Luo Lan really couldn't guess what Shui Chunhua brought. Apart from the handkerchief, her uncle had never mentioned any other items to her, so at this moment, she could only lower her head and remain silent.
The emperor, who was always suspicious, saw that she was silent, and his face suddenly darkened. He frowned and asked:
"Liu, has Shui Luolan seen this thing before?"
"Yes."
Before Liu could speak, Shui Chunhua replied loudly and righteously:
"We were playing with it together back then. She knew it was something she had on her when she was picked up. So, this woman now must not be my poor sister. My sister must have been killed by this woman. Your Majesty... uh uh uh... please stand up for my sister!"
She cried so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, making people feel pity. Luo Lan wondered when the original owner and she had formed such a deep friendship. Because according to common sense, Shui Chunhua would not cry even if the original owner died. It seemed that her acting skills had improved a lot during this period.
Seeing Shui Chunhua performing so hard, Concubine Chang raised the corner of her mouth slightly, then raised her eyebrows and said:
"Your Majesty, I think it would be best to leave this matter to the Ministry of Punishment. After all, impersonating someone to get close to the royal family is suspicious. I even suspect she's a spy sent from a foreign country. Your Majesty should conduct a thorough investigation and not lose sight of the bigger picture."
Upon seeing this, Concubine Li pretended to be a little panicked and echoed:
"Sister Chang's words are so frightening! If they are really spies from a foreign country, then this is no small matter. It seems that it is better to cut losses in time. Your Majesty, please reconsider."
Although Concubine Li spoke cryptically, anyone could tell that she and Concubine Chang were on the same side in this matter.
The emperor's eyes darkened, perhaps he was thinking about something. Leng Xi still stood in front of Luo Lan, clasped his fists and said loudly:
"Father, I think the two majesties' words are inconsistent. Why should the imperial sister-in-law be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation? Anyone who enters there will be tortured to force a confession. This is coercion. Not only is it not a very clever tactic, it will also make people laugh at the royal family for being so cold and heartless as to treat a defenseless and vulnerable woman like this."
Leng Xi's words were as sharp as a needle. Luo Lan felt warm in her heart, but the emperor and the two queens were a little displeased.
After all, these three people have their own concerns. The emperor really suspects that Luo Lan's identity is fake, which may be detrimental to the royal family.
Concubine Chang hoped that the person who had brought her up personally would be ignored, not only to remove the stumbling block Luo Lan that she had used, but also to slowly get rid of Leng Yu, the big hidden danger.
Concubine Li wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of her to weaken Leng Yu's inner defenses and then get rid of Leng Yu.
So, when Concubine Li saw Leng Xi insisting on speaking for Luo Lan, she frowned and glared at him, saying angrily:
"Xi'er, why don't you leave? Your father hasn't held you accountable for taking Ming'er out of the palace without permission, so why don't you go and have some fun? How dare you be so rude here? Your mother has really neglected to discipline you."
Leng Xi ignored Concubine Li's angry scolding, raised his eyebrows and continued:
"What Mother, Father, and Imperial Concubine Chang said is unreasonable. Why can't Xi'er refute it?"
“Bold.”
The emperor saw that Leng Xi's words were becoming more and more excessive, so he shouted directly:
"I will make the final decision on this matter. Xi'er, please step aside. If you continue to be disrespectful, I will put you in solitary confinement."
"Hmph, what else can you do besides confinement? You confined Fourth Brother for three years and ignored him. He almost died in Prince Yu's mansion. If it weren't for the timely appearance of the Imperial Sister-in-law, Fourth Brother would have long been reduced to a pile of bones. Could it be that Father also wants to confine Xi'er to death?"
"presumptuous."
Leng Xi's words completely angered the emperor. He pointed at him and shouted at the people outside:
"Come here, take Leng Xi away and put him in solitary confinement for three days."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, two guards came up. Leng Xi wanted to resist, but Luo Lan stopped him quietly.
"Lengxi, don't be rude. Go back and put yourself in solitary confinement."
Leng Xi bit his lip and looked at Luo Lan, wanting to say something but stopping himself. Luo Lan hurriedly shook his head at him and said softly:
"I'm fine, go ahead!"
Although Leng Xi didn't want to leave here, he knew very well that if he continued to make trouble, the consequences would be even worse.
So he obediently followed the two guards and left. Before leaving, he kept looking back at Luo Lan, his eyes full of worry for her.
Luo Lan smiled at him calmly, but that smile was filled with helplessness.
Leng Xi was taken away, and the emperor straightened his expression and said to Luo Lan:
"Shui Luolan, regardless of whether your identity is true or false, and regardless of how qualified you are as Princess Yu, I cannot tolerate your deception. Therefore, I will give you a chance. If you honestly explain your purpose for approaching the royal family and your true identity, I will give you a lighter sentence. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to hand you over to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation."
The emperor spoke lightly, but everyone present held their breath. Although Shui Chunhua and Liu lowered their heads, their faces were already beaming with joy.
Concubine Chang said that as long as they confirmed that Shui Luolan's identity was fake, she would reward them with another 1,000 taels of silver, which would be enough for them to squander for a while.
Concubine Chang and Concubine Li also raised their eyebrows and looked at Shui Luolan, waiting for her to open her argument.
Luo Lan pondered for a moment, then bowed expressionlessly and replied:
"I have nothing to confess, and I have never admitted that my identity was false. I hope Your Majesty will understand. If Your Majesty insists on handing me over to the Ministry of Punishment, then I have nothing to say. Even if I am tortured, I will not confess such a fabricated thing."
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