Chapter 53 - I Just Don't Trust You!

The surrounding silence and the mocking gazes of the crowd made her unable to breathe. Shen Linghan unconsciously held Madam Zhao’s hand tighter and said, “Mother…”

Finally, Baili Jinchuan raised his eyebrows and asked, “Second Miss Shen, before framing up your eldest sister, shouldn’t you tell us how you got these two jade pendants?”

Hearing the words “jade pendants”, Shen Linghan subconsciously fumbled her sleeve bags. They were empty and there was nothing inside. “Where are the jade pendants?”

Madam Zhao had just said that Shen Ninghua framed her up with the jade pendants, but seeing Shen Linghan’s subconscious reaction, everyone presents understood. If Shen Linghan was framed up and did not know about the jade pendants, then she should have a surprised look on her face now.

Baili Qingcang was slightly impatient, “Empress, you handle this matter.” After a long time of uproar, there was such a scandal.

Zhao Huiying nodded. The emperor was already dissatisfied. She could not ruin the Crown Prince’s reputation, so she had to put the blame on Shen Linghan. “Shen Linghan, the Crown Prince’s status is noble. Although you are the daughter of the Shen family, you were born by the second wife of the Prime Minister, so you are not worthy of the position of Crown Concubine. Moreover, you have inappropriate behavior and even tried to seduce two princes at the same time. I’m truly disappointed with you.”

Born by the second wife? Seduce the princes? Madam Zhao was greatly shocked. The empress’s words would destroy Linghan!

“Your Majesty…”

“Shut up!” The empress’s slender eyebrows were full of sternness. “You are my younger sister, so you should be more cautious and educate Linghan carefully. But you pampered her so much that she tricked the two princes into doing stupid things. If the two brothers had a grudge against each other because of this, can you take responsibility for that?”

Madam Zhao was paralyzed on the ground, and her body couldn’t help but tremble. She couldn’t take responsibility for that…even if she was sliced into pieces, she still couldn’t make up for that…

Shen Linghan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. She didn’t want to die. She wanted to live!

Zhao Huiying coldly said, “Shen Linghan’s behavior is frivolous…”

“Your Majesty,” Shen Linghan hurriedly cried out in pain. Her eyes were filled with tears. “No matter how bold I am, I would not dare to damage the relationship between the two princes. The jade pendant was not given to me by the Crown Prince. It was because the tassels on it were loose and His Highness asked me to fix it. But he was in a hurry to attend the banquet, and left the jade pendant to me. Your Majesty, please trust me.”

At this time, if she admitted seducing the princes, she would be doomed. So, she couldn’t bear the accusation anyway.

Shen Ninghua sneered. At this moment, Shen Linghan did have quick wits. The empress had to sacrifice her in order to protect the Crown Prince. If she said that the Crown Prince had feelings for her, the empress would not be able to tolerate her. Only by distancing from the Crown Prince would she be able to survive.

Zhao Huiying frowned. “What about the Fifth Prince’s jade pendant?”

Shen Linghan gritted her teeth. She had no idea why the Fifth Prince’s jade pendant was in her sleeve. However, at this moment, she couldn’t defend herself, and could only repeat her previous excuse. “Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince’s jade pendant is with me for the same reason.”

The empress’s attitude relaxed. “Your Majesty, there is actually such a misunderstanding.”

Baili Qingcang’s face was expressionless, but his gaze at Shen Linghan was a little colder. “What a coincidence.”

The empress’s heart trembled. If the emperor wanted to let it go, they would be safe even without an excuse. But if the emperor wanted to investigate, then the truth was not important at all.

Chu Junyi went up and saluted. “Your Majesty, Second Miss Shen’s words sound honest. How about sending someone to separately confirm with the two princes and ask them why their jade pendants are in Second Miss Shen’s hands.”

Shen Ninghua lowered her head and restrained the smile on her lips. Chu Junyi was driving Shen Linghan to a deadly situation. Instead of calling the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince over, he suggested sending people to separately confirm with them. If their reasons matched, then what Shen Linghan said was true. If they were different, then Shen Linghan would have to pray for mercy from heaven.

