At this moment, Lanqin gained a profound understanding of the evil in human nature. Although she didn't trust Huanbi as much as she trusted Nianxue, she had treated Huanbi and Ziran as family from the moment they entered the courtyard, providing them with food, clothing, and other necessities no less than those of Nianxue and Xicha, her two personal maids. Moreover, Lanqin had already planned that in a few years, when they were both ready, she would ask the Fourth Master to find them good families and give them a grand wedding.

Seeing the despair and shock in Lanqin's eyes, the Fujin said to her with satisfaction, "Princess Niu, please come with me to the Fourth Prince to explain."

After saying this, she took the bottle of safflower and left the South Courtyard with the head maid and a group of people. Huanbi followed beside the Fujin, feeling that she could no longer stay here, otherwise Nianxue and the others might tear her apart.

Lanqin stood there blankly. If this were the 21st century, she would definitely grab Huanbi's hair and throw her to the ground.

But now, she couldn't act like a tough woman. She knew that even if she beat Huanbi to death, it wouldn't solve the current predicament.

All the maids in the house are counting on her; if she doesn't do well, the whole South Courtyard will be in trouble.

Lanqin clenched her hands, a voice in her heart screaming: No, no, I can't be framed like this, there must be a loophole, there must be a way to get out of this predicament.

"Princess, the Fourth Prince might not believe it. He dotes on you so much, he will definitely believe you at this time."

Seeing Lanqin's distress, Nianxue walked over to her with heartache, took Lanqin's hand, and comforted her.

Hearing this, Lanqin's eyes seemed even more desperate. If Fourth Master trusted her, he wouldn't have let them search the South Courtyard.

"I'm fine. I didn't do anything wrong, so no one can pin it on me." Lanqin always regarded Nianxue as a comrade-in-arms. Although Nianxue was her maid, Lanqin never felt that she was the master and Nianxue was the maid.

At this moment, the people in the South Courtyard gradually gathered around Lanqin, all looking at her with worry.

“Princess, we will all accompany you to see the master. Princess is so kind-hearted and has never scolded us. How could she have done such a thing? Huanbi, that traitor, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s insisting that Princess made her do such a harmful thing.” Although Granny Wang often stayed at the gatehouse, Lanqin was always fair to the servants, and their food, drink and daily necessities were basically the same.

Niu Baoquan was able to enter the Fourth Prince's mansion only because of Lanqin's help. It wasn't just because Lanqin helped him, but because Lanqin was truly a good master who appreciated his cooking skills, a level that any chef could only dream of.

"Princess, Huanbi looks like she's being manipulated by someone. I never imagined she'd be that kind of person." Zi Ran had entered at the same time as Huanbi, but their personalities were very different, and the two weren't usually close.

“Princess, it’s all my fault. Why didn’t I find the bottle of safflower that she hid in her room yesterday?” Nianxue said, blaming herself again.

“When you search, the bottle might not even be in her room, but on her person. So no matter how thoroughly you search, it will be in vain,” Lanqin said.

Seeing everyone looking at her with puzzled expressions, Lanqin nodded to Li Shubao, who then recounted everything she had seen the previous night.

"What did the princess do to Huanbi that made her betray the princess and frame her on someone else's orders?" Xicha said indignantly.

"Princess, we'll all go with you and expose Huanbi's treacherous and greedy behavior." Everyone said this.

“Only Li Shubao saw it, and we have no evidence. We can only take it one step at a time. You all go and see if there is anything, and keep watch here.” Lanqin was moved by everyone’s trust and care for her, and said gratefully.

Actually, she was afraid that everyone would be implicated because of her. This situation was indeed quite tricky, and she had no idea what to expect.

Everyone insisted, but Ke Lanqin firmly refused, because with so many people around, it would be difficult to make a decision.

In the end, Lanqin took Nianxue, Ziran, and Li Shubao with her, while the others were asked to stay behind and keep an eye on the South Courtyard.

When Lanqin and her three servants arrived at the front courtyard, Su Peisheng came out with a complicated expression and said to Lanqin, "Princess Niu, go in and talk to the Fourth Master properly. Even if there is something wrong, as long as you sincerely admit your mistake, the Fourth Master will still show leniency."

Given Su Peisheng's personality, he wouldn't normally say such a thing. It was only because Lanqin had always been kind to people, and also because she had given them quite a bit in tips. People, after all, know how to give back a little.

Lanqin thanked Su Peisheng and followed him inside.

At this moment, the room was filled with people. The Fujin (principal wife) sat at the head of the left, followed by Yan Yu and Wang Shi. To her right were Wu Shi, Song Shi, and Geng Shi. Li Shi, who had been confined by the Fourth Prince, was not present.

Lanqin didn't look closely at everyone's expressions, but even a quick glance was enough for her to tell what each person meant by looking at her.

Some were gloating, like Wu Shi. Ever since Lan Qin entered the manor, her favor had obviously diminished, and she had long regarded Lan Qin as a thorn in her side.

Some are unfathomable, like Wang Shi. Lanqin didn't have much contact with her, and when they met, she would only nod and exchange polite greetings. At this moment, however, Wang Shi looked calm and indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with her.

Some were extremely anxious, such as Song. Although she had just opened her heart to Lanqin, she had actually had feelings for Lanqin for a long time, but had always maintained a distant relationship with her. This time, Lanqin's timely help really moved Song.

Some were worried, like Madam Geng. She and Lanqin were usually very close, but when help was needed, Madam Geng would often shrug and act as if it were none of her business, only offering a few words of comfort later. Lanqin had long seen through Madam Geng's self-preservationist attitude, so she wasn't surprised at all by Madam Geng's expression at this moment.

The reason the Fujin invited so many people was simply to pressure the Fourth Prince into not showing any favoritism towards Lanqin; her intentions were extremely meticulous. These women were all more or less jealous of Lanqin's favor, and it was already a good thing that they could stand by and watch; they were afraid that some would take the opportunity to kick her while she was down.

"Lanqin, was this bottle of safflower found in your courtyard?" Fourth Master really didn't want to ask her such a question in front of so many people. Although Huanbi had told him personally that Lanqin had instructed her to put safflower in Yan Yu's tea, he still didn't believe her.

Lanqin suppressed the pain in her heart, composed herself, and said, "No, although this bottle of safflower appeared in my South Courtyard, it was indeed deliberately brought in by someone with ulterior motives to frame Lanqin."