The winds of change were blowing in the capital city.
A confidential report was delivered through various channels and finally reached a mansion on the outskirts of Qingzhou.
Inside the study, Xiao Jin took the report from Jue Ge and quickly scanned it before handing it back.
Seeing Xiao Jin's nonchalant expression, Jue Ge assumed she had already finished reading it and was about to burn it.
But just as she raised her hand, she heard Xiao Jin's calm voice say, "I haven't finished yet. There are too many characters."
Jue Ge had to retract her hand and read the report word by word.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jin ate watermelon from a plate and listened to the report being read out loud.
Actually, the reason why she was too lazy to read it was not because there were too many characters.
It was mainly due to the dense layout and the fact that it was written in traditional characters. It was easier to give up and let the professionals handle it.
When Xiao Jin finished most of the watermelon in the plate and only had two pieces left, Jue Ge finally finished reading the long report.
After listening to the report, Xiao Jin wiped her hands with a handkerchief and asked, "Who is responsible for writing this report in the Intelligence Department?"
Jue Ge thought for a moment and gave a name that Xiao Jin was not familiar with.
Xiao Jin nodded and said, "Tell him that in the future, he must simplify the report and try to write the important information at the beginning and the end for easy reading."
To put the important information at the beginning and end?
Jue Ge was slightly puzzled and didn't quite understand the purpose of such an arrangement.
Xiao Jin explained, "This way, the main theme can be prominently highlighted."
Anyone who has written an elementary school essay knows this.
Although Jue Ge didn't quite understand, she still nodded in agreement and continued, "Your Highness, although the Dali Temple has submitted the account book you gave to the Blood Rain Pavilion, the Mu family is still powerful, and they have the support of Coconbine Mu and the Fourth Prince. With just one account book, it is unlikely that they will fall."
Although her words were tactful, the implication was clear that sending the account book at this time seemed like a waste.
Xiao Jin nodded in agreement, "You're right."
"In fact, I gave the account book to the Blood Rain Pavilion not with the intention of bringing down the Mu family, but to use this opportunity to see some people's attitudes."
After pondering for a moment, Jue Ge asked, "Your Highness, do you want to see the Crown Prince's attitude?"
Xiao Jin nodded.
Then she added, "There's also Father's attitude towards the Mu family and Fourth Brother's stance."
Of course, there was someone else that Xiao Jin didn't mention.
Actually, the most crucial thing was Xiao Shuang's attitude.
What did Princess Zhao Yang want to do, and which side would she choose when facing this matter?
"Mu Yuan died first because he deserved it. Second, because he was just a small figure," Xiao Jin said. "However, what a small figure does can easily reveal the position of a big figure behind him. For example, Mu Yuan's killing intent towards the Qin family mother and daughter was certainly not because they blocked his way."
Jue Ge understood what Xiao Jin meant and looked at her with a cold gaze. "Mu Yuan was working for Mu Xiang, that is, for Fourth Prince," he said.
Xiao Jin nodded. "It's true that Mu Yuan was working for Fourth Brother. Therefore, the person who arranged the first assassination attempt on me should have been Fourth Brother."
Of course, at this point, she also concealed Xiao Shuang's involvement.
Jue Ge inferred the result, but still had some doubts. "But Fourth Prince's choice to assassinate the prince in the capital is too foolish," he said.
Xiao Jin thought to herself that it was not just foolish.
Any strategist behind Fourth Prince wouldn't allow him to do such a thing.
Therefore, the mastermind of this assassination should not be Xiao Yi, but Xiao Shuang.
But Xiao Shuang didn't try to kill her, but instead poisoned Chu Shao's sword.
This shows that she wanted to kill Chu Shao.
Xiao Shuang not only wanted to kill Chu Shao, but also put a fake Zhiwei(crape myrtle flowers) token on the assassin.
Since it was well known that Fourth Prince liked Zhiwei(crape myrtle flowers) flowers, the original owner of the token must have known as well.
Through Jue Ge's description of the original owner, it can be seen that the original owner was not stupid but rather cautious and meticulous.
If Xiao Shuang is the master of the Blood Rain Pavilion, then those assassins have been dead since the moment she made them drink the Ju Chou.
Xiao Jin said, "Is it possible that Fourth Brother sent them to assassinate me not to kill me, but to make those assassins die?"
