At last, Yan Hongtian released his grip. Zhuo Qing collapsed weakly to the ground, struggling to catch her breath. Without looking at her again, Yan Hongtian turned and took a seat behind the long table at the front of the hall, then spoke aloud: "Bring her in."
Lou Xiyan approached steadily. Upon seeing Zhuo Qing seated on the floor, her torn and tattered clothes and the unmistakable handprint pressed on her neck, she said nothing further. Instead, she walked before Yan Hongtian and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Zhuo Qing, having barely regained some strength, struggled to rise. Looking up, she saw Lou Xiyan standing deliberately in front of her, shielding her from Yan Hongtian's penetrating gaze. Yan Hongtian's expression was complex, no longer the ruthless glare he had reserved for Zhuo Qing. Calmly, he asked, "Xiyan, have you seen the tattoo on her body?"
Disaster! Zhuo Qing inwardly cursed. Yan Hongtian's tactic was cunning—if Lou Xiyan denied seeing the tattoo, he would suspect her of lying, proving Zhuo Qing had never been with Lou Xiyan. Yet if Lou Xiyan was wise enough to discern the implication and chose to affirm seeing the tattoo, he would know she was fully aware Zhuo Qing was Qingling and still took her—an act of blatant treachery against the sovereign!
Anxiety gnawed at Zhuo Qing's heart, yet she dared not reveal a trace of emotion, for Yan Hongtian's dark eyes fixed coldly upon them. Without exchanging glances, a chill crept over her. After a brief hesitation, Lou Xiyan slowly raised his head and replied with a hint of awkwardness, "The light was too dim; I couldn't see clearly. I only faintly perceived that there seemed to be some writing on her chest."
Zhuo Qing was taken aback. He answered that way? Coupled with his uneasy tone and expression, she almost believed they had truly been intimate. Though Yan Hongtian's hands were clenched tightly behind his back, Zhuo Qing clearly heard the cracking sound of his knuckles grinding together. His face darkened as if struck, and she could barely suppress a laugh—Lou Xiyan was a genius!
Praising Lou Xiyan inwardly, Zhuo Qing suddenly realized a troubling inconsistency. She herself was unaware of the tattoo, so how could Lou Xiyan know of its presence, let alone its location on her chest? Before she could ponder further, Yan Hongtian's impatient voice cut sharply, "Bring the other woman named Qing in."
Qing Feng was roughly shoved into the hall by the guards. After stumbling a few steps, she finally steadied herself and immediately met Zhuo Qing's disheveled appearance with fiery anger in her eyes.
Yan Hongtian's eagle-like eyes locked onto Qing Feng as he demanded, "Who exactly are you?"
Without hesitation, Qing Feng replied coldly, "Qingling."
She refused to let her frail sister remain in this merciless palace! To lie so brazenly was to court death. Yan Hongtian's dark voice sent a shiver down Zhuo Qing's spine.
"I will give you one last chance. Will you tell the truth or lose your head?"
Though pale, Qing Feng's eyes held no retreat. She stubbornly answered, "I am Qing—"
A burning pain flared in her neck. Zhuo Qing was certain this ruthless man spoke no idle threat. If Qing Feng persisted in claiming to be Qingling, death would be her immediate fate. Zhuo Qing quickly stepped forward to interrupt, addressing Yan Hongtian: "You already know I am Qingling; why torment her further?"
She was Qingling! After carefully reviewing the events of the night outside the hall, this was the answer Yan Hongtian had already guessed. Lou Xiyan's gaze darkened silently, watching the unfolding situation without comment.
"Now you admit the identity swap to enter the palace was your plan?" Yan Hongtian pressed.
She dared not give him any feeble excuse about amnesia. Yet Zhuo Qing, unable to read his thoughts, explained: "I have already said, the officials escorting me forced medication on me for over half a month. I was unconscious all that time. When I awoke, many memories were lost—I didn't even know who I was. They called me Qing Feng, so I believed I was her. I came to the palace because I was desperate to see my sister, to discover who I truly am and what happened."
Her words were meant for Qing Feng and Lou Xiyan. Not truly Qingling, many things she could not explain—amnesia was her best excuse. Naturally, Yan Hongtian erupted again, roaring: "Don't insult me with talk of amnesia! If you really had amnesia, how could you discourse so fluently on forensic methods and assist in investigations? If you weren't amnesiac, what else could you have done?"
Amnesia did not mean stupidity! Zhuo Qing wanted to roll her eyes but knew it was not the time. With a helpless sigh, she replied, "I only lost my memories, but those forensic skills are as natural to me as eating and writing. I just can't recall who taught me."
In short, everything inexplicable was blamed on amnesia.
"Such an amnesia!" Yan Hongtian sneered with fury. Turning to Qing Feng, he snorted, "Are you also going to claim amnesia?"
"I am not amnesiac; I clearly remember who I am." Qing Feng's memory was even clearer—the one who ruined their family and caused their separation was known well. One suffered amnesia; the other impersonated her—what a perfect conspiracy!
Yan Hongtian's cold laughter echoed: "Continue, let me hear what more lies you can fabricate."
Reflecting on the past, it was she who vowed to destroy her face, she who insisted on suicide. Her obstinacy and selfishness not only failed to uphold her so-called integrity but condemned her sisters. Now, her revenge upon Yan Hongtian was her own burden. She would no longer allow her amnesiac sister to be harmed.
Calming his harsh tone, Qing Feng explained, "We never intended to deceive anyone. When attempting suicide in the ruined temple, my sister stood between me and our younger sister to grasp our hands. I was rescued by the escorting officers but faintly heard them say I was Qingling, still alive. As my sister said, I was drugged daily; when I awoke, I was already in the palace. My sisters were dead, and I no longer wished to live, which is why I threw the vase at you yesterday. I insist I am Qingling because the emperor demands Qingling. From the moment I entered the palace, regardless of who I was before, now I am Qingling."
That Prime Minister Lou seemed kind to her sister; being with him reassured her.
"Rubbish!" Yan Hongtian spat. "She even used suicide to evade me! Could this really be some tragic misunderstanding?" His eagle eyes blazed with rage, nearly drilling holes into Zhuo Qing, proving he was utterly furious.
Silence engulfed the hall again.
After a long pause, Lou Xiyan stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, please restrain your anger. May I speak a few words?"
"Speak." Yan Hongtian was courteous toward Lou Xiyan.
"This incident occurred because the officials of Haoyue mistakenly sent these sisters to the wrong place. The matter has transpired, and regardless of who is who, it is too late to reverse it. What I wish to petition today is for Your Majesty to grant a marriage decree, allowing me to take this woman sent to my residence as my wife."
Bang! Yan Hongtian slammed his palm heavily on the long table, the resounding noise startling everyone present, even causing Gao Jin, standing guard outside, to tremble.
He was going to marry her!
Hearing this, Yan Hongtian's fury ignited, Zhuo Qing was dumbfounded, and Qing Feng momentarily lost herself.
"You said you intend to marry her?" Yan Hongtian's quiet voice in the silent hall sounded especially cold. Zhuo Qing and Qing Feng exchanged a nervous glance and swallowed hard, while Lou Xiyan remained composed and respectful, replying calmly, "Yes."
Yan Hongtian's expression darkened as he glared at Lou Xiyan, irritated: "Minister Lou, you are the foremost prime minister of Qiuyue, while she is but a tribute woman from a minor state, utterly unworthy to be your wife. If you are so eager to marry, I will immediately arrange a union between you and Princess Chaoyun—well-matched in status and appearance."
"I have always maintained the decorum between ruler and subject with the princess. I harbor no improper thoughts." Lou Xiyan's request for marriage was first for Qingling, secondly for Yan Ruxuan—to marry soon would sever her lingering hopes.
Yan Hongtian snorted coldly, "I shall only sanction your marriage with Xuany'er. As for these two, identity swapping, deceiving the sovereign, and fabricating lies—both deserve imprisonment and investigation!"
"Your Majesty, please judge wisely. Their words may not be false. A thorough inquiry with Haoyue and the officials who escorted them will reveal the truth. I have spent half a month closely with Qingling and trust she is not deceitful. I beg Your Majesty's careful consideration."
"After verifying their claims, we shall decide. For now, imprison them in the heavenly jail awaiting investigation."
Yan Hongtian intended to investigate thoroughly; deception would not be tolerated. He hoped their stories were true; if not, they would learn the price of lying to him. Until then, they remained prisoners.
Zhuo Qing showed little fear; Qing Feng was
steady as well.
Lou Xiyan bowed slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
With that, Yan Hongtian stood and left the hall, signaling the end of the session.
Outside, guards led the two sisters away.
The fate of these two Qinglings was now in the hands of the sovereign and the court—whether justice would shine or darkness prevail remained to be seen.