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One day, Gu Qianxian felt unwell and decided to take her maid to the city in search of a renowned doctor.
On their way back to the manor, they encountered a down-and-out scholar at a street corner.
The scholar was dressed in tattered clothes, his face haggard, kneeling on the ground as he tearfully recounted his grievances.
It turned out that he was originally a candidate traveling to the capital for the imperial examination but had been framed by others, leading to the ruin of his family. Now, he was left with nothing and had nowhere to turn.
Seeing his plight, Gu Qianxian felt sympathy and instructed her maid to give him some silver coins while offering a few comforting words.
"Do not lose heart, young man. There is always a way out of despair."
The scholar was overwhelmed with gratitude, repeatedly bowing in thanks.
"Thank you, miss. Your great kindness will be remembered by me for all my days."
This scene happened to be witnessed by spies arranged by Si Tu Rong.
They secretly sketched the encounter between Gu Qianxian and the scholar, embellishing it with distortions.
In the drawing, Gu Qianxian and the scholar appeared intimate, exchanging glances as if they were secret lovers.
Holding the sketch, Si Tu Rong smirked with satisfaction.
"Gu Qianxian, this time let’s see how you can deny it."
She meticulously plotted, waiting for the right moment to drop this "bomb" on Xiao Yaohan.
Rumors spread like invisible snakes, silently infiltrating the royal manor.
Si Tu Rong secretly stirred the pot, portraying Gu Qianxian as a promiscuous woman who could not stay in one place.
"Have you heard? Aunt Gu has been quite restless outside."
"Yeah, I heard she's been involved with a poor scholar."
"Tsk tsk, what a disgrace to the prince's reputation."
These idle whispers drifted like the wind, reaching everyone's ears.
A few days later, Xiao Yaohan returned to the capital after handling border affairs.
Si Tu Rong had been waiting at the entrance of the royal residence, feigning a virtuous demeanor.
"Your Highness has worked hard on the journey. Concubine has prepared food and wine to welcome you back."
Xiao Yaohan nodded slightly, looking weary.
"Thank you, Concubine."
During the meal, Si Tu Rong pretended to be concerned and asked, "Your Highness, Concubine has heard some rumors about Aunt Gu recently…"
She hesitated, as if there was something difficult to say.
Xiao Yaohan furrowed his brow.
"What rumors?"
"I dare not speak, for fear of sullying the prince's ears."
Si Tu Rong lowered her head, appearing troubled.
Xiao Yaohan felt a surge of suspicion.
"But it is fine to say."
"Well..." Si Tu Rong hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, "There are rumors circulating outside that Aunt Gu has been quite close with a scholar, and their behavior... is rather inappropriate."
She cautiously observed Xiao Yaohan's expression.
Xiao Yaohan's face darkened instantly.
"Is this true?"
"Concubine has only heard the rumors and does not dare to make any rash conclusions, but..." Si Tu Rong paused before continuing, "the gossip is spreading like wildfire, and Concubine is worried it might affect the prince's reputation."
Her words seemed to be for Xiao Yaohan's benefit, but in reality, they were adding fuel to the fire.
The anger in Xiao Yaohan's heart had already been ignited.
He immediately ordered someone to summon Gu Qianxian.
Upon learning that Xiao Yaohan had returned to the manor, Gu Qianxian felt delighted and hurried over.
However, what awaited her was Xiao Yaohan's cold interrogation.
“Ben Wang asks you, have you been in close contact with anyone recently?”
Gu Qianxian was taken aback, not understanding the reason behind his words.
“Your Highness, what do you mean? I have always been diligent and have never had any improper dealings with outsiders.”
“Never?” Xiao Yaohan scoffed. “Then how do you explain the rumors circulating outside?”
He threw the painting that Si Tu Rong had handed him onto the table in front of Gu Qianxian.
“Take a look for yourself. What is this?”
Gu Qianxian picked up the painting, her face instantly turning pale.
The person depicted in the painting was none other than her and that down-and-out scholar.
However, the scene had been maliciously distorted, making it appear ambiguous.
“Your Highness, it’s not like that! I only felt pity for that scholar and gave him some silver; there was nothing more to it,” Gu Qianxian hurriedly explained.
Xiao Yaohan was blinded by rage and did not believe her words at all.
“Nothing more? Then how do you explain this painting? Do you dare to say that your relationship with him is completely innocent?”
“Concubine does not know…” Gu Qianxian found herself at a loss for words.
“Your Highness, please calm down. Perhaps Aunt Gu truly has her reasons,” she said, feigning concern, though a glimmer of triumph flickered in her eyes.
“However, there is something here that may prove Aunt Gu's innocence.”
As she spoke, she pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Yaohan.
“This is something I accidentally found in Aunt Gu's room. Your Highness will understand once you take a look.”
Xiao Yaohan took the letter and opened it, his expression darkening instantly.
The letter was written in elegant script, filled with ambiguous words that clearly indicated it was penned by a woman for her lover.
And the signature at the end was unmistakably “Qian.”
“Gu Qianxian, what do you have to say for yourself?”
Xiao Yaohan threw the letter down in front of Gu Qianxian, his voice booming and reverberating throughout the room.
Gu Qianxian stared at the letter, feeling as if the world was spinning around her. This letter was not written by her at all.
“Your Highness, this is not written by Concubine! Someone is framing her!” she cried out desperately, reaching for Xiao Yaohan's hand.
But all he felt was an overwhelming sense of betrayal surging within him, making it unbearable to endure.
"Framed? The evidence is irrefutable, and you still dare to argue!" He pushed Gu Qianxian to the ground.
Gu Qianxian's heart ached like a knife, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. "Your Highness, I have never done anything to wrong you. Those rumors are false; I am being wronged!"
Xiao Yaohan was unwilling to believe her. Disturbed by the evidence presented by Si Tu Rong, he said, "The evidence is right in front of you. What more can you say?"
With tears in her eyes, Gu Qianxian looked defiantly at Xiao Yaohan. He had already made up his mind, and any further defense would be futile.
"So it seems, in your heart, I have always been so unworthy," Gu Qianxian's voice was as soft as leaves falling in the wind, carrying a hint of sorrow and disappointment.
Si Tu Rong smiled triumphantly.
"Your Highness, do not fully trust Aunt Gu's words. She has always been cunning, and her current pleas are merely an attempt to cover up her guilt," Si Tu Rong seized the opportunity to embellish the story, completely cutting off Gu Qianxian's chance for redemption.
Xiao Yaohan could no longer tolerate it; he ordered his men to drag Gu Qianxian away and imprison her in the Cold Palace.
As Gu Qianxian was taken away, she turned back and looked deeply at Xiao Yaohan. That glance contained countless emotions: a mix of love and hate, and utter disappointment.
Xiao Yaohan felt a pang in his heart, but he quickly suppressed this wavering. Power was what mattered most now.
Si Tu Rong watched as Gu Qianxian was dragged away, a cruel smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
"You think you can compete with me? You're still too inexperienced."
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