The show is about to begin
Emperor Yingzong looked at Li Yin and asked in a deep voice, "Do you have anything to say?"
Li Yin straightened her back, looked up at the dignified Emperor Yingzong of Ming, and said, "This humble subject went to Your Highness's place a few days ago, but only to teach Your Highness sword dancing."
Upon hearing this, the maidservant immediately turned her gaze to Li Yin and said, "So, you're admitting it?"
Li Yin said, "I did go there, but I didn't poison anyone. When I went there, His Highness gave me a piece of pastry. Why didn't I see you then?"
The maidservant glanced at Emperor Ming Yingzong and then at Zhao Lianying before saying, "Your Highness, that day you only ordered me to stand aside, so naturally you wouldn't pay attention to me, your maidservant. You only paid attention to your master."
Li Yin nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. As a maid serving His Highness, do you always keep an eye on what passes through His Highness's hands, especially... that yellow pastry?"
Upon hearing this, the woman laughed and said, "Of course that's how it is. It was that piece of pastry that harmed you, my lady. I tried to persuade you, but you were bewitched by this person and listened to everything they said. I... I didn't dare to disobey you, which is why... this disaster has occurred."
She spoke with tears streaming down her face, and her makeup, which she had somehow managed to remove, remained on. Her eyes were red and brimming with tears, and she seemed to be on the verge of crying but couldn't, which gave her a unique charm.
Upon hearing this, Li Yin smiled gently and said, "You spoke very well."
The woman still had tears in her eyes, but when she saw Li Yin, she smiled and said, "What do you mean?"
Li Yin said, "You just said that you were there when His Highness was eating pastries."
The maid replied, "Of course."
Li Yin then continued, "What color are those pastries?"
Without hesitation, the maid replied, "Naturally, it's yellow, and the one you handed me yourself."
Upon hearing this, Li Yin nodded and said, "You are right, but... I am wrong. That day, Your Highness did not eat anything."
The woman's face turned pale instantly, her tone became hesitant, and her body went limp. Then she straightened up and said with a hint of resentment, "I have served my master for many years and I just got confused for a moment, but you did go there that day."
Li Yin said, "Although I have been there, I have neither a place to poison nor a reason to do so. Why are you so sure that I did it?"
As Li Yin spoke, he looked at the person. The maid's eyes darted away, and she dared not look Li Yin in the eye. Her voice also weakened as she said, "Then, from now on, Master's health will not be good."
Li Yin asked, "If I really did poison him, what would my motive be?"
The man looked at Zhao Lianying and said, "Naturally, it's to get revenge on Princess Daoping. Last time, something unpleasant happened between you and His Highness in the garden. You lost face and knew that His Highness and the master were not on good terms, so you wanted to take the opportunity to frame someone and sow discord. This is how you got revenge for last time."
Among the women kneeling on the ground, many had witnessed Zhao Lianying humiliating Li Yin. If they had been humiliated in the same way, it would be reasonable for them to take the opportunity to retaliate.
The crowd nodded in agreement, but remained kneeling upright with their backs straight, afraid that their posture might incur the emperor's wrath.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yingzong spoke up, asking, "Were you by Yue Mu's side that day?"
The maid nodded, her tone very respectful, and bowed her head very low. She said, "Your Majesty, this servant is indeed by Your Highness's side."
Emperor Yingzong frowned slightly. A purple-clad eunuch stepped forward and narrowed his eyes at the maid. He said in a calm tone, "This matter is of great importance. You probably don't want to be accused of falsifying the facts, do you?"
The maid lowered her head, and out of sight of everyone, she cautiously glanced at Zhao Lianying to the side.
Zhao Lianying also lowered her head, her nail-painted fingers gently pointing to the ground.
The maid gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. If anything is untrue, then... may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
Upon hearing this, Li Changde frowned slightly, then raised his voice and said, "You audacious maid, how dare you deceive the emperor!"
Upon hearing this, the maid's hands trembled violently. Her arms shook uncontrollably, and she finally knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply. She said, "This servant deserves to die. This servant... was instructed by someone. This servant had no intention of deceiving His Majesty. It was all... instructed by His Highness the Fifth Prince."
A few days ago, the Fifth Prince suddenly contracted a strange disease. His body was covered with black "lines" around his neck and wrists, which were densely packed and layered.
However, this news had already been suppressed. The only word that was told to the outside world was that the Fifth Prince had offended His Majesty in the main hall and was therefore confined to his quarters for three months.
Some people among the common people speculated that His Majesty was taking the opportunity to weaken the power of the Fifth Prince. Therefore, some people said: "If this is really the case, the Fifth Prince will take the opportunity to cause trouble, put pressure on his other brothers, or test His Majesty's strength."
If that's the explanation, it makes sense. After all, no one can be sure about the relationship between Zhao Yuemu and His Majesty. They may say they're at odds with each other, but no one knows for sure what the truth is. No one knows His Majesty's thoughts, and no one dares to guess. It would be out of curiosity to find out the truth.
If Zhao Yuemu really gets into trouble, then we can see whether Emperor Ming Yingzong is real or not. If his attitude towards Zhao Yuemu is real, then it is as rumored. By investigating his attitude, we can observe the future changes in the situation.
This seems reasonable, but it's too reasonable, making the Fifth Prince appear somewhat foolish.
Li Changde knew about the Fifth Prince's affairs, so he frowned slightly upon hearing this. If it were based on popular folklore, it could be deduced, but the inside story was definitely not like that. However, given Zhao Jianxiao's nature, it was quite possible that he was trying to probe him.
He was immediately overwhelmed with worry. He turned to look at Emperor Yingzong of Ming, who said, "Detain this man, and let the banquet continue."
The kneeling crowd immediately stood up, but their movements were somewhat slow. They had been kneeling for a long time and their legs were sore. When they stood up, their legs felt weak.
Li Yin slowly stood up, walked to Wen Youqing's side, returned to her seat, sat down properly, and lowered her eyes, preoccupied with something on her mind.
Wen Youqing noticed her situation and gently tapped Li Yin's desk, saying, "Zhao Yuemu, everything will be alright."
Upon hearing this, Li Yin followed the hand with its distinct knuckles and looked up to see Wen Youqing's jade-like face. She was somewhat used to Wen Youqing, and she was also accustomed to hearing Wen Youqing's words, which made her feel at ease.
Just as Wen Youqing knew the outcome, Li Yin trusted him greatly, and naturally, he also developed a trust in his words that he himself was unaware of.
Li Yin asked, "Wen Youqing, do you know something?"
Wen Youqing replied truthfully, "I don't know, but I know what others are thinking."
Li Yin didn't take those words to heart; she simply lowered her eyelids again.
The tension that had been hanging in the air for a while was soon lifted again as Zhao Lianying, who couldn't stay still, came out once more.
She bowed respectfully to Emperor Yingzong and said, "Father, your son presents his greetings. Please lead everyone to the flower garden."
Emperor Yingzong of Ming raised his hand slightly, which was taken as his consent.
Li Changde instantly understood and called out, "Please, everyone, move to the flower garden."
The group didn't sit for long before getting up again. Li Yin moved more slowly. He had been kneeling for a long time and had only sat for a short while, but even that short time made his legs go numb, as if pricked by needles.
She took a deep breath, but as soon as she took a step, her foot hurt, and she lost her strength. There was nothing around her, no foothold, and a bitter feeling of helplessness spread through her.
She was already prepared to fall backward when she felt a hand grab her waist. She looked up and saw Wen Youqing looking at her with a hint of resentment in his eyes.
He suddenly questioned, "Li Yin, is it so hard to call me when you need something?"
Li Yin was speechless upon hearing this. These words were somewhat inexplicable to her. She didn't necessarily need to call Wen Youqing when she needed something, and she could usually handle most things herself. She didn't really like to bother others.
Seeing that Li Yin remained silent, Wen Youqing tightened his grip. He seemed angry. Thinking this, Li Yin asked the question as well.
Upon hearing this, Wen Youqing smiled and said, "Li Yin, you know I'm angry, shouldn't you try to coax me a little?"
Li Yin listened without saying a word, then said, "I'm not very good at coaxing people."
Hearing this, Wen Youqing smiled again. He took Li Yin's hand and walked with him, saying, "Li Yin, you and I are very familiar with each other. We are husband and wife. You can come to me if you need anything. I am happy to be called upon by my wife."
He spoke his last sentence slowly and deliberately, so Li Yin could only soften her voice and say, "You... don't be angry anymore."
These words only made Wen Youqing angrier, truly...
Li Yin, is there no place for me in your world?
He said, "Li Yin, why did you not say that you are my wife when His Majesty asked you just now, but only that you are a commoner?"
Li Yin said earnestly, "But I really am. I have no official rank or title. Am I not just a commoner?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Youqing slowed down and reflected slightly on his behavior.
Li Yin's words made sense, but... he was just unwilling to accept it. Why... could Li Yin not include the name of the Wen family's wife, but only refer to her as a commoner?
He seems to have become even stranger.
He lowered his eyelids, and Li Yin was startled. She looked at Wen Youqing, but saw that he had his head slightly lowered.
Li Yin reached out and gently tugged at Wen Youqing's sleeve. She said, "It won't happen again next time."
This is her usual tactic; she says it but can't necessarily do it, but she has to say it first.
Zhao Lianying led the way, and when she turned around, she saw two green figures standing very close together. Her gaze shifted downwards and she saw Wen Youqing's hand on Li Yin's waist. A sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
She cursed inwardly, "You slut, you vixen, all you do is seduce Brother Wen."
But then she smiled again, as if remembering something. "Li Yin, the real show is yet to come."
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