Chapter 65: Everyone’s Getting Foolish
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The crowd turned their attention toward the source of the voice and saw Yu Jiao Jiao hastily covering her mouth as if she had said something she shouldn’t have.
Even the Emperor turned to look at her, his expression dark. Yu Jiao Jiao began to panic. She had intended to fan the flames and drag Yu Zhi Yi down in the process.
Yet this didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid of the Emperor. On the contrary, having lived two lifetimes, she was acutely aware of the terror that came with imperial authority.
Her face turned pale as she dropped to her knees, regret flickering in her heart. But there was no turning back now. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Your Majesty, this servant-wife spoke out of turn. Please forgive my transgression.”
Madam Zhang of the Meng Clan shot Yu Jiao Jiao a glare before also pleading for mercy. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Empress, please pardon her. The Yu family’s child is young and thoughtless…”
But Yu Zi Xuan wasn’t having it. “Madam Zhang, that’s not fair. Sister Jiao Jiao has merely been bold enough to speak the truth! Something was obviously wrong with Carefree Prince earlier, yet none of us dared to step forward. Is it because we couldn’t see the anomaly? No! It’s because we were all afraid of getting caught in trouble ourselves!”
He continued, impassioned, “But Sister Jiao Jiao, even though she reveres Your Majesty and Her Highness, had the courage to speak up. This isn’t immaturity; it’s a commendable act of bravery deserving reward!”
Minister Yu, his wife, and their sons nodded fervently in agreement.
The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance. A sharp glint appeared in the Emperor’s eyes as he said coldly, “You’re not wrong. Something was indeed amiss with Carefree Prince earlier. Summon the imperial physicians! This matter must be thoroughly investigated!”
The Emperor’s fury was understandable—an incident of such absurdity on such an important occasion, and involving his own brother, no less! It was a direct challenge to imperial dignity and a blow to his own prestige.
Upon hearing the Emperor’s decree, Yu Jiao Jiao cast a triumphant, mocking look at Yu Zhi Yi. Yet in the blink of an eye, she tempered her expression, adopting a concerned demeanor as she spoke cautiously, “Sister, just now, I noticed you glaring at Carefree Prince with hatred. Especially after he drank the wine, you even smiled mysteriously. Could you tell us why?”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow.
All eyes turned to her, their gazes heavy with judgment. The Emperor’s oppressive presence bore down on her like a tangible weight.
“Yu Zhi Yi, is this true?” the Emperor demanded.
Having lived two lives, Yu Zhi Yi understood that the more she protested her innocence now, the less likely people were to believe her. After all, who readily admits to wrongdoing?
She offered a slight bow and replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I cannot prove my innocence, just as there’s no way to verify what Yu Jiao Jiao claims she saw.”
Her response, while appearing weak, was actually a calculated retreat to gain ground. Yu Jiao Jiao had made an accusation, but who could confirm its truth? If her claim couldn’t be substantiated, neither could Yu Zhi Yi’s alleged guilt.
The Emperor and the gathered officials caught her subtle implication. It was a dangerous precedent to accept unverified accusations as truth. Doing so could lead to countless injustices in the future.
Chancellor Du stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, every matter requires evidence. We cannot convict someone based on one person’s words alone. If we do, the Great Sheng Empire will be plagued by wrongful accusations.”
Unhappy, Yu Zi Xuan muttered, “Sister Jiao Jiao doesn’t lie. If she says she saw it, she saw it.”
Yu Zhi Yi ignored him, letting him make a fool of himself.
Meanwhile, You Bing Yue stared coldly at Yu Zhi Yi. She knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this was Yu Zhi Yi’s doing. After all, that wine had been meant for her. Somehow, that vile woman had avoided drinking it and implicated both Carefree Prince and herself in the fallout.
The disdain and ridicule from the nobles around her burned like acid. Fury overtook reason as You Bing Yue stepped forward and locked eyes with Yu Zhi Yi. “I saw it too. You smiled at Carefree Prince after he drank the wine. If you weren’t behind this, why would you act so suspiciously?”
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled. “And what logic supports this accusation? Why would I, while drinking wine, smile at Carefree Prince? Please, enlighten me.”
You Bing Yue faltered, realizing her impulsive outburst had been a mistake. Yes, logic. If Yu Zhi Yi bore ill will, there should be a motive, but there wasn’t any plausible reason for her to target Carefree Prince over You Bing Yue herself.
Ignoring You Bing Yue’s distress, Yu Zhi Yi turned her gaze to the Emperor and Empress. Her voice was steady but clear enough for all to hear. “Your Majesty, this is my first time entering the palace since I was ten. I have no means of commanding anyone here. You may investigate this thoroughly. If there’s poison in the wine, someone must have tampered with it, and that trail will lead to the truth. I trust Your Majesty’s wisdom will not be clouded by petty schemes, nor would you wrongly accuse the innocent.”
By labeling the Emperor as “wise and just,” Yu Zhi Yi left him no choice but to handle the matter properly. He nodded, deep in thought. “Rest assured, this will be investigated. If you are innocent, I will see you exonerated. But if this is your doing…”
His voice turned icy. “…no matter your status or abilities, you will not escape punishment.”
Unfazed, Yu Zhi Yi replied, “As it should be, Your Majesty.”
Her calm, confident smile left the Emperor with mixed feelings. He sighed inwardly. It was clear to him what had likely transpired—his brother had become too complacent and foolish. Consumed by romantic fantasies, he had been easily led astray.
Suppressing his irritation, the Emperor chose to move forward. After all, the day’s main event was yet to come.
Since Yu Zhi Yi was now embroiled in accusations of attempting to harm a royal, the Emperor decided to temporarily revoke her appointment as a Fifth-Rank Official in the Ministry of Justice. The decision on whether she would be reinstated would await the conclusion of the investigation.
To this, Yu Zhi Yi agreed readily, even welcoming the delay. In fact, she thought, it would be ideal if the position was rescinded altogether.