Rebirth of the Phoenix Princess novel Chapter 109

Prince Jing lifted his eyes to Mrs. Wu who was startled. "Qian An was Mr. Wu's alias, wasn't it? This was written by him."

Prince Shun Qing also thought of a question. He asked, "Was the dead housemaid called Ru Mo?"

The butler shook his head and replied, "Your Lordship, the housemaid was called Si Qi not Ru Mo."

"Prince Shun Qing, my husband must have been framed by someone. The whole thing is a plot," said Mrs. Wu in a flurry. But a skeptical look appeared on her face.

"Go, find all personal information about Si Qi" said Prince Shun Qing harshly.

The butler withdrew from the room. Mrs. Wu was in shock and kept muttering, "How could it be? No! No! My husband won't do that."

A while later, the butler returned with Si Qi's personal information. He said, "Si Qi, a 16-year old girl, was born in the Imperial City. Her mother was called Ru Mo. Seventeen years ago, Ru Mo seved in Wu Qi's mansion as a housemaid. But later, she was fired by Wu Qi's mother. After that, she lived in a house situated in the west of the Imperial City.

Mrs. Wu shivered all over and sank into a chair. She looked pale. Her eyes were full of disbelief.

All the guests understood that Si Qi must be the illegitimate daughter of Wu Qi and Ru Mo.

Lady Shun Qing glanced at Mrs. Wu with sympathy. Then she said gently, "Mrs. Wu, you look ill. You'd better rest in the guest room. If we find something related to your husband's death, you will be informed."

Mrs. Wu's face flushed. She nodded, rose to her feet, and followed the servant out of the room.

Lady Shun Qing sighed, "What a mess! Shang'er, Qingyan, let's take a walk." She stood while speaking.

Upon hearing this, Yun Shang squinted and stood. She supported Lady Shun Qing with her hands as she walked out of the house.

Lady Shun Qing's house was adjacent to a lake. A pavilion was situated in the middle of the lake. A bridge led to the pavilion. Lady Shun Qing, accompanied by Yun Shang and Prince Jing, walked toward the pavilion. Once they reached, she sat on a bench. Yun Shang looked around and thought to herself, 'This is a good place for conversation. There will be no eavesdroppers here.'

"Please sit." Lady Shun Qing patted Yun Shang's hands. Yun Shang sat beside the older woman.

Lady Shun Qing looked at Yun Shang for a moment before she said with a smile, "Qingyan is lucky to marry you. Shang'er, you are so beautiful. In two years, nobody in the Imperial City will be able to compare with you. I heard that you have been at the Ning'guo Temple for many years."

Yun Shang nodded and replied, "I was physically weak when I was a child. At that time, Master Wu Na happened to visit the Imperial Palace and saved my life. But I never fully recovered. So Master Wu Na brought me to the Ning'guo Temple for recuperation."

As Yun Shang was speaking, Lady Shun Qing paid attention to Yun Shang's expressions. She looked at Yun Shang's calm face and continued, "Several years ago, you went to Ning'guo Temple to pray for rain for the common people. But after that, you fell ill and never recovered. I know that you were not ill. You were poisoned."

Yun Shang was shocked and clenched the crease of her dress. She bowed her head and lowered her voice, "How could it be? I don't know why there is such an rumor. The Empress and Princess Hua Jing treated me very well. How could I have been poisoned?"

Lady Shun Qing was good at observing others. Judging from Yun Shang's reaction and speech, she knew that Yun Shang wasn't telling the truth. 'Yun Shang deliberately pointed out that the Empress and Hua Jing had treated her very well at that time. It seems that Yun Shang was trying to cover up for the Empress and Hua Jing. The Empress and Princess Hua Jing must have wanted to poison Yun Shang. Yun Shang was mistreated by them so she didn't dare to tell the truth.'