Thinking carefully, the "Red Jade Fragrance" is not the only thing that has turned into an unsolved mystery.

Previously, all the spices and fabrics passed from the Headdress and Shoes Workshop into the residences of high-ranking officials and even the Emperor Jin’s harem are now severed and can no longer be traced.

So, the dirty work that needed to be done has almost all been completed by Gu Lingyun for the mastermind behind her, and as a pawn, she ended her life to handle the aftermath.

Though this "useful till the end," being squeezed of every last bit of value was not necessarily what Gu Lingyun willingly accepted.

Zhu Yu glanced at the crooked sign again, sighed, and quickened her pace slightly.

When the two returned to Yunyin Pavilion, Fu Lu and the talismans were waiting for them in the yard. The four had gone out together, but because Fu Lu was too conspicuous, the two brothers did not closely follow behind Zhu Yu and Lu Qing.

Seeing the two masters return, Fu Lu quickly took several oil-paper packets from the stone table behind him, offering them like treasures: "Sir, Madam, while you went to see the guards escorting Duchess Yan, everyone went to watch the fun, so I didn’t have to queue and got the freshest pastries from the Capital’s most popular Xue Family’s Pastry Shop!

I bought some of the types Madam usually likes, thinking she’d want to enjoy some since today’s a good mood day, which are often hard to get otherwise."

Zhu Yu, delighted, took them, asked Fu Wen for help with plates, and divided the desserts into two portions, one to keep with Lu Qing and herself, the other for the brothers to take to their room.

"We might set off in a few days, not sure when we’ll be back in the Capital, so in these days, eat more of your favorites to satisfy any cravings; who knows how long until next time." Zhu Yu informed the brothers of Lu Qing’s decision.

The brothers, hearing they were setting off soon, perked up immediately, having been cooped up in the yard and eager to get out to showcase their abilities.

Lu Qing called Fu Wen over, whispered a few words, and after a pause, Fu Wen nodded and turned away to leave.

Zhu Yu also instructed Fu Lu briefly, let him go to rest, and then pulled Lu Qing back to their room, her expression slightly solemn.

"What’s troubling Madam?" Lu Qing asked with a smile.

Zhu Yu looked at him: "I know you haven’t deliberately hidden anything from me, but some things you believe I can grasp, so you haven’t made them explicit.

Thus, now I just want to clarify one thing with you... It’s Lu Ze, right?"

Upon hearing Zhu Yu mention the name, Lu Qing seemed unsurprised, merely smiled and nodded: "I knew you must have realized it."

"Well, not exactly." Zhu Yu sighed with slight embarrassment, "I won’t hide from you, I originally assumed the person orchestrating everything was his mother, the concubine.

After all, in the deep palace, although she didn’t witness it, she must have heard much about how Consort Zhao previously tyrannically eliminated rivals in the palace.

Initially, when Zhao Bi presented him to the palace, it was evidently just as a plaything, a tool, nothing more.

And the few princes who had grown to adulthood earlier, like Lu Yan and Lu Jun, were rather prudent, recognizing Duke Yan’s faction early, and withdrew from the competition, essentially being dispatched far away to avoid being dragged into the vortex beyond self-preservation.

Even as the sole heir of Empress, Lu Chao has kept a low profile, cautiously, and had several near-death hardships, almost reporting to the underworld.

You, a ’remnant’ not cleared out back then, have had to cautiously navigate for survival, haven’t you?

But only Lu Ze, despite reaching the age to establish a prince’s household, still can freely enter the harem, visiting his mother anytime without any summons.

Earlier, when I met him, he seemed to be a well-protected, naive young man.

Thus, I had a preconceived notion—that from a plaything to a favored concubine, she not only allowed her son to grow well but even secured him special treatment unseen by other brothers, suggesting she must be quite extraordinary, with a brilliant mind and tactics.

But recently, I’ve finally realized I was blinded by preconceived notions. Combining what I’ve seen and heard myself, I discovered the real orchestrator isn’t Princess Consort Duan in the deep palace, but Lu Ze himself."

"I’d love to hear more." Lu Qing appeared eager to listen.

"Initially, when he first came to the house, under the guise of visiting his sick brother, thinking back, he actually aimed to convey Lu Zhang’s volunteering to patrol the Jie and Shuo border, likely wanting you to believe Lu Zhang sought confirmation of your Yue Family’s treasonous intentions.

Or, he wished to lure you into trouble through this affair, I haven’t fully deciphered, but I clearly grasp the conveyed message.

The next notable impression was when we were imprisoned.

Perhaps at that critical juncture, he got impatient, hence left obvious flaws, unlike earlier when things went unnoticed.

First visiting the prison was to show concern and comfort, mentioning Lu Chao’s return to the Capital, yet externally no one knows of your close bond with Lu Chao, unless Lu Ze privately investigated.

Later, intentionally speaking before you, saying General Situ and his elder son timed well to submit a memorial against you as a retaliation for old grudges.

But he overlooked, back then the one exposing Situ Jing before the Holy Emperor, resulting in his demotion from Li State to Qinzhou wasn’t you, Prince Xiaoyao Lu Qing, but the Golden-faced Imperial Censor whose real identity only the Holy Emperor knows.

Thus at this juncture, General Situ and his son target the Golden-faced Imperial Censor, not you, Lu Qing, unless they know Prince Xiaoyao Lu Qing is indeed the Golden-faced Imperial Censor.

Your great secret identity, even Mr. Gao seems unsure, yet Lu Ze knowing the truth, evidently thanks to the pillow talk from his mother the concubine."