CHAPTER 470: 469

The literary clash had just ended in a draw, and unexpectedly, it was Xie Qun, usually dealing with criminals, who turned the tide and leveled the playing field to prevent the scholars from being utterly overwhelmed by Chu Kingdom’s vehemence.

Particularly for the elder Mr. Chen, already advanced in age, speaking was somewhat strenuous for him. The opposing party latched onto the point that he was "old and still unwilling to retire to give way to the wise," and they harshly criticized him.

When Mr. Chen left the scene, he still hadn’t caught his breath when he heard from an eunuch that his youngest daughter had been taken to a discipline yard. He didn’t even dare to look at the Crown Prince, struggling to understand the situation, and passed out right at the exit door from agitation.

After the scholars retreated, the dancers began their performance to lighten the mood.

"That’s right!" Shen Shuyun felt vindicated, clenching her fist, thinking about how this Miss Chen had bullied her and Sister Li. Now, she got her comeuppance.

Just then, she saw Li Chengxiang walking briskly towards her. Before she could share the good news, she noticed his solemn expression: "Something has happened."

From the entrance of the spectator stands, Princess Wuyang, leading her entourage, stormed in with a fierce presence.

Chu Qi frowned slightly, "Wuyang, what is this about?"

Chu Yu bowed to Chu Qi, "I beg your forgiveness, Royal Brother and Crown Prince, this was unavoidable. Wuyang had to inform everyone in such a manner because, just now, one of our Chu Kingdom’s generals suffered a vile poisoning!"

"Poisoning?" Chu Qi chewed on the word, naturally looking over Wuyang’s shoulder, where a stretcher covered with a white cloth was visible, and behind it, a petite Yan Lingzhen stood, her arms bound behind her back, her bright eyes filled with defiance.

"The murderer is this woman!" Chu Yu stepped aside, letting everyone clearly see Yan Lingzhen’s face.

Ladies on the spectator stands were shocked.

"Isn’t she the Crown Princess Consort’s younger sister..."

Mrs. Sun, hearing the noise, hurriedly looked up, her eyebrows deeply furrowed.

Xiaoliu...

What’s going on?

Yan Lingzhen, neither servile nor overbearing, knowing her sister and brother-in-law were watching, wasn’t afraid and spoke loudly, "Indeed, I killed him."

Upon this declaration, the audience erupted into uproar.

"But!" she emphasized, "It was he who first—"

"Since the murderer has confessed, then please, Royal Brother, pass judgment, allowing this woman to atone for our Chu soldiers!" Chu Yu immediately interrupted Yan Lingzhen.

Chu Qi’s face was dark, the token now presented in his hand; without lifting the white cloth, he knew which soldier had died.

A soldier from Chu Kingdom was poisoned in Dawei.

This matter, escalating seriously, could directly provoke a conflict between the two nations!

Xiao Pingfeng’s expression wasn’t looking good either, his eyes dark as ink, his gaze swept from Chu Yu’s aggressive face and finally rested on Yan Lingzhen, "Speaking of atonement, we should fully investigate the cause and effect of this matter, don’t you think, King of Chu?"

"Is the Crown Prince hesitant because this woman is the Crown Princess Consort’s sister, thus he bears sympathy?" Chu Yu sneered, "Lift the white cloth."

The white cloth was abruptly removed, startling everyone on the spectator stands.

Wanqing’s expression turned cold: "Princess Wuyang, the people here are innocent; you must know where to draw the line!"

"Our Chu Kingdom struggles to raise a qualified general! Sincerely coming to Dawei, yet never imagining to end up like this; and now you still protect this murderer!" Chu Yu questioned loudly, drawing a sword from a guard’s waist, pointing directly at Yan Lingzhen’s neck: "Now, I shall act on heaven’s behalf to eliminate this young yet cruel-hearted murderer!"

"Chu Yu, you dare!" Wanqing slammed her hand down, causing the stand to shatter instantly: "Before the details are clarified, you dare single-handedly provoke a war between two nations! The people of the world will inscribe your name on the pillar of shame!"

After these words, Chu Qi immediately spoke, "Put down the sword."

Chu Yu couldn’t believe it, "Brother Emperor!"

Chu Qi emphasized, "Put down the sword!"

Clamping his teeth, Chu Yu fiercely threw his sword onto the ground.

Upon seeing this, Yan Wanqing’s cold gaze softened slightly, and he slowed his tone, "Yan Lingzhen, now explain the whole cause and effect of this matter."

She was using Yan Lingzhen’s full name.

The mention made Xiaoliu shrink his neck.

This way of speaking by sister was truly frightening.

Not daring to delay, Yan Lingzhen immediately spoke, recounting the entire incident that had just happened, each word and sentence from an objective perspective, incorporating not a bit of personal emotion.

Upon hearing that the officer had tried to force himself on Xiaoliu, both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess Consort displayed noticeably more hostility.

"Right now, with no proof to support her, whatever she says seems to be it," Chu Yu said with a cold laugh.

Yan Lingzhen gave her a cold glance, "Who says there’s no evidence."

There was evidence?!

Everyone eagerly began anticipating a reversal.

"The officer had the scent of Love Fragrance on him," she had been holding back from saying this until she saw her sister.

In case Chu Yu didn’t bring the officer over or tried any tricks, she might end up at a disadvantage.

"What Love Fragrance?" Chu Yu, hearing this word, instinctively felt it wasn’t anything good.

Seeing her feigning ignorance, Yan Lingzhen sneered, "In an international competition, which idiot would lust after a palace maid? If he hadn’t been affected by Love Fragrance, how could such a morally depraved man suddenly lust so freely!"

This statement contained a huge amount of information.

Many unmarried girls blushed and turned red, some madams looked at Yan Lingzhen as if they wanted to spit, quickly covering their precious daughters’ ears with both hands.

Chu Yu’s ears also turned red from what Yan Lingzhen had said, feeling somewhat anxious, "Who knows if what you’re saying is true; besides, this Love Fragrance could have been planted by you."

"Such a low-grade Love Fragrance, I cannot stoop to using," she was, after all, from the Red Buddha’s Hand. If she were to use such a mean thing, it would be to cause real harm.

"Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know once the Imperial Physician takes a look," Xiao Pingfeng spoke up for the first time, urging someone to quickly fetch the Imperial Physician.

While waiting, Cong Ge came over with a stretcher from outside.

She approached Yan Wanqing and whispered a few words to her.

After listening, Yan Wanqing slowly began, "This is a palace maid who was beaten to death; let’s not lift the cloth to look. You all must have heard the account of what Yan Lingzhen just relayed; you can judge for yourselves. Once the Imperial Physician arrives, everything should become clear. This matter concerns not just two lives but also the relationship between two countries, requiring even more careful handling."

This mission from Chu Kingdom was surely not with good intentions, but the rapid progression of events must have disrupted Chu Qi’s plans somewhat.

Contemplating this in her heart, Yan Wanqing’s eyes shone clear and bright.

Chu Qi took the conversation further, "Naturally, we must thoroughly investigate to prevent any impact on the bilateral relations. If anyone tries to sabotage intentionally, I will have them torn into a thousand pieces!"