Chapter 606: Chapter 604: The Transmigrated Woman Who Self-Destructed 18 Times (Part 35)

"Today, Zuo Lanshuang invited Chu Chen to appreciate flowers, but there doesn’t seem to be any action from her," Shen Nanqiao remarked with some discontent.

Shen Zhengjie responded, "Younger sister, why be so impatient? The Daoist has already mentioned that the magic subtly influences people imperceptibly and not through direct control. Striking at Chu Chen upon their first meeting would appear too obvious, raising suspicion that would not end well if investigated. Besides, the other main character is absent today. Wouldn’t it be better to wait for an opportune moment to resolve everything at once?"

Shen Nanqiao pondered for a while, her eyes widening in disbelief as she asked, "But isn’t the Fourth Prince still under house arrest?"

"Did you really think he’d stay obediently at home?" Shen Zhengjie sneered. Having been reborn, he had meticulously laid out numerous plans, planting spies and easily exploiting people’s weaknesses. Especially with his thorough understanding of the Fourth Prince Mansion, it was effortless to orchestrate certain actions.

It could be said that any movement within the Fourth Prince Mansion would reach him at once.

Since being confined, the Fourth Prince appeared compliant outwardly, yet secretly he remained restless, even receiving a beauty from Jiangnan brought to him.

The Second Prince was similar, indulging even more extravagantly than the Fourth Prince, with both women and handsome men presented to him, showing no restraint. Shen Nanqiao considered him insignificant as he posed no competition among the princes.

Hearing this, a flicker of disgust crossed Shen Nanqiao’s eyes, wondering why in her past life she had been foolish over such a figure.

"Let Chu Chen enjoy herself a while longer then." Shen Nanqiao felt assured, "Brother, you’d best discuss with the Daoist. Only when that person is present will it be the right time to have Zuo Lanshuang act."

By then, the scandal of the Fourth Prince mingling with two women would spread, tarnishing the reputations of a noble’s daughter and Chu Chen, brought back to the Capital City by the Sixth Prince, thus justifying her desire to call off the engagement. After all, who would have thought that Shen Nanqiao would not want this marriage? No one would suspect the siblings’ involvement.

The choice of Zuo Lanshuang to act was also due to the Fourth Prince’s dissatisfaction after being confined during the last life. In a desperate struggle after the Sixth Prince ascended the throne, he made several failed attempts to harm the empress-designate Chu Chen, hoping to cause her trouble.

At that time, Daoist Bai Hong manipulated Zuo Lanshuang, who had been infatuated with the Sixth Prince for many years and refused to marry. Even if investigated later, the effects of the magic would have dissipated, leading others to assume that Zuo Lanshuang acted out of discontent, unaware of the manipulation.

Unfortunately, it still failed.

They couldn’t harm Chu Chen; the Sixth Prince’s people were simply too formidable.

"Rest assured, I’ve already discussed with the Daoist, who has hinted to Zuo Lanshuang accordingly," Shen Zhengjie said, "She wouldn’t act unless a single action could achieve three goals."

"Then I must keep a close watch," Shen Nanqiao said with a triumphant smile, eager to witness the scene unfold and not wanting to miss it.

Shen Zhengjie didn’t add much, knowing the prowess of Daoist Bai Hong, whom ordinary people couldn’t resist.

In the previous life, the Sixth Prince almost succumbed to Daoist Bai Hong, but luck favored him, allowing him to escape peril every time.

Others weren’t as fortunate as the Sixth Prince; when targeted, they couldn’t evade.

The ensuing days were relatively calm, with Zuo Lanshuang meeting Ah Chen occasionally.

Those who initially intended to laugh at Zuo Lanshuang found she genuinely befriended Ah Chen, causing their laughter to cease, feeling rather perplexed.

Noblewomen familiar with Zuo Lanshuang sought opportunities to inquire about the situation.

Zuo Lanshuang answered, "Miss Chu’s flowers are magnificent. I like them, but unfortunately, she treasures them dearly, having only given me one flower."

"Are Chu Chen’s flowers truly that exceptional?" A close friend expressed surprise.

Zuo Lanshuang smiled, "They are indeed that splendid; alas, it’s hard to receive even a single bloom from her. I was merely fortunate." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The pink roses were indeed superb, a single petal could clear one’s mind.

After returning, she spoke to her mother about it and shared some of the roses to avoid future sabotage.

The petals dried but retained their effect, further proving Chu Chen’s capabilities, making people wary of offending such a person.

When inviting Chu Chen to meet, she primarily sought an amicable relationship. Whether friendship developed was one matter; at least, there’d be no offense.

Judging by Chu Chen’s attitude, she didn’t seem to harbor ill will, which sufficed.

To test the scheming behind the scenes, she occasionally placed a sachet containing petals into her maid’s hands, pursuing a particular feeling in her actions.

Yet, she couldn’t ascertain the orchestrator, thus intending to glean information from Chu Chen.

She surmised that the perpetrator targeted the Sixth Prince too, else they wouldn’t harm Chu Chen. The reasons were manifold and difficult to uncover promptly.

Ah Chen noticed Zuo Lanshuang’s anxiety but remained silent, as she wasn’t in a rush herself.

Zuo Lanshuang, feeling helpless, sought a chance to inquire, "Could Miss Chu reveal that person’s identity?"

"Weimu Marquis Mansion," Ah Chen revealed without evasion. Had the question been asked sooner, she would’ve answered long ago. Delaying only caused Zuo Lanshuang more distress.

Zuo Lanshuang hadn’t anticipated such simplicity, realizing that Chu Chen disliked going around in circles.

Only someone with great capabilities dared disregard everything, right?

"Thank you, Miss Chu."

"Let’s meet again sometime."

Returning to the carriage, Zuo Lanshuang’s smile vanished, genuinely unprepared for this revelation.

With few family members, Weimu Marquis Mansion had only one unmarried female, Shen Nanqiao, engaged to the Fourth Prince, which is why Zuo Lanshuang had overlooked her during investigations. Intuition now told her Shen Nanqiao’s involvement was undeniable.

Upon further investigation, she indeed found discrepancies with the Shen siblings.

Zuo Lanshuang was no fool; she quickly grasped Shen Nanqiao’s intentions, emitting a chilling laugh through the night.

Good for you, Shen Nanqiao, daring to involve me in such schemes.

Rumors spread, suggesting that within the Capital City’s noble circle, it was said that Miss Chu, residing on the western Willow Street, excelled in cultivating flowers; even a hundred gold could not buy a single flower from her.

When Ah Chen heard this rumor, she fell silent.

This was because, that day, a flower-loving lady visited her, eager to see her blossoms, eyes filled with yearning.

Lan Xin was off in the distance, stifling a laugh. The rumor was unexpected; originally, Zuo Lanshuang used Chu Chen’s gardening prowess as an excuse.

Oh well, who knew?

"I have a sick orchid. Would Miss Chu kindly take a look?" The visiting lady was courteous, and though she hadn’t seen any impressive flowers in the courtyard, she hoped to save her orchid.

Ah Chen didn’t refuse, "I shall take a look for you."

Curing flowers was indeed her specialty.