Chapter 269: Accusation
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
“Someone fell into the water!”
The storyteller’s hand trembled, and the wooden board fell to the ground.
Dai Wangfei and the others had various expressions, and Mingzhu’s mood wasn’t good either. Before she could inquire, Wei Tiande rushed over to report, “It’s a maid who listened to the princess’s orders to pick flowers by the lake. She accidentally fell in, but fortunately, she was rescued in time.”
How coincidental! This meal today was truly unsettling, there was never a moment of peace from start to finish. But good guests must bravely face the host’s deception. Even if they knew there were hidden motives, they should go along with the host’s wishes and fully trust their words. That’s how to be a welcomed guest.
Therefore, Dai Wangfei and the others all chimed in, “What a careless mistake! Fortunately, luck was on her side, or else her life would have been in danger.”
Mingzhu echoed a few words, knowing that as the host, there were certain things she had to deal with herself. She stood up and said, “I’ll go see how Funing is.”
But Dai Wangfei interjected, “I have a few young ones at home, and I’m worried. I must take my leave.”
With Dai Wangfei taking the lead, Concubine Fu, and Huayang Wangfei couldn’t sit still either, saying, “There are many things to attend to at our residence…”
Princess Kangning, perhaps feeling pricked by Mingzhu’s words and realizing there was little benefit in staying, said, “I rarely leave the palace. Why not take advantage of Funing’s sleepiness and go for a stroll? Seven Sister-in-law, could you accompany me to the streets for a walk?”
Not one to refuse a smiling face, Huayang Wangfei agreed.
Since the meal wasn’t enjoyable and there were many matters left to handle, forcing the guests to stay would only make things more awkward. Mingzhu went along with the flow and escorted them out with Yuwen Chu.
Before leaving, Yuwen Chu gave a faint glance at Wei Tiande, who immediately understood his meaning. As they left, Wei Tiande ordered the performers who had come in today to be detained, and the concubines couldn’t leave either; they were all to stay put.
After seeing off the guests, Yuwen Chu turned to Mingzhu, wanting to say something, but Mingzhu preemptively smiled at him, “Is Your Highness trying to comfort me? It’s okay! I’m not that petty. Come on, let’s see what’s going on. Who dared to ruin our mood! She made us unhappy, so we’ll make her unhappy!”
Yuwen Chu saw her speaking with a strand of hair falling delicately by her ear and reached out to tuck it behind, his face stern, “You’re really enjoying the commotion. It’s your first time hosting guests, and so many things have happened. Anyone else would feel ashamed and angry, even crying, but you’re still smiling. You’re still smiling!”
Seeing that although he had a stern expression, there was no anger in his eyes, but rather tenderness, Mingzhu knew he liked her personality. Her tense back, which had been taut all along, unknowingly relaxed as she leaned towards him, whispering, “I was indeed angry at first, but seeing Your Highness even angrier than me, I’m not angry anymore. Your concern and value for me makes me happier than anything else.”
“Is your mouth coated with honey?” Yuwen Chu saw Mingzhu leaning towards him and felt a softness in his heart. He held her hand and whispered, “I’ll have to see later. Your mouth is so sweet, I wonder what you’ve eaten.”
Mingzhu pouted and blew a breath at him, laughing, “I ate all the things on the table.”
It was as if she was tempting someone to kiss her deeply, and Yuwen Chu’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he sighed, “Let’s go.”
Just as they took a few steps, Funing rushed out from inside, “Where’s Kangning? Where’s Kangning?” Bowing hastily to the two of them, she said anxiously, “I came out with Kangning, and we should go back together. How could she just leave me behind and go? Mother will scold me when she finds out. I’ll go catch up with her…”
Without waiting to see Yuwen Chu’s reaction, she ran out, her maids following behind her, making a scene.
“Really outrageous!” Yuwen Chu suppressed his smile but didn’t say anything to stop Funing from leaving.
Funing had always been a bother to her. How could she have thought of coming to her banquet? Even if she wanted to see the excitement, Funing hadn’t seen much excitement. She had left early to rest, but now she was busy chasing after Kangning. Funing and Kangning didn’t seem to get along well on usual occasions. Unless Funing had another purpose for leaving the palace this time.
Thinking of the inexplicable quarrel between Jiang Shanshan and Funing before, Mingzhu’s heart trembled, and she hurriedly reminded Yuwen Chu, “Your Highness, stop her! I have a feeling something bad will happen!”
“You’re overthinking it.” Yuwen Chu said calmly, “With so many people following her, nothing major will happen.” After that, he held her hand and walked inside first, “But in our mansion, we really need to clean up.”
Mingzhu looked at Yuwen Chu suspiciously, feeling that beneath his calm demeanor, there was something she couldn’t see through. But she had reminded him, and she believed that with his abilities, he wouldn’t let Funing be easily deceived. So she temporarily put this matter aside and focused on dealing with trivial matters with him.
In the Water Pavilion, the palace maids stood neatly in two rows, bowing down in unison as the two of them entered. Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu sat in the main seats, not asking them to sit but instructing someone to bring the person who fell into the water.
The person who fell into the water was Ai Cao, Ping Nushi’s personal maid.
Ai Cao was soaked all over, hastily wrapped in an outer garment to cover her embarrassment. Water dripped from the hem of her skirt and hair as she knelt down to Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu, trembling as she spoke, “Your Highness, Wangfei, this servant didn’t fall into the water accidentally. Someone pushed me in!”
“Who pushed you?” Mingzhu’s gaze swept over the palace maids below. She saw Ping Nushi’s face pale as she tightly clenched her fan, Zhou Nushi lowered her eyes, expressionless, seemingly lost in thought. The other palace maids were all on edge, their mouths shut tighter than clam shells.
Ai Cao lifted her head and glanced quietly at Yuwen Chu. Her gaze passed over Ping Nushi’s face, and when Ping Nushi closed her eyes towards her, Ai Cao suddenly pointed at Zhou Nushi and shouted loudly, “It was Zhou Nushi! She ordered her maid Liansheng to push me into the lake!”
Everyone was shocked. No one expected such a turn of events.
Liansheng knelt down abruptly, bowing to Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu, knocking her head three times in succession, and loudly exclaimed, “Your Highness, Your Majesty, this servant is innocent! This servant is innocent! This servant has no grudge against Ai Cao, why would she want to harm her?”
Ping Nushi coldly remarked, “Flies don’t bite seamless eggs. Why did she single you out and not accuse anyone else?”
Zhou Nushi quickly walked to Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu, kneeling down and touching her head to the ground, her face solemn, “This servant is at fault. Please punish me, Your Highness, and Your Majesty.”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
![Sick Beauty [Rebirth]](https://i1.wp.com/lazygirltranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/007S8ZIlgy1gitg84z0hfj30rs12wmzj-1.jpeg?resize=151,215 "Sick Beauty [Rebirth]")
