Chapter 149 - 149: Chasing the Girl He Likes (1)
Chapter 149: Chasing the Girl He Likes (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xie Xingyun tightened his grip, but his expression did not change. He instructed calmly, “Get someone to make a bowl of sobering soup.”
Xiao Zheng nodded and quickly went to the kitchen.
The lights at the banquet were dim, and the music was endless. Amidst the toasts, Xie Xingyun quietly placed Bai Xianyu properly and let her lie on his arm.
However, no one noticed that Li Changning was still kneeling on the ground. Her face had already turned maroon. She spoke again indignantly, “Father, I’m not convinced!”
The venue fell silent for a moment.
Noble Consort An’s nails dug into the jade armrest, and her gaze shifted slightly. “Ning’er, your father has already shown mercy. What else do you want? Hurry up and thank him!”
The veins on Emperor Wu Xuan’s forehead bulged slightly. “What else are you dissatisfied with?”
Li Changning looked at Bai Xianyu’s seat aggrievedly and said loudly, “I’ve always remembered Father’s teachings and have never wronged anyone. Could it be that Bai Xianyu can be cleared of suspicion just because she’s drunk? Isn’t it really because she’s guilty that she’s drunk like this?! Go and ask those maidservants if Bai Xianyu had asked for a lot of wine after she returned to the banquet to make herself pass out like this. If she’s not guilty, why did she suddenly drink so much alcohol? This is very abnormal!”
“Abnormal? How is it abnormal to get drunk at a banquet? Xianyu’s alcohol tolerance is not good to begin with, and she can get drunk with just a few sips. But you, Seventh Princess, are you a little guilty?”
A wine jar hit the table with a bang. Ji Shuang stood up and crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze cold. “Seventh Princess, you’re so aggressive. Are you bullying Xianyu because her brothers are not in the capital?”
Li Changning glared at her. “How have I bullied her?”
Ji Shuang sneered and was about to speak, but was gently interrupted by the Empress Dowager. “Alright.”
Emperor Wu Xuan took a deep look at Li Changning and looked at the imperial guards. “Bring the maidservants who brought wine and food here.”
“Yes!”
In a moment, more than ten maid servants were brought over. All of them looked terrified, not knowing what had happened.
Qiao’er was also among them.
She had watched Bai Xianyu finish her wine and returned to help out elsewhere. Although Li Changning had planted her among the people who were serving today, she still had some work to do.
Qiao’er glanced at Li Changning guiltily. Li Changning frowned and gave her a look.
She was a little flustered. Had the matter been exposed? Otherwise, why would the Seventh Princess kneel in front of the hall?
“Let me ask you, did anyone deliver wine to Miss Bai today?”
Emperor Wu Xuan’s voice was solemn and dignified, hiding a hint of viciousness. “If there’s even half a lie, the entire family will be exiled!”
Qiao’er trembled and immediately kowtowed. “Your Majesty, yes, 1 sent the wine to Miss Bai. She had asked for it!”
“When?”
“Half an hour ago.”
Li Changning cursed silently and continued, “Someone must have sent her wine. Tell me quickly. Otherwise, if Father finds out, you’ll all be exiled!”
Emperor Wu Xuan’s gaze carried a faint pressure as he swept his gaze around. Although some people were so frightened that their legs trembled, no one stood up again.
Ji Shuang said in a timely manner, “No means no. 1 have said that Xianyu’s alcohol tolerance is not good. Previously, when Seventh Princess invited her to perform together, Xianyu was already a little drunk. It happened to be about the time that this maidservant spoke about. That Xianyu did not have the chance to do anything to frame you, right?”
Emperor Wu Xuan’s furrowed brows never relaxed.
“However… I’m very curious. I wonder if Your Majesty can answer my doubts?”
A faint smile hung on Ji Shuang’s lips as she cupped her fists and bowed.
Emperor Wu Xuan said, “Go ahead.”
“I wonder how the Seventh Princess determined that Xianyu framed her?” Ji Shuang said lightly, “Suspicion for no reason… make people think more.”
Could she be afraid that the trap she had set up for Little Yu had not succeeded, so she insisted that it was hers.
She was a thousand-year-old old fox. The meaning behind this was self-evident. Emperor Wu Xuan’s expression immediately changed. “Enough! There’s no need to mention this matter again. I think you think the punishment is too light, so I’ll also deduct your salary for a year and you have to copy the scripture 300 times!”
Li Changning blushed and did not answer for a long time. She just stubbornly knelt there.
Emperor Wu Xuan glanced at Noble Consort An coldly and said, “You taught your daughter well!”
Noble Consort An’s face turned pale, and she immediately gritted her teeth and got out of her seat. She walked in front of Li Changning and slapped her.. “Wretch! Can’t you hear what your Father is saying?!”