Jixiang said irritably, “These people stand there like wooden posts—don’t