"It wasn’t me!!"
Princess Leyang would never dare admit to this. Privately, she could scheme against Song Tangning however she pleased even kill her, as long as there was no evidence. But openly? Tangning was a noblewoman of the Rong family, a county princess with imperial rank.
Even the stupidest person knew that admitting to this would mean her downfall and the ruin of the entire Princess Estate!
"It wasn’t me! You’re slandering me! My son was also a victim!" She scrambled for excuses. "I may dislike Song Tangning for her insolence, but but my maid saw her leave her room late at night! When the incident at the prayer hall happened, I assumed it was her!"
The old maidservant beside her quickly chimed in, "This servant can testify! I saw the County Princess sneak out. The princess only mentioned her name because of their past enmity—it was a moment of thoughtlessness, not malice!"
Tangning, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly. "If I recall correctly, the princess’s quarters are nowhere near mine. Why was your maid awake and watching my door in the dead of night instead of attending to you?"
The maid servant's face was drained of color.
Tangning turned to the crowd. "I did leave my room tonight because a maid claiming to be from the Qian family came to me, saying Qian Qiyue had fallen while climbing the mountain and was bleeding heavily in the prayer hall. Worried, I took Yue Jian and followed her."
"But halfway there, I realized I only had basic medicine for wounds. Fearing Qiyue might have broken bones, I wanted to find a temple physician. The maid insisted I go to the prayer hall first even tried to force me. When I resisted, Yue Jian knocked her out."
"Suspecting foul play, I went straight to Abbot Liaowu and asked him to bring warrior monks to investigate. Who could have imagined…?"
Abbot Liaowu’s expression darkened, but he confirmed gravely, "The County Princess did seek me out in distress, accompanied by her maid and an unconscious woman. It was at her urging that we went to the prayer hall."
Qian Qiyue’s eyes widened. "What nonsense! I never climbed the mountain! Tangning, I went to bed right after the ceremony!"
Madam Qian, furious, added, "A-Yue stayed with me. The neighboring Madam Lin and Madam Huang can vouch for us. Their servants saw us retire!"
Two noblewomen promptly corroborated:
"Qian Qiyue never left. We all went to bed together."
"When the commotion started, we stepped out at the same time. Qiyue even reminded my maid to fetch my shoes!"
Madam Qian demanded, "Tangning, where is the maid you captured?"
At a glance from Tangning, Yue Jian dragged in the still-unconscious maid.
Madam Qian stiffened. "Liu Zhi?!"
Princess Ji remarked pointedly, "So she really is from the Qian family."
Qian Qiyue bristled. "What’s that supposed to mean? She’s our servant, but we’d never harm Tangning!"
Princess Ji smirked. "Who knows what lurks in people’s hearts?"
Seizing the opportunity, Princess Leyang cried, "Exactly! You pretend to be Tangning’s friend, but who knows your true motives? You’ve insulted me, offended the Fourth Prince’s consort, even lashed out at Princess Ji!"
"This is your doing. You and the Qian family framed my son and now blame me!"
Qian Qiyue nearly lunged at her, but her brother Qian Qingruan held her back. "Watch your words, Princess. My sister and Tangning are dear friends. The Qian family are not to blame, we won’t tolerate baseless accusations!"
Fu Laiqing, his voice icy, added, "Instead of explaining your missing maid or how you ‘knew’ Tangning was in the prayer hall, you attack the Qian Family to divert attention?" He turned to Tangning. "You know Qiyue’s character. The Qian Family would never do this."
Old Madam Fu observed her grandson’s uncharacteristic fervor with a raised brow. Since when were the Fu family so invested in the Qian Family? Still, she stated firmly, "If the Qian Family wanted to harm someone, they wouldn’t use their own servants. This reeks of a setup."
Fu Laiqing nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Don’t be fooled, County Princess."
Tangning glanced at him, then at Qian Qiyue. "I’d never doubt A-Yue. She’s like a sister to me." Her gaze hardened. "As for who controls Liu Zhi, we’ll find out soon."
"Commander Cang, if you please."
With a nod, Cang Lang strode forward and—without ceremony—kicked Liu Zhi’s leg. A scream tore through the hall as the maid jolted awake, disoriented until she registered the crowd.
"M-Mistress…?"
"You dare call me that?!" Madam Qian snarled. "Traitor! Who ordered you to lure the County Princess to the prayer hall?!"
Liu Zhi’s eyes darted to Princess Leyang before she stammered, "B-but it was you, Mistress! You told me to say the young lady was injured—"
SMACK!
Madam Qian struck her so hard she fell. "Liar! When did I ever say that?!"
Tangning intervened coolly. "She won’t talk. Commander Cang, make her speak."
"Gladly."
Cang Lang’s grin was terrifying. He crushed Liu Zhi’s ankle underfoot—bone cracked—and as she shrieked, he dragged her outside.
"The interrogation may distress the ladies. Wait here."
Moments later, bloodcurdling screams echoed through the temple.
The crowd paled. Rumors of the Bureau’s brutal methods were one thing, hearing them was another.
Princess Leyang trembled violently. Within minutes, Cang Lang returned, tossing a bloodied, sobbing Liu Zhi at their feet.
The maid wailed, "It was Princess Leyang! Her people bribed me to trick the County Princess!”
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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