Chapter 167 The Role of Xing’er

The old maid beside the Queen immediately pointed out that there indeed was a seal on the banknote.

However, Baishao pulled out another banknote and smiled.

“Have a look, everyone. This banknote I’m holding is one that is truly used in Prince Yu’s Mansion. Every banknote used by the princess would bear this mark of her personal seal.”

Baishao presented both banknotes to the Queen, although from where the others could see, they appeared the same.

However, at the bottom of the banknotes, only one of them bore the character marking of Prince Yu’s Mansion. Apart from the mark of the seal, there was another rectangular character printed on it.

“This does not say much since Princess Yu is handling so much wealth in the mansion. I suppose you wouldn’t be using a slip of banknote that bears your seal when you try to bribe someone with it, lest you become a suspect in any crime.”

Princess Ming Yue maligned, as she could not wait to get Lin Mengya in deeper trouble so that she would die.

“You’re misunderstood, Princess Ming Yue. All the wealth in terms of silver, banknotes had been properly accounted for by putting them in records. Banknotes such as this one won’t end out in the hands of regular people. Although you can use at the money changers, they are not allowed to issue these. Banknotes such as this one are likened to the banknotes used by the ministers and they are usually carefully registered in the monetary authorities. If you’re still doubtful, let’s get someone from the monetary authority to verify the facts.”

While Lin Mengya was in charge of all matters in the prince’s mansion, Baishao was the one who really handled the money.

For this reason, Baishao was aware of every jot and tittle in the account records.

It would be plain stupidity to frame her master in this way.

Not only did this person trying to frame her master use a banknote issued by the monetary authorities, but she had also even used such a huge bill worth fifty pieces of silver.

Whoever did this was as good as digging her own grave.

“In that case, let’s have the seneschal of the monetary authorities come up here.”

Once again, the Queen seemed to be playing along with Lin Mengya.

Lin Mengya’s heart sank a little. Perplexed, Lin Mengya had no idea of the Queen’s intention or inclination.

“Your servant, Jin Xiu pay respects to Your Highness the Queen.”

The seneschal of the monetary authority was an old eunuch in his fifties.

He was apparently a slick and sly person who managed everything meticulously.

However, he differed from the other eunuchs in that there was no hint of craftiness and fawning about him.

He was a prudent man who had a fair system of punishments and rewards in place. Although the turnover of the workers in the monetary authorities was rather high, he had been sitting firmly on his job for a long time.

“You may rise, Seneschal Jin. Please take a look at this banknote on the table to verify if it had come from you.”

The Queen said with indifference while she seated on the head seat.

Seneschal Jin knelt there while he studied the two banknotes on the table carefully, and then he said, “These two banknotes were indeed issued out by the monetary authorities.”

“Who did you issue them to?”

“In response to your question, they were issued to Prince Yu’s Mansion.”

After answering the Queen’s question, he knelt there and became silent.

“You’ve all heard what he said. Princess Yu, this banknote indeed belong in your mansion. Even if you did not use it to bribe the maid, you are still guilty of not managing your families finances carefully.”

The words of the Queen was like an accusation towards Lin Mengya, convicting her of a serious crime.

“I would willingly take the punishment, Your Highness. However, I truly did not plot against the royal family.”

Negligence and treason were very different things.

Seeing that Lin Mengya had admitted the least serious allegations, Jiang Ruqin quickly shot Xing’er a look.

“Your Highness the Queen, my words are nothing but the truth. If Your Highness still has doubts, please put me through the screening. I believe I am the only one here who would be tested positive for having cinnabar on my hands.”

Xing’er was determined to go through with what her mistress had instructed her since her mistress was not going to allow her to shrink back.

She would give it her all for the sake of her family and little brother.

“You—”

Lin Mengya was shocked and furious, but at the same time flustered and exasperated.

“Alright, your request is granted.”

As the Queen nodded, Xing’er got up and placed her hand in the water.

One second passed, seconds passed… however, there was completely no change in the water after a long time.

By this time, Xing’er’s face was drained of its colors. How come—she had clearly touched cinnabar!

“There’s something wrong with this water!”

Xing’er demanded as she drew her hands out of the water, stunned and upset.

Lin Mengya smiled and placed her hands into the water.

In that instant, the water surrounding Lin Mengya’s hand began to turn purple.

The pale-faced Xing’er was lost for words.

“When I was having a good look at the talisman in my hands just now, I touched the cinnabar on it, which is why there is a reaction in the water and everyone can see for yourself. You kept saying I bribed you, however, why were you tested negative for the presence of cinnabar on your hands?”

Lin Mengya retracted her hands, took a towel and wiped them dry.

“This… this is not possible, this is not possible!”

Xing’er put her hands into the water once again but to no avail. There was no further change in the color of the water.

“There’s something wrong with this water, I’m sure!”

Xing’er started to scream and shout hysterically. Lin Mengya snorted and said, “This maidservant over here, you’ve also touched the cinnabar from the talisman. Why don’t you also give it a try in the water?”

The severe-looking maid beside the Queen looked to the Queen for instruction upon Lin Mengya’s invitation.

After she received the consent from the Queen, who nodded, she too, put her hands in the water.

Once again, the water around her hands began turning purple.

The darkening of the purple color in the water was plain and clear.

Xing’er was totally taken aback. Why? Why was it that the water did not change color with her hands, who had also come into contact with cinnabar?

“Your Highness the Queen, isn’t this matter clear as crystal? This lass was holding on to a banknote belonging to Prince Yu’s Mansion, but there was no cinnabar on her hands. Isn’t that strange?” Turning to the maid, Concubine De continued, “You first stole a banknote from the mansion, then framed your master afterward. This behavior is deserving of death!”

Finally, Concubine De could no longer hold her peace. Regardless, this was a clear case of someone trying to set Lin Mengya up.

What Concubine De said had convicted Xing’er of her criminal act.

“No, no, I have clearly touched the cinnabar. I had gone all the way Qingyu Temple outside the city to acquire this talisman. Inside the talisman was a tooth of a three-year-old black dog. I’ve personally purchased it, wrapped it up and threw it in the courtyard!”

By now, Xing’er was completely beside herself. She could not even start to imagine the fate of her family members and how disastrous the punishment would be on them after she was being wrongly accused.

At the same time, she knew her mistress was a vicious and merciless person that she would not change her mind at all.

Xing’er stole a glance at Jiang Ruqin, and, as expected, Jiang Ruqin’s eyes were filled with malice and hatred.

Xing’er forced a laugh and with trembling hands, drew the dagger out from her sleeves.

“You brought all this upon me, Princess Yu! I won’t let you off even if I become a ghost!”

In the twinkling of an eye, the dagger was about to pierce into her chest when a large hand caught her arm, so much so that she could not bring it down.

“Are you seeking death? Not so easy.”

Zhu Aizhi, who had been holding his peace, suddenly came forward and caught hold of Xing’er’s arm.

In a flash, he grabbed the piece of cloth on the table and stuffed it into Xing’er mouth as she was about to bite her tongue to commit suicide.

“General Zhu is indeed quick-moving.”

Lin Mengya walked up gracefully, wearing a look of approval on her face.

She scanned Xing’er’s face with a cold look.

In that instant, Xing’er realized that she had all along misjudged Princess Yu, who was, in fact, someone not to be trifled with, even more so than her own master!

Or she should say that she was more intelligent and skillful than her master!

“Your Highness the Queen, this person was extremely scheming. The moment she failed to malign me, she turned to commit suicide so as to get rid of all evidence. I’d like to request that she be detained in custody in magistrate’s prison, so that she may be personally tried by Magistrate Yi.”

Given a chance of trial, Lin Mengya would have a thousand ways to make Xing’er speak up.

However, the Queen, who did not speak much, suddenly replied, saying, “There’s no need for that. Just hand her over to the Crown Prince to handle this matter. Men, escort her to the dungeon.”

Both Lin Mengya and Concubine De were stunned. They finally understood the Queen’s intention.

Xing’er might insist that she had been bribed by Lin Mengya, but she was after all a servants of the Jiangs. Moreover, she was Jiang Ruqin’s personal maid.

If they were to get any information out of her, Prince Yu’s Mansion would not be the only in trouble.

More importantly, the Queen would be able to eradicate the Jiang Family at the same time!

Killing two birds with one stone was what the Queen had in mind. After all, Lin Mengya and Concubine De were already at the hands of the Queen.

It was no wonder that the Queen had been holding her peace.

She had been waiting for Lin Mengya and Concubine De to walk right into the trap.

“Jiang Ruxin, Jiang Ruxin, you have been so foolish to make such a move which would destroy your entire family.”

“Wait, Your Highness the Queen, since this entire incident had happened in my mansion, I’m accountable to you. How about we hand her over to Magistrate Yi first, then the Crown Prince, Magistrate Yi and I would try her together?”

Long Tianhao’s suggestion for the three of them to try the criminal sounded like a good suggestion.

The Queen shot Long Tianhao a cold and dispassionate glance.

“Alright, let’s do according to what Prince Yu suggested. However, it is outrageous to harbor evil thoughts against the Crown Prince, so the girl ought to be put into the prison for felons.”

The prison for felons was literally for serious criminals.

If Xing’er was put into the prison for the felons, it would be easy for the Queen to do to her whatever she wanted.

Long Tianhao’s brows knitted together into a frown. He was about to stop the Queen when he felt Lin Mengya tugging at his clothes.

“Your Highness the prince, let’s just go along with the Queen’s arrangements.”

As Long Tianhao looked down, he saw Lin Mengya blinking at him.

There was a cheeky look in her eyes which told of her wit.

Long Tianhao quickly stopped himself from voicing out his opinion.

“Yes, I will abide by the Queen’s will.”

There were some among the people who looked confused, and yet some who was secretly happy with the outcome. No matter what they thought, Zhu Aizhi and Lu Yun dragged Xing’er, who was tightly bound, out of the Liuxin Courtyard in plain sight.

“What an eventful night. I should be home now. Concubine De, the son you’ve raised has married an excellent woman. I am going to give a decree that from tomorrow onwards, those people who wish to enter or leave Prince Yu’s mansion would have to seek approval from Prince Yu in person. Yu’er, I have handover the charge of the mansion over to you. I hope you will be fair-minded when dealing with all matters and people. Don’t disappoint me.”

While Long Tianhao bowed down before the Queen as she left, his eyes were cold and indifferent.

“Please take care, Your Highness.”