Chapter 96 The Versions Of Truth (2/2)

Before she could say more, a voice came from behind, ”I think the Princess is right.” It was Lady Lan...

Yun Shang sneered. It seemed that Lady Lan always spoke without thinking. She wanted to continue, but a eunuch entered and reported, ”Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, an old maid would like to confess.”

Lady Ming was a little surprised, but she quickly said, ”Bring her forward.”

Two eu

I sent her for the secretion. What can I say? I never expected that the lure would cause my downfall.”

Emperor Ning scoffed, ”What are you playing innocent for? There's enough evidence to convict you. What do you say in your plea?”

Lady Lan knelt in front of him, smiling, ”There is an old saying, Your Majesty. If you are out to condemn someone, you can always trump up a charge. I have nothing to say in my plea.”

Emperor Ning waved his guards forward. ”Take her away. Lady Lan has plotted against her fellow ladies in the most cruel-hearted way. For her moral wretchedness, she will be imprisoned in the Cold Palace from this day forward till the end of her life.”

Lady Ming frowned at the sentence. She wanted to say something, but finally didn't. What could she say anyway? Who would believe her if she simply said that she sensed there was something wrong? How could her intuition outweigh the sound evidence? Neither could she clarify Lady Lan's character by claiming her to be the Empress's confidant, for allying with other ladies was a serious crime in the Palace.

Thinking that through, Lady Ming glanced around the Hall, but read nothing from the attendees' faces. Lady Jin used to be the Emperor's favorite before, but she had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace for so many years. She'd count herself lucky for being released again, let alone be in a position to exert her influence among the new ladies. In Lady Ming's opinion, Lady Jin was busy protecting her new child, so she wouldn't be the one behind tonight's scene. Princess Yun Shang was also an unlikely suspect. The Princess had grown up in Ning'guo Temple, far away from the entanglements in the Palace. However clever she may be, she wasn't able to plot such a thorough scheme without leaving a trace.

Lady Ming frowned as a feeling overwhelmed her. She suddenly felt that the future court life would be filled with disturbances. Distracted by the thought, she ordered, ”Madam Cui has betrayed her Emperor and His Majesty's ladies. She will work in Yexiang Lane to cleanse her diseased soul.”

The name sounded artistic, but Yexiang Lane was the place where the chamber pots were cleaned. Although Lady Ming had promised to spare Madam Cui's life, she had numerous ways to torture her.

But Madam Cui wasn't fazed. She kowtowed to Lady Ming and murmured, ”Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.” Then the eunuchs dragged her away.

So far, this farce seemed to have been solved. Lady Ming claimed that she was consumed by the drama and needed to rest. And the other ladies also excused themselves before returning to their Palaces.

”How wonderful! Lady Lan had done many awful things under the Empress's order. Now her bad deeds have finally caught up with her.” As they returned to Yun Shang's Palace, Qian Yin happily said.

But Yun Shang didn't respond. She had been quiet along the way, as she contemplated on tonight's event. Absent-minded, she sat on the bed, not even realizing that Qin Yi was helping her wash her feet. Suddenly, she cried out, ”I see!”

Qin Yi and Qian Yin exchanged glances, ”Your Highness, what do you see?”

Yun Shang smiled at them and said, ”I see how it worked. Lady Lan should never have mentioned the compartment in her Guqin. Overwhelmed by anxiety, she made a grave mistake. Knowing about the compartment before the Emperor sent for her Guqin gave the culprit the opportunity to replace the deeds with the parcel. How swift.”

Qin Yi giggled, ”Have you been thinking of that this whole time, Your Highness?”

Yun Shang answered with a smile. Qin Yi wanted to say something, but only managed a sigh. Seeing that, Qian Yin also remained quiet. The two maids looked at each other before quietly helping Yun Shang into bed.