The scene was actually rather funny with Lin Mengya holding on to one handkerchief that was exactly the same as that in Zhu Jiajing’s hands.
At that moment, the latter was staring at the handkerchief in her hand as if he had seen something awesome.
Lin Mengya casually waved the handkerchief in the air so that the eyes of all the people were moving along with the moving handkerchief.
Surrounding them were the officials who were pillars of the Nation of Lintian and at this moment, these officials were confused over the two woman’s handkerchief.
“Lord Zhu, since Yu An had found my handkerchief, I suppose your nephew can keep the one in his hands as a souvenir. I just thought that these are items belonging to women and it’s not fitting for a man to be overly concerned about them.”
Lin Mengya’s words enraged Zhu Qiyun to the point of vomiting blood.
This was where she was very brilliant. Whether it was the truth or not, she did not continue to press or pry.
The reason being that the people surrounding them already formed their own opinion on the truth in their hearts.
Lin Mengya did not verify it because she wanted to avoid more trouble. Secondly, it was so that Zhu Jiajing’s reputation would be ruined.
“Princess, this handkerchief I got…”
Zhu Jiajing panicked. He waved the handkerchief in the air in an attempt to clear his name.
“Given that there are so many people present, Mr. Zhu, I would like to offer you a piece of advice. People have a natural sense of justice, and the truth will reveal itself no matter what.”
Lin Mengya was very good at playing up the situation.
Finally, she was able to see Zhu Qiyun’s scheme.
He had simply made use of public opinion to paint her as an adulterous woman with loose morals.
Perhaps for other women, their reputation was as important as life itself.
To her, however, Lin Mengya could never tolerate people trying to defame her in her life.
“Prince Shen would be unhappy with me given that I’ve been out and about for a long time. Please excuse me, everyone. I’m leaving.”
When Lin Mengya finished speaking, she confidently emerged from the crowd, who were each trying to make their opinions heard.
Seeing that she did not look one bit guilty, some people already formed a conclusion in their hearts.
As for how this incident would evolve as it was being spread around, Lin Mengya was not the least bit worried. There was no need for her to worry anyways.
She had planned to flee once she waded through this muddy water.
Why would she care what juicy rumors she created and left behind her back?
She kept up her elegant smile as she walked through the crowd, nodding as if she was reviewing a troop of guards of honor.
Moreover, the speed at which men spread rumors was not much slower than that of women.
At this moment, the officials in the grounds already formed an impression of Anle Princess, that she was a woman of strong character.
Nevertheless, Lin Mengya was not bothered at all.
When she finally disappeared from their line of vision, some of them still had lingering thoughts about her.
“My dear princess, are you not worried at all?”
Yu An wiped away the perspiration on his forehead. If he had not been so witty and sharp to spot the corner of the handkerchief Zhu Jiajing had kept in his bosom and quickly prepared a backup handkerchief for her while the others did not notice, the princess would have fallen into the snare of those people.
“Why should I be worried? The rumor would only make me look like I have some romantic affair. Anyways I’ll be out of here after this. It’s only natural that there be some stories about me going around the people.”
Lin Mengya smiled a mysterious smile as if she would still be able to escape the consequences even if Yu An did not come to her rescue with the handkerchief.
Just when she arrived at the spectator box on the second level, she heard Zuo Qiuyu’s voice from inside.
“Why is it so difficult for you to at least try to behave yourself?”
The moment she entered, Zuo Qiuyu gazed at his little cousin with a helpless look on his face.”
Although he could not see what happened from where he was sitting, the commotion stirred up by Lin Mengya had been reported to him in detail by the servants.
Shaking his head, Zuo Qiuyu had experienced for himself how unbothered she was about what people said.
The Zhus had miscalculated and failed in their plans.
Not to mention that this woman would not be defeated by their fantasy of making use of public opinion, even if she were universally condemned, she would remain indifferent.
She had such a strong mind that it got people’s hackles up!
“What is there to worry about? I have an eyewitness anyway. Even if Yu An did not come with the handkerchief, there’s bound to be someone who would become fidgety.”
Lin Mengya returned to her seat and it was then she realized that she had been talking so much that her mouth was rather dry by then.
She picked up the cup of warm tea from the table and gulped it down. Immediately, her throat was moistened and a smile broke out on her face.
“What? Eyewitness? Your Highness, I did witness the scene, but my words may disadvantage you.”
Yu An had indeed witnessed the entire episode, but he was a guard serving before the emperor.
Lin Mengya was personally approved by Zuo Qiuchen. As the emperor’s servant, he would definitely speak up for her.
“She is not referring to you. Mengya, how are you so sure that he would definitely stand up for you?”
Zuo Qiuyu settled back on his seat. He no longer looked worried, rather, he seemed a little curious.
“How did I know? He even felt sorry for those lifeless herbs that were to go to waste, what more a living beauty like me? Moreover, I’ve been cornered by a group of men. Anyone with a sense of justice would speak up for me. Then that evil Zhu Jiajing would turn into the villain who played a double game to frame me.”
Lin Mengya commented lightly. It seemed that the look of panic and fear was all but a pretense.
