Chapter 111 is me

Qiu Heng walked over, knelt beside Lin Chengfeng, and looked up at the furious Emperor Jingping: "Your Majesty, the wooden doll was a gift from your humble servant to Commander Lin."

"It's you?" Emperor Jingping's eyes flickered, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

Qiu Heng spoke clearly: "Yes, it is indeed your daughter."

"What a joke." Consort Yu took a step towards Qiu Heng's direction. "Sixth Miss Qiu, even if you want to defend Consort Qiu, don't treat people like fools. As far as I know, you haven't been in the capital for long, and you hadn't met Lin Chengfeng before the autumn hunt, had you?"

The kneeling girl stood with her back straight, showing no fear in front of the favored Consort Yu: "I had indeed never met Commander Lin before. But on the first day of the hunt, I saw with my own eyes that Commander Lin came in second place... and I fell in love at first sight."

Many people shook their heads upon hearing this.

A young girl publicly declared that she had fallen in love with a man at first sight. The world is going to the dogs!

"Love at first sight?" Consort Yu pointed at Xue Han with her slender finger. "I was there at the time, and I remember that the winner was Xue Han, the Imperial City Envoy. In terms of age, Xue Han is more comparable to Miss Qiu Liu, and in terms of ability, the first place winner is stronger than the second place winner. It's hard for me to believe that Miss Qiu Liu would turn down someone better."

“Better?” Qiu Heng’s eyes met Xue Han’s, then she looked away. “There are always people better than you, and there are always mountains beyond mountains. There will always be more outstanding people in this world, but there may only be one who catches your eye. At least that’s how it is for me.”

Xue Han lowered his eyes and clenched his fist tightly.

Consort Yu sneered: "Sharp-tongued!"

"I am merely stating the truth. I will take responsibility for my own actions and not implicate others," Qiu Heng said calmly, looking at Consort Yu. "If Your Highness does not believe me, you may take a closer look at the wooden doll. If the wooden doll is truly my sister, why is she wearing the hairstyle of an unmarried girl?"

Consort Yu's expression changed.

Emperor Jingping immediately glanced at the wooden doll and nodded, "That's really true."

Qiu Heng clasped her hands together and pressed her forehead to the ground: "Your Majesty, I am a sister of Consort Qiu and we look alike, which is why Your Highness has misunderstood. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth."

Emperor Jingping's expression softened slightly: "Qiuheng, raise your head."

Qiu Heng slightly raised her head.

"Take the cloth out of Qiu Meimei's mouth."

Immediately, palace servants went over and removed the cloth stuffed into Qiu Meiren's mouth.

Qiu Meiren gasped for breath, tears streaming down her face.

Emperor Jingping looked at the two sisters, then at the wooden doll, and laughed: "My dear consort, you've really misunderstood. This wooden doll is indeed Miss Qiu Liu."

"Your Majesty—" Consort Yu was unwilling, but seeing Emperor Jingping's reaction, she gave up.

Yes, in front of so many people, if His Majesty had any way to save face, how could he admit to being cuckolded?

That lowly maid Qiu Meiren got off easy.

Consort Yu had come to her senses and stopped dwelling on it. She raised her hand to smooth her loose hair and chuckled, "It seems I misunderstood. Since Miss Qiu and Lin Chengfeng are mutually in love, why doesn't Your Majesty grant them their wish?"

Emperor Jingping was taken aback, but then he saw Consort Yu smiling radiantly as she looked at the two kneeling figures: "Qiuheng, are you truly smitten with Lin Chengfeng at first sight?"

Qiu Heng lowered her eyes and stared intently at the ground, her clenched fingers digging deep marks into her palm, but her voice remained calm and even: "Yes, this subject is in love with Commander Lin."

Xue Han closed his eyes, his breathing rapid.

Emperor Jingping then asked Lin Chengfeng, "Lin Chengfeng, what are your feelings for Qiu Heng?"

Lin Chengfeng's eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth, remaining silent for a moment.

