Chapter 13 Interlocking (2/2)
Yun Shang giggled, and took another cake from the plate. While eating, she chatted with Emperor Ning.
The sun had begun to rise. After a few hours, the Commander hurried back with a bracelet and reported, ”Your Majesty, we found it in Her Highness Lady Shu's jewelry box.”
Emperor Ning took it, and frowned, ”Lady Shu? Bring her here.”
As soon as the Emperor had finished speaking, he heard a soft voice. ”Your Majesty, I'm already here. There's no need to bother the Lord Commander again.”
Yun Shang turned around and caught sight of a woman in a purple gown walking towards them. She had thin arched eyebrows, and a small nose and mouth. While her features lent her a delicate appearance, Lady Shu's moon-shaped eyes and thick lashes were her most attractive feature. Yun Shang could see why her father, The Emperor had been drawn to Lady Shu.
Lady Shu was from the Lin Clan. Her title, Shu, suited her as it meant kind and gentle.
Yun Shang smiled. Lady Shu was as powerful as the Empress in His Majesty's imperial household. How stupid of Hua Jing to frame her.
Lady Shu stopped in front of them and curtsied, ”Your Majesty. Commander Shen and other members of your guard have been searching everywhere since early this morning. And they've found this bracelet in my jewelry box. I have no idea why it was there, because it is not one of mine. My maid Zhu Yun* is in charge of my jewelry, and she seems to know about the bracelet. I have brought her here to speak with you.”
(*TN: The rustling of bamboo.)
A maid stepped out from behind Lady Shu and hurriedly knelt on her knees. She sobbed as she spoke. ”Your Majesty! Pardon me, Your Majesty! I put the bracelet into Her Highness's jewelry box. Yesterday, Princess Hua Jing's maid, Die'er brought the bracelet to me and said it was a reward from Your Majesty to Her Highness, Princess Hua Jing. Since Lady Shu had taught Princess Hua Jing how to play the Guqin*, she wanted to give it as a gift to Lady Shu. Die'er also said that the Princess was worried that Her Highness, Lady Shu would refuse the present because they have been distant these past few years. So Her Highness, the Princess wanted me to put the bracelet in Lady Shu's jewelry box secretly.
(*TN: Chinese Zither.)
The maid kowtowed to Emperor Ning repeatedly. She banged her forehead on the ground so hard that it was bruised and bleeding, ”I thought it was a gesture of goodwill from Princess Hua Jing, so I put the bracelet in Lady Shu's jewelry box...Pardon me, Your Majesty!”
Princess Hua Jing turned pale. She pointed at the maid and shouted angrily, ”Utter nonsense! When did Die'er give the bracelet to you? She was by my side the whole day. All my servants were witness to her whereabouts as well.”
Lady Shu lowered her head and said softly, ”Your Majesty, I'm afraid there is a deeper conspiracy behind this. The two princesses and I, are being framed. Your Majesty, please find the true murderer and prove our innocence.”
At the time, another guard rushed back, and bowed to Emperor Ning, ”Your Majesty, I found two bracelets in a maid's room. She serves at Princess Yun Shang's palace.”