Inside the Prime Minister's residence, a grand gathering of nobles was in full swing. The mansion was adorned with lanterns and colorful ribbons, the dazzling lights illuminating the entire place like daytime, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Lin Qian, dressed in an elegant, flowing dress, moved gracefully through the crowd like a butterfly, a polite smile on her face as she greeted the guests. However, her eyes remained fixed on Prince Ning's movements, secretly plotting how to expose his misdeeds.
Prince Ning arrived late, dressed in a magnificent robe embroidered with gold thread, the opulent attire accentuating his handsome features. However, his alluring eyes lingered restlessly over the young ladies, a frivolous and disdainful glint in them that instantly disgusted them. Lin Qian observed him discreetly, a barely perceptible sneer playing on her lips, inwardly mocking, "Let's see how long you can keep up this smugness."
After several rounds of drinks, the guests were all slightly tipsy, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively. Lin Qian keenly sensed that the time was right, and she gave her trusted maid a subtle wink, which the maid nodded in understanding.
A stage had already been set up in the garden. On the stage, several actors, each playing a man or woman of different statuses, were vividly performing scenes of secret trysts and jealousy. The performances on stage were captivating, attracting the attention of many guests.
Lin Qian "unintentionally" walked to Prince Ning's side, pointed to the play on stage, "The wealthy man takes a concubine, and the wife angrily beats the vixen," and covered her mouth with a light laugh, saying, "Your Highness, do you find this play interesting? This concubine's methods are truly brilliant; she has completely bewitched that wealthy man." There was a hint of amusement in her eyes; it seemed like an unintentional remark, yet it held a deeper meaning.
Prince Ning looked at the coy "concubine" on the stage and felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. Just as he was about to examine her more closely, he heard an official beside him sneer, "Hmph, these days, there are more and more vixens, shameless and always thinking about climbing the social ladder!" The voice wasn't too loud, but just loud enough for everyone around to hear, and they all turned to look. Prince Ning had a bad feeling, his expression changed slightly, and he was about to speak in his defense when Lin Qian spoke up seemingly casually, "Yes, some people, relying on their looks, go around seducing others, truly shameless!" Her voice was clear and melodious, yet like a sharp blade, it pierced directly at Prince Ning.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough for everyone around to hear. Following her gaze, everyone saw that the "vixen" on the stage, in terms of her features and figure, bore a striking resemblance to the Minister of War's daughter—the Miss Li, supposedly the Prince Ning's "confidante." The Minister of War's face instantly turned ashen. He glared fiercely at the Prince Ning, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment, before storming off. Immediately afterward, several other ministers recognized that the "concubines" and "singers" on the stage were clearly the likenesses of their own daughters!
Immediately, the garden was abuzz with discussion. The young ladies who had previously been flirting with Prince Ning were now blushing with embarrassment and avoiding the gaze of the crowd, afraid of being implicated in this scandal.
At this moment, Lin Qian communicated with 003 in her mind.
"003, now we'll see how this play goes." A hint of cunning flashed in Lin Qian's eyes, her heart filled with anticipation.
"Host, don't worry, this time we will definitely utterly disgrace Prince Ning," 003 replied confidently.
The maid glanced at Lin Qian, and upon receiving a signal, began to vividly recount the intimate actions between Prince Ning and the daughter of a minister at a banquet. Her description was so vivid and lifelike, as if she had witnessed it herself, that everyone present was captivated, their eyes filled with curiosity and astonishment.
At this point, some people who knew the inside story also began to echo his sentiments.
“Indeed, I’ve heard similar things too,” a minister said softly, a hint of disdain in his eyes, his gaze toward Prince Ning turning cold.
“Yes, Prince Ning’s behavior was indeed somewhat inappropriate.” Another person echoed, shaking his head to express his dissatisfaction with Prince Ning’s actions.
As the crowd shared their stories of Prince Ning's romantic escapades, the news spread rapidly like ripples. Prince Ning's image began to crumble in their eyes. The ministers, already dissatisfied with his behavior, now had their trust in him shattered. Their eyes revealed disappointment and resentment, and the previously lively atmosphere became somewhat tense.
The Prince of Ning's previously beaming smile instantly froze on his face, his expression turning incredibly grim, his eyes filled with anger and humiliation. The gentle night breeze did little to quell his rage. He abruptly glanced at the whispering guests around him. These ministers, who usually fawned over him, now looked at him like a clown, their eyes filled with contempt and mockery. This filled him with unbearable shame.
"Nonsense!" Prince Ning slammed his fist on the table and roared angrily at the maid who had been making such a vivid story, "You wretched servant, how dare you spread rumors and slander me! Guards, drag her away and beat her to death!" His voice was full of anger and authority, trying to suppress the crowd's discussion.
Several guards stepped forward to seize the maid. Seeing this, Lin Qian calmly stood up, blocking the maid's path. A cold smile played on her lips, her eyes filled with determination and fearlessness. She said, "Is Your Highness trying to silence me? My maid merely uttered a few idle words; how could that have alarmed your esteemed presence and led you to such a vicious act? Have you been struck by something, and are you now enraged?" Her words were sharp, her gaze meeting Prince Ning's without fear.
"You!" Prince Ning's face turned ashen with rage, his body trembling slightly, and his finger pointing at Lin Qian was shaking. "Lin Qian, don't think that just because you are the daughter of the Prime Minister, you can spout nonsense here! My affairs are none of your business!" His eyes were filled with threat and anger.
Lin Qian smiled contemptuously, her eyes filled with disdain, and said, "Your Highness Prince Ning, you are a prince, yet you have done such a disgraceful thing to the royal family. Are you saying that others are not allowed to talk about it? You keep saying that my maid is spreading rumors, but who here doesn't know these things? If you really want to silence the gossip, you should reflect on yourself instead of threatening others here!" Her words were firm and resounding, leaving Prince Ning speechless.
Lin Qian's words infuriated Prince Ning, who pointed at her but remained speechless for a long time. The surrounding guests nodded in agreement with Lin Qian's words. Although they feared Prince Ning's power, they also despised his actions.
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