Baili Qingcang nodded. “Alright.”

Zhao Huiying turned to look at the palace maid behind her. “Mei Xue, send two people to ask the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince whether what Shen Linghan said is the truth.”

“Yes.” Mei Xue hurriedly sent two palace servants to the front hall.

Shen Linghan’s palms were sweating and her pupils were shrinking because of nervousness. She had just climbed from the bed to the ground in order to increase the authenticity of her words, regardless of the injury in her legs. Now, the heart-wrenching pain made her almost unable to breathe. Even a slightest movement outside would make her heart skip a beat. Only now did she have a personal feeling of “passing a day as if it were a year.”

After fifteen minutes, Mei Xue walked in and said, “Your Majesties, His Highnesses both said that they asked second Miss Shen to help fix the tassels of their jade pendants.”

Madam Zhao heaved a sigh of relief, and her pale face slowly turned rosy. Knowing that she didn’t have to worry about her life, Shen Linghan fainted in relief.

Shen Ninghua looked at the two of them and sighed in her heart. What a pity. She almost succeeded in taking Shen Linghan’s life. However, she had predicted the empress’s intervention, so she was not too disappointed.

Baili Qingcang hurriedly came over, but it turned out to be a farce. His expression was obviously unhappy.

Chu Junyi looked at Shen Linghan on the ground. “So it was a misunderstanding. Fortunately, second Miss Shen woke up in time to explain it clearly. Otherwise, it would be an awful situation. Unfortunately, the Zhao family’s eldest young lady has not woken up yet. I wonder if her life is in danger.”

As he mentioned this, everyone immediately remembered that Zhao Ruyun had broken her waist. Shen Linghan was awake, but Zhao Ruyun probably wouldn’t wake up.

Madam Zhang had been sitting beside Zhao Ruyun’s bed. No matter how noisy the hall was, she did not move. At this moment, she heard everyone’s discussion and slowly raised her head. “Your Majesties, I’m afraid Ruyun is about to die. Please allow me to take her home.”

The hairpin on Zhao Huiying’s head slightly shook. “There are all kinds of medicinal ingredients in the Palace, and there are imperial doctors to treat her. Let Ruyun stay and recover in the Palace.”

Madam Zhang lowered her head and wept, “Thank you, Your Majesty. However, it seems that Ruyun…I’d better take her home and let the family members accompany her. If unfortunately she died in the end, she will know the way home.”

Zhao Huiying sighed. “Your Majesty, please let Zhao Ruyun leave the Palace.”

‘”Yes, let doctor Chen personally go and treat her. Whatever medicinal ingredients are needed, let the Internal Affairs Department know and have them sent to her family. Send Shen Linghan out as well and assign an imperial doctor to treat her.”

“Thank you for your benevolence, Your Majesty.”

Baili Qingcang stood up and walked towards the door. Everyone saw him off him respectfully in unison.

Shen Ninghua knelt on the ground. Suddenly, a pair of boots with auspicious cloud and dragon patterns appeared in front of her eyes. She hurriedly raised her head. “Your Majesty?”

“You are also shocked today. Go back and have a good rest. If you feel uncomfortable, send someone to fetch Chen Yun.”

The gazes of the surrounding crowd were so fierce that they could almost burn her. Shen Ninghua was shocked, but her face remained calm. There was even a faint smile on her lips. “Your Majesty, thank you for your concern.”

Baili Qingcang’s gaze fell on Shen Ninghua’s face. He pondered for a long time, then he nodded and left with his attendants in a formidable array.

What was expected to be a jubilant celebration banquet turned into a farce.

But Baili Jinchuan didn’t seem to care. Seeing Shen Ninghua standing at the entrance of the palace, he walked over and said, “What are you looking at?”

Shen Ninghua turned around and said, “Nothing. I’m just sunbathing.”

