Cai He said, "The eldest lady had an unbearable stomachache, so I accompanied her from the banquet. On the way back, we ran into the King of Qin. He did exchange a few pleasantries with her, but he found an excuse to send me away. I don't know what happened after that. When the second young lady asked me where the eldest lady had gone, I realized she hadn't returned, and when I went back to look for her, she was gone."
Xie Yunzhang echoed Caihe's words. "I was ordered to look for my fifth brother, but after searching the cold palace, I didn't find him. Instead, I discovered the disheveled Miss Lin. I venture to speculate that my fifth brother raped Miss Lin and then abandoned her."
"That's nonsense," Lin Qingru retorted. "Your Majesty, this lowly servant is slandering my innocence. I already knew that Prince Qin was my second sister's fiancé, so how could I have the nerve to meet him in private? Caihe is my second sister's woman, and her confession is untrustworthy."
The Queen glanced at Lin Qingru, a look so profound that it made her hair stand on end. She immediately knelt and kowtowed, apology. "Your Majesty, everything I've said is true. My aunt is Consort Lin, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin is my aunt's son and my cousin. The Prince of Qin already had an engagement with my second sister, and even if I were a fool, I wouldn't steal her hand in marriage and bring shame to the Lin family."
The Queen had been in the harem for many years and was used to seeing the sisters do whatever they wanted to win favor. Compared to that, the Lin sisters' personal grudges were child's play.
Concubine Lin was still alive, and although she had lost her favor, she still had the support of the Prince of Qin. The Lin family was also a century-old family, and they could not be offended for the time being. Weighing the pros and cons, the Queen said, "If that's the case, it's all a misunderstanding. Qi'er, if you have any unspeakable secrets, you might as well tell me earlier. How could I not help you? Even if your relationship with the Lin sisters were known to others, it wouldn't matter. It's just that you haven't seen your fiancée for a long time and miss her a little. Why make such a fuss?"
Xu Jing understood the Queen's intentions. She wanted to make a big deal out of a small matter, a small one out of a big one. Understanding was one thing, but maintaining her image was another. The original owner's image as a fool couldn't be abandoned for the time being.
Xu Jing pretended not to understand and said, "Didn't the Queen Mother say that palace maids couldn't exchange things privately? Besides, it would be terrible if something unexpected happened at a grand occasion like the Qianqiu Banquet. I don't want to embarrass the royal family, so I don't dare get too close to my cousin."
The Queen smiled and said, "What's the big deal? If you want to see me, why don't you let the Lin sisters stay in the palace for a few days and let them live in my side hall?"
"Thank you, mother." Xu Jing glanced back at Lin Wanru, who was kneeling there obediently, with an infatuated look in his eyes. Lin Wanru was so enchanted by his gaze that her stomach churned and she felt like vomiting.
Lin Wanru had originally intended to use this opportunity to get Lin Qingru to admit her affair with Xie Yunqi so she could break off the engagement, but she ended up losing more than she gained, and nearly got herself into trouble. "No. Your mother is still waiting outside the palace gates, and I simply cannot disturb Your Majesty's peace."
The Queen said, "Jianjia, have Minghui go to the palace gate and tell Madam Lin that I've found these two children to be very attractive to me, and I'd like them to stay in the palace for a few days."
Lin Wanru had finally witnessed the Queen's power; she couldn't resist. "Your Majesty, I thank you."
"Good boy, come forward and let me take a good look at you."
Lin Wanru stepped forward as instructed. The Queen took her hand and examined her carefully, smiling, "She is truly an intelligent beauty. I'm actually a little envious of the Imperial Concubine for finding such a smart and obedient wife. Imperial Concubine, you're truly blessed."
"I am but a humble woman, Your Majesty, your praise is too much."
"In my opinion, you and Qi'er are a perfect match. How old are you this year?"
"To answer your Majesty, I am fifteen years old this year."
The Queen smiled and said, "Please inform the Imperial Concubine and her younger sister that the marriage must be arranged as soon as possible."
Lin Wanru's heart skipped a beat, and her heart was bleeding. She might as well die now than marry the scumbag and grouchy Prince Qin!
The original owner was going to be a 15-year-old in November, and she still had two months to find a way to break off her engagement with the King of Qin, otherwise she would be ruined by this scumbag for the rest of her life.
Lin Wanru thought she could get away with it, but she had no idea everyone present was a shrewd person. The Queen had already noticed her subtle expression, though she hadn't said anything. She changed the subject, saying, "Wanru is talented, but her ability to control her subordinates is still a little lacking."
Lin Wanru looked confused and didn't understand what he meant.
Although the Queen smiled, her words were icy cold. "This servant Caihe has stirred up trouble and framed the King of Qin. This crime is unforgivable. Drag her out and beat her to death."
"Your Majesty, wait a minute." Lin Wanru was shocked. How could she kill someone just for a disagreement? The queen was too cruel.
Caihe was her confidant, and Lin Wanru was selfishly determined to save her life at all costs. Without even considering the situation, she begged for mercy. "Your Majesty, Caihe simply misjudged her, not intentionally slandering her. Please, Your Majesty, show mercy and spare Caihe."
"Can't you judge people well? A little maid can slander the innocence of Prince Qin. It seems that the Lin family's ability to control their subordinates is not good enough." The queen's light words made Lin Wanru feel ashamed. However, she had no way to refute it and could only grit her teeth and endure it.
"The state has its laws, and the palace has its rules. Your maid offended Qi'er and should be punished with death. Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives learns about it, where will the dignity of the royal family be? Wanru, don't you agree?"
Lin Wanru's heart was bleeding, but she could only pretend to be calm on the surface. "Your Majesty is right. I have learned my lesson."
"It is a great honor to admit one's mistakes and then to improve." The queen waved her hand, and the people below dragged Caihe out. Caihe couldn't even make a sound to cry for help before someone covered her mouth and dragged her out the door.
A moment later, the sound of a board hitting flesh could be heard from outside the door. Each sound fell into Lin Wanru's ears, the dull sound like a death warrant that made her heart tremble. She didn't even hear Caihe's screams before her face turned pale.
She glanced at the people standing or sitting in the audience, and seeing that everyone was so calm, she didn't know whether to be afraid or pretend to be calm.
For the first time, Lin Wanru understood what it meant to have a single word cost someone their life. She glanced again at the calm and composed empress at the top of the table. She was smiling, but to her, she looked like a demon from hell, capable of deciding someone's life or death with a single word. It was truly terrifying.
Less than a cup of tea later, Ming Xing came in from outside and bowed. "Your Majesty, Cai He is dead."
"Give her a proper burial, considering she served me so well."
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