"Hmm?" Emperor Jingping frowned.

"Chief Lin," Qiu Heng called out softly.

Lin Chengfeng was startled and looked at the girl who had called him softly.

Her bright eyes held a pleading look, which made him feel ashamed and wished he could draw his sword and commit suicide.

She's so young; one word from him could ruin her life.

But he couldn't deny it.

If he denies it, then he is having an affair with He'er.

Having an affair with a concubine in the harem will not only ruin him, but also his family and He'er.

He was wrong. His momentary greed led to this consequence, to the point that he couldn't even die.

"Your subject—" Lin Chengfeng began, though it was difficult for him to remain silent, "Your subject also admires... Miss Qiu Liu."

"Very well. Qiu Heng, Lin Chengfeng, since you two are mutually attracted, then I will—"

"Your Majesty!" a voice suddenly rang out.

Xue Quan suddenly turned his head and watched as Xue Han strode over.

"Han'er!" he cried out in shock, but the boy did not turn around.

Emperor Jingping was quite surprised to see Xue Han stepping out from the crowd: "Xue Han, what brings you here?"

Xue Han knelt down beside Qiu Heng: "Your Majesty, I have long admired Miss Qiu Liu. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me a chance to win Miss Qiu Liu's heart."

Qiu Heng was stunned: "Xue Han—"

Xue Quan's voice cut off hers: "Xue Han, what nonsense are you spouting in front of His Majesty!"

“Your son would never dare to utter a word of deceit to the emperor.”

Xue Quan paused, suppressing his anger and remaining silent.

"You also have feelings for Miss Qiu Liu?" Emperor Jingping was astonished and couldn't help but look at the girl kneeling on the ground.

With her black hair and snow-white skin, and a calm demeanor, she resembled a pine tree rather than a delicate flower.

I have to admit, this girl is somewhat special.

Emperor Jingping stroked his beard, his tone hesitant: "Xue Han, although you are in love with Miss Qiu Liu, Miss Qiu Liu and Lin Chengfeng are mutually in love."

Xue Han stared at Qiu Heng for a moment and said, "Everyone has times when they are blinded by temptations, so I ask Your Majesty to give me some time, and also give Miss Qiu some time to calm down."

"Is that so—" Emperor Jingping pondered.

Cui Er stood next to his father. He was already shocked when Qiu Heng said that he was in love with Lin Chengfeng, but he was even more shocked when he heard Xue Han's words.

Even if two people are mutually in love, can they still rush out to snatch each other?

If that's the case, then he can do it too.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Cui Er impulsively ran out: "Your Majesty, I also admire Miss Qiu Liu!"

Emperor Jingping nearly choked on his saliva: "Cough cough, you are—"

Cui Er's father, Deputy Commander Cui, hurriedly came out to apologize: "My son has been disrespectful and has disturbed Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"So you're the son of Minister Cui." Emperor Jingping looked at Cui Er with a strange expression. "You also have feelings for Miss Qiu Liu?"

Cui Er said loudly, "Yes, I also admire Miss Qiu Liu."

"You little beast, what nonsense are you spouting!" Deputy Commander Cui was furious.

He was just watching the show a moment ago, how did he change like this in the blink of an eye?

Meanwhile, the ministers who had been feigning death ever since Consort Qiu and Lin Chengfeng were brought by Consort Yu finally couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Emperor Jingping glanced at the line of kneeling people, composed himself, and looked around at everyone: "Does anyone else have anything to say?"

Everyone fell silent.

In the silence, Ling Yun walked out.

Emperor Jingping's pupils dilated in shock: "Yun'er, you—"

Could it be that he also has feelings for Qiu Liu?

Ling Yun bowed deeply to Emperor Jingping: "Your Majesty, Aheng is my nephew's sworn sister. Since no elders from the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion have come this time, the Kang County Prince's Mansion must take responsibility for Aheng. Whatever thoughts the three of them may have do not matter."

(End of this chapter)