“Your Highness, are you saying that you’ve seen through him from very early on?”
Yu An had calmed down. It made sense because if even he was able to see the flaws, how would the princess not see it given that she was such a cautious person?
“If he is truly a chess piece put there by the emperor, why would he come to look for me so abruptly?”
However, given Zuo Qiuchen’s capability, it was not difficult for him to plant his agent around Zhu Qiyun.
Unfortunately, Zhu Jiajing’s move was way too impetuous.
From her perspective, it seemed a little too deliberate.
Lin Mengya found it difficult to believe such a coincidence.
Obviously, Zhu Jiajing had purposely approached her to say those meaningless words.
Not to mention that she could see the flaws, even Yu An could tell something amiss from what he said. Could Zhu Jiajing think that she could be fooled so easily?
“Your Highness, could there be some kind of evil scheme in this?”
Yu An lowered his voice and there was a hint of worry in his voice.
She shook her head lightly. Lin Mengya was not worried that Zhu Jiajing would try to play scheming tricks.
On the contrary, the calm situation was what was making her nervous.
“From the time I arrived here, this entire place was filled with schemes. What do you think we are here for?”
After rounding the corner, Lin Mengya saw that Zhu Jiajing had already returned to Zhu Qiyun’s side.
He continued looking unsettled and anxious, but in Lin Mengya’s eyes, she was able to understand the situation at a deeper level.
“It seems that Zhu Jiajing is truly not in good terms with Zhu Qiyun.”
Yu An was in fact rather sharp in determining a person’s character. However, if he was the one chosen to represent the Zhu Family, he should not be so superficial about it even if he could not get along with Zhu Qiyun.
Therefore, the only reason to explain his expression now would be that he was just pretending, not only for Lin Mengya and his companies to see but for all those people to see as well.
Acting? Lin Mengya ruminated as her lips curled upwards at their corners. Wasn’t his acting too clumsy?
Not to mention that many people around her were as good as actors worthy to win the Oscars, people with a bit more intelligence would tell there must be something fishy.
Something did not feel right.
Moreover, Zhu Jiajing seemed to have spotted her by now.
He kept looking at her and his eyes seemed to be telling her to act immediately to punish Zhu Qiyun.
What was he thinking? Did he think she would fall for such a foolish trick?
However, after reconsidering, Lin Mengya thought it was not that bad an idea for her to take the initiative to go up to them. Why not?
Wearing a smile, Lin Mengya made herself visible before the crowd. Something which she hardly did.
Adorned in snow-white clothes, a very beautiful Lin Mengya quickly attracted the attention of the crowd, which was made of mostly males.
“Please accept our paying respect to you, Your Highness.”
The court official, one by one, stood up to pay their respects to her.
In return, she responded appropriately in a way that did not break the etiquette, neither would she give others the impression that she was supercilious and distant.
Among the officials, some elderly subjects who had seen the eldest princess were apparently rather emotional at the sight of Lin Mengya.
As if fallen into a trance, it seemed that the charming, beautiful and intelligent eldest princess had appeared before their eyes once again.
While Lin Mengya took her time walking through the crowd, she did not allow her eyes to rest on anyone.
Nevertheless, it appeared that her eyes had met the eyes of everyone present there.
It was until she went all the way to where the Zhus were sitting, Lin Mengya heard a soft snort.
“Humph, we’re not even sure if she is the real princess yet, and she has come to try to win favor from us!”
When these words fell into the ears of Lin Mengya as well as those around, both were upset.
As they turned around, what they saw was Zhu Qiyun with a hack care attitude.
Zhu Jiajing on the other hand seemed to be taken aback as he gazed at Lin Mengya.
“This is…”
“I am an appointed government official from the court. Even princes and princesses don’t act like my master. What more this fake princess picked up from who-knows-where.”
Zhu Qiyun spoke with a cold tone, but the surrounding people were outraged immediately.
The return of Princess Anle had been personally verified by the emperor and Prince Shen.
How did she become a fake when it came to Lord Zhu?
However, Lin Mengya did not panic and Yu An had brought her a chair. She settled herself on the chair and gazed at Zhu Qiyun curiously.
“I don’t really understand what Lord Zhu is saying.”
Seeing that Lin Mengya seemed to be smiling, yet not really smiling, as well as her calm disposition, Zhu Qiyun did not look surprised.
He scanned the surroundings and looked as if he was mocking at these people who were so keen to please the Lin Mengya.
“It’s not surprising that you don’t understand. However, the younger sister of the late emperor used to be the last disciples of the Chief Elder of the Pavilion of Herbs. This was a well-known fact. At that time, the Chief Elder ran away and was nowhere to be found. It was rumored that the token proving his identity had fallen into the Eldest Princess’ hand. Since the Eldest Princess had passed away, the token must have been passed on to her descendent. If you claim to be the daughter of the Eldest Princess, shouldn’t you show us the token as proof?”
Although Zhu Qiyun sounded high-sounding, unfortunately, his intention was exposed too early.
Obviously, he had his eyes on the token in Lin Mengya’s possession. Back then, she had completely refused to reveal the music score for the green stringed instrument, so most people believed that it had been destroyed.
Zhu Qiyun had said those words because he was certain that Lin Mengya would not be able to produce the music score for the green stringed instrument.
