Investigating the Evidence
Cynthia Green didn’t dare admit that her real plan was to take down Jade Evans, with Su Yu as collateral damage. Fearing that Charles Chu might discover she was actually Jade Evans’s cousin, she quickly played along with his assumptions, nodding eagerly. “Yes, yes, Your Highness, that’s exactly what I meant! My young master’s greatest wish is to study at the Royal Academy of Mathematics, but as long as Dean Jade Evans is in charge, he’ll never be admitted. If Su Yu is ousted in disgrace and someone else becomes dean… Please, Your Highness, I beg you, help us! Once Su Yu is gone, let my young master enroll in the Academy!”
Charles Chu listened to Cynthia and found her explanation tied everything together. Now the story made sense.
So this country girl was just trying to stand up for her young master.
“Alright, I’ll send someone to investigate what you’ve said. If it’s true, I’ll make sure to catch those two in their scandal. I’ll also find a way to get your young master admitted,” Charles Chu declared.
Cynthia Green was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed. “Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you so much!”
Charles Chu had his men record Cynthia Green’s name and address, promising that if her story of an affair proved true, not only would Jasper Cheng be admitted, but Cynthia herself would receive a hefty reward.
Cynthia was thrilled. She scrambled to her feet and raced back to her rented courtyard, her mind spinning with delight: Once she used Charles Chu to topple both Jade Evans and Su Yu, her young master would enter the Academy thanks to her, and with the reward money, she’d finally have a grand dowry and marry into the Cheng family as the young mistress!
Cynthia Green could barely contain her smugness. Once Jade Evans was ruined, it’d be Jade suffering and Cynthia living the good life!
With those thoughts, Cynthia practically skipped all the way home. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Jasper Cheng and the old matron both scowling at her.
The matron jabbed a finger at Cynthia and slapped her hard. “You little wretch! Where have you been all this time? I thought you’d run off and weren’t coming back!”
Cynthia clutched her stinging cheek, shooting a venomous glare at the matron. She thought to herself, Just wait until I become the young mistress—I'll make you pay for this!
But for now, Cynthia dared not say a word. Even if she spoke up, no one would believe her, so she had no choice but to swallow her anger and endure.
Meanwhile, Jasper Cheng, having just finished his meal, saw Cynthia looking so beaten down that his temper flared. He grabbed her and dragged her into the room, venting his anger without restraint.
===
Chu Embassy Residence.
Charles Chu stood with his hands behind his back. "Go investigate what that country girl said, and report back to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Charles Chu stood by the window, fingers tapping the sill, his thoughts drifting: If the rumors about Jade Evans and Su Yu are true, then Alexander Hayes will have been thoroughly cuckolded. Tsk, the mighty War God, the Jin Dynasty’s only non-royal prince, married his dazzling princess—only to be betrayed. If word got out, it would set the whole capital ablaze!
Charles Chu recalled all the times he’d suffered under Alexander Hayes, then imagined the look on Alexander’s face when he learned of his humiliation. The thought made Charles positively gleeful!
Charles Chu made up his mind: Whether or not Jade Evans and Su Yu were actually having an affair didn’t matter. The important thing was that they were secretly meeting behind everyone’s back. As long as he found proof of their secret rendezvous, even if they were innocent, he’d paint them guilty. That green hat was destined for Alexander Hayes!