Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: The Person Behind the Scenes

Chapter 82: The Person Behind the Scenes

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Upon hearing this, a trace of amusement flickered in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes. “I’ve always said, we, as family, share honor and disgrace alike. As long as you’re a daughter of the Jiang family, I’ll always be there for you.”

“Enough now, take some rest. I’ve got a scar removal ointment at my place. Later, I’ll have Lu Er deliver it to you. You’re a young woman, your face shouldn’t bear a scar.”

“Thank you, elder sister.”

Jiang Peihuan nodded and left Orchid Garden.

Upon returning to her own abode, Plum Garden, she summoned Ye Xiao into her room.

“Young miss, you needed me?”

These days, Jiang Peihuan was mostly staying at the mansion. Ye Xiao, practically bored to death, was thrilled to be called upon.

Jiang Peihuan, oblivious to Ye Xiao’s eagerness, thought of Jian Mei and ordered quietly, “Ye Xiao, I need your help investigating something.”

“What can I assist with? Just command me, miss.”

“Look into Jian Mei’s background for me. And find out where my second uncle got drunk last night. Was he genuinely drunk?”

Jiang Yuan, always in the army, was no light drinker. Not as stout as Jiang Ren, perhaps, but not one to get drunk easily either.

The master behind Meng Yi was Xiao Junhao. The mere thought of the atrocity Xiao Junhao inflicted on the entire Jiang family in her past life made it impossible for Jiang Peihuan to disregard this.

Seeing Jiang Peihuan’s grave expression, Ye Xiao assured solemnly, “Rest easy, miss. I’ll start the investigation right away. You’ll know the outcome soon.”

“Good, I appreciate your efforts.”

Without another word, Ye Xiao quietly exited Plum Garden.

While Jiang Peihuan was suspicious of Jian Mei, news from the General’s Mansion reached the Prince Qing’s Mansion.

In the Qing Mansion, study room.

Xiao Junhao sat in the main seat. The person sitting next to him was none other than Meng Yi.

“Your Highness, we’ve managed to place our person close to Jiang Yuan.”

“Jiang Yuan? Not Jiang Hong?”

Upon hearing Meng Yi’s words, Xiao Junhao’s brows knitted, indicating some displeasure.

“Your Highness, you might not know, but Jiang Hong and his wife are deeply in love. Jiang Hong won’t even touch Jian Mei. Even if he did, he’d never bring her into the General’s Mansion.”

“What about Jiang Ren? I hear his ties with the eldest branch of the Jiang family are more substantial.”

“Jiang Ren can handle his liquor exceptionally well. If it were him, I fear he would sense something.”

In truth, it appeared the Jiang family had grown cautious of him. A piece of information Meng Yi dared not disclose to Xiao Junhao.

“If that’s the case, let’s proceed with your plan. Instruct Jian Mei to keep an eye on the General’s Mansion. Any significant intel, she must relay immediately.”

“And, have her keep a close watch on Jiang Peihuan.”

“Your Highness, the emperor has betrothed the eldest miss to King Cheng. Are we to stand by and let the Jiang family ally with King Cheng?”

“An imperial decree is beyond my control, but luckily she is marrying Xiao Nanye.”

Though Xiao Nanye is highly influential, he is but an imperial uncle. He lacks the potential to ascend to the throne. This could be seen as a blessing in disguise.

“Knock, knock…”

A knock sounded at the door. Xiao Junhao glanced at Meng Yi. “You can go now. Unless there’s something crucial

“Yes.”

Upon hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, Meng Yi stood up and left. As he walked through the doorway, he saw Lin Mengyao standing at the entrance.

Lin Mengyao had also noticed Meng Yi. Seeing him sparked a hint of surprise in her eyes. Yet, she remained silent and merely gave Meng Yi a respectful bow. Meng Yi returned the nod before taking his leave.

“Yao Er, you’re here at this time… Is it because there’s progress on that matter?” “Indeed.”

After nodding, Lin Mengyao smiled towards Xiao Junhao and said, “The eldest princess has agreed to intercede for you, Your Highness. It’s likely that the responsibility for repairing the city moat will fall on you.”

“Yao Er, thank you for your hard work.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Junhao’s eyes filled with warmth. He gently grasped Lin Mengyao’s hand and softly voiced his gratitude.

“You give me too much credit, Your Highness. It’s all part of my duty.”

“Oh, and I just happened to run into General Meng earlier. Is he… one of your men?”

“Yes.”

Upon witnessing Xiao Junhao’s affirmative nod, Lin Mengyao’s gaze towards him became even more affectionate. He was a man of strategic foresight.

By this time, Meng Yi had already left the Qing Prince’s Mansion. Yet, he couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched. It was as if eyes were constantly following him from behind.

However, he turned around several times and did not see anyone.

Once Meng Yi returned to his own mansion, a figure finally emerged from around the corner. It was Ye Xiao.

Looking at the firmly shut door of the mansion, Ye Xiao’s eyes reflected both confusion and discomfort.

Having entrusted the task to Ye Xiao, Jiang Peihuan waited for an update in the Plum Garden. It wasn’t until nightfall that Ye Xiao entered her room.

“Eldest Miss.”

Seeing her enter, Jiang Peihuan set aside the book she was reading. “Did you find out anything?”

“This is the information I found when investigating Jian Mei,” Ye Xiao said, placing a letter before Jiang Peihuan.

She continued, “I discovered that Jian Mei was appointed by General Meng. I even tailed him. He… He has connections with the Qing Prince.”

Ye Xiao was well aware of the ties between Meng Yi and the Jiang family. So, when she delivered the last piece of information, she couldn’t help but steal a glance at Jiang Peihuan. However, her expression remained impassive.

Ye Xiao was an intelligent woman and couldn’t resist asking, “Did you already know all this, Eldest Miss?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve known for a while that Meng Yi is in the service of the Qing Prince.”

“So Miss, was all of this orchestrated by the Qing Prince?”

“Not entirely.”

Hearing this, confusion flickered in Ye Xiao’s eyes while Jiang Peihuan studied the letter in her hand. The document detailed Jian Mei’s family background.

Jian Mei was indeed from a respectable family. Moreover, her father was once a military officer under Jiang Hong, having lost his life on the battlefield.

Upon reading this, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

“Eldest Miss, is there an issue with this information?”

“Ye Xiao, did you personally investigate Jiang Mei’s background?”

“No, I had the people from the Dark Chamber conduct the investigation,” explained Ye Xiao, responding to Jiang Peihuan’s confused look. “The Dark Chamber was founded by His Highness himself, with specific members dedicated to gathering information.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peihuan finally understood.

“Miss, I have some other matters to attend to. I’ll leave now.”

Just as Jiang Peihuan was about to respond, Ye Xiao hastily left the room. Soon after, the window was opened, and a man’s slender figure abruptly appeared before her.

Jiang Peihuan looked at Xiao Nanye, now sitting across from her, with a slight sense of helplessness in her eyes. “Your Highness, have you developed a liking for climbing over walls and sneaking through windows?”

“Surely you realize your garden is teeming with people? If I were to use the front entrance, your brother would unquestionably discover my presence.”

As Xiao Nanye said this, a trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes. Hearing his words, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter..