Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 67 Deceiving the Monarch

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Deceiving the Monarch

"How is the Third Prince?" The Empress screamed, "Summon the imperial physician, summon the physician."

Xie Xun leaned against the doorframe. Seeing Emperor Jianming’s face alternating between pale and ashen, he knew the emperor was furious. He tilted his head to look at the crescent moon in the sky, utterly repulsed by such despicable schemes.

Feiying was always meticulous in his work. He had accompanied Xie Xun to ensure nothing went amiss. Xie Xun was indifferent to the scene inside the hall. Tonight, the physicians on duty were Zhang Lingzheng and Doctor Chen. Rushing over in haste, they stepped into the chaotic hall. The Second Prince, Yuwen Yu, blinked at Xie Xun, "Marquis, enjoying the moonlight?"

Xie Xun chuckled lightly, "The moonlight is ideal. Would His Highness care to join me?"

The Second Prince moved to his side and also looked up at the moon. "Truly a lively night."

Xie Xun remained silent, his hands clasped behind him as he stood. The moonlight cast a cold, indifferent glow upon him. The serene moon-gazing contrasted sharply with the pandemonium inside the hall.

When the Empress realized that the woman on the bed was a palace maid, her mind went blank. She could barely suppress her fright—the corpse belonged to the maid who had escorted Fengyu out of the hall.

Why her?

Where was Fengyu?

Moreover, the imperial physicians deduced the maid had inhaled forbidden incense and was assaulted and murdered. The Third Prince, unable to contain his agitation, also needed calming. This revolting act enraged Emperor Jianming to the point where his vision darkened. Had the Third Prince indulged in carnal relations with a concubine or dallied with the daughters of nobility, the emperor wouldn’t have been this wrathful. But a palace maid? In the vast imperial palace, all women belonged to the emperor unless bestowed upon others. For a prince to consort with a palace maid—it was debauchery within the royal confines.

"Guards, confine this disgraceful wretch!" Emperor Jianming stormed out, flicking his sleeves. "An embarrassment to the family!"

This wretch had dishonored even a lifeless body. The royal family’s reputation was utterly tarnished.

The Empress’s maid, Qiu Wan, suddenly remarked, "Your Majesty, this palace maid belonged to the Shangyi Bureau and was tasked with attending to the ladies at tonight’s banquet. She should have been in the hall, yet why is she here?"

The Empress was incensed. "Send someone to thoroughly investigate the matter!"

"Understood!"

Xie Xun narrowed his eyes. The Empress was determined to pin this matter on Fengyu. Lin Xiao’s expression turned somber as he watched the eunuchs carry the maid’s corpse away. Beneath the white cloth, a scarred arm was visible, an unsettling display.

Lin Xiao clenched his fists tightly.

Such a calamity in the palace warranted immediate investigation. Another disgrace for the imperial family. Emperor Jianming ordered the incident to be locked down—anyone who dared leak information would face execution.

At the banquet, officials, their wives, and noble daughters sat upright, unaware of the ongoing upheaval. Chen Mo and Lin Cheng were tasked with tracking the maid’s whereabouts. Palace maids from the Shangyi Bureau were assembled to identify the body. Upon seeing her grievous state, the maids trembled in fear. Chen Mo asked, "When did you last see her?"

The maids glanced at one another nervously before one hesitantly replied, "Sister Gui’er escorted Miss Feng San for a wardrobe change and never returned. We thought she was taking her time, maybe slacking off."

Chen Mo reported back to Emperor Jianming and the Empress. The emperor’s face darkened. "Summon her for questioning."

"Understood!"

Since the Empress had orchestrated this trap, she wouldn’t let Fengyu off so easily. Xie Xun had already returned to the banquet. Fengyu, enduring her pain, knelt and greeted everyone respectfully.

Emperor Jianming asked, "Do you recall where the palace maid who escorted you to prepare your hair and attire was last seen?"

The Empress glared at Fengyu with simmering rage. This trap was flawless—how could it have gone awry? Fengyu was newly arrived at the palace, unsuspecting and ill-prepared. No one expected her to set a trap herself. How had she managed to escape?

