For a time, rumors ran rampant through Yanjing City.
Princess Yongning couldn't act on her threat to "kill anyone who dared talk behind her back," as she was put under house arrest by Prince Cheng. Enraged, Prince Cheng found Princess Yongning's outburst in the Golden Throne Hall not only damaged his reputation but also caused the Li Family to drift apart from him at this critical moment. Another confidant he had been counting on, Shen Yurong, was also implicated. Initially, Shen Yurong could have served as a piece on the board, placed close to Emperor Hongxiao, who favored her. Now, this idea had to be abandoned. After such an incident, it was questionable whether Shen Yurong could continue her official career, let alone be valued by Emperor Hongxiao as before. That was wishful thinking.
