Chapter 222 - Why Didn't You Die of Illness?

Seeing that Yang Lin was about to be dragged down, Baili Anqing was anxious. Canceling the engagement with Yang Lin now was the best way. If delayed for a bit longer, the consequences might be different. Therefore, she had to seize this opportunity.

As she thought about it, she raised her eyes to look at Baili Qingcang eagerly, and her face became even paler. “Father Emperor, although my mother’s position is low, I’m at least your daughter. Please have mercy on me and cancel my engagement.”

As soon as she said those words, the anger in Zhao Huiying’s heart burned even more fiercely. She looked at Baili Anqing who was kneeling on the ground and wanted to point at her nose and call her an idiot!

Today, civil and military officials were all present and witnessed the farce made by Yang Lin. Even if the Emperor ignored this daughter, he would not marry a princess to such a person. By crying from the side and shedding a few tears, she could easily gain the Emperor’s sympathy and guilt. By then, a good marriage would be within her reach.

As soon as she finished those words, Baili Anqing also froze on the spot. She was too anxious and she said those words without thinking twice. The words she had said actually sounded like a threat to the Emperor.

She secretly raised her head and found that Baili Qingcang’s expression was really gloomier. She was immediately stunned and didn’t dare to make any movement.

Shen Ninghua looked at Baili Anqing from the side and finally noticed that something was wrong. The words she had said and the thing she was doing were both alluding to her and Baili Anning.

Thinking about it, her eyes turned slightly cold. This Princess Anqing must be a little unwilling to be mediocre. It was understandable that she wanted to climb up, but she shouldn’t step on other people’s bodies, let alone use her and Baili Anning as the first stepping stones! This princess didn’t even think about how hard she would fall later after taking the first step so high!

Shen Ninghua took two steps forward and said, “Father Emperor, the auspicious hour is almost coming. We shouldn’t delay Anning’s wedding because of these things. After all, it won’t hurt to delay dealing with these matters, but if we miss the auspicious hour, Anning’s lifetime happiness will be affected.”

The moment Yang Lin appeared, Baili Anning had taken off her veil. When she heard Shen Ninghua’s words, she immediately cast a grateful look at her and felt even guiltier. After all, regardless of whether she did it of her own will, she had deceived Ninghua about Second Prince.

Baili Qingcang nodded. “Right. Anqing, you should also get up. Your elder sister’s wedding is more important. When Anning’s wedding ceremony is over, I will deal with all these troubles.”

Baili Anqing hurriedly answered, “Yes, Father Emperor. I was so shocked that I forgot elder sister Anning’s auspicious hour.”

Baili Qingcang waved his hand and turned to look at Zhao Huiying. “Empress, I remember that you appreciated Yang Lin before, right?”

Zhao Huiying’s heart trembled, but her expression remained calm. After hearing Baili Qingcang’s words, she looked at Baili Anqing with a sorry expression. “Yes, I thought Yang Lin had a nice appearance and literary talent, so I recommended him to you. Who would have thought that in just half a year, he would actually become like this?”

Baili Qingcang coldly snorted and turned to look at the protocol official. “Continue the ceremony.”

Everyone had been having fun watching a wonderful show, especially the part in which Shen Ninghua scolded Yang Lin. Now as they watched the proceeding of the wedding ceremony of the newlywed couple, they felt a little bored. However, with the Emperor and Empress present, they did not dare to be absent-minded. Their expressions were much calmer than before, making the ceremony appear much more serious and sacred.

“Ceremony completed!” An hour later, the protocol officer announced with an exceptionally loud voice.

Baili Anning and Qu Yi heaved a sigh of relief at the same time, feeling that the wedding ceremony was even more tiring than fighting a battle. For a time, the two of them felt much closer to each other.

The Nine-bowl Banquet started, making the atmosphere much livelier. With Baili Qingcang present, many officials and talented scholars gave performances in succession, wanting to leave a good impression on the Emperor. Their rich and continuous performances made the atmosphere livelier.

Shen Ninghua and Chu Junyi sat together with smiles on their faces, but the contents of their whispers were not pleasant at all.

Chu Junyi said, “Ninghua, I think that Yang Lin must have been cast in advance by a ghosting technique like the Soul Summoning Technique. That’s why he behaved so strangely today.”

“Ghosting technique? Speaking of which, I think of someone.”

“Liaochen?”

Shen Ninghua blinked her eyes slightly. “I heard that the Empress was not in good spirit recently. The Emperor specially asked Master Liaochen to preach the scriptures to her.”

“Liaochen? This monk seems to be really crafty.”

“Yes, since ancient times, Soul Summoning Technique has been extremely unorthodox. I think there should be restrictions. For example, it works only within a certain period of time, or with some stimulation.”

“Wait, you said stimulation? Ninghua, do you have something you often use or have on you almost all the time?”

“Have on me almost all the time,” Shen Ninghua held the wine glass in her hand and pondered. But for a moment she couldn’t think of anything.

Chu Junyi comforted her. “It’s fine. I was just saying. You can keep thinking later. I feel like the people behind this have planned for so long and won’t give up so easily.”

