Chapter 303 - Ling Fengyan Raises False Charges in the Peach (1/2)

“Rui’er, what are you saying?” Ling Fengyan pulled her back and said to Mo Xuetong apologetically, “Rui’er is mistaken. Please forgive her, Princess.”

There were so many people and Ling Rui’er looked so angry and wronged. If Mo Xuetong did not find out what was wrong, she would have been wronged. There were many who looked at Mo Xuetong curiously and their attention was on the ruby hairpin in her hair.

“It is really Second Miss Ling’s hairpin. She said that she lost it earlier, so it…”

“I heard that the Princess Royal gave her many pieces of jewelry. Why did she take what belongs to others?”

“No one can have enough beautiful accessories. This is the newest style that has to be specially ordered. You can’t buy it even if you have money. It was long gone when I went to the shop.”…

Everyone chattered on. Suddenly, a dismissive voice sounded, “She’s a mighty princess and has seen all kinds of precious jewelry. Why would she steal an ordinary hairpin and wear it so openly on her hair? Furthermore, I heard that Princess Anping has never been to the Ding General Manor. Did she jump over walls in the middle of the night or what?”

If someone had gone into Ling Fengyan’s room in the middle of the night, it would tarnish her reputation.

Everyone could not help but look at Ling Fengyan suspiciously. She was about to become King Chu’s consort and something like that should not happen.

Ling Fengyan did not expect that someone would speak up for Mo Xuetong at a time like this and that the person would so smartly turn everyone’s attention from Mo Xuetong to her. She looked up and saw Li Youmo who was leaning against a tree and watching the show. A hint of cold viciousness flashed through his eyes. She tugged on Ling Rui’er’s sleeve to give her a signal.

“Second Sister was wearing this hairpin this morning and she lost it after coming to the palace. I wonder where Her Highness got the hairpin.” Ling Rui’er received the ma.s.sage and attacked relentlessly.

Mo Xuetong smiled lightly and did not attempt to hide from the suspicious gazes cast upon her. She lifted her brows and said lightly, “Third Miss Ling, I fear you must have been mistaken. Her Highness Consort Yu gave me the hairpin when I came to the palace. When did this become Second Miss Ling’s?”

“Your Highness, I fear you must have been mistaken. When we spoke, I only mentioned about some matters in the palace. When did I give you this hairpin? And why would I give you a hairpin?” Consort Yu’s voice wafted from behind. The crowd parted. Consort Yu suddenly appeared, her face stern and righteous.

Yu Mingyong’s matter was not something that anyone spoke of. If it were to be revealed, it would be bad for both the Mo Manor and Yu Mingyong. Yet, it would damage the reputation of the Mo daughters more. Consort Yu was certain that Mo Xuetong would not dare to say anything about Yu Mingyong in front of everyone.

“Your Highness, you were the one who gave the hairpin to my mistress. Why are you saying that?” Mo Ye said angrily, emerging from behind Mo Xuetong.

“When did I say that? I am a consort. When is it your turn as a servant to question me? I wouldn’t have given the hairpin to the princess for no reason, would I? Princess, tell us, why have I given you the hairpin?” Consort Yu yelled coldly. She turned to look at Mo Xuetong with a hint of pleased smile on her lips.

There was a flash of darkness in Mo Xuetong’s eyes. Her mocking gaze turned from Ling Fengyan to Consort Yu. What had she done for King Ning and King Yan’s factions to work together against her?

“Or perhaps Your Highness made a mistake? Perhaps someone really gifted it to you. The hairpin might really belong to Her Highness.” Ling Fengyan said. It sounded as if she were trying to make excuses for Mo Xuetong but actually, she had already determined that Mo Xuetong was in the wrong. It might not be Mo Xuetong’s mistake, but it was most likely her mistake. They could already be sure that Mo Xuetong had stolen the hairpin.

Mo Xuetong had not had many interactions with Ling Fengyan. She really did not know how she had offended the most beautiful woman of Qin. Mo Xuetong saw that Ling Fengyan’s gentle eyes were hiding an almost imperceptible hint of satisfaction. She felt that it was funny. If not for all her fights with Mo Xuemin, she would not have noticed that.

This was yet another woman like Mo Xuemin who hid her viciousness and ruthlessness under a veneer of gentleness.

“Second Sister, I can’t be wrong. Someone’s hairpin is on her head. Furthermore, you had a set made, what use would it be if she took a hairpin?” Ling Rui’er said angrily. She took a jewelry box from the maid behind Ling Fengyan. She opened the box containing the ruby jewelry set and showed it to everyone.

Other than a missing hairpin, the others were all similar!

Ling Rui’er picked up another hairpin and stared at Mo Xuetong, saying, “Princess Anping, look at this carefully. This pin and the one on your head are a pair. How did it become yours? If you say that it is yours, then take out your set. I remember that the best products from the shop are matching jewelry pairs.”

Everyone was convinced when they saw how detailed Ling Rui’er was. Their gazes landed on the pin that Ling Rui’er was holding and to Mo Xuetong’s hair. When they compared it carefully, it was indeed the same style and ruby. Even the degree of the s.h.i.+ne of the ruby when shone upon by the sun was the same. What else could they be if not a set?

“Your Highness, how are you going to explain this?” Ling Rui’er said, pleased.

Mo Xuetong smiled lightly and pulled out the pin on her hair. She raised it up beside Ling Rui’er’s pin and put the two pins together. They could see the two pins clearly. “Third Miss Ling, do you think I need to explain? I ask that you retract your statement. Libel is a much more serious crime than theft. It also tarnishes the reputation of the royal family. Third Miss Ling, are you sure you can bear responsibility for this?”

The two hairpins glittered under the sunlight. The rubies shone brilliantly.

Ling Fengyan felt that something was not right when she saw how calm Mo Xuetong was! She was just about to say something to get Ling Rui’er to back off.

However, there was a loud commotion just before she could say anything.

Li Youmo’s voice was the loudest. “The Ding General Manor’s eyes are really sharp. They can’t even see such a big difference. Look, Princess Anping’s hairpin has two raised flower stems. Why does Miss Ling think that it belongs to them? I have to watch my jade pendant carefully the next time I go out. I don’t know when someone will frame me for sneaking into their rooms. My father would kill me.”

Then, he scrunched up fearfully as if he had been afraid he’d really be beaten to death.