Chapter 408

Lin Feiran sat in her exclusive seat and accepted the blessings of the surrounding ladies. The pride on her face became more and more obvious. She tried her best to restrain the excitement in her heart. She imitated Shen Ninghua’s calm and indifferent demeanor and tried to make herself look elegant and graceful. She chatted with the people around her and enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.

Baili Junyi chuckled softly and whispered while putting food on Shen Ninghua’s plate. “Ninghua, look at Lin Feiran.”

Shen Ninghua glanced at her and did not see anything unusual. She asked in confusion, “What about her?”

“She’s imitating you.”

Imitating me? Shen Ninghua was taken aback and then sized Lin Feiran up again. Lin Feiran looked so arrogant and pompous, and she couldn’t tell that she was imitating her.

Baili Junyi picked up some food for her. “The dishes for today’s banquet are quite good. Have some.”

Shen Ninghua did not have much appetite recently, but she would eat a few mouthfuls albeit her reluctance, so as not to discourage Baili Junyi.

Baili Qingcang was especially happy. After resolving Baili Junyi’s matter, he felt as if he had lifted a large portion of the burden in his heart. With him overseeing things, the other princes would focus their attention on him. Coupled with his deterrence against the officials, the court would be able to stabilize a little.

Bu Yonghan, who was sitting next to Bu Jinglan, suddenly stood up with a glass of wine in her hand. “Your Majesty, I remember that you promised to find a perfect husband for me during the banquet to welcome us. Now you are holding a farewell banquet, but there is still no sign of the perfect husband.”

Too many things had happened recently. Baili Qingcang had really forgotten about this matter. Now that he was in a good mood, he beamed and said, “Yes, I remembered that. I even remembered saying that you can tell me if you like any young man in the capital, and I will personally bestow a marriage for you. Now that you mention it, tell me, who do you like?”

Bu Yonghan pursed her lips slightly and smiled. Her cheeks were a little red, which made many young masters of aristocratic families look a little surprised. Bu Yonghan was a rare beauty. In addition, she was educated by the Great Yue Kingdom’s royal family. She was elegant and graceful, but her character was particularly lively and cheerful. She was pure and straightforward. She was a refreshing existence among the well-educated and gentle young ladies in the Da’an Kingdom.

“Your Majesty, which young master of Da’an Kingdom can compare with your sons?”

Baili Qingcang was startled, and then glanced around the princes. “Oh, do you take a fancy to my sons?” There was no displeasure on his face, but he could not help but frown. Some time ago, he had filled up his sons’ backyards with bedroom concubines. The only prince who had a vacant position for a side concubine was Baili Junyi. Could it be that Bu Yonghan had taken a fancy to Baili Junyi?

Baili Qingcang was not the only one who had this thought. For a moment, more and more people began to turn their gaze to Baili Junyi.

Baili Junyi raised his head, put down the chopsticks, and looked at the crowd with a slightly puzzled expression. “Why are you looking at me? Hey, Third Brother, you’re interested in Princess Yonghan, aren’t you? Although Father Emperor has bestowed a princess consort for you, the wedding does not happen yet, right? Father Emperor is the most magnanimous. If you have feelings for her, talk to Father Emperor, he will definitely understand. Look, Father Emperor has agreed to let me live alone with Ninghua, remember?”

When he said this, everyone immediately looked away. How could they forget that the person in front of them was Baili Junyi? He was the most unpredictable. Previously, he dared to disobey an imperial edict for a few bedroom concubines. Now, he probably would not even bat an eye even if an immortal angel appeared in front of him.

The anger in Bu Yonghan’s eyes flashed, and then she quickly regained her composure. “Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince’s feelings for his official wife are really enviable…”

Just as she finished speaking, Bu Jinglan, who was at the side, scolded, “Yonghan, you can choose any man you want in the Great Yue Kingdom. Stop making a fuss. Sit down.”

The Third Prince, who had just been ridiculed by Baili Junyi, said, “Princess Yonghan, do you really like Fifth Brother?”

Bu Yonghan looked at Baili Junyi affectionately and then lowered her head. Although she did not speak, her actions explained everything.

At this time, a minister in the corner suddenly stood up. “Your Majesty, please reject this proposal.”

Baili Qingcang could not help but frown. The one who spoke was Zhang Xun, the Assistant Minister of Rites. “Dear associate, what is the matter?”

Zhang Xun’s face turned red as he spoke, and his eyes were a little misty. “Your Majesty… It’s not that I’m being nosy, but the news has already spread outside that the Fifth Prince is actually the son of Princess Yunqing of the Great Yue Kingdom, which means that he and Princess Yonghan are cousins. Although they are not directly related by blood, there are no examples of marriage between cousins in the royal family unless in the case of an Emperor taking a concubine.”

The officials sitting next to Zhang Xun gasped in shock. They did not expect Zhang Xun to say such shocking words. “Uhh… Your Majesty, Zhang Xun seems to be drunk.”

Baili Qingcang’s face was extremely gloomy. His cold gaze fell on the reckless Zhang Xun. “Zhang Xun, I have already issued a decree to announce to the world that the Fifth Prince is Noble Consort Xian’s son. What Princess Yunqing? This is nothing but nonsense.”

