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Seeing the three dressed enough, Madam Ji ordered her servants to drag them out of the room and throw them into the courtyard for public humiliation.
"You are not people of my manor, who are you? Why do you commit such... filthy acts in someone else's home in broad daylight!"
Zhao Huaian's face was cold. He glanced at Rong Qing and said, "Madam, please forgive me, I was framed."
Madam Ji coldly retorted, "I asked who are you?"
"Cousin?"
Liu Jiao heard the voice and gasped in surprise, but then covered her mouth.
"Cousin? You were brought by Master Liu?" Madam Ji looked at Liu Jiyang, the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.
Liu Jiyang glared at his daughter, and Liu Jiao lowered her head, looking wronged.
Liu Jiyang bowed and said, "Reporting to Marquis Wuyang, this is indeed the nephew of my wife's family. This official brought him to gain some experience." He had long known that Zhao Huaian was the Sixth Prince's strategist, and had also learned from his wife's elder sister when she came to show off, that the Sixth Prince had given Zhao Huaian an invitation. If he didn't say he brought him, and Zhao Huaian pulled out the Sixth Prince, then he would find it difficult to explain to the Sixth Prince.
Zhao Huaian didn't understand why his aunt's husband said that, but not involving the Sixth Prince was naturally for the best.
Everyone pursed their lips. The Marquis Wuyang's manor's people looked at Liu Jiyang with dissatisfaction. A mere Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau; giving him an invitation was already being polite, yet he brought such inexplicable people, and crucially, this person committed such an act in their manor...
Liu Jiyang also knew that this matter caused dissatisfaction, but he still stepped forward and said, "Marquis Wuyang, this matter is suspicious. My nephew usually conducts himself properly. How could he commit such an act in this kind of setting... It must be as he said, that he was framed. I beg the Marquis to investigate thoroughly!"
Marquis Wuyang looked at the three kneeling on the ground and said, "Who are these two women?"
Rong Qing kowtowed, "This servant is Young Master Zhao's maid. This servant was indeed framed."
"This servant is new, working in the kitchen."
Marquis Wuyang said coldly, "Look up!"
The three timidly raised their heads.
"Ah!"
"Su Yue!"
"Isn't that the Second Young Lady of the Minister's Residence?!"
Some timid ladies and young misses gasped, looking at Su Yue and then at Su Li.
Su Li looked at Su Yue expressionlessly, unmoved.
Su Yue kowtowed, "This humble servant is Rong Qing, not the Minister's Residence Young Lady that you esteemed sirs and ladies speak of." If she admitted it, the Minister's Residence would naturally be disgraced, but if she angered Su Li, she feared Su Li would truly throw her into prison. She had no way to protect herself now, so discretion was the better part of valor.
Su Li sneered inwardly. At least she knows her place.
Su Li smiled, "People can look alike. My half-sister passed away from illness long ago. Her pure soul should not be defiled. Please be mindful of your words, everyone."
Marquis Wuyang didn't care who it was. He looked at the few people and said, "You all claim to have been framed. Who in this manor would frame you?" Those attending the birthday banquet today were all people of status and position. Who would bother to frame these insignificant individuals?
Rong Qing and Ziqiao looked up at Su Li. Su Li's lips curved into a smile. That smile carried a hint of superiority and brazen confidence. Upon seeing Prince Jing beside her, the two clearly realized the gap between themselves and Su Li. A Princess trying to frame a few of them—they wouldn't even believe it themselves if they said it. If a true investigation began, the truth would quickly be uncovered. Conspiring against a Princess of the current dynasty was enough to cost them their heads.
Understanding this point, Zhao Huaian gritted his teeth and said, "I drank too much wine, and I couldn't help myself with the maid... I beg the Marquis for leniency!"
As soon as he said this, the gazes of those around them turned to contempt. Zhao Huaian lowered his head, unable to help but resent Rong Qing in his heart. But thinking of Rong Qing's identity, he let it go. Once she returned to the Minister's Residence, he could finally hold his head high.
Marquis Wuyang frowned and said, "Neither of you are from my manor, so I cannot deal with you. As for you two, you are never to step foot in my Marquis Wuyang's manor again. Now, get out!"
Zhao Huaian lowered his head, his face ashen. With Marquis Wuyang's standing in officialdom, this single sentence meant he would find it difficult to receive invitations from officials in the future.
Su Yue stood up and helped Zhao Huaian, saying, "Young Master, let's go!"
After the two left, Marquis Wuyang looked at Ziqiao coldly and said, "As for this maid, find a matchmaker and sell her off."