Jue Ge was taken aback and frowned. "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
Xiao Jin thought for a moment and stated her inference, "Only if those assassins die can we search their bodies and find out that the token on them was fake."
"Once the fake token is discovered, Fourth Brother will be cleared of suspicion, and my attention will shift to the Crown Prince."
Jue Ge was shocked and said, "It's a plan to sow discord."
Xiao Jin coughed twice. "Most likely, but perhaps not entirely."
After all, all speculation is based on the assumption that Xiao Shuang is the master of the Blood Rain Pavilion.
However, if Xiao Shuang is really the master of Blood Rain Pavilion, the act of Blood Rain Pavilion helping her kill Mu Yuan seems somewhat unreasonable.
But if she isn't, through the Yao Country's Story on stage, it can be inferred that Su Tan and Bai Lidan should be the ones who developed the gu poison.
If it is said that Xiao Shang is not the master of Blood Rain Pavilion, it is also difficult to explain why she would hold the Ultimate Sorrow gu poison in her hand.
These are the two biggest doubts.
So Xiao Jin needs to use Mu Yuan's death to avenge that little girl.
At the same time, some things can be seen through this.
Jue Ge also found out that relying solely on the Fourth Prince may not be enough to set up such a situation.
However, she didn't say much.
She just said to Xiao Jin, "Regardless, whoever wants to harm you is our enemy."
Xiao Jin was very indifferent and said, "Actually, people shouldn't be afraid of their enemies. Fear only arises because people who want to kill you do not necessarily have the intention to kill, and those who want to harm you do not necessarily have the intention to harm you. Many times, some people will do many things that are incomprehensible under the guise of doing it for your own good."
Jue Ge nodded thoughtfully.
She couldn't quite understand what her highness was saying right now.
Fortunately, Xiao Jin had the next sentence, "Since it can't be understood or figured out, it's so hot these days, why not... have a piece of watermelon first?"
Xiao Jin calmly spoke, pushing the ice plate towards Jue Ge.
Inside the small porcelain plate were two pieces of cold watermelon, bright red and juicy, looking quite appetizing. Hmm, this twist was unexpected by Jue Ge.
After being stunned for a moment, she took the ice plate and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She held the ice plate in her hand, but hadn't put it in her mouth yet.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jin stared at the unmelting ice in the plate and suddenly asked, "Did the fruits and melons sent by Governor Xu also send a portion to the princess?"
Jue Ge was slightly surprised.
Such small matters of daily life were naturally not her responsibility on ordinary days.
But since it concerned Chu Shao, Jue Ge also had a general understanding and replied, "You can rest assured, the first portion was already sent to the Princess's palace."
Xiao Jin nodded.
Sure enough, Chu Shao's position in the prince's mansion was much higher than hers.
So, it turned out that what Chu Shao ate was actually the first portion.
As expected, Chu Shao's status in the palace was much higher than hers, the rightful mistress.
Apparently, Chu Shao was the one who got the best food. What was she even worrying about here?
Xiao Jin sipped her tea, still tasting the sweet and refreshing flavor of watermelon on her lips.
Although it wasn't yet summer, chilled watermelon was truly the god of summer.
Thinking of this, she glanced at the cold dish of watermelon again.
The flesh of the melon was bright red, as lustrous as rouge.
Suddenly, Xiao Jin's mind went blank, and a scene emerged before her eyes.
A few months ago, Chu Shao had dipped her finger in vermilion ink and touched it lightly to her lips.
The vermilion color was extremely bright and eye-catching, but Chu Shao's fingertips were slightly cold, which distracted her, and she couldn't remember how beautiful it was.
Before long, Xiao Jin came back to her senses. The ice in the cold dish was almost melted, but she furrowed her brows.
Jue Ge noticed that Xiao Jin's expression was off and had a hunch that something was wrong.
Although she was worried, she had to maintain her composure and carefully ask, "Your Highness is something wrong?"
Xiao Jin lowered her gaze and stared at the watermelon in the dish, and said inexplicably, "It's melted."
Jue Ge was confused, "Yes, it's melted."
Xiao Jin's brow was still furrowed.
She raised her head and looked at Jue Ge, asking seriously, "So, has the princess eaten the watermelon after it was chilled? Only when it's frozen is it delicious. Once it's melted, it's not good anymore."
"..."
Jue Ge was once again at a loss for words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Translator's note: Wahahhaha~
TO BE CONTINUE...