Her objective was to stir up the sympathy of those eye witnesses.
Little did they expect her to be so engrossed in putting up an act. A kind-hearted Yu An had spoilt her plan and came to rescue too early.
She could only play along with the situation and gave all the people an ambiguous answer.
As a result, all those people had to think hard and make a guess, because Lin Mengya had refused to give them a definite answer.
“In that case, your servant here had spoilt your plan. It’s all my fault, Your Highness. Please punish me accordingly.”
Hanging his head, Yu An spoke up, sounding a little frustrated.
However, Lin Mengya did not punish him. On the contrary, she smiled as she looked at him and said, “You are good in some ways. Although my reputation was affected, Zhu Jiajing is the one who had gotten into real trouble.”
Yu An looked up at the princess, perplexed.
Lin Mengya chuckled softly and explained to him, saying, “Zhu Jiajing is a young talent. The Zhus had intended to have him go into the Pavilion of Herbs, so he could take up some position of authority. However, if you think about what happened, the incident would not be so easily forgotten. Those people who meant harm would make mention of this incident every now and then. By then, do you suppose Zhu Jiajing would still stand a chance to enter the Pavilion of Herbs? Even if he managed to enter the Pavilion of Herbs, is it even possible for him to compete for the position of the Chief Elder?”
Yu An seemed to come to a sudden realization. The princess had willingly sacrificed her reputation so that she could destroy Zhu Jiajing completely.
That was right. Perhaps it might not appear to have any effect at the moment.
However, in the future, this incident would become a stain he regretted his whole life when he wanted to scale a greater height.
The princess’s tactic was like slicing meat with a blunt knife. It might be slow, but it caused great pain and agony.
“My dear cousin, are you not worried that your husband would run away from you given that you are so sinister and vicious?”
Zuo Qiuyu seemed unperturbed as he made a joke out of Lin Mengya.
“Would he dare to run away given that I’m so sinister and vicious?”
Lin Mengya said coldly, raising her eyebrows.
At that moment, the two men in the enclosed space felt a chill running up their spine.
It seemed that in the future, they should never offend this fiend!
On the square where the competition was held, there was a pair of eyes gazing hesitantly at the spectator stand.
Hou Lingyu was feeling somewhat uneasy. He rubbed his palms together and seemed to have lost his focus on the patient in front of him. His mind seemed to have drifted.
He had just made a trip to the washroom.
On the back, he had stumbled on what exactly happened between Zhu Jiajing and Princess Anle.
He was hiding at one corner more because he did not want any trouble than to be eavesdropping.
Now, however, he was shocked to learn that Zhu Jiajing was actually such a shameless villain.
How outrageous for a pure and noble lady like Princess Anle to suffer such wrong!
He, on the other hand, had let slip the chance to prove Princess Anle’s innocent just because of a moment of hesitation.
By now, he was filled with regret and self-blame.
Nevertheless, considering that this was the Hou Family’s last chance to back into the Pavilion of Herbs. This was the family’s last hope to wipe out their disgrace and clear their name.
He could still vaguely remember how his grandfather had died with a grievance.
For years, this hope had been laid upon his shoulder. He did not wish to let his family down. He must not dash their hope.
But…
When he was young, his grandfather had always instilled in him the concept that if he did not stop someone who was up to evil, it was as good as helping the evil person and that it was a great sin.
His straightforward and kind-hearted nature had resulted in a struggle within him.
For this reason, he had lagged behind in the competition.
However, he could not quieten himself to continue with the competition.
After pondering for a long time, Hou Lingyu finally let out a soft sigh.
A determined look appeared on his face once again.
Even he eventually got disqualified, he had to speak the truth.
Once he made up in his mind, he felt a burden fall off his shoulders. However, just as he was about to blurt out that he was forfeit his qualification, a small hand suddenly grabbed on to his arm.
“Big brother, would you please take a look at my illness?”
A little girl with sparkly black eyes gazed at him with doe eyes and a bitter feeling welled up from his heart.
He squatted down and fondled with the little girl’s head.
“I still have something to attend to right now. What about you ask another big brother to have a look at your illness?” Hou Lingyu said patiently.
The young lass, with two cute little buns on her head, began shaking her head vigorously. She then reached out to pull on Hou Lingyu’s ear and whispered into it.
“What? You!”
Hou Lingyu gave the little lass a stunned look as she returned his gaze with her adorable, wide-opened eyes.
Instinctively, he reached out to assess the little girl’s pulses.
A surprise look flashed across his eyes at that moment.
It was so unexpected to think that this little girl had contracted…
“Big brother, please do not drop out of the competition but continue in it without worrying about other things. I’m afraid you’re the only person here who can treat my illness.”
Despite having an innocent countenance, there was a sense of maturity that was rather unfamiliar and out of place in the lass.
Nevertheless, no one else apart from Hou Lingyu spotted the fleeting look on her face.
It seemed that Hou Lingyu was frightened out of his wits for a moment, however, he quickly recovered from his shock.
He looked towards the spectator stand with mixed feelings.
What had he done to deserve the good graces of these two people?
He immediately pulled himself together.
He must emerge as the champion in this competition!