All of a sudden, a smile broke out on Lin Mengya’s face. It was a smile as wonderful as the morning light on her devastatingly beautiful countenance.
In that instant, the eyes of many young men were glued to her. However, they were unaware of the danger hidden in her smile.
“Whether I’m the real princess or not, there will be a just way to determine. Even if I’m not the princess, why do you be so menacing with your words, my Lord? The emperor of the Nation of Lintian must be extremely capable, otherwise, why would an important official like you have time to find out such trivial matters. It appears that the Nation of Lintian is enjoying favorable weather for the crops as well as peace and prosperity. No wonder the important court officials do not need to shoulder heavy responsibilities.”
Lin Mengya said, smiling squeamishly. Zhu Qiyun might be rude, but she was even more artful and sarcastic.
Put more curtly, she meant to say that it was the business of the royal family to determine whether she was Princess Anle.
Even if she claimed the identity of being the princess, it would have nothing to do with matters in the courts.
However, the menacing way of Zhu Qiyun when viewed from a broader perspective seemed too petty.
“You are a woman with a glib tongue. I shan’t argue with you. However, you’ve wronged me first by causing harm to my son, and then you tried to threaten my nephew. So what if you’re the princess? Are you trying to bully the people of Lintian?”
Finally, the highlight of the show was here.
Lin Mengya pretended to be in deep thoughts as she blinked her large eyes as if to say that she was totally clueless about Zhu Qiyun’s accusations.
“Lord Zhu, Her Highness respects you as an important court official and has never had any conflicts with you. Are you not afraid that His Majesty would find it offensive for you to be slandering the princess?”
Yu An might still be a young imperial guard. He instinctively stepped forward to defend his master.
However, Zhu Qiyun was in no way afraid.
“How dare a small fry like you speak to me in this manner!”
Zhu Qiyun flew into a rage. He naturally knew that he was one of the young men serving the young emperor.
How dare he spoke up against him. He was about to give him a tight slap when Yu An retreated a step.
As his palm missed Yu An, Zhu Qiyun glared at Yu An with furious looks.
“Keep to speaking properly if you have something to say. Why did you resort to violence, Lord Zhu? I’m sure you know I serve His Majesty. Lord Zhu attacks His Majesty’s servants physically and verbally whenever you like, does it mean that you really think you stand shoulder to shoulder with His Majesty?”
While Lin Mengya tried to keep her words gentle and mild at the beginning, her words became increasingly sharp subsequently.
At this moment, she rose from her seat. Siding with Yu An, she glared at Zhu Qiyun.
Although Lin Mengya was half a head shorter than Zhu Qiyun, she was in no way less overbearing than him.
She refused to give way and subtly prevailed over Zhu Qiyun’s imposing manner.
“I… don’t have the audacity to do that.”
Regardless of how powerful and capable Zhu Qiyun was, there was a limit to his audacity in public.
It was outrageous for him to hit His Majesty’s guard. Now that Lin Mengya had pointed out his audacity, naturally, he no longer dared to be impetuous.
Regardless of his background, the Zhu Family’s social standing was in no way powerful enough for him to give orders to the princess in the name of the emperor.
Seeing that this old man had taken a step back reluctantly, Lin Mengya still did not intend to let go of him.
“Don’t you dare? The Zhu Family is indeed very hospitable and not niggling at all. Outside the city, I saw with my own eyes how your son acted as if he was in intimate terms with Prince Shen. But I would like to ask you a question, Lord Zhu. Prince Shen is the brother of the emperor. Does your son think he is as honorable as the emperor?”
No one had expected Lin Mengya to raise a difficult question a step before Zhu Qiyun.
Not only that, but she had also aimed at Zhu Qiyun’s most obvious shortcoming.
It should be noted that Long Tianyu indeed tried to teach the young Zhu a lesson outside the city.
However, Lord Zhu’s son indeed put his arm around Zuo Qiuyu’s shoulder, acting as if he was in intimate terms with the princess. Such an act was done before the eyes of the people.
Zhu Qiyun did not expect Lin Mengya to turn on him first.
The line he had practiced went to waste now. With an ashen face, all he could do was deny Lin Mengya’s allegations.
“That’s, that’s just my son playing and joking with Prince Shen. My son had grown up together with Prince Shen from young and they got along well. It was only natural he acted a little too frivolous, but…”
“Joking? How honorable is His Majesty! Do you think you can joke about this? Did you say they got along? The Zhus are really a very unique bunch. Do you think you can joke with His Majesty because your son got along with the prince? If you are in good terms, does it then mean that you can act frivolously towards someone’s wife? Does it mean you can then sit on His Majesty’s throne tomorrow just because you get on well with the emperor?”
Lin Mengya rattled on and did not give Zhu Qiyun any chance to explain.
Not only did she have a glib tongue, but she had also fittingly pointed out Zhu Qiyun’s mistake.
Every statement she made was like stone slabs that put down Zhu Qiyun’s overbearing manner.
Initially, Zhu Qiyun had thought that the death of his son would bring advantage to his position.
Who would have known that this young woman had turned the situation around?
“But my son had died of your abuse and attack. Give my son back to me!”
At the mention of his son, Zhu Qiyun kept up with the momentum and started to weep. With his hands shaking, he appeared painfully grieved.
“Did you say we abused him to his death? Lord Zhu, when did your son breathe his last? Why is it that no one in the old capital was aware of it?”