"Your Majesty," Fengyu replied, head lowered, "The maid led me to freshen up, just as Noble Consort was at the lakeside sobering up. I went to greet her, as my father enjoys drinking, and I often prepare a special Jiangnan restorative tea for him. Noble Consort then escorted me back to the palace, and I hadn’t seen the maid since."

She lowered her eyes further. She hadn’t had the chance to align her story with Xie Xun. Knowing him, there was no way that maid would remain alive.

The Empress scrutinized Fengyu, noting her calm composure—no sign of panic. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was sheer luck that helped Fengyu narrowly evade this disaster. Had the ambitious maid sabotaged her plan, hoping to rise above her station?

"Miss Feng San is lying. That palace maid clearly led her into the Third Prince’s chambers. The servants all saw it." A eunuch attending the Third Prince knelt and pointed at Fengyu, accusing her of deceit. "We saw Miss Feng San sneak into His Highness’s quarters. The scent of forbidden incense filled the air. I reported this swiftly. If my words betray even a shred of falsehood, may Heaven strike me down!"

The crowd was in an uproar. Xie Xun leaned forward slightly, his elegantly defined fingers lightly tapping the table. His contemplative demeanor carried an undercurrent of menace.

"Fengyu," Emperor Jianming thundered, "is what he says true?" His fury was palpable, his imperial presence suffocating. Were it anyone else, they would have faltered.

Marquis An Yuan and Princess Xue Lan, along with Fang Lingjun, looked on with concern. Fang Lingjun was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Fengyu’s eyes reddened instantly, making her appear sympathetic, innocent, and pitiful. "Sir, Fengyu is visiting the palace for the first time. We’ve neither grievances nor enmity—why would you frame me?"

Consort Xie rose and knelt, declaring, "I saw Miss Feng San near the lake and brought her back to the palace. This is true. Are you suggesting that I lied?"

The eunuch kowtowed fiercely. "Your Majesty, this servant speaks the absolute truth. Miss Feng San did indeed sneak into the Third Prince’s chambers."

"Are you accusing me of lying?" Consort Xie’s gaze was piercing as she coldly retorted, "Miss Feng San was escorted to His Highness’s chambers by the palace maid. So how could she later appear near me?"

The eunuch was rendered speechless. The Empress had been discreet in orchestrating this affair—clearing the path with no witnesses. The maid had led Feng San into the chambers, reporting audible sounds of intimacy. There was no guard outside. Even they couldn’t explain how Miss Feng San had become the palace maid.

Fengyu also kowtowed, tears cascading as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, Fengyu is new to the palace and behaves with utmost caution. My garment was drenched, and the maid led me to freshen up. I don’t know my way around. But the maid was supposed to be attending the hall—why would she lead me to the Third Prince’s chambers? I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Feng Changlin and Lady Feng turned ashen. Feng Ling clung tightly to Feng Wan, who was trembling and attempting to comfort her despite her own dread.

What was happening? Why was Yu’er dragged into it?

"This servant truly did not lie and is willing to die to prove my words!" The eunuch declared before attempting to bash his head against a bronze pillar. His death would leave Fengyu defenseless against the accusations.

The crowd gasped in horror. The noblewomen paled and shrank back, unwilling to witness further horror.

Xie Xun flicked his fingers slightly, letting a small pellet hit the eunuch’s knee. The eunuch collapsed in agony. Lin Cheng swiftly turned toward Xie Xun, his gaze probing and wary.

"The truth remains unclear," Xie Xun said lightly as he withdrew his hand. "To die now would only leave matters unresolved, wouldn’t it?"

No one dared to intervene—after all, harming the royal lineage was a crime punishable by the eradication of one’s entire family.

The Empress, frustrated that the eunuch had failed to kill himself, showed her displeasure. "Your Majesty, this servant has followed the Third Prince since childhood, loyal and unwavering. He would never lie. Fengyu’s ties to Marquis Zhenbei Mansion are deep—Noble Consort, you mustn’t be blinded by sentiment and deceive the throne."