Chapter 473 - Proper Palace Intrigue (12) (1/2)

Lu Ruo recounted what happened in a truthful manner, neither exaggerating nor adding any details.

When she went to bring the young prince back, they’d only met Shi Sheng and no one else. The prince hadn’t eaten while inside the academy, and there hadn’t been enough time to eat before the poison acted up after his return.

“Zhuang Qiong, what else do you have to say for yourself?” Yuwen Xun interrogated Shi Sheng, a fire burning in his eyes, as if he wished to immediately reduce her to ashes.

Shi Sheng knew that regardless of the truth of the matter, Yuwen Xun was going to use this as an opportunity to make things hard for her.

‘Looks like I should just start chopping! Where’s my(lz) sword?’

“Your Majesty.” Someone rushed in from outside the chamber, falling to one knee in front of Yuwen Xun as he presented his findings with both hands. “We found this at Yun Jie Yu’s palace.”

The man held two porcelain bottles in his hands. They were even labelled.

“You guys were certainly well prepared.” Shi Sheng reacted faster than Yuwen Xun. “Did I kill your whole family or something?”

Though it was unknown who she was addressing.

“Zhuang Qiong, what nonsense are you rambling on about?” Yuwen Xun angrily tossed the bottles at Shi Sheng. “See for yourself! What do you have to say now? These were found in your sleeping chambers, yet you deny having poisoned Jing’er?!”

Lu Ruo heaved a sigh of relief. ‘Looks like I’m in the clear now. It’s really tiring to live in the palace…’

“Well, okay then. May I ask you, Your Majesty, why on earth would I poison the prince? And then put the poison I used in my own palace? Do I look that dumb to you?”

“Who knows why you poisoned the young prince? As for the poison, perhaps you simply weren’t able to dispose of it in time.” Shu Fei interjected from the side.

Shi Sheng laughed mockingly. “I could’ve chucked a bottle that size anywhere and called it a day. Didn’t have time to dispose of it? At least think things through a bit more before framing me.”

“What, do you mean to say I framed you?!” Shu Fei suddenly got agitated.

Shi Sheng’s lips curved in a false smile. “I never named names—what’re you being so riled up for? Only people with a guilty conscience jump at ghosts.”

“Your Majesty, just look at her! She doesn’t know to reflect after what she did!”

“Why should I reflect when I didn’t do it? You, on the other hand, might have to.” Shi Sheng continued her provocations in a fearless manner.

‘Anyone could tell something was up with her exaggerated reactions.’

Shu Fei was angry and desperate, “Yun Jie Yu, don’t make false accusations!”

Shi Sheng shrugged, smiling in a rather dark manner.

Yuwen Xun’s gaze was chilling as he shot Shu Fei a look.

Shu Fei’s heart skipped a beat. ‘What does His Majesty mean by that?’

Just as the room had fallen into a stalemate, De-gonggong entered the chamber and whispered into Yuwen Xun’s ear, “Your Majesty, Sir Ming seeks an audience.”

“What for?”

“Sir Ming claims he has a lead for us.” De-gonggong replied respectfully.

Yuwen Xun’s brows furrowed. He hummed for a moment before speaking, “Summon him.”

Ming Jin entered the palace. The moment he appeared, all the palace maids and concubines lowered their heads demurely.

Ming Jin had gotten changed into a new set of clothes. Though it was still white, it was of a different style from what he previously wore. He looked more ethereal than he did during the day.

His long, black hair flowed along after him, creating an elegant arc.

He walked into the light from the dark, his eyes gentle and warm, his lips slightly raised in a smile that was akin to a ripple in a pond, slowly taking over their hearts.

Shi Sheng examined him boldly.