Zhong Li looked at Xu Qing, the usual coolness on her face replaced by seriousness at his words.
At the same time, Lu Wuxie, who had been standing in the crowd, narrowed his eyes and was about to step forward when Lu Fengyang tugged at his arm.
"You unfilial son, what do you think you're doing?" Lu Fengyang hissed.
Lu Wuxie stared back at Lu Fengyang with a frown, coldly shaking off the restraint. "What I'm doing, Father will know soon enough."
With that, he walked up to Xu Qing, first cupped his hands in a salute to Lu Jing'an, and then, in front of everyone, lifted Xu Qing by the collar. "Xu Qing, since when do you care so much about my personal affairs as the Crown Prince?"
Xu Qing hadn't expected Lu Wuxie to be so audacious as to embarrass him at a time like this. "Crown Prince, what are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do?" Lu Wuxie scoffed. "The entire Nanyue Kingdom knows that I, Lu Wuxie, have never acknowledged that woman as the Consort of Prince Xian. Not even the Emperor has forced it. Who told you about this so-called future mother-in-law of yours?"
Xu Qing froze, his body twisting as he tried to break free from Lu Wuxie's grasp.
Lu Wuxie tightened his grip slightly and continued, "I like Li'er, and that is between her and me. I can't see that you, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, have nothing better to do than to engage in rogue-like behavior, gossiping more than anyone else. Could it be that many rumors among the common folk are spread from your mouth?"
As soon as his voice fell, Xu Qing's body trembled. Everyone knew how much the Emperor valued such matters. If he angered the Emperor, he wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Crown Prince, you can't..."
"How can I? Can't speak carelessly? Then you tell me, Li'er killed Xie Yunxi. Do you have proof?" Lu Wuxie retorted.
Xu Qing was completely stunned now, his pitiable gaze falling on Lu Jing'an.
"Mo Cang!" Lu Jing'an sighed, calling out Lu Wuxie's given name.
Lu Wuxie was about to say something more when a hand quietly appeared behind him, tugging at his hem.
He glanced sideways and slowly let Xu Qing down.
Xu Qing's body went limp, and he almost fell to the ground.
He looked at Lu Jing'an and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely not spread any rumors. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
Lu Jing'an waved his hand, looking as if he was letting it go. "You say you believe Temple Censor Zhong committed murder. Do you have evidence?"
"This..." Xu Qing was taken aback.
"Hmm?" Lu Jing'an's tone of inquiry rose slightly.
Xu Qing swallowed several times and said, "No... but... but... Your Majesty, as you just heard, when the Consort of Prince Xian caught fire, only Temple Censor Zhong was closest to her. The fire couldn't be put out. I have reason to suspect she did something鬼."
Zhong Li let out a cold laugh upon hearing this.
Xu Qing shot her a glance and continued, "Furthermore, with so many ladies present, the only one who had any conflict with the Consort of Prince Xian was Temple Censor Zhong. That's why I dared to suspect her."
"You're talking nonsense!" As he finished speaking, Hua Yao, who had been standing by, spoke up. "Li'er was with me the entire time. She was far away before the Consort of Prince Xian caught fire. How could she have set the Consort of Prince Xian ablaze?"
"Then... I don't know. Perhaps Temple Censor Zhong had planned it long ago, and Miss Hua was merely used by her?" Xu Qing was unmatched when it came to playing coy. He swayed lazily, looking at Hua Yao.
"You!" Hua Yao, enraged, pointed her finger at Xu Qing. It was only when she saw her father's warning look from the crowd that she obediently stepped back.
Seeing this, Xu Qing sneered, looking at Zhong Li, waiting for her next words.
Lu Jing'an also looked at Zhong Li and said, "Temple Censor Zhong, do you have anything to explain?"
"No," Zhong Li replied. Everyone looked at her in surprise. After all, they all thought she would defend herself. Who knew she would only utter these two words.
"Then you admit you..."
"Your Majesty!" Zhong Li stepped forward two paces and cupped her hands. "I did not say I admit guilt. I merely said I did not kill the Consort of Prince Xian, but I also have no evidence to say I am not a suspect. Adult Xu is correct. When the Consort of Prince Xian caught fire, I was the closest to her, and at the banquet, she only had a conflict with me. If I were Adult Xu, I would also suspect this."
"Then your meaning is..." Lu Jing'an spoke, then stopped.
"I wish to thoroughly investigate this case. I implore Your Majesty..."
"No!" As soon as Zhong Li finished speaking, Xu Qing interrupted again. "Temple Censor Zhong herself said you are a suspect. You still want to thoroughly investigate this case? It's absolutely not possible!"
Hearing this, Zhong Li looked at Xu Qing and said, "Then does Adult Xu mean you can investigate?"
Xu Qing froze. Just as he was about to say something, Lu Jing'an spoke. "Very well, pass down my decree. The case of the Consort of Prince Xian shall be thoroughly investigated by Xu Qing, Shaoqing of the Dali Temple. As for Zhong Li... she is a suspect in this case and shall temporarily withdraw. She is not permitted to leave Jincheng until the case is concluded."
"Yes!" Zhong Li replied, cupping her hands in gratitude.
By the time Zhong Li emerged from the palace, the sky was already tinged with dusk.
She lifted the curtain and looked at the scenery outside. The warm, slanting sun shone on Wenchang Street. Peddlers along the street hawked their wares. She casually bought two bean paste buns and handed one to the person opposite her.
"Li'er, you can still eat?" Hua Yao took the bun, her face filled with worry.
"What, did Yao'er eat your fill at the banquet?" Zhong Li took a bite of the bun, her mouth filled with the sweet bean paste, and smiled with satisfaction.
"Not at all. I wasn't in the mood to eat." Hua Yao puffed out her cheeks. "The Emperor not only disallowed you from thoroughly investigating the case of the Consort of Prince Xian but also handed the case to Xu Qing. You said it yourself, Xu Qing already targeted you for no reason. If he uses this matter to his advantage, then you..."
"He won't be able to figure it out," Zhong Li said, finishing the last bite of the bun and taking a sip of water.
"What do you mean?" Hua Yao blinked, looking bewildered.
"I said he won't be able to figure it out," Zhong Li repeated. "Besides, I have no power or background, but have you ever seen me suffer a loss in matters like this?"
Hearing this, Hua Yao narrowed her eyes and looked at the woman opposite her with a composed expression. After a long while, she suddenly realized, "Li'er is setting a trap for Xu Qing, isn't she?"
Zhong Li shook her head. "Yes and no. Xu Qing has made things difficult for me many times. At first, I didn't pay it any mind, as it was the Dali Temple doing its job for the people. Until he repeatedly framed me. I'm not a pushover, so I naturally won't be manipulated by him. If he hadn't caused trouble this time, the Emperor wouldn't have handed this case to him. This case is complex, and secondly, it involves Prince Xian's mansion and the imperial harem. A slight misstep could lead to being implicated. Think about how Xu Qing looked when he received this case today. He's probably regretting it on the road right now."
"Oh!" Hua Yao nodded, then gently poked Zhong Li's waist. As Zhong Li looked at her in surprise, Hua Yao hugged her tightly. "I knew Li'er was the smartest."