"I will report today's events to my father and have him carefully select another governess for you. From now on, you will study the rules in the palace. You may come out again when you have mastered them." Zhou Xingzhi stood with his hands behind his back, not even glancing at the Seventh Princess, and his casual words left her utterly dejected.
"Crown Prince, you can't treat me like this." The Seventh Prince opened his mouth, somewhat indignant, but under the Crown Prince's authority, he could only utter this one sentence.
Her father had always valued the Crown Prince and paid particular attention to his words. When news of today's events reached his ears, she was bound to receive a reprimand.
Moreover, the governess was rigid, strict, and merciless, only obeying the Emperor's orders, and showing no leniency towards her, the princess.
The thought of having her learn manners from the governess made the Seventh Princess feel uncomfortable.
She couldn't help but cast a pleading look at Prince Li, who stood behind the Crown Prince, "Brother..."
Li Wang's eyes flickered slightly, and his large hand behind his back slowly caressed the white jade thumb ring on his thumb. After pondering for a long time, just as he was about to say something, Shen Jinshu came out.
"Your Highness, the princess spoke rashly in her haste. That piece of blood jade was a gift from the Empress Dowager herself, and the princess cherishes it greatly, which is why she lost her composure."
Although I trust my second sister, everything requires evidence. My second sister is indeed the most suspicious among us. The princess's actions were out of necessity.
The second sister can only silence the gossip by proving her innocence.
She spoke with an air of righteous indignation, seemingly a kind older sister who genuinely cared for her younger sister.
But upon closer listening, one can sense that something is amiss.
Song Zhiyu twitched the corners of her mouth and said with a forced smile, "What you mean, big sister, is that if I don't cooperate with the body search, it means I'm guilty."
Those who had come into contact with the Blood Jade refused to be searched; were they also feeling guilty? The eldest sister is so righteous and awe-inspiring; perhaps she should set an example first.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jinshu's face visibly darkened; she never expected the boomerang to pierce her own body.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, a deep, angry voice rang out from behind everyone.
"Nonsense! Shu'er is of good character and would never do such a petty theft. You are insulting her."
Shen Yanxi strode into the pavilion, firmly protecting Shen Jinshu behind him, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Song Zhiyu.
"Your Highness, Your Highness Prince Li. The Cheng'en Marquis's family is unfortunate; we failed to properly educate Song Zhiyu, which led her to commit such a grave mistake." Shen Yanxi cupped his hands, his expression complex, and with a single sentence, he condemned Song Zhiyu, giving her no chance to defend herself.
On his way to Lianting after receiving the news, Shen Yanxi was preoccupied with the thought of Song Zhiyu causing trouble for the Marquis's mansion again and how he should resolve the situation. He did not doubt the accuracy of the messenger's words.
Or rather, he had subconsciously already accepted Song Zhiyu's guilt.
The moment Pei Qingyan saw Shen Yanxi, his eyes turned cold. "The truth of the matter is still unknown, yet you've already pinned the blame on Miss Song without even knowing the facts. Are you really her brother?"
"I'm just stating the facts." Shen Yanxi's face stiffened, and he didn't dare to look Song Zhiyu in the eye.
Song Zhiyu couldn't help but speak up, "No, I don't have an older brother who's so eager to pin false accusations on me. I'm really not worthy of such treatment."
“Indeed, it’s better to be without an older brother like that.” Pei Qingyan’s expression softened instantly, the icy look in his eyes faded, and he became less distant.
The two of them, working in unison, made Shen Yanxi's face turn ashen with anger. He couldn't understand why Pei Qingyan had repeatedly helped Song Zhiyu to put him down. Seeing the two of them acting so familiar with each other, he felt inexplicably annoyed.
"Fourth Brother..." Shen Jinshu called softly, tugging at his sleeve, trying to pull him back to his senses.
Shen Yanxi flung Shen Jinshu's hand away, his anger rising as he stared intently in Song Zhiyu's direction, oblivious to the change in Shen Jinshu's gaze.
Pei Qingyan shifted his gaze from Song Zhiyu to the Seventh Princess, his lips slightly pursed. "Miss Song is right. Anyone who came into contact with the Blood Jade today is a suspect. If we are to search her, to be fair and impartial, the others should also be searched. However, searching the ladies is really inappropriate."
If Your Highness trusts me, please entrust this matter to my investigation. Within three days, I will certainly provide Your Highness with a satisfactory answer.
"No need to trouble Lord Pei, I will find the thief myself." The Seventh Princess said through gritted teeth, not forgetting to glare at Song Zhiyu.
She felt a pang of sadness. She hadn't expected Pei Qingyan to care so much about Song Zhiyu. What was she then?
"Song Zhiyu, if you have nothing to hide, why are you afraid of being searched? Chunxia, do it!" The Seventh Princess was certain that the Blood Jade was on Song Zhiyu. As long as she was searched, she would be caught red-handed, and even if she had ten mouths, she wouldn't be able to explain herself.
Therefore, despite the pressure of offending the Crown Prince, she still forced a body search on Song Zhiyu.
"Yes." Chunxia replied, steeling herself to step forward and grab Song Zhiyu's hand, her eyes fixed on the sachet at Song Zhiyu's waist.
But as soon as she touched Song Zhiyu's hand, she was shoved away violently and fell heavily to the ground. The purse tied around her waist was also thrown out and landed at Song Zhiyu's feet.
"Stay away from our young lady." Lu Bai withdrew her hand, giving a warning as she did so, and then picked up the purse that had fallen to the ground.
Lu Bai held up the blood jade wrapped in a handkerchief, displaying it to everyone, saying, "You're the one who cries 'stop thief!'"
Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise, "This is... the Seventh Princess's Blood Jade. Wasn't it said to have been stolen? How did it end up on Chunxia?"
Even Shen Jinshu's expression changed.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the blood jade in Lu Bai's hand. Seeing Song Zhiyu's calm expression, she couldn't help but take a deep breath, close her eyes, and calm her emotions.
Chunxia was terrified. Forgetting all her pain, she scrambled to the Seventh Princess's feet, pleading, "Princess, I really don't know why the Blood Jade was in my purse. I was just following your orders..."
"Shut up!" Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the Seventh Princess's shout, her scarlet eyes seeming to want to devour her whole.
The Seventh Princess quickly calmed down and slapped Chunxia hard across the face. "You traitor! You stole my Blood Jade and you won't admit it!"
"You almost caused me to misunderstand Miss Song! You deserve to die! Is this how your parents raised you?"
As the Seventh Princess finished speaking, Chunxia collapsed to the ground, her face dejected.
She knew that the Seventh Princess had abandoned her, and for the safety of her family, she had to shoulder all the blame.
She couldn't figure out why the blood jade, which should have been on Song Zhiyu, had inexplicably ended up in her purse.
What exactly happened?
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