"No matter what, the next issue of the Capital Weekly will have the answer!"
In the end, it was Zhao Er Xiaojie herself who delivered the final word. She waved her hand at her little circle of noble ladies, ordering them not to discuss the matter again until the next issue came out.
She just wanted a few days to breathe. She thought that once she'd calmed down, no matter what the truth about Young Master Cao turned out to be, she'd be able to accept it.
But Yun Shu clearly had no intention of giving her that chance.
The very next morning, before dawn had even properly broken, the new issue of the Capital Weekly—which wasn't due for several more days—hit the streets early.
Even though Zhao Er Xiaojie was still among the first to send servants to fetch a copy, her mood was a far cry from the excitement and anticipation she used to feel. This time, her hands trembled just flipping through the pages.
Steady now. Articles about Young Master Cao were usually on the third page. She could start with the first two, ease into it, calm her nerves…
She drew in a deep breath.
And saw the headline sprawled across the very first page in massive type:
"Shocking! Young Master Cao's True Love Revealed to Be Someone Else!"
Zhao Er Xiaojie: "!!!"
The breath she had just taken caught in her throat. She began coughing so violently that tears welled in her eyes. When she finally managed to get a hold of herself, her gaze dropped to the bottom-right corner, where two stick figures were drawn beside a mocking little cartoon.
The figure on the left waved a paper marked "Capital Weekly, Issue 1," grinning like a fool.
"Have you read this one? 'Capital's Most Devoted Husband: Young Master Cao Loves Deeply' Young Master Cao is truly a paragon among men!"
The figure on the right held up "Capital Weekly, Issue 7" and sneered in disdain.
"That's old news. Take a look at this! 'Shocking! Young Master Cao's True Love Revealed to Be Someone Else!'"
The titles had been deliberately printed in bold, oversized font. When placed side by side, the contrast was brutal.
Zhao Er Xiaojie clutched her chest. She couldn't even begin to question why this piece had been promoted to the front page.
Gritting her teeth, she began to read the article in full.
Her Highness the Fifth Princess Had Apologized!
She, too, had been deceived by the facade Young Master Cao had so carefully crafted!
This early release of the Capital Weekly was meant to expose Cao Wenbin's true nature.
As it turned out, the time he'd nearly run someone over with his horse on the street—he hadn't been rushing to buy medicine for Miss Tang as claimed. He had been racing to meet his pregnant mistress.
The roast duck he once insisted on buying, even while breaking out in hives? It wasn't for Miss Tang at all. It had also gone to the mistress. Miss Tang, despite her fondness for the dish, had abstained for two full years after marrying into the Cao household—because Young Master Cao told her he couldn't be around it.
Even the Old Madam of the Cao family knew about the mistress. Every time Miss Tang sensed something was wrong and tried to dig deeper, the old woman would fake illness to draw her away. She would deliberately exhaust Miss Tang with constant bedside duties. And once Miss Tang collapsed from the strain, that dog Cao would feign concern, then leave the house "to buy medicine." On the way, he'd "bump into" another noble son, conveniently drunk, and let slip a few choice words as if lamenting his fate—subtly hinting that Miss Tang had faked illness to avoid caring for his mother.
It was all a scheme.
Layer upon layer of lies.
Zhao Er Xiaojie's heart felt like it had been stabbed through. The more she read, the more disgusted she became.
That dog of a man truly deserved no better title than beast.
Just like a modern fan turning black after discovering their idol's scandal, the more fervently she had once admired Cao Wenbin, the deeper her current loathing ran.
The thought that she had actually daydreamed about marrying someone like him? It made her sick to her stomach.
Bang!
She slammed the latest issue of the Capital Weekly down on the table and shot to her feet.
"I s Father back yet?!"
"The Master has just returned from court, Miss," the maid said hastily. "He's in the study now, likely attending to official matters. Perhaps you should wait a little—"
But Zhao Er Xiaojie was already storming down the corridor.
"That Cao's father is a court official too, isn't he? And my Father is a censor—his duty is to investigate corrupt officials. That man raised a son like this, and you think I'm not allowed to bring it up? I am discussing official business with my Father!"
The maid trailed behind in silence.
She wasn't the only one.
By midmorning, the imperial study was lined with officials clutching memorials of impeachment.
"Your Majesty," said Li Dehai quietly as he entered the study, "Ministry of Rites Official Li Xianyun requests an audience."
Another one?
Emperor Xuanwu, waved his hand. "Bring him in."
"Li Aiqing, are you also here to impeach Cao Rongxing for failing to raise his son properly?"
Li Xianyun bowed. "Your Majesty, the one I wish to impeach today is none other than Her Highness the Fifth Princess—Yun Shu!"
Emperor Xuanwu blinked. "?"
Oh, this man again.
Just yesterday he'd come running with an impeachment because his wife wanted a divorce—and now again?
He really wouldn't let things go.
The Emperor's lips pressed into a tight line. His voice turned cold.
"Oh? And what has the Fifth Princess done this time that so offends you?"
The words carried a sharp edge. It was a barely veiled accusation: making a fuss over nothing, refusing to let a matter rest.
But Li Xianyun kept his face blank, as if he hadn't heard the tone at all.
"I accuse the Fifth Princess of speaking recklessly about court officials—and of leaking state matters to the public."
A hush fell over the room.
That… was no minor offense.
The Emperor, who had only half-listened up to this point, grew solemn.
"Li Aiqing, do you have proof?"
"I do, Your Majesty." He held out the latest issue of the Capital Weekly with both hands.
The Emperor frowned.
He actually already had a copy—Yun Shu had promised long ago that every issue would be sent to him first.
But after court that morning, he'd been busy reviewing memorials. Then all these troublesome ministers had come parading in with impeachment reports, so he hadn't yet read the new article.
Now, watching Li Xianyun open to the last page, he suddenly regretted not asking Yun Shu one more question yesterday.
No wonder she'd acted oddly during their conversation.
So this was what she meant by writing something "new" instead of more tales of tearful romance!
The Emperor inhaled deeply and turned to Li Dehai.
"Go. Summon the Fifth Princess to Us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat.
That last "summon" came through gritted teeth.
Had Her Highness truly gotten herself into trouble this time?