Conclusive evidence

Princess Yongfu gritted her teeth and forced herself to hold firm. "What maid? This is utter nonsense!"

Chu Hongle said coldly, "It seems you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"

He turned to his subordinates. "Guards! Fetch all the portraits from Blind Zhang's house!"

Several guards immediately took their orders and left.

Only then did Chu Hongle continue, "A month ago, you sent your personal maid, Cuixi, to buy a drug from Blind Zhang. After bribing the coachman Wang Er, you drugged a stray dog and let it into the residence, causing it to knock into my consort."

Hearing Prince Yu recount exactly what had happened, down to the names of everyone involved, Princess Yongfu's heart began to pound.

She twisted the handkerchief in her hands and said in a panic, "Nonsense! Cuixi did something wrong, and I sent her away long ago!"

At that, the ladies watching could no longer sit quietly.

"Cuixi had such a lovely red beauty mark. I remember her too."

"I was wondering why that maid of the princess's had disappeared. So she was sold off."

"I saw Cuixi just last month."

"It seems His Highness has conclusive evidence. The princess really was foolish."

Chu Hongle sneered. "Then let's see what Blind Zhang drew before we say anything more!"

Princess Yongfu knew that if Blind Zhang really had drawn Cuixi's face, she would be in trouble!

But however anxious she grew, before long, the guards from Prince Yu's Residence returned carrying a stack of portraits.

Everyone crowded around to look. The sheet on top was a portrait of a beautiful woman, with a date inscribed in the lower corner.

Now everyone believed that Blind Zhang habitually painted beautiful women, because his latest painting was dated just yesterday!

A guard handed Prince Yu a portrait. "Your Highness, this is the portrait of Cuixi."

Everyone craned their necks to look, and those who recognized Cuixi immediately cried out in surprise.

"It really is Cuixi!"

"That Blind Zhang really does have some skill."

"Isn't that the very day Her Highness gave birth?"

"There's no such thing as a coincidence like that!"

"Now the princess has nothing left to say, does she?"

Chu Hongle said icily, "Yongfu, what do you have to say for yourself now?!"

Seeing that she could no longer argue her way out, yet Prince Yu still kept pressing her, Princess Yongfu's eyes reddened. She simply stopped hiding it!

Twisting the handkerchief in her hands, she said loudly, "So what if I did it?"

Han Wanqing's willow-leaf brows rose sharply. "Princess, I've never offended you, have I?"

Princess Yongfu shot her a disdainful glance. "I just can't stand seeing you and my royal cousin living in harmony like a perfectly tuned zither and lute, having children together! I was the one who should have married him!"

At those words, the nobles and ladies present perked up. They had come to celebrate a baby's first month and never expected to witness such a melodramatic love triangle. The trip had certainly been worthwhile!

Chu Hongle hurried to set the record straight. "Stop talking nonsense! There was never any discussion of marriage between us! The woman I've loved has always been my consort!"

Seeing Prince Yu declare his love right there, everyone sighed in admiration.

"His Highness truly is devoted."

"Her Highness is so fortunate!"

"They love each other, yet Princess Yongfu insists on forcing her way between them. She's gone far too far!"

Consumed by jealousy, Princess Yongfu lashed out without thinking. "She's nothing but the daughter of the impoverished Earl of Ningyuan. Who knows what foxlike tricks she used to bewitch-"

Chu Hongle immediately cut her off. "Silence! Wanqing is my consort!"

He no longer spared any consideration for their past affection. "Since you've admitted to plotting against my consort, let the Imperial Clan Court handle this!"

Princess Yongfu was the daughter of the Late Prince Fu. When a member of the imperial clan committed an offense, naturally, the Imperial Clan Court had to hear the case.

Princess Yongfu stared in disbelief. "Cousin! You would treat me like this for her sake?!"

Chu Hongle's expression was cold. "Should your wrongdoing simply be brushed aside? Besides, if I won't stand up for my consort, how am I worthy of being her husband?"

The ladies watching were deeply moved.

"Now that is a real man!"

"When choosing a husband, one should find someone like Prince Yu!"

Seeing that Prince Yu was serious, Princess Yongfu finally began to feel afraid. She pleaded tearfully, "Cousin! Don't you remember the affection we once shared? We grew up together!"

Chu Hongle retorted, "Affection? If you remembered that affection, you wouldn't have tried to harm my consort and my child!"

He paused, then continued, "I'm only letting the Imperial Clan Court hear this because my consort and daughter are safe. If anything had happened to them, I would have demanded your life in payment!"

Seeing the situation grow increasingly serious, Eldest Princess Ning'an stepped forward to smooth things over. "I think Fu'an already knows she was wrong. Have her apologize to Princess Yu, and let the matter end there."

Although she, too, thought Yongfu had lost her head, Yongfu was still a princess, and Princess Yu had suffered no lasting harm. Making a bigger incident of this would tarnish the imperial family's reputation.

Chu Hongle remained unmoved. "I have my own plans for this matter. Royal Sister, stay out of it."

Hearing that, Eldest Princess Ning'an said no more.

After all, her blood ties to Prince Yu were closer than those she shared with Princess Yongfu.

Princess Yongfu protested, "Whether the Imperial Clan Court tries me isn't yours alone to decide!"

Her parents had died young, and she had grown up in the palace. She was on good terms with both the Empress Dowager and the emperor. If she went to the palace to plead her case, surely they would take her side.

Then Prince Yu would no longer be able to do whatever he pleased to her!

Chu Hongle said, "In that case, tomorrow I will report this to my imperial brother and ask him to uphold justice for me!"

Princess Yongfu gave a cold snort, turned, and left, looking rather as though she were fleeing in defeat.

Only then did Chu Hongle address the guests. "Today is my daughter's first-month celebration. I didn't expect to delay things for so long. Please take your seats now."

After watching such a dramatic spectacle, everyone's stomachs were already rumbling with hunger. It was just the right time to sit down to food and wine.

Nanny Li carried Chu Siqing away to feed her.

Once she had eaten her fill, she began chatting with the system in her mind.

[A-Tong, Princess Yongfu was raised by the Empress Dowager. Will my imperial uncle take her side?]

System: [Princess Yongfu is the Late Prince Fu's only surviving bloodline. The imperial family will not punish her severely.]

Chu Siqing sighed. [Ah, if only I could avenge Mother.]

System: [Host, earn more points and exchange them for things that benefit the nation and its people, then present them to the emperor. Once your value rises, your words will carry more weight.]

Chu Siqing thought it over and grew a little frightened. [All you give me are rotten ideas. What if my imperial uncle thinks I'm some evil creature? Wouldn't I be done for?]

System: [Host, the Imperial Preceptor holds an extremely high position in this world, and the imperial family acknowledges his many supernatural abilities. As long as he accepts you as his disciple, none of your unusual traits will invite criticism.]

Chu Siqing's eyes lit up. [That's actually a good idea.]

She suddenly remembered the matter of her points. [Oh, right, A-Tong. Earlier, I cured General Fang's leg ailment with a Recovery Pill. That counts as a good deed, doesn't it? Why haven't the points come through yet?]