"How is that possible?!" Han Yueheng couldn't hold back and jumped up, rushing to her mother's side and gripping her mother's hand. She turned to question Nanny Qi, "My belongings have always been managed by you and Qiuyu. You're always meticulous in your work, and on top of that, there are two pace-appointed nannies and four pace maids stationed in my room... everything is registered and accounted for... Nanny Zhang herself was a steward from the Fan family. Could she really not understand even this basic principle? How could she even think of doing such a thing?!"

  This was the first time that Nanny Qi had been questioned so harshly by Han Yueheng. She lifted her gaze to look at Han Yueheng, who was visibly pale, and shook her head with a rigid calm. "Who can truly guess why she would steal? Outsiders could never know her intentions. I suppose she thought it was the perfect opportunity, with all the chaos in the household, to take advantage. She must have struck when everyone was busy and nobody was paying attention."

  She spoke with such calm detachment that Lady Fan gave a knowing look to her elder sister, who, for the first time, kept her composure and, in an unhurried tone, instructed Qiuju, "Since the theft happened in the marquis' residence, as the matriarch, I am duty-bound to investigate thoroughly. Go and have her watched closely."

  Consort Fan's eyes grew cold as she looked at her sister with a faint, mocking smile. She stared until her sister couldn't help but lower her head, at which point Consort Fan let out a chuckle. "Sister, have you lost your senses? She stole the personal jewelry of an accompanying princess—a serious matter indeed. How can you treat it as if it were a common house thief? Lucky for you, I happened to catch this today. Imagine if someone else had seen it. They'd accuse the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence of disregarding the w, not respecting the dignity of the Emperor and Empress, and being careless with imperial gifts."

  When it came to quick-witted retorts, Lady Fan was no match for her. Rendered speechless, she clung to her daughter, attempting to maintain her composure. "This is, after all, a family affair of the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence. If word of this spreads... considering the current state of the Marquis' household, it could cast a shadow over the Marquis' career."

  Now she wanted to act the part of the dutiful wife and mother. Now she remembered to wield her authority as the matriarch of the Marquis' household—but it was too te. Consort Fan looked down at her with a cold, pitying gaze. After a pause, she flicked her fingernail dismissively. "Word spreading? How could such a matter get out? It ought to be dealt with immediately. Since I'm here today, allow me to handle this for you, sister. Perhaps this will remind the servants of the Marquis' residence to stay in line, making your future days easier."

  Lady Fan was so cornered that she had nothing left to say. She held her head, looking dazed and dizzy, and her lips were bitten to the point of bleeding. She finally managed to shout in a restrained voice, "No need! I'll handle it myself..."

  "And how will you handle it?" Consort Fan's patience had finally run out. She looked at Lady Fan's embarrassed state with a complete ck of interest, coldly reminding her, "Yueheng's good days are right around the corner. Do you really want to stir up trouble now?"

  This btant threat made both Lady Fan and Han Yueheng turn pale, their eyes wide with terror.

  With leisure, Consort Fan rose, supported by Lianqiao. She straightened the slightly crooked golden hairpin in her hair, which was adorned with intricate inid gemstone patterns, and ughed softly, her lips slightly parted. "I advise you, sister, not to do anything you shouldn't. There's still a long road ahead, and Zhi'er is facing such troubles now, while Yueheng is about to be married far away. With this constant turmoil, you won't have anyone to help you around the house, and you, dear sister, may find it difficult to manage."

  Lady Fan finally couldn't hold back and lunged forward, grabbing Consort Fan's sleeve, practically crying, "I'll send Nanny Zhang back to her hometown—I'll send her right away... please, please spare her..."

  Consort Fan shook her off immediately, her expression one of disgust and wariness. The faint smile she'd been holding vanished completely. "Send her back? It's too te! Spilled water can't be recovered. Actually, this is for the best—it'll serve as a lesson for you, so you know what you should and shouldn't do. Next time you think of doing something foolish, think of your wrongfully deceased son and this old woman. That should wake you up!"

  Lady Fan stumbled to the ground from her push, trying to go after her again, but Nanny Fang and Lianqiao, along with a few other servants, blocked her. Nanny Fang sighed, casting Lady Fan a gnce filled with unspoken words, but in the end, she said nothing. She shook her head and led the others in quickly following after Consort Fan.

  Han Yueheng finally couldn't hold back her sobs. With tears streaming down her face, she helped her mother up. "Mother... Auntie is just too cruel..." Her indignation fring, Han Yueheng suddenly looked resolute. "I refuse to believe we can't do anything about her... When I accompany the princess to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in two days, I'll publicly reveal her true nature! The fearless have nothing to lose..."

  Lady Fan patted her daughter's hand, wiped her own tears, and helped her daughter up. Standing in the doorway, she watched the backs of the departing crowd, a cold smile tugging at her lips. "No need, no need. I already took everything from Nanny Zhang long ago. We anticipated this day... Knowing how arrogant she is, we knew she'd silence Nanny Zhang. Killing Nanny Zhang has put her at ease, letting her think she's bought me a few more days."

  A look of relief settled on Lady Fan's face, her lips curved in a faint smile. "Once I've settled your brother's funeral and ensured your safe departure, I'll have no regrets. Then, I'll personally deliver this hairpin to the Crown Prince, so he can finally see who he's been indulging all these years..."

  This sort of thing is impossible for a man to tolerate—even baseless rumors can leave a man feeling disgusted for a lifetime, let alone when she has such concrete proof in the form of this hairpin, which Han Zhengqing used to carry with him everywhere.

  Everyone knew how Han Zhengqing treated Consort Fan. If it became known that his devotion to the Eastern Pace wasn't because of his ties with his brother-in-w, but because of Consort Fan herself... Lady Fan finally let out a long, bitter breath, her eyes glistening with an unusual brightness, and a genuine smile finally reached her eyes. She was just waiting to see if the Crown Prince could swallow this indignation.

  In the past, she had Han Zhi and Han Yueheng to worry about, and she feared death and Consort Fan's potential retaliation against her children. That was why she chose to endure, to yield, even to live as if dead. But now, Consort Fan had personally severed all her paths of retreat; she had nothing left to worry about. This life—she might as well discard it. By risking her life, the Crown Prince would have to hear her out.