"Is he my lover? And do we have a child who died in infancy? And by chance, he met Miss Lan on his way back to the manor while searching for me. Heh! Oh, and there's a token of love, a bellyband, as proof. This series of coincidences and the story of being heartlessly abandoned by a beloved wife is truly spectacular. I wonder, what are Miss Lan's intentions in fabricating such a false story to frame me? Is she deliberately trying to ruin this joyous occasion today to humiliate your Ninth Imperial Uncle in front of everyone?"
With a sneer, Gu Qianying looked at Lan Qingqing. She appeared righteous and forthright, her expression devoid of the panic and fear one would expect from someone exposed.
The crowd couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt.
Could this be a deliberate frame-up by someone else?
"Miss Gu! Please watch your words! How could Qing'er deliberately embarrass the Prince?" A flicker of panic flashed in Lan Qingqing's eyes, but she quickly adopted a look of extreme grievance. "Your Highness, you know what kind of person Qing'er is. Qing'er would never dare to joke about the reputation of our Ninth Prince's manor."
As she spoke, Lan Qingqing began to cry pitifully. "Miss Gu, I don't know why you are saying this about me, but I absolutely did not fabricate a story to frame you. I just don't want our Prince to be mistaken about you."
With that, Lan Qingqing curtsied to Nangong Mo. "I implore Your Highness to discern the truth."
Her appearance, like a pear blossom in the rain, was so soft and wronged that anyone would naturally side with Lan Qingqing.
After all, the Miss Lan who had lived in the Ninth Prince's manor for so long, adhering to all rules, seemed like a virtuous and law-abiding woman. How could she possibly frame someone else using a woman's reputation!
"She committed a mistake and now tries to frame Miss Lan. How shameless!"
"Exactly! She did it, so just admit it. Instead, she wants to frame Miss Lan. Such a cruel heart, I don't even know what to say!"
The ladies looked at Gu Qianying with disgust, as if she were something filthy.
Nangong Mo cast a cold glance their way, and they immediately shut their mouths obediently.
Beside them, Nangong Li, who had intended to interject at this moment, had his folding fan, not yet drawn from his robes, pressed down by Du Chun, who had appeared behind him. Du Chun's eyes conveyed a clear message: This is a battlefield between women, why are you trying to be brave!
Nangong Li blinked at Du Chun, his meaning clear: This prince simply cannot stand by and watch. It's the Ninth Imperial Uncle's long-awaited wedding, and this prince cannot let this joyous occasion be ruined!
Du Chun kept his hand on Nangong Li, still preventing him from moving, and gestured with his eyes: Rest assured, it won't be ruined.
Given that Miss Gu, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, could cure the wet nurse's illness, he believed that no matter how absurd the wedding festivities were today, A'Mo would ensure the banquet continued.
Since Du Chun wouldn't let Nangong Li interfere, Nangong Li obediently stood aside, feigning to be a wooden dummy.
Meanwhile, Gu Qianying looked at Lan Qingqing with a cold smile, her expression laced with sarcasm. "Frame you? Heh! Miss Lan, you truly have a silver tongue. It's a shame you don't go to the opera to perform."
She glanced at the crowd. "Now that things have come to this, it seems I couldn't explain myself even if I had a thousand mouths." She then shifted her gaze to the monk's face. "You have such delicate features, young monk. If you were to live a proper life, many women would surely admire you. But, what a pity now..."
Suddenly, she raised her palm, channeled her internal energy, took two steps forward, and grabbed the monk by the neck. "It's a pity that a handsome face is paired with a dead body. You are destined to be alone for life!"
Gu Qianying's action was so sudden that it shocked everyone.
"Miss Gu, what are you doing? He is your lover, how can you bear to kill him?" Lan Qingqing, fearing that the monk would die and ruin her plans, quickly cried out to stop her.
As soon as she spoke, the ladies present began to collectively condemn Gu Qianying for her ruthlessness.
"Miss Lan, as you said, he is my lover. What business is it of yours if I kill him!" Gu Qianying retorted domineeringly.
"You..." Lan Qingqing was rendered speechless by her retort.
Gu Qianying's fingers tightened slightly, and the monk's face immediately changed. A suffocating sensation spread throughout his body, his cheeks turning red, and his breathing becoming difficult. "No... don't... kill me, Miss... I..."
"Miss? Heh, why aren't you calling me by my name anymore?" Gu Qianying's lips curved into a cold smile. She released her grip, and the monk slumped to the ground. He clutched his neck, gasping for air.
Gu Qianying looked at him coldly. "I don't know where you stole this bellyband with my name inscribed on it. You insist it is a token of love between us, but have you ever considered that I am the daughter of a military family? Why would I give such a filthy item as a token of love to you? Am I foolish? My hairpin, my jade pendant – are they not far more valuable than this filthy item?
Today, your framing of me is a capital offense. However, I also know that you must have been instigated by someone else to dare to frame me so recklessly. Considering you don't look like a bad person, if you reveal who instructed you from behind the scenes, I can spare your life!"
Gu Qianying's words had turned the tide. Not only did she clear her own name, but she also informed everyone that there was someone behind the monk's actions. Otherwise, how could a monk of his common status dare to frame her?
At the same time, she presented the monk with a choice: his life or what he desired, which was more important?
"I... I..." The monk was somewhat nervous. He secretly glanced at Lan Qingqing.
His glance was caught by Gu Qianying, and also by Nangong Mo. A chilling aura emanated from Nangong Mo's eyes as he looked at Lan Qingqing.
Meeting his icy gaze, Lan Qingqing's face paled slightly, but she quickly resumed her innocent act of being deceived. "What? Framing? Is it true?" She turned around and looked at the monk with a shocked expression. "Are you really deceiving me? Is your romantic affair with Miss Gu truly false?"
She deliberately slowed down the pronunciation of the phrase "romantic affair," intending to draw everyone's disgusted gaze towards Gu Qianying.
"This... I..." The monk remained kneeling on the ground, flustered.
"Don't worry, if you speak the truth, not only will I spare your life, but I will also prepare some travel expenses for you and personally arrange for your safe return. I guarantee your safety on the journey."
Seeing the monk's hesitant demeanor, Gu Qianying knew he was close to breaking.
If she said something to benefit the monk, he would waver.
"It wasn't me, it was..." the monk began, after some thought.
Even if someone promised him ten thousand taels of gold, what use would that gold be if he lost his life?
Just as the monk was about to reveal who had instructed him, the guards at the gate rushed in. "Your Highness, there is an old monk outside who insists on seeing you. He claims he knows the most about the matter between Miss Gu and this young monk, and he can come forward to explain."
Nangong Mo glanced at Gu Qianying. Gu Qianying remained silent, but her gaze fell on Lan Qingqing. "Miss Lan, do you think this old monk should be allowed in?"
"Miss Gu, matters within the manor should be decided by Your Highness. Qing'er cannot make the decision."
"Let him in!"
Nangong Mo commanded coldly.
He wanted to see how this old monk would court death!