“Ninghua…” Shen Ninghua suddenly remembered. “Got it. Think about it. When Yang Lin was talking to me, he kept mentioning ‘Ninghua’. This word should be the keyword to activate the Soul Summoning Technique.”

Chu Junyi frowned, “But no one called your name before. Why would Yang Lin go after you?”

Shen Ninghua was also puzzled. She looked up and saw Baili Anqing’s gloomy expression. She frowned and thought of something. “Do you still remember that Rui Xue?”

“That Rui Xue whose eyebrows are very similar to yours…” Chu Junyi suddenly paused. “Are you saying that Yang Lin targeted you because of your similar eyebrows?”

“That’s right. Someone must have made use of Rui Xue on purpose. I’m afraid that Yang Lin’s abnormality has something to do with her. She is similar to me in terms of eyebrows and eyes. It’s very likely that this similarity was taken advantage of. Otherwise, the only possibility is my name. But it’s also possible that both Rui Xue and my name were used to activate the ghosting technique.”

Chu Junyi nodded and said, “His Majesty has not dealt with Yang Lin. The civil and military officials are extremely disgusted by Yang Lin because of your rebuttal. However, if someone specially maneuvers the public opinions, there will probably be rumors against you later.”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes moved slightly and she quickly thought of a solution. “You’re right. I have to find a solution…similar eyebrows…”

She murmured softly, and a person’s appearance suddenly flashed across her mind. “My cousin Yang Yingxue!”

Chu Junyi’s expression relaxed. “That’s right, it’s a good method.”

Shen Ninghua was extremely similar to her mother. Yang Yingxue was also similar to Shen Ninghua’s mother by fifty or sixty percent. The difference was that Shen Ninghua’s beauty was flamboyant while Yang Yingxue’s beauty was of the modest style. This made them look very different. However, with a slight modification, their eyebrows would become very similar.

Because Yang Yingxue’s father was already working in the capital, she was qualified to participate in Princess Anning’s wedding, but she was given an extremely insignificant seat.

Shen Ninghua’s gaze swept through the crowd. After looking carefully for a while, she found Yang Yingxue. However, she was not in a hurry. After all, the Nine-bowl Banquet was not over yet.

After about two hours, the Nine-bowl Banquet came to an end.

Baili Qingcang’s expression darkened. He turned around and glanced at the pale-faced Baili Anqing. He sighed slightly. Although her mother came from a humble background, she had been serving him for nearly 20 years. Just because of this, although she was originally a palace maid, she was qualified for the title of Pin, a junior imperial concubine. He had just promoted her a few days ago, and he should pay attention to her daughter as well.

“Since the Nine-bowl Banquet is over, Anning’s wedding ceremony is successfully completed. It’s time to deal with Yang Lin. Someone, bring Yang Lin up.”

Yang Lin had become somewhat dispirited. His condition looked very bad.

Shen Ninghua frowned and made a decision in her heart: It seemed that the battle needed to be ended quickly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to hold on. If something happened to him, it would be difficult to resolve the problem.

Yang Lin raised his head and looked around. When he saw Shen Ninghua, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Shen Ninghua’s expression turned cold as she stood up and bowed to Baili Qingcang, “Father Emperor, this matter involves me. I have a presumptuous request. Please permit it.”

“What?”

“I noticed that Yang Lin’s expression was extremely abnormal. He seemed to be mad. I want your consent to letting me check his pulse.”

Baili Qingcang frowned and shook his head. “You can see Yang Lin’s situation. You shouldn’t approach him at this time. Let Doctor Chen do it.”

Chen Yun immediately stepped forward and answered. Then, he checked Yang Lin’s pulse.

“Your Majesty, apart from having a buoyant pulse and weak health, Yang Lin did not have any other problems. However, there are some people with insanity that cannot be diagnosed simply by their pulse. From his expression, I am basically sure that there is something wrong with his mental state.”

Zhao Huiying said, “Doctor Chen, you said basically sure. How sure is that?”

“Your Majesty, about 70% sure.”

Zhao Huiying smiled and said, “Although Yang Lin is only a sixth-grade editor, he is at least a court official. If you can’t confirm that he has insanity, we can’t punish him right away.”

Baili Qingcang frowned even more tightly. “Guards, go and control Yang Lin. Ninghua, you go to check his pulse.”

As soon as he mentioned the word “Ninghua”, Yang Lin’s expression became excited.

“Ninghua, do you think I’m sick? Do you really think I’m sick? Haha, you’re right. I’m sick. I’m seriously sick. Do you know what illness I have?”

Yang Lin looked at Shen Ninghua attentively. His eyes were filled with emotions. “My heart is sick. I gave my entire heart to you, but you ignored it. You stepped on my heart and shattered it…to pieces… However, I am willing. Even if you shatter my entire heart, I am willing to be terminally ill for you.”

Many officials held onto their wine glasses tightly and almost smashed the table on Yang Lin’s head: Terminally ill, so why didn’t you die of illness? Well, you didn’t die of illness, but I was going to die of disgust!