“Sunbathing? Are you cold?” Baili Jinchuan chuckled. Although it was already the end of August, the weather was still very hot. At this time, she was basking in the sun?

Shen Ninghua smiled bitterly. “When aunt left, she cast a glance at me that sent a chill through my whole body.”

“Haha,” Baili Jinchuan looked at the group of people leaving the palace. “You’re also a victim. She can’t blame you.”

Shen Ninghua smiled and didn’t explain. “Your Highness, it’s time for me to leave as well.”

Baili Jinchuan narrowed his eyes as he watched Shen Ninghua walk away. He took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and stroked it for a long time. He had grabbed the handkerchief from the pavilion on the artificial hill and wanted to return it to Shen Ninghua a few times, but for some unknown reason, he did not say it in the end.

The silk handkerchief carried a faint fragrance, and there was a cluster of azalea embroidered in the corner. It was as gorgeous and colorful as its owner, but it radiated with indescribable coldness.

Madam Zhao and Shen Linghan crouched in the corner of the carriage, not daring to say a word. Old Lady Xiao’s expression was extremely sullen. That little bitch Shen Linghan almost implicated the entire Shen family. If it wasn’t for saving their face, she would directly throw the pair of mother and daughter out.

Shen Ninghua was alone in the carriage behind them. Without Shen Linghan stirring up trouble, she relaxed leisurely. Suddenly, the carriage shook slightly. Shen Ninghua opened her eyes and saw Chu Junyi enter through the carriage door.

She raised her eyebrows in surprised. “The coachman works for you?”

“Yes,” Chu Junyi nodded. “Since we have agreed to cooperate, I surely need to be generous in my investment. Otherwise, wouldn’t you regret it?”

Shen Ninghua smiled and did not deny it.

“What a pity today. If it were not for the interference of the empress, the matter would have been settled.” Chu Junyi leaned against the carriage with a slightly regretful expression. “Looks like the empress will not give up on the Shen family. Madam Zhao and her daughter will probably think of a way to stage a comeback. You should be more careful.”

“I will.” The Zhao family had let Zhao Yunxiang marry Shen Dong in order to unite the Shen family and the Zhao family. Although something unwanted had happened, it did not affect the secret cooperation between the two families. “It’s fine to keep the two of them. Shen Xuanye hasn’t made a move yet. I feel that it’s a bit unusual. It’s not bad to have these two as a drag on him.”

Chu Junyi slightly raised his eyebrows. “It seemed that you have always had some fear towards Shen Xuanye. Is he so powerful?”

Shen Ninghua said seriously, “Don’t underestimate him. He is the ablest person in the Shen family.”

“Looks like I need to investigate him.” Chu Junyi remembered this matter in his heart. “By the way, why are you so familiar with the imperial palace?”

Shen Ninghua had asked him to temporarily hide in a rift of the artificial hill. That rift happened to be on the back of the artificial hill. If people didn’t go around and check it, they would definitely not be able to detect the rift. This was the first time Shen Ninghua entered the Palace. It was unusual for her to know the surroundings so clearly.

“As long as it’s useful, why bother knowing how I know? Just like you, you didn’t tell me how you stole the Fifth Prince’s jade pendant.” Shen Ninghua tilted her face slightly and looked at him.

“Haha, Ninghua, you still don’t trust me.” Chu Junyi curled his lips. Once he stopped purposely restraining his sharpness, he looked like an orchid or a jade tree, which was rather unforgettable. At this moment, he wore a big smile that brightened up the entire carriage.

Shen Ninghua remained unmoved, “You’re right, I just don’t trust you.” The man in front of her was dignified when he was serious and playful when he joked. He was dazzling and talented outside the imperial palace, but appeared like an ordinary person in the imperial palace without any sense of existence. How could she trust such a person?

Chu Junyi slightly restrained his smile. After a moment of hesitation, he smiled again and said, “You don’t trust me, but I trust you. Just have a good rest for a few days. I’ll help you keep an eye on the outside. Alright, I’m leaving.”