyue, must you inquire about such filthy matters during my mother's banquet?"

I responded calmly, "When the filth fell upon me, the Heir did not find it so offensive. Only when it comes to investigating the culprit does the Heir suddenly find it beneath him."

The banquet fell into a sudden, suffocating silence. The Grand Princess set her tea cup down. "Summon the steward."

Before long, the household steward entered, bowing low. He did not dare look at me, only offering a salute to the Grand Princess. The Grand Princess asked, "What was the name of the maid who spiked the wine?"

The steward replied, "Her name was Xuan Dao."

"Where is her body?"

"Following the household rules, she was taken to the potter's field to be disposed of."

I asked, "If she was a grave criminal who harmed the Heir, why was she not turned over to the authorities?"

Sweat immediately broke out on the steward's forehead. "This matter concerns the reputation of the Heir; I did not dare to make a public scandal of it."

I asked again, "Which wing did Xuan Dao belong to?"

The steward faltered. Shen Yuntang suddenly let out a soft cough. Xie Linchu turned his head immediately. "Yuntang, are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Yuntang covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief. "I am fine, it is just a little stifling here."

The Grand Princess did not order her to be taken out. Her gaze remained fixed on the steward. "Answer."

The steward collapsed to his knees. "It was... it was a cleaning maid from the outer courtyard."

I laughed aloud. "A cleaning maid from the outer courtyard... yet she could enter the Heir's banquet? And she could even touch the Heir's own wine?"

The steward pressed his forehead against the floor. "It was my dereliction of duty."

I drew a small paper packet containing charred incense ash from my sleeve. Zi Su, the maid by Shen Yuntang's side, suddenly recoiled, knocking over a stool behind her. The sound was sharp and jarring. The Grand Princess looked at her. "What are you afraid of?"

Zi Su fell to her knees with a thud. "I... I was merely startled."

I handed the paper packet to the matron beside the Grand Princess. "This was dug up by Qing Xing from the flower bed outside my residence. Someone tried to destroy the incense burner that night and buried it in such haste that the ash remained."

Xie Linchu stood up abruptly. "Shen Zhaoyue, are you bringing such things to a banquet again?"

I replied, "If I did not bring them, how would the Heir intend to investigate on my behalf?"

Tears welled up in Shen Yuntang's eyes. "Younger sister, are you suspecting me? If you resent that the Heir and I are mutually devoted, you may speak plainly; there is no need to bring such filthy items here to pressure others."

I looked at her. "I have not even said it was you."

Her sobbing stopped instantly. Among the guests, one noble lady covered her mouth with a handkerchief. Another whispered, "She reacted to that far too quickly."

Xie Linchu heard it as well. His face grew even uglier. "Enough. Shen Zhaoyue, I do not know where you obtained these things, but Yuntang would never do such a thing."

I asked, "Why not?"

"Because she is kind-hearted."

I nearly laughed until I wept. In my dreams... he had said the exact same thing. When I said Shen Yuntang pushed me into the water, he said she was kind-hearted. When I said Shen Yuntang tampered with my medicine, he still said she was kind-hearted. When I said Shen Yuntang handed over my military routes to the rebels, he still said... she was kind-hearted.

The Grand Princess signaled for the matron to take the packet away. I shall investigate this matter.

Xie Linchu turned and knelt. Mother, Shen Zhaoyue has suffered grievances and harbors resentment; it is inevitable that she is suspicious. If this matter is blown out of proportion, it will harm not only the reputation of the manor but also the dignity of the young ladies of the Shen household.