Immediately, a servant stepped forward and dragged her away. Ziqiao cried and begged for mercy, "I beg the Marquis for mercy! Please forgive this servant! Spare this servant's life!" Ziqiao looked at Su Li's retreating back and only then realized how naive her thoughts had been. She had listened to Rong Qing's instigation, believing she could avenge her sister, but that person was a high and mighty Princess!
Su Li felt her gaze and looked back. This maid hadn't exposed Rong Qing from beginning to end, which showed she had some sense. If she had exposed her, although she was an accomplice, since it involved a Princess, her life would surely be in danger. This way, she wouldn't lose her life. Su Li always felt a certain hostility from this maid, which puzzled her.
With the matter resolved, Marquis Wuyang and Madam Ji beckoned everyone back to the main hall. A small interlude was quickly forgotten by these noble guests.
In the carriage outside Marquis Wuyang's manor, Yebai supported Jun Hui. "Master, it was this subordinate's fault, I arrived late!"
Jun Hui looked at the pile of torn fabric in the carriage, gritting his teeth. These torn clothes were gathered by Yebai, who feared they might be recognized as the Sixth Prince's clothes, so he took them out of Marquis Wuyang's manor. When Yebai was stopped, he knew something was wrong. He rushed to the room with all his might, and when he saw the situation inside, he knew it was over. Thankfully, he managed to get His Highness out before everyone arrived.
Jun Hui looked at him and said coldly, "Go back and receive your punishment!"
Yebai bowed, "Yes!"
"Return to the manor!"
On this side, Su Yue helped Zhao Huaian into the carriage. They had arrived looking splendid but returned disheveled. Zhao Huaian thought about how he would be rejected by everyone in the future, becoming a laughing stock in the capital's official circles, and his eyes were filled with chilling rage.
"Didn't you say it was foolproof?! How did it turn out like this?"
Rong Qing said innocently, "Young Master, I don't know how things turned out this way, and how the Sixth Prince..." The aphrodisiac they took allowed them to clearly remember the process afterward. They didn't understand how the Sixth Prince could have appeared in the room and also been drugged.
Mentioning the Sixth Prince, Zhao Huaian's eyes glared at her with even more disgust. This woman was no longer clean; she was unworthy of his kindness.
Zhao Huaian said coldly, "You'd better think about how to return to the Minister's Residence!"
Rong Qing said nothing.
Zhao Huaian asked, "How did that maid from Marquis Wuyang's manor help you? How much silver did you give her?"
Rong Qing replied, "I didn't give her a single tael of silver. This Ziqiao has an older sister; one was the personal maid of the former Prime Minister You's concubine-born daughter, and the other entered Marquis Wuyang's manor to work. Su Li poisoned her sister, and that poison spread to the Prime Minister's daughter, who was then beaten to death by Prime Minister You's concubine. So, this was also an evil deed committed by Su Li, and Ziqiao was just avenging her sister." She had been close with Meng Zhiyun before, so she naturally knew these things. She had originally intended to use Ziqiao to drug the Sixth Prince and help herself climb to him. But she never expected things to develop this way.
Although things had turned out a bit differently from what she imagined, she had at least made contact with the Sixth Prince. She touched her lower abdomen. If her belly proved cooperative and she bore the Sixth Prince's legitimate son, then she too could gain prestige through her child.
After a farce, Marquis Wuyang's birthday banquet finally concluded.
After sending off the Wang family and Wei Yuanyao, Su Li saw Ji Huaizhou standing at the door seeing off guests, so she walked towards him.
"Princess? Is there something?"
Su Li said, "Third Young Master Ji, I'm here to apologize to you. Actually, I should apologize to Marquis Wuyang."
Ji Huaizhou chuckled, "Is the Princess referring to the assassin incident?"
Su Li nodded, "Yes, I almost disturbed Marquis Wuyang's birthday banquet. I apologize."
Ji Huaizhou fanned himself and said, "It's nothing. I'll explain to my father. The Princess needn't worry."
"Thank you. Then we shall take our leave."
"Princess, travel safely."
Jun Mo also got into her carriage, escorting her back to the manor.
"Why wasn't Jun Hui in the room?" Her medicine, without external disturbance, wouldn't have allowed him to regain consciousness on his own.
Jun Mo took a sip of tea and said, "Mo Yu couldn't stop his personal guard. He was probably rescued by his personal guard."
Su Li sighed, "What a pity."
Jun Mo chuckled, "Nothing to pity. He's probably extremely frustrated right now." To be tricked, and in such a manner, it would be strange if he wasn't frustrated.
Su Li picked up her teacup, her mood brightening. Their predictions were correct. Jun Hui returned to his manor and immediately ordered hot water, bathing four or five times before he felt the lingering foulness on his body had faded.
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