Zhang Xun trembled as he stood out. His face was flushed like a drunken man. “Your Majesty, I am not lying. This matter… Hmm… It has already spread outside. Everyone in the capital knows about this, but no one dares to tell you about it for fear of your wrath. As the Assistant Minister of Rites, I can’t hide the truth from you. You must know the truth. Also, I accidentally discovered something big…”

Baili Qingcang interrupted him angrily, “Are you implying that my investigation is not as clear as the investigation of a small Assistant Minister of Rites like you?! Why do you think I need you to tell me the truth?”

Zhang Xun was startled, and he seemed to sober up a little. He plopped down on the ground, his fingers trembling. Just as he was about to say something, he stumbled and fell to the ground.

Baili Qingcang looked at Zhang Xun coldly and waved his hand for the guards to take him away. “Zhang Xun is drunk, and he babbled nonsense. Take him down and sober him up.”

The guards stepped forward to grab him, but they found that Zhang Xun was clutching his chest and constantly twitching. In a moment, he actually foamed at the mouth and died.

“Your Majesty, Zhang Xun died suddenly.”

“What?” Baili Qingcang suddenly raised his eyes, and the muscles in the corners of his eyes moved slightly. “He just drank some wine. How did he die so abruptly?”

The imperial doctor rushed up and checked Zhang Xun’s condition. He was shocked. “Your Majesty, He died from poison. It seems that he drank poisoned wine.”

“What? How could there be poisoned wine at this banquet?”

The ministers who had just drunk the wine all felt their stomachs burning. They stared at the wine glasses in front of them, afraid that their wine was poisoned too.

Baili Qingcang felt cold in his heart. “Bring the wine glass that Zhang Xun used and let the imperial doctor check it.”

A palace maid who was at the side quickly brought up the wine glass with a pale face. The imperial doctor sniffed the remaining wine in the wine glass and frowned tightly. “Your Majesty, the wine contains highly toxic arsenic.”

“Oh my goodness…”

“Arsenic! I drank a lot of wine too just now.”

Baili Junyi remained unmoved. He reached out to hold Shen Ninghua, his eyes sweeping over the things on the table, wondering if the food and drink on their table were poisonous.

Shen Ninghua shook her head slightly, reassuring him that the food and drink on their table were extremely safe.

The imperial doctor’s head was covered in cold sweat. “Your Majesty, arsenic is highly poisonous, and there is no cure after taking it. It is better to check all the wine.”

Noble Consort Qi quickly knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, I didn’t supervise the staff well enough. I am willing to accept the punishment, but what the imperial doctor said makes sense. It is better to check the wine and dishes first.”

Baili Qingcang nodded with a cold face. “Alright.”

Baili Junyi was relieved. He fidgeted with Shen Ninghua’s hand and watched the farce in front of him.

It took a while for the imperial doctor to finish the examination. Fortunately, other than Zhang Xun’s wine glass, there were no problems with the food and drink on others’ tables. Hearing this result, Baili Qingcang was slightly at ease.

Suddenly, a keen guard spotted something in Zhang Xun’s sleeve. He pulled it out and found that it was a written report. “Your Majesty, Zhang Xun has a report on him.”

“A report? Bring it over.”

The eunuch hurriedly presented the report. Baili Qingcang unfolded it. When he read the contents, his face sank. “Junyi, take a look too.”

Baili Junyi got up and took the report from the eunuch. After reading the contents of the report, he could not help but pause and then looked up at Baili Qingcang. “Father Emperor, Zhang Xun actually said that I have bad intentions. This is absolutely impossible. He actually has the guts to publicly frame me. Father Emperor, please investigate this matter.”

The Third Prince mocked, “Hah, Zhang Xun said that he discovered something big, but he died before he could finish. Isn’t this too much of a coincidence?”

Baili Junyi looked over. “What are you trying to say, Third Brother?”

The Third Prince looked at Baili Qingcang. “Father Emperor, I’m only stating the doubts in my heart. I don’t mean anything else. Why would poisonous wine suddenly appear at this banquet? And why was Zhang Xun’s cup of wine the only one that was poisoned? Also, he died before he could finish his words. All these seem very strange and unusual. Father Emperor, please investigate the matter.”

Baili Qingcang looked at the Third Prince, and the light in his eyes was deep. “What do you think is wrong?”

“I feel that someone has deliberately tried to kill the loose end!”

Noble Consort Li gritted her teeth in frustration. How could the Third Prince be so impatient? The matter had already been exposed. It would be fine for him to just wait and see. Why did he get himself involved in this matter? Was he not afraid of stirring himself into trouble?

Noble Consort Li was used to living a life of forbearance in the harem, so she did not mind enduring her frustration for a while. However, the Third Prince had been too proud and arrogant. Now, he had repeatedly suffered setbacks because of Baili Junyi, and the rage had long been accumulating inside him. He had always wished he could just kill Baili Junyi. Now that he had a chance to add insult to injury, he would definitely not miss this chance.

Baili Qingcang narrowed his eyes. “Who do you think is the most suspicious?”

The Third Prince glanced at Baili Junyi. “I don’t know the truth of the matter, so I don’t dare to make wild guesses.”

“Zhang Xun said that he discovered Baili Junyi’s background and alleged that he was Princess Yunqing’s son. He had ulterior motives and wanted to assassinate me. Firstly, he wanted to usurp the throne and secondly, he wanted to avenge his mother!”

The Third Prince was shocked. “What… How… How could this be… Father Emperor, you don’t think Fifth Brother would do such a thing, right?”

An official below retorted, “Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince has always been unruly. Who knows if he really has such thoughts or not?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please investigate the matter clearly.”