Ye Jingcheng came from the path, with Qian Xue following behind him.
Lin Yuning was startled when she saw Ye Jingcheng approaching, and the unease that had just subsided resurfaced in her heart.
"Your Highness, why are you here?"
Ye Jingcheng swept his gaze over everyone, his expression somewhat grim. "This is what this Prince wants to ask the Consort. You are not in the front hall greeting guests, what are you doing bringing everyone here?"
Lin Yuning took a deep breath. "I was originally going to see guests in the front hall, but it was stuffy inside, so I came out for a walk, and unexpectedly encountered something."
She moved aside, revealing the people inside the boat cabin.
Ye Jingcheng's heart sank immediately, and he turned to look at Su Yunmo.
When the maid came to call him, she said the Consort had prepared a 'surprise' by the lake.
A surprise? This was bad!
Lin Yuning said, "What are you all standing there for? Pull the cloth from that man's mouth and hear what he has to say."
The two servants stepped forward and pushed Zi Yuan aside. This time, Zi Yuan did not stop them.
"Wait!" Ye Jingcheng shouted sternly.
But it was too late.
The cloth was pulled off.
The man threw his head back and shouted, "It has nothing to do with this humble one. It was Princess Lian who first seduced me and made me meet her here in secret! Your Highness, spare my life, Your Highness, spare my life!"
At these words, everyone was shocked.
So, it wasn't the General's wife who was committing adultery, but Princess Lian!
"You're talking nonsense!" A chill shot from Lin Yuning's head to her feet. "Your Highness, he is slandering me. I absolutely did not do such a thing."
Ye Jingcheng's expression grew increasingly unpleasant. "Does the Consort not owe this Prince an explanation?"
Lin Yuning frantically pointed at Zhou Wanyou. "It was her! She set a trap for me. She must have brought this person here, she wants to ruin my reputation!"
Zhou Wanyou glanced at her leisurely. "Oh? Then, Consort, what have I done to make you resent me so much that you would plot against me in Prince Lian's mansion?"
Lin Yuning's face immediately changed.
Su Yunmo tugged at Ye Jingyu's clothes.
Ye Jingyu said coldly, "Since each party has their own story, why not ask the person involved and see whose subordinate he is."
Qian Xue stepped forward, grabbed the man, and threw him before everyone.
He shivered uncontrollably, closed his eyes, and shouted, "It was Princess Lian who called me here. She said that Your Highness was going to marry a concubine, and she feared she would not be favored in the mansion in the future, so she wanted to have a secret affair with me!"
Everyone knew that Ye Jingcheng was going to marry a concubine.
At this moment, all eyes were on Lin Yuning.
Lin Yuning knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, your concubine truly did not. He is lying."
"You lowly slave, how dare you slander this consort like this! Who instructed you to do this? Guards, come quickly, beat her, beat her severely!"
Two servants stepped forward to gag the man.
Zi Yuan strode over and blocked them.
Zhou Wanyou emerged from the boat cabin. "Before the matter is clarified, the Consort wants to beat someone. I'm afraid that's not appropriate. I actually think one of the Consort's earlier statements was correct."
"This man doesn't look like a madman, and his words are indeed somewhat believable."
Murmurs arose from the crowd.
"No wonder the General's wife didn't let this person speak earlier. It turns out she was saving face for Princess Lian."
"Exactly. Princess Lian was so insistent earlier, it turns out she was afraid of the truth being exposed and wanted to shift the blame to the General's wife."
As expected, the General's wife was deeply devoted to the General, so she wouldn't do such a thing.
Ye Jingcheng's face was so dark it looked like water could drip from it.
He stared intently at the little dumpling, likely guessing the whole story.
Zhou Wanyou walked ashore and stood beside the man. "However, this matter is of great importance. Without proof or evidence, one cannot simply rely on words, otherwise, if it is found out, it is a capital offense."
"I have evidence, I have witnesses!" the man shouted struggling.
"I am a maid by the Consort's side. A person named Jin Que'er paid twenty taels of silver to bring me in from outside the mansion. If you don't believe me, you can call that maid to confront me!"
The General's wife was right. Rather than slandering the General's wife in front of everyone and having an affair with her, if it were discovered, he would offend two mansions.
It was better to admit to being involved with Princess Lian. At least he would only offend one family. And as long as he insisted that Princess Lian seduced him, he could at least save his life!
He struggled to kneel and kowtowed to Ye Jingcheng. "Your Highness, spare my life. It was truly Princess Lian who seduced me. This humble one knows nothing. Considering that this humble one did not have any physical contact with the Princess, please spare me."
The crowd: Good heavens, if there's no physical contact, does that mean this incident can be ignored?
Ye Jingyu flicked the corner of his robe. "Why doesn't Imperial Brother call the maid named Jin Que'er to be questioned on the spot? If it is indeed slander, it will also clear Imperial Sister-in-law's name."
Ye Jingcheng took a deep breath and looked at Lin Yuning. "Consort, what do you say?"
As soon as the man mentioned 'Jin Que'er', Lin Yuning's legs went weak.
Now, kneeling there, her face was ashen. "There's no need. I confess."
What else could she do if she didn't confess? If Jin Que'er were called out and interrogated, the truth of the matter would be revealed.
Plotting against the General's wife was no small matter.
Although Su Qingtian was away from the capital, His Majesty still held favor for the General's mansion. If the matter escalated, it would even implicate the Marquis's mansion!
Compared to that, the crime of improper conduct was considered light. At the very least, the Prince, considering her unborn child, would not truly divorce her.
She prostrated herself and bowed. "Because Your Highness was going to marry a concubine, your concubine was momentarily jealous and did this. I beg Your Highness to spare me this time."
Everyone looked at Ye Jingcheng with a hint of pity.
To have his Consort publicly cuckolded, Prince Lian was truly pitiful.
Ye Jingcheng's chest was filled with a suffocating anger, making him almost explode.
A good festival gathering was ruined, and how could he face the court or people in the future!
"Guards, lock the Consort in the woodshed. Those who commit adultery shall be beaten to death!" Ye Jingcheng said, each word dripping with blood.
Servants stepped forward to drag away the naked man.
The man was still shouting desperately, "It was Princess Lian who seduced me, Your Highness, spare my life, spare my life!"
But his voice quickly disappeared.
However, Lin Yuning remained silent as she was led away.
Ye Jingcheng took a deep breath, trying to maintain a semblance of calm, and cupped his hands towards everyone. "Today, this Prince's mansion has some matters to attend to. Please forgive any lack of hospitality. Everyone, please take your leave."
They all knew what he had to do next.
They did not linger and took their leave one after another.
Ye Jingyu held the little dumpling. "Since that is the case, I suppose Imperial Brother will not have time for me to visit. I shall also take my leave."
With that, he turned and left, holding the little dumpling.
The little dumpling, perched on his shoulder, silently mouthed four words to Ye Jingcheng: Happy Festival.
Ye Jingcheng gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with bloodshot hatred.
Zhou Wanyou also bowed and took her leave.
After everyone had left, Ye Jingcheng strode in the direction of the woodshed.