Princess Chaoyang immediately pointed at Ji Xinhe and cursed, "It must have been you! Out of spite, you intentionally hid the makeup powder in my residence to frame me, Li Xinhe! Your heart is truly ruthless!"
When these words came out of Princess Chaoyang, Ji Xinhe’s face showed no surprise. From the moment she saw this little boy, she had already guessed the trap Chaoyang wanted to set for her this time.
Even her "motive" was prepared for her in advance. This fool was somewhat clever for the first time. But this was likely not of her own idea, but rather that of the old wet nurse by her side.
Seeing Ji Xinhe’s nonchalant demeanor, Princess Chaoyang became increasingly uncertain, feeling that something was amiss.
Originally, she thought that as long as she could lure Ji Xinhe into this Phoenix tree garden, everything would be settled. The people from Dali Temple arrived just on time and trapped her inside. She was caught red-handed. It was as if Heaven was on her side! Yet at this moment, the makeup powder suddenly moved a bit out of its place, and everything seemed amiss.
Xinhe sneered, "Nice frame, but I wonder who is trying to frame who? This makeup powder is on this little slave, not on me. Princess, on what grounds are you accusing me of hiding this makeup powder in Phoenix tree garden?"
Chaoyang hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. After a long pause, she angrily said, "If not you, then who? Everyone saw you sneaking into the Phoenix tree garden. What did you aim to do here? The makeup powder happens to be here, and you happen to be here too. Are you calling this a coincidence?"
No sooner had Chaoyang said this than Shen Yilin rushed to her support, "Exactly! I saw it with my own eyes. She was sneaking towards the Phoenix tree garden. I found it strange at first. Today’s banquet was arranged at the Flower Bird Pavilion, and the garden is so large that one might not be able to finish strolling through it in three days, yet she left the Flower Bird Pavilion and headed towards Phoenix tree garden. Now it seems, she must have had plans to stealthily hide the makeup powder! Little did she know that I spotted her!"
The other ladies also jumped out to support Chaoyang, "Right! We saw too, she snuck out, while everyone else stayed in the garden, we found it strange at the time!"
Chaoyang proudly looked at Ji Xinhe, as if she believed victory was already in sight.
However, Xinhe sneered, "I didn’t deny coming here. I came out from Phoenix tree garden very openly. Do I seem guilty? Why bother finding so many witnesses?"
Chaoyang choked on her words again. It took a long pause before she managed to speak, "What were you sneaking about here for?!"
Xinhe nonchalantly patted the boy’s head, "It’s not me who was sneaking around, but this little slave. That’s why I followed him here."
"Nonsense!" Chaoyang cursed, "You’re just making excuses! You were caught red handed, now you’re making up these lies! My house could not possibly have such a makeup powder! This appearance in my residence today must be someone attempting to frame me!"
Xinhe laughed, "The Princess’s logic is quite strange. You say your residence couldn’t possibly have the makeup powder, yet it was indeed found here. You say it’s slander. Yet, no concrete evidence is presented, and will Dali Temple bring charges based on such baseless words?"
Xinhe’s last words were directed at Lord Liu.
Lord Liu was sweating profusely on his forehead. Although he might not be the sharpest, he isn’t a fool. By now, how could he not understand?
The reason they from Dali Temple were able to enter wasn’t because Chaoyang was in a good mood or kindly, nor was it due to their own luck. Instead, they had stumbled upon the power struggle between Princess Chaoyang and Lady Li! The people from the Dali Temple were caught in the middle, and even a slight carelessness could lead to disastrous consequences!
Upon hearing Xinhe’s words, Lord Liu hastily replied, "Obviously not, the Dali Temple handles cases impartially, not relying on personal statements. There must be definite evidence."
Xinhe smiled, "Exactly, evidence. The evidence is that the makeup powder appeared in the Princess’s residence. Therefore, the prime suspect in this black bear case is none other than Princess Chaoyang. It’s that simple."
"You!" Chaoyang got so furious that her face turned red. She never expected Ji Xinhe to be so sharp-tongued!
Even black can be argued to be white by her!
Shen Yilin hurriedly said, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that the Princess is stupid enough to put the makeup powder in her own residence and then let the Dali Temple search it? This is clearly a set up! Li Xinhe, don’t assume we’re all fools!"
Lord Liu also hastily agreed, "This case is indeed peculiar, it requires thorough investigation."
However, Xinhe simply lifted her chin, "Who said she was stupid enough to put the makeup powder in her own residence? Don’t forget, the makeup powder was found on this little slave, not inside her residence. She saw the Dali Temple’s people coming, so she had this little slave carry out the leftover makeup powder from the black bear case. Who knew, I noticed this little slave, followed him all the way, and he, in panic, sneaked into Phoenix tree garden."
As Xinhe spoke, she blinked at Chaoyang. Who can’t make up stories?
Chaoyang’s face during all of this was a wonderful spectrum of changes, she stayed stunned for a while, unable to speak. This was clearly a scheme she planned, but why did Ji Xinhe twist it with her clever words and make it seem like she tailored it for Ji Xinhe?
"You, you, you’re talking nonsense!" After being choked up for a while, Chaoyang could only squeeze these words out.
The wet nurse Wei by her side was more sensible, she quickly said, "There’s no proof or evidence. Lady Li, it would be better if you refrain from such reckless talk!"
Xinhe sneered, "How am I talking nonsense? Just now Lord Liu said that handling a case requires evidence. If we’re going to charge the Princess today, we need to present both substantial and testimonial evidence. As for the substantial evidence, it’s on the body of a little slave from the Princess’s residence, this makeup powder. Lord Liu saw it too, right?"
Lord Liu hesitated to nod his head, "Yes."
"As for the testimonial evidence..." Xinhe patted the boy again, "You tell me, did Princess Chaoyang order you to take this makeup powder out and dispose of it?"
All eyes instantly turned to the little boy, initially unremarkable. Princess Chaoyang’s eyes were fixed on him, her glare filled with an ominous look.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
