No one, from the daughters and sons of noble households to the generals who had long fought on the battlefield, could suppress a chilling fear that seized their hearts.
Qin Qiancheng, at the forefront, felt as if a thousand armies were charging and roaring before him, their overwhelming malevolent energy rushing towards him, freezing his steps in an instant.
The anger in his heart was doused by a bucket of ice water. He opened his mouth, his throat dry, and for a moment, he could not utter a single sound.
This, this…
In a daze, Nan Shiying’s figure blurred before his eyes, as if another silhouette had suddenly emerged.
It was Ji Jinmo.
Ji Jinmo, clad in armor, wielding a blood-stained blade.
“Your, Your Highness the Consort…”
Qin Qiancheng’s voice seemed to be squeezed from his throat, like coarse sand being poured down, causing a raw, burning pain. His entire body was stiff as a sculpture, radiating a trembling that he desperately tried to suppress but couldn't. The dignified general was utterly pathetic.
However, everyone who felt the malevolent aura emanating from Nan Shiying did not find Qin Qiancheng’s reaction particularly pathetic. After all, they had all reacted similarly when facing Ji Jinmo.
It was just…
Where did this second daughter of the Nan household, who had been unknown before marrying Ji Jinmo, get such a blood-tinged aura?
Nan Shiying nodded slightly. She tightened her grip on Qin Yushan’s hand, and a pained cry escaped Qin Yushan’s lips, reaching everyone’s ears and causing their hearts to tremble.
“Your Highness, my daughter…”
Nan Shiying raised her hand, interrupting Qin Qiancheng. A playful smile played on her lips, wickedly cold as a venomous snake spitting poison. She looked at Qin Qiancheng and asked with a smile, “General Qin, I require an explanation.”
“Did Qin Yurou leave the manor without permission, or did your Qin family enter the Prince’s manor without my knowledge? And before you answer this, you must answer another question: I have never played the zither for Qin Yurou. How did she know I was skilled at it? Did you plant spies in my courtyard, or did your Qin manor plant spies in the Prince’s manor?”
At these words, everyone gasped again.
This was no longer about disciplining Qin Yushan; this was about dragging the entire Qin manor into the abyss!
No, wasn’t Qin Qiancheng one of Ji Jinmo’s men? Why was this Consort so harsh towards the Qin family? Could it be that Qin Yurou…
Doubts began to arise in everyone’s minds. Logically, the Prince’s Consort should not treat the Qin family this way.
Although Ji Hong was displeased with Nan Shiying’s presumptuous actions, he was happy to stand by and watch when he saw her targeting the Qin family. It would be best if she completely fell out with Qin Qiancheng. Then, he would see if Qin Qiancheng would still be loyal to Ji Jinmo, and if Ji Jinmo would still trust Qin Qiancheng implicitly.
Nan Shiying’s questioning and Ji Hong’s silence threw Qin Qiancheng into a panic.
What could he say?
These were all baseless accusations. How could he refute them?
“I beg Your Highness the Consort for forgiveness. It is my fault for not disciplining my daughter properly, leading this rebellious child to act with such impunity. Your Highness, my eldest daughter Rou’er has always been respectful and gentle; she would never leave the manor without permission, nor would she dare to plant spies. As for the Qin manor, it has always…” He said, glancing quickly at Ji Hong, and then changed his words, “…it has always been loyal to His Majesty and the Prince. We would absolutely not harbor any rebellious intentions. My rebellious daughter, this rebellious daughter… I don’t know where she heard this rumor. Perhaps she couldn’t recall properly and spoke nonsense. I beg Your Highness to quell your anger.”
“Oh? Spoke nonsense?”
Nan Shiying gave a cold laugh. “Spoke nonsense in front of His Majesty? Do you know the crime she has committed?”
Goosebumps immediately appeared on Qin Qiancheng’s back. He felt his scalp tingle and his whole body tremble. “This, this is…”
He couldn’t say it, nor did he dare to.
Nan Shiying let out a snort. Just as Ji Hong thought she would sternly declare ‘treason,’ Nan Shiying backed down.
A sense of being punched in the gut overwhelmed Ji Hong.
Seeing that Nan Shiying was not pursuing further, Qin Qiancheng’s anxious heart finally found some relief. It seemed his subtle warning had been understood by the Consort.
However, Shan’er…
At this moment, Qin Qiancheng was somewhat annoyed by her impulsiveness.
She had jumped out to cause trouble without knowing Nan Shiying’s capabilities, and now, not only had she failed, but she had also gotten herself into a mess.
Nan Shiying lowered her head. The eyes filled with fear and malice immediately met hers. Nan Shiying let out a scoff. She had originally just intended to teach her a small lesson, but now…
She released Qin Yushan’s hair, stood up, and bowed to Ji Hong again, smiling as she begged forgiveness. “This concubine was overcome with anger and lost her composure before the court. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.”
Ji Hong waved his hand, not delving into it further.
Nan Shiying then said, “Your Majesty, if this matter is not investigated thoroughly, this concubine truly will not be able to eat or sleep peacefully. This concubine knows that if this matter were left to me, it might be an overstep. Your Majesty, I hope Your Majesty will agree to temporarily detain this Qin Yushan in the Jingzhao Prefecture…”
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, I am guilty…”
Qin Qiancheng suddenly raised his voice and shouted, “I, I should not have concealed my daughter’s illness, causing her to disrupt the banquet. My sins are unforgivable.”
Everyone listened, slightly stunned. Illness? What did that mean?
A knowing look appeared in Nan Shiying’s eyes. Qin Qiancheng was intending to cut off his own limb, to label Qin Yushan as insane rather than let her be imprisoned!
One had to admit, this choice was a wise one.
“My esteemed minister… what is the meaning of this?”
Qin Qiancheng looked deeply at Nan Shiying, gritting his teeth, and said, “This daughter of mine, this daughter… ever since she was frightened at the Noble Consort’s banquet last time, she has been bedridden, constantly having strange, superstitious nightmares. I thought she had completely recovered after some time. Who would have thought she would fall ill again today in the grand hall.”
Hallucinations… Hysteria?
Qin Yushan blinked slightly. No, that wasn’t true; she wasn’t.
She looked up, her voice sharp with反驳, “Father, I…”
“Silence!”
At a time like this, she still couldn’t recognize the situation. Truly foolish!
“Although I did not intentionally conceal it, my daughter did disrupt the palace banquet. I know I am guilty. I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to punish me.”
“Father, I’m not sick, I’m not… what hysteria, how can you…”
“Rebellious daughter!”
Qin Qiancheng stepped forward quickly and slapped Qin Yushan fiercely across the face. The force was so great that he knocked her unconscious.
The onlookers all gasped.