Chapter 166 A Different Fate

After Baiji wiped away her tears, there was a determined look in her eyes.

She already had a plan in mind. If things did not work out, she would throw caution to the winds and own up as the culprit.

At most, she would die, but she would be able to protect her master.

“No, Baiji. You still have many siblings at home. If something happens to you, what will happen to them?”

Baishao shook her head violently and her beautiful face was covered with tears from all the weeping.

“Let me own up. My mother is a money face. She would not be bothered with her daughter as long as you give her a big sum of money. Please let me own up. I’ll still want to be your maidservant in the life to come.”

Her maidservants volunteering to sacrifice themselves saddened Lin Mengya deeply.

She had always felt that she was just a sojourner in this world.

She did not expect that the seed which she planted by accident would sprout, grow and even blossom.

“Oh my! Will you stop crying? No one could lay a finger on you with me, this old woman, around!”

With arms akimbo, Qinghu had completely turned into a woman.

He was also very comfortable addressing himself as an old woman.

Lin Mengya rolled her eyes. How did she forget about this catastrophe?

“Don’t worry, although I, the old woman, may not be able to defend a group of people, breaking into the jail to release prisoners is easy-peasy for me. If they really put you in the dungeon, I will secretly sneak you out one by one.”

Seeing Qinghu’s arrogance and confidence, the atmosphere which had been filled with sorrow was immediately lifted.

Lin Mengya was at a loss of words. “Did he think the dungeon is his vegetable garden?”

“Even if it were like his vegetable garden, the maidservants are not cucumbers and potatoes which could be plucked out as and when.”

“Have you come, Prince Yu?”

All of a sudden, Baiji said with fear in her voice. She tugged at Lin Mengya’s sleeve as she turned to look at the shadowy figure at the door.

It was none other than Long Tianhao standing at the door. In fact, he had been standing there listening to their conversation since Baiji and Baishao started fighting to sacrifice their lives on behalf of Lin Mengya.

He had no idea what kind of relationship they had that made Baiji and Baishao give up their courage to live on, but to fight to sacrifice themselves on behalf of Lin Mengya.

Nevertheless, he knew those two lasses treated Lin Mengya like family.

“I’ll protect you and keep you safe.”

Long Tianhao uttered these words as if they were a vow, and then turned to leave immediately without pausing his footsteps.

Lin Mengya watched his back and continuously thought over his words.

He was truly so charming.

Long Tianhao was not one to make promises rashly, but he was definitely one who kept to his promises.

For some unknown reason, Lin Mengya’s heart which was pounding hard just a moment ago had miraculously calmed.

Strangely it was simply because of the one statement he made.

“We’ve hope yet. We’re saved, Master, how great is that?”

Baishao was crying tears of joy. Long Tianhao was truly a man of his word in the hearts of the girls.

However, an even more special feeling welled up in Lin Mengya’s heart somehow.

This man had always showered her with a tenderness that touched her heart at the most unexpected moment.

“Alright, let’s perk up. Since the prince has made a promise to us, let’s not let him down. No more crying, Baiji, Baishao, and Baisu.”

The three lasses nodded their heads continuously. The good thing was that the four lasses, with the exception of Baizhi, had learned how to keep their emotions in check under Lin Mengya’s subtle influence.

“Let’s proceed with the screening!”

All of a sudden, Lin Mengya was recharged with energy. What was there to be afraid of with Long Tianhao’s promise to protect her?

“Alright!”

The three lasses exclaimed in unison, wearing their signature expressions on their faces as they walked through the door of the room.

“I thought you’re trying to escape.”

Unexpectedly, they bumped into Princess Ming Yue at the door.

Ming Yue, having failed to nail Lin Mengya by her first attack, could not help but feel vengeful.

“I, Lin Mengya, would never resort to running away. The Lins do not have such a house rule.”

Lin Mengya’s answer was sharp. There was no sign of compromise.

Ming Yue’s anger turned into a snort. It was as if she was certain that Lin Mengya would not be able to escape misfortune this time.

“Stop being so stubborn, Miss Lin. Your father and brother who are at the borders, oh no, I mean your brother would actually be returning to the capital city soon. Tsk tsk, a young promising general is going to be implicated by his own younger sister. What a pity.”

Ming Yue was obviously harboring vicious thoughts against Lin Mengya.

Lin Mengya, however, was completely oblivious to Ming Yue’s comment. If they were to have a competition of who was more vicious with their words, no one would be able to beat Lin Mengya.

“My family, the Lins has remained faithful to our government for generations. Naturally, we would be judged fairly. Nevertheless, the Lins have very strict family upbringing. We would never allow our daughters to become the subject of gossips of hooligans in the streets. By the way, please address me Princess Yu.”

Every word Lin Mengya said felt like salt which had been rubbed on Ming Yue’s wound.

This was especially true for Lin Mengya’s instruction for Ming Yue to address her as Princess Yu. This was driving Ming Yue crazy.

Moreover, Lin Mengya also mentioned the scandals concerning Ming Yue. At this juncture, the beautiful Princess almost turned into a savage beast which would tear Lin Mengya into pieces.

“Please excuse us, Princess Ming Yue.”

Lin Mengya continued on gracefully and was completely oblivious to Princess Ming Yue’s vicious looks in her eyes.

“Lin Mengya, I’m going to trample you underfoot one day sooner or later!”

Ming Yue shot Lin Mengya a piercing look and gritted her teeth. Her expression was that of wanting to tear Lin Mengya into pieces.

“Master, what were you and Princess Ming Yue talking about just now?”

Baiji came up to Lin Mengya and asked with concern in her voice. She had had some dealings with Princess Ming Yue while she was in the mansion.

How should she put it? Princess Ming Yue was indeed very beautiful, and perhaps her beauty was just second to her master.

However, Lin Mengya’s maidservants could tell that Princess Ming Yue was not as simple as she seemed.

Moreover, when scandals about her started going around, they knew that there was something amiss about her.

“Let’s not bother about her. Come, let’s get on with what we have to do.”

Lin Mengya shook her head in an attempt to shake off the thoughts which were bothering her.

As the screening was coming to an end, there were only a handful of people left on the list to be screened. Of these people, the greatest suspect was Jiang Ruqin.

Looking down, Lin Mengya had already guessed who the culprit was from a while ago.

For this reason, Lin Mengya had purposely instructed Baiji to put Jiang Ruqin’s name as one of the last.

The lower down the name appeared on the list, the more panicky they got.

This was precisely what Lin Mengya hope to achieve, that Jiang Ruqin would be feeling more frenzy and fearful like a bird that had been targeted by the arrow.

“Next, Miss Jiang Ruqin, and her maidservant, Xing’er.”

Baiji read out the name calmly, while Jiang Ruqin’s palm was already sweaty and clammy.

At this moment, Jiang Ruqin was trying to make eye contact with Xing’er, but to no avail. Xing’er was shaking all over and did not dare to even look up.

“Don’t forget the lives of your parents and your younger brother!”

Jiang Ruqin whispered into Xing’er’s ears.

The poor lass was shaking like a leaf. She looked as if she would collapse anytime.

“Miss, please be kind to my family.”

Xing’er finally bit the bullet and walked out from the crowd, forcing herself to walk upright although she was trembling all over.

“What are you doing, Xing’er?”

A sense of elation flashed across Jiang Ruqin’s mind.

Finally, Lin Mengya was doomed. While she was thinking these thoughts, Jiang Ruqin forced an innocent expression on her face.

“Miss… Xing’er, Xing’er is guilty.”

Xing’er knelt down on the floor in plain sight and broke down crying.

The Queen, who had closed her eyes to take a rest, was alarmed by the sound of wailing. She opened her eyes and stared severely at the trembling figure of Xing’er.

“Oh? Tell us what sin you’ve committed.”

“Has she resorted to sacrificing this little maidservant so as to preserve her own life?” Lin Mengya quickly understood what happened, but she maintained her composure.

Instead, the was a teasing tone in the way she talked.

“Since we’ve come to this, I shall not try to hide anymore. I had been instructed by Princess Yu to drop the talisman there. The purpose was to frame my mistress!”

Xing’er’s words brought about a commotion in the people.

With chilling eyes, Lin Mengya looked towards Xing’er, who was kneeling on the floor, then Jiang Ruqin, who was standing by the side, acting as a spectator.

“Is that right? So I was the one who instructed you to do so.”

Xing’er stole a glance at her mistress and nodded.

“Yes… yes. Princess Yu had bribed me. I’ve been muddle-headed to take her instruction.”

Now, everyone turned their eyes to Lin Mengya.

However, there was not a hint of panic in her.

Jiang Ruqin, who thought she had got Lin Mengya this time, had the urge to burst out laughing.

“Lin Mengya, let us see how long more you would be able to last!”

“What evidence do you have to prove that I’ve bribed you into doing this?”

Lin Mengya asked Xing’er, who was kneeling on the ground teasingly. However, she was secretly sighing in her heart.

From the girl’s mannerism and words, Lin Mengya could sense that Xing’er had to be forced to do this.

However, she must have mentally prepared for death if she was helping her master do an evil thing.

No way was Lin Mengya going to show mercy to her enemy.

“I… I’ve the banknote with a value in silver for proof!”

With trembling hands, Xing’er took out a new banknote from the hem of her clothes.

“Bring it to me!”

The Queen ordered, and her maid immediately did as she was told.

The banknote was brought to the Queen in plain sight.

The Queen glanced at it and said, “This banknote is indeed one which is used within the royal family. What do you have to say about this, Princess Yu?”

The Queen did not sound angry, neither did she interrogate Lin Mengya.

No one present understood the Queen’s intention.

Lin Mengya smiled and returned to questioning Xing’er.

“Did you say I was the one who gave you this banknote?”

Xing’er nodded without any hesitation. The note had in fact been put into her hand by Jiang Ruqin a moment ago.

“Alright, come over to have a look at the banknote to see if it belonged to us, Baishao.”

Baishao came forward immediately at Lin Mengya’s instruction. She took a bow and knelt on the ground to have a careful look at it.

“In response to the princess’s question, this banknote does not belong to us. There is something missing on it.”

Baishao’s words brought a frown upon Jiang Ruqin’s face.

This was indeed the kind of banknote used in the prince’s mansion. What could be missing from it?

Lin Mengya must be trying to argue her way out.

“Then tell us what is missing on it?” enquired Lin Mengya, unruffled.

“In response to your question, Princess Yu, all the banknotes we use bear your seal on them. All the banknotes used by the various prince’s mansions went sent over from the monetary authorities. However, to tell these notes apart for the various mansions, the banknotes had been imprinted with the special seals of the respective mansions. However, this banknote does not bear any of the seals.”

“No, this banknote should bear the seal of the prince’s mansion!”