Of course, Cheng Simian remembered.
Qin Feng had no idea that Hongrui had already learned this secret from his ravings.
He still thought his secret was safe.
This was the trump card of the Crown Prince.
Once it was exposed, it would mean the execution of all his nine - generation relatives.
The Crown Prince was cautious and kind - hearted. He wouldn't expose it unless it was absolutely necessary.
It was better to gradually deprive Qin Feng of his power while retaining his title, allowing his descendants to enjoy prosperity, rather than causing a bloodbath.
However, Qin Feng had repeatedly colluded with Lu Siming, constantly on the verge of making trouble. His greed was so great that he was reluctant to give up his power.
If they kept him and the Rongxiang Duke's Mansion, they would, just like the Gao family, constantly stir up trouble and create obstacles for the Crown Prince's accession to the throne.
It was time to get rid of them.
Cheng Simian could roughly guess what Qiluo's plan was.
"The palace knows what's on your mind, but it's not worth it for you to sacrifice yourself like this," she said.
"I'm confident that I won't let Qin Ziqi succeed," Qiluo replied firmly. "I served in the Rongxiang Duke's Mansion for three years. I know exactly how to avoid Qin Ziqi. Moreover, he's still recovering from his injuries. He won't be able to lay a finger on me."
"The palace will discuss this with the Crown Prince."
Qiluo bit her lip.
She had to find a way to get the Crown Prince to agree.
Only by making another contribution to the Crown Princess could she completely save her mother.
In the afternoon, Cheng Simian was going to check the account books and handle various matters in the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince was in the study, reviewing memorials.
Qiluo made a bowl of milk and osmanthus sweet soup and brought it to the study.
"Eunuch An, the Crown Princess misses His Highness the Crown Prince. She's afraid that His Highness is over - burdened with state affairs and tired, so she sent me to bring this sweet soup for His Highness to fill his stomach," Qiluo said.
Eunuch An took it with a big smile and carried it inside.
The Crown Prince drank it happily.
"Mianmian is always so caring," he said.
When Eunuch An came out, Qiluo was still there.
She seemed to be troubled. Her delicate eyebrows were clouded with an indescribable sadness.
"What's wrong, girl? Have you encountered any difficulties?" Eunuch An asked with concern.
Qiluo looked up, her eyes slightly red.
Before she could speak, she choked with sobs.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Speak up. If I can help, I will. Don't cry, dear," Eunuch An said, fumbling for a handkerchief in his pocket in a hurry.
Qiluo sobbed, "Eunuch An, I want to save my mother. She has suffered for more than ten years because of me. I can't even redeem her."
"Zhuang Qixian won't let her go?"
Qiluo nodded.
Eunuch An knew a bit about Qiluo's family background.
Zhuang Qixian was a seventh - rank official in the Secretariat. In order to curry favor with Qin Feng, he sent his daughter to serve as a maid in the Rongxiang Duke's Mansion.
Eunuch An hated people like this the most. They used their daughters as tools for promotion, pretending to be noble while being as despicable as pigs and dogs.
He also knew that Zhuang Qixian's wife was domineering and couldn't tolerate Qiluo's mother.
Qiluo's mother was still just a mistress without any proper status.
Zhuang Qixian didn't even give her monthly allowance. She had to rely on selling embroidery and Qiluo's support.
Some time ago, Qiluo had saved enough money to redeem her mother, but Zhuang Qixian refused to let her go.
Eunuch An was indignant. "What a scumbag! Qiluo, don't be afraid of him. I've been following the Crown Prince. I may not have many skills, but scaring a seventh - rank official like him is no problem!"
Saying that, he was about to rush off and call someone.
Qiluo quickly grabbed his arm. "Eunuch An, you can't do this. If someone finds out and makes a big deal out of it, saying that you're bullying others with your power, won't it bring bad reputation to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Eunuch An was both gratified and touched. "You still think about His Highness the Crown Prince. You're really a rare good girl."
Then he frowned. "If you don't let me help you, how are you going to save your mother?"
Qiluo's beautiful eyes were filled with tears. "I'll go and beg the Crown Princess. When Qin Ziqi asks the Emperor for me, I'll ask her to agree to let me go to Qin Ziqi's side as a spy. After we get rid of the Qin family, the great trouble in our hearts, I'll beg the Crown Princess again.
My mother lives in Yunshen Alley. Princess Yuening also lives there. At that time, I'll ask the Crown Princess to tell Princess Yuening that Princess Yuening likes my mother's embroidery skills and wants to buy her to be an embroidery maid in the mansion.
Zhuang Qixian bullies the weak and fears the strong. He won't dare to refuse. And Princess Yuening doesn't participate in the court struggles, so it won't arouse suspicion."
Eunuch An sighed deeply. He admired Qiluo's intricate plan but also wanted to laugh at her for making things so complicated.
"Why do you have to go through so much trouble? The Crown Princess is so kind to you. If you just go and beg her, she'll agree right away. She wouldn't be willing to send you into that den of wolves," he said.
"The Crown Princess is good to me, but I can't just accept her kindness with a clear conscience. I have to do something beneficial to the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince before I can ask for a favor. Otherwise, wouldn't I be just a greedy person?"
Eunuch An was greatly shocked and at the same time felt a bit ashamed.
He had followed the Crown Prince through so many ups and downs, but he wasn't as thoughtful as this fifteen - year - old girl.
Qiluo was tough - minded. She wasn't a weak vine that just clung to the strong.
She had her own principles and pride.
"I understand everything after hearing you say so much," Eunuch An said with a smile, gently patting her on the back. "Go back."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
Qiluo gave a charming smile and left after bowing.
Eunuch An pushed open the door of the study under the pretext of refilling the tea.
Before he could speak, the Crown Prince put down the memorial. "I heard everything. This girl is a very ambitious one."
Her personality was a bit like Mianmian's.
No wonder they had such a deep master - servant bond.
In the evening, the Crown Prince had dinner with Cheng Simian.
"I think Qiluo's proposal is excellent. It's also the fastest way for us to get rid of the Qin family," he said casually, putting a golden - threaded shrimp ball into Cheng Simian's bowl.
Cheng Simian directly threw the shrimp ball back into his plate.
Her cheeks were puffed up. This was the first time she was really angry with the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness knows how to feel sorry for Qian'er, but don't you understand how I feel about Qiluo? Qian'er went to the Princess Chang's mansion back then. At least she didn't have to worry about losing her virginity. Where is Qiluo going? Qin Ziqi has already tried to molest her. How can you bear to send her there? Or is it that all your kindness and benevolence in the past were just a pretense? Have you also learned to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals?"
Her chest heaved up and down. Her eyes suddenly became cold and intimidating.
She wasn't angry that Qiluo insisted on risking her life. She was angry that the Crown Prince was even adding fuel to the fire.
He was just like a hypocrite!
The Crown Prince couldn't stand the thought of his image collapsing in Mianmian's heart.
He quickly sent everyone out.
He told her everything he had heard that afternoon word for word.
Cheng Simian was stunned for a long time and then sighed regretfully.
"It's my negligence. I didn't even care about her family situation. I made her so embarrassed."
"Am I still a hypocrite?"
The words she had said just now were really a bit too harsh.
Cheng Simian realized this later. Meeting the Crown Prince's aggrieved gaze, she pursed her lips and smiled.
Actions spoke louder than words.
She wrapped her arms around the Crown Prince's neck, pressed her soft body against him, and gave him a passionate kiss.