Chapter 94 Leaving It Unsettled (1/2)

Yun Shang squinted her eyes. It happened just as she had expected. When she ran across the cat in the bamboo forest, she knew that something interesting would happen.

It seemed that the trick was played by Lady Ming. As a senior member of the imperial household, Lady Ming would have gone through many ups and downs over the years. As a result, she must be very patient and calm. It didn't seem likely that she would do such a thing impulsively.

Maybe…

As Yun Shang bowed her head to smell her sleeve, she started to cough badly. Then she looked up and said, ”There is undoubtedly an aromatic substance on my sleeve. Due to my poor health, I have never been accustomed to aromas except from herbs. Every time I smell pungent aromas, I cough. What's more, the physician has just said that the aroma would make people restless. Why would I take a substance that would make me very sick?”

”Well, ” On hearing this, the physician timidly lifted his eyes to Lady Ming.

Yun Shang said with a slight smile, ”During my walk from Qingxin Palace to Meiying House, I did not come across any smells. I believe that I got the aromatic substance on my sleeve when I touched the cat. I remember Lady Ming also touched the cat, so did the old maid by Lady Ming's side. Since the substance is harmful, I would suggest that the physician check whether it transferred to Lady Ming and her old maid.”

The imperial physician hesitated. Yun Shang said with a smile, ”Are you afraid that Lady Ming will be offended?”

The physician nodded and said, ”Yes, I'm afraid.”

Yun Shang bowed her head and thought for a while before she swiveled around to speak with the Emperor, ”Father, I'm weak, but I'm young. So it's not all that dangerous if I'm stained with the harmful aroma. But Lady Ming is old if… Father, you can ask a few ladies to smell Lady Ming. Is that okay?”

The Emperor nodded and said, ”Yes. Shang'er is right.” Then he scanned the ladies present and thought for a while before announcing, ”Lady Meng, Lady Ying, and Lady Lan, please check Lady Ming.”

Lady Ming opened her mouth to object, but said nothing. The three ladies walked towards Lady Ming and took a deep breath. Then they approached Yun Shang. The Princess lifted her hands to let them sniff her sleeves. A while later, Lady Meng took the lead in reporting, ”I found there is an odd aroma coming from Lady Ming and the old maid. The aroma is the same as that on Princess Hui Guo's sleeve. I also found something odd. Only one of Princess Hui Guo's sleeves has the aroma.”

Yun Shang smiled, lifted her right hand and said, ”It should be this sleeve. Father, I'm afraid that you don't know that a cat sprang at me on my way here and I was knocked to the ground. I guessed the cat must belong to a lady for it was well-cared for. So I brought it here. Just as we arrived, Lady Fu recognized it and told us the cat was Yuan Bao and that it belonged to Lady Ming. I then gave it back to Lady Ming. Lady Ming asked me to feel its soft fur. I used my right hand to touch the cat.”

After Yun Shang finished her explanation, Lady Ming said, ”Are you implying that I put the aromatic substance on the cat and tried to frame you with that?”

Yun Shang shook her head, ”Lady Ming, I'm afraid you misunderstand me. I should be blamed for I brought the cat here. This incident would not have happened had I not suggested that the cat be brought to the House. Later, I will ask my maid to send my most effective vulnerary to Lady Fu. Now, Father is investigating the truth of the matter. I believe I should give a full account of this incident honestly so that Father is well-informed. I learned it from some novels where characters relate incidents in great detail. I don't know whether what I said is useful or not.”

Yun Shang continued, ”Lady Ming, I knew that it was not you who put the aromatic substance on the cat. Lady Fu is your niece. You won't harm your dear niece. But, I think the one that played the trick and caused suspicion was extremely audacious.”

Dear niece. A mocking air appeared in Yun Shang's eyes but it disappeared soon. Though she didn't know whether Lady Ming played the trick or not, she had explained herself properly. If Lady Ming did play the trick, she must have discussed it with Lady Fu. At any rate, it was acceptable to put Lady Fu in the spotlight. Lady Fu was always holding grudges. Though she didn't say it, she would secretly hate Lady Ming.

The Emperor said nothing and watched the infighting. Impatience flashed in his eyes as he thought, 'These ladies are always contending with each other covertly every day. But today, they almost harmed the baby that Lady Jin is bearing. I should warn them.'

”Somebody Catch a cat for me.” said the Emperor.

A cat? Everybody wondered what the Emperor intended to do.