The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 151: Bickering is a Form of Affection (5)

Yun Muhan ignored the Prince's question, his face unreadable, and replied slowly, "I haven't had the chance to investigate yet. That day... the day I left the Princess, I found out you and Rongjing had fallen into a hidden mechanism. I sent people to search everywhere, but even the venerable Master Lingyin couldn't unlock that mechanism. So I rode five hundred miles to Qian Gate to personally request Qian Yan's help. Since then, I've been focused on ensuring your safety."

Hearing this, Yun Qianyue's expression softened, and she gave him a slight smile. "So, it was you who brought Qian Yan to help."

Muhan nodded in acknowledgment.

"That's fine if you haven't investigated yet. We can work together to figure this out," Yun Qianyue replied. "It's clear that I couldn't have been dosed with the aphrodisiac at Rongjing's place. So it must have been after I returned—when I drank that tea or ate from the box of pastries Princess Qingwan sent me."

Muhan nodded again, his expression shifting as he seemed to think back on the events of that day.

Yun Qianyue turned to Cai Lian and asked, "Tell me, what happened after I fell? Do you know if that half-box of pastries from Princess Qingwan is still here?"

Cai Lian shook her head. "I don't think so. That half-box of pastries seems to be missing."

"What happened to it?" Yun Qianyue's gaze narrowed.

"I don't know," Cai Lian replied, face pale. "After Miss descended from the Blessing Tree, I sensed something was wrong and thought it was just the tree's incense affecting you. But suddenly, the ground opened up beneath us, and I grabbed hold of you as we fell. I later learned that His Highness rescued me, pushing me up before someone else went down. I didn't recognize him, but I think I saw a flash of white as he descended. His Highness and Princess Qingwan were also brought up, and shortly after, the opening sealed. His Highness ordered a thorough investigation, but Master Lingyin and even the prince's people couldn't find a way to open it. The whole temple was locked down, and we stayed there to await news of you, only returning when Prince Rong arrived with Qian Yan. It was only after returning that I noticed the pastries were missing."

Yun Qianyue nodded and turned to Ting Xue and Ting Yu. "Did you two notice the pastries?"

Ting Xue immediately replied, "We were with Cai Lian the entire time, praying for your safety. When we returned, I was parched and grabbed a pot of cold tea. I don't recall seeing any pastries on the table then."

"Yes," Ting Yu added, "I remember Ting Xue drinking from that pot. I drank what was left—it was tea leftover from a few days ago that had been prepared for the prince. It must've been the same tea Miss drank. But there was no sign of those pastries."

Yun Qianyue nodded. "How long has it been since you two drank that tea? And have you encountered any flower pollen since then?"

"It's been half a day since we returned," Ting Xue replied quickly. "There was flower fragrance in the yard. Didn't you notice, Miss? There are tea flowers and a few orchids blooming nearby."

"Then it's not the tea," Yun Qianyue concluded, nodding. "The problem lies with those pastries." She looked at Cai Lian. "Has anyone entered the courtyard over the past three days?"

Cai Lian and the others shook their heads, equally confused.

"Mo Li, has anyone entered the courtyard during this time?" Yun Qianyue called out to the courtyard.

"Miss, I personally inspected the area after hearing you'd fallen into the mechanism," Mo Li responded from outside. "I did not stay in the courtyard, nor did anyone else keep watch at the prince's residence. Everyone was quite distressed."

"It seems someone took advantage of that gap to remove the pastries," Yun Qianyue remarked to Muhan. "Brother, are you able to recall if anything unusual happened before you ingested the aphrodisiac?"

Muhan looked at her, his face darkening. "After dining with the Princess, I came here to wait for you. I waited half an hour, but when I returned to the Princess's quarters, the drug had already taken effect."

"Well," Yun Qianyue sneered, "it seems this Princess has some hidden skills."

"She was affected too," Muhan said. "For a woman, taking such a substance is dangerous—there's a high chance of permanent infertility. She could also be a victim."

"Or maybe she's willing to go that far to force your hand," Yun Qianyue replied, raising her eyebrows.

"That may explain her actions, but why involve you?" Muhan questioned. "Harming you would gain her nothing."

"That depends on who's backing her. Where is she now?"

"The Emperor had her taken back to the palace the night of the incident. Qin Xiaojie from the Prime Minister's residence and the young princess from Xiaoqin's royal house also left with her. The Princess remains unconscious even after taking the Tian Shan Snow Lotus Pill provided by the prince."

"We must be thorough in our investigation and ensure whoever's behind this doesn't get away unscathed," Yun Qianyue affirmed.

With those words, a tense silence filled the room.

The Prince, recovering from his shock, looked at Yun Qianyue and Muhan, his face drained of color. "Qianyue, Muhan... how did you two manage to counter the aphrodisiac? Could it be that... the Prince and Princess helped you?"

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes and said nothing.

Muhan glanced at her, then responded calmly, "Both the Princess and I were affected. I believe the Prince noticed something was amiss when I went to his residence. He followed me to the Princess's quarters and administered the Tian Shan Snow Lotus Pill to neutralize the aphrodisiac's effects. Nothing happened between us."