The little boy shuddered all over, clutching Xin He’s hand tightly, stammering, "After Wei Popo instructed me, she seemed to mention it to the porter, saying that if someone from the Dali Temple comes today, don’t stop them, just let them in."
Xin He’s eyes chilled: "Dali Temple?"
"Yes, yes!" The little boy nodded vigorously, holding Xin He’s hand tighter as if fearing her wrath, terrified she may drown him in the river: "I found it bizarre, so I remembered it. People from the Dali Temple have been coming to the Princess’s mansion daily, but the Princess has never let them in. Given the status of the Princess, the officials from the Dali Temple wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. However, today is the Princess’s banquet, Consort Guifei will be present, it’s such a big day, she actually instructed to let someone from the Dali Temple in, I ... I found it strange..."
As the little boy spoke, Xin He’s expression had turned icy, causing those watching her to shudder. The little boy’s voice gradually became weaker until it couldn’t be heard anymore.
Xin He sneered. To protect herself, Princess Chaoyang had stooped so low as to let officials from Dali Temple in today and purposely led her to this courtyard by this little boy. She suspected that make-up powder was located within this courtyard!
——
Princess Chaoyang was anxiously pacing back and forth in the room, impatience written all over her face.
Finally, Wei Popo hurried in, her face flushed: "Princess, Miss Li has entered Wutong Garden!"
Chaoyang’s eyes shone, "Really?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. She followed that little boy who looks very similar to her brother into the garden. Not only I saw it, but Miss Shen and the others saw it too! We just wait for people from the Dali Temple to come and search the garden. They will find the make-up powder, then the princess can directly accuse Ji Xinhe of slandering her and intentionally hiding it in her Wutong garden. After all, everyone saw her sneaking into Wutong Garden!"
As long as Ji Xinhe’s accusation against Chaoyang stands, any connections between Chaoyang and the Black Bear Incident can be completely ruled out. After all, she would be the victim.
They might even claim that Ji Xinhe orchestrated the whole Black Bear Incident!
This case was actually of great concern to Chaoyang because the court and the Emperor took it seriously.
The emperor had ordered that the Dali Temple must solve the case. Therefore, it was inevitable that they would investigate her mansion. Though she had already ordered all the make-up powder in the mansion to be carefully removed, leaving not even a trace, the Dali Temple wasn’t likely to conduct a hasty search.
If even the slightest clue is left in the mansion, it might be discovered. The risk is too great, something she couldn’t afford to take.
Therefore, she had to take action before the storm hit.
Who would be foolish enough to display the make-up powder in their own mansion? Unless they are framed. At this time, Ji Xinhe had sneaked into the courtyard, naturally making her the person who framed others!
She even prepared a reason for Chaoyang. The appearance of Lady Ding was to humiliate Ji Xinhe and to set the stage for the upcoming drama.
The plan seemed seamless and reasonable.
Perhaps because Chaoyang had been outsmarted by Ji Xinhe too many times, she felt a bit uneasy. "Can this really work? Why hasn’t the person from the Dali Temple come yet? If they are late, she might have already left."
Wei Popo huffed, "The princess is worrying too much. Even if Ji Xinhe leaves the courtyard early, many people have witnessed her entering. We have plenty of witnesses! Just say that she sneaked in and hid the make-up powder in Wutong garden. Anyway, when the people from the Dali Temple come to investigate our mansion, they surely can’t overlook her!"
Chaoyang’s expression finally eased a bit, and she nodded: "That’s good."
Again, she suddenly remembered something, asking warily, "What about the boy who led Ji Xinhe into the courtyard?"
Wei Popo was taken aback, obviously thinking that the princess was suddenly asking about such an insignificant character. "Why is the princess asking about him?"
"Where did he go?!" Chaoyang demanded impatiently.
Wei Popo stammered, "I’m not too sure. When I saw Ji Xinhe entering the courtyard, I rushed back to report it. He’s just a small servant, what’s the urgency? After leading Ji Xinhe into the courtyard, he probably ran off."
Even if Ji Xinhe did catch him, what difference would that make? It would just be that she mistook him for someone else. What’s the big deal?
However, Wei Popo obviously underestimated Ji Xinhe’s keenness and intelligence.
Suddenly, a little maid hurried in and said, "Princess, the people from Dali Temple are here!"
On hearing this, Chaoyang immediately put everything aside. As for the whereabouts of the little boy, she didn’t have time to think about it. Hastily, she ordered, "Invite them in quickly! I will go out to meet them."
"Yes!"
In the Flower and Bird Pavilion, all the ladies had resumed their laughter and chatter. The atmosphere was lively once again. Perhaps it was because Ji Xinhe’s departure left and Chaoyang had returned to her room. With the two main figures in the tension absent, the atmosphere was no longer oppressive, and they all seemed to be much at ease.
That is until the people from the Dali Temple suddenly arrived.
Shen Yilin widened her eyes and said, "Today is the Princess’s banquet! You dare to come to investigate on this day, showing utter disrespect!"
Shen Yilin’s remark was meant to flatter Chaoyang. She knew Chaoyang had a fiery temper, she would certainly lose it if she saw how the group from the Dali Temple had the audacity to embarrass her. Shen intended to scold them for Chaoyang before she arrived, not only to save her face but also to win her favor.
Who expected that when the Dali Temple officials looked embarrassed, Chaoyang would walk in confidently and say, "The people from Dali Temple are here to execute the Emperor’s decree and carry out justice. I, as a royal sister, should help to relieve the Emperor’s worries. Regarding the recent Black Bear Incident, I cannot afford to neglect it. Let the people from the Dali Temple investigate. After all, they are serving the court."
Chaoyang’s remark surprised everyone. Shen Yilin was so shocked that her jaw dropped. She thought she was going deaf, her face was horribly ugly. This was a slap in her face!
The bystanders were also dumbfounded. The officials from the Dali Temple were standing there, bewildered, wondering if the notorious princess had taken the wrong medicine today.
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