Lingge obeyed the order, her figure as light as a fleeting shadow. In an instant, she turned quickly and hurried away. At this moment, seeing the situation becoming increasingly unfavorable, Butler Zhou was filled with panic and fear. Like a drowning man grasping at a last straw, he suddenly fell to his knees with a plop, and then burst into tears. His sobs were extremely miserable, like the cry of a cuckoo, as if he was the one who had suffered the greatest injustice in history. He kept crying, "Your Majesty, please understand! Su Jinli was unfaithful before marriage and does not deserve to be the wife of the top scholar!" His shrill voice echoed in the wedding hall, as if to deeply engrave this false accusation on everyone's mind.
Su Jinli couldn't help but roll her eyes, her eyes full of disdain. With undisguised annoyance in her tone, she said, "Housekeeper Zhou, the Emperor is leisurely enjoying the wedding banquet in the palace right now. How could he have the time to listen to you howling like a stray dog?" However, just as she finished her words, she clearly heard a familiar hearty laugh coming from outside. The laugh was as loud as a bell: "Who said I don't have time?"
Hearing the voice, everyone looked in the direction of the voice, only to see the emperor, dressed in a simple yet dignified casual attire, holding a string of candied haws in his hand leisurely, and walking in with big strides and a dignified demeanor. Behind him, a eunuch respectfully holding a plate of cakes followed closely. The emperor looked calm as he walked straight towards where everyone was, and then curiously leaned over to look at the yellow paper that Butler Zhou regarded as "ironclad evidence." As he watched, the emperor couldn't help laughing so hard that he fell back and forth, his body shaking with laughter, and he almost dropped the candied haws in his hand and was almost choked. He laughed and said, "Hey! This fox is quite fat! Su Jinli, when will you draw me such an interesting fox?"
Steward Zhou had never expected the Emperor's sudden appearance. This sudden change of events frightened him so much that his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, as if his spine had been torn out. His face instantly turned ashen, bloodless, his eyes filled with fear and despair, as if he had seen the end of his own fate. Seeing this, Su Jinli bowed gracefully and said in a clear, pleasant voice, "If your Majesty doesn't mind, I will carefully paint you a majestic flying dragon in the future."
At that moment, a flurry of hurried, chaotic footsteps approached from afar, shattering the brief chaos and bustle within the wedding hall. Everyone turned to see Boss Wang running in breathlessly, his forehead covered in beads of sweat, which rolled down his cheeks and soaked his collar. He clutched an account book tightly in his hands, as if it held the key to unlocking all mysteries. Boss Wang, breathing heavily, spoke eagerly, "Miss Su! Last year, you bought ten pieces of 'Zuimozhai' rice paper from me. Two of them were gold-sprinkled, and the rest were plain white. This yellow paper... I've never sold it here before!" His voice was a little hurried with his breath, but every word was clear and powerful, hammering through everyone's hearts like a hammer.
When Butler Zhou saw Boss Wang denying it so firmly, he screamed like a mad dog whose tail was stepped on: "You are lying! You are obviously colluding with Su Jinli to frame me on purpose!" His eyes were wide open and bloodshot, and the muscles on his face were twisted and deformed with anger, looking hideous and terrifying.
"Whether I'm lying or not, just look at the account book and you'll know for sure." Su Jinli's expression was calm and composed, like a towering mountain, unwavering in the face of wind and rain. She calmly took the account book from Boss Wang, her long, slender fingers gently touching it. Then, slowly, she pointed at the crystal-clear record. Her gaze, like a sharp sword, pierced through Butler Zhou, and she spoke clearly, "Butler Zhou, did you also buy paper from Boss Wang last year? And the cheapest mulberry paper?" Her voice was low, but it carried an irresistible authority, as if declaring to Butler Zhou that his scheme had been completely exposed.
Upon hearing this, Boss Wang slapped his thigh and quickly responded, "Yes! Butler Zhou bought five sheets of mulberry paper last year, and he specifically told me at that time that he would take them back to paste the windows!" Boss Wang's voice was firm and powerful, like a nail in the coffin, completely shattering Butler Zhou's last bit of luck.
At this moment, the evidence was irrefutable. Steward Zhou, like a defeated rooster, his head drooped, his face ashen. All his arrogance vanished completely. His body trembled uncontrollably, his heart filled with despair and helplessness, as if the entire world were crumbling. Seeing this, Prime Minister Su's face darkened. He stepped forward, his expression as cold as winter frost, and said coldly, "Mr. Zhou, Liu has been divorced, yet you dare to stir up trouble like this? What are your intentions?" Prime Minister Su's voice was low and commanding, like a cold command that sent a chill down Steward Zhou's spine.
Steward Zhou saw the situation was hopeless, all hope shattered in an instant, and a mixture of madness and despair surged within him. His eyes instantly turned red, like a burning flame, filled with a desperate determination. Suddenly, like a trapped beast, he whipped a dagger from his bosom. With a flash of cold light, the sharp blade gleamed icy in the sunlight. He rushed towards Su Jinli recklessly, shouting at the top of his lungs, "I'll fight you!" His voice was filled with despair and rage, as if he wanted to vent all his resentment on Su Jinli.
Everyone in the wedding hall was horrified upon seeing this. Jiang Yan, who was standing beside Su Jinli, had a stern look in his eyes. Without hesitation, he drew his sword from its sheath. The movement was like a flash of black lightning, instantly piercing the air. With a "swish", the sword flashed with a cold light, like an icy barrier, instantly blocking Su Jinli. Jiang Yan's eyes were cold as he stared at Butler Zhou. His voice was as cold as a thousand-year-old ice. He spoke word by word, "If you dare to take another step forward, don't blame me for being ruthless with my sword!" His voice was low and powerful, carrying a chilling intimidation, as if he would not hesitate to strike if Butler Zhou made any further move.
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