Ning Chen came out of the sixth department with his brows drawn together.

The cake the Fifth Prince gave me and the cake I found in the sealed room both had dragon-fragrance grass in them. Can that be a coincidence?

Is the man behind the Right Chancellor the Fifth Prince?

Has the Fifth Prince been playing the fool the whole time?

Is that even possible?

Ning Chen put the three questions to himself one after another. Can a man really play the fool for more than ten years?

Play the fool for more than ten years and you would be a fool in earnest, simple or not.

He did not think it very likely. If the Fifth Prince is playing the fool, then the depth of scheming and self-concealment in the man is frightening to think about.

Still, once there is a suspicion, it has to be proved.

Ning Chen came out of the Inspectorate and rode Diaochan straight for the imperial palace.

The Fallen Phoenix Court.

The Ninth Princess was overseeing several gardeners herself as they planted the red kite seeds Ning Chen had given her.

It was spring now, exactly the right season for planting.

"Princess, Marquis Ning asks to see you."

A little palace maid came over to report it.

The Ninth Princess's clear eyes lit up, and she looked at Heye. "Quick, look at me. Do I look all right?"

"The princess is beautiful by nature. No powder on at all and she is still lovely."

With Heye's assurance, the Ninth Princess told the maid to show Ning Chen in.

Ning Chen came in behind the little maid. "I greet the princess."

"No ceremony."

"What are you busy with?"

Ning Chen was looking at the gardeners as he asked it.

The Ninth Princess was a little shy about it. "Planting flowers... the red kite."

Ning Chen made a sound and went over and sat down at the stone table beside them.

"Heye, tea."

Having given the order, the Ninth Princess came and sat down on the stone stool next to Ning Chen.

"Where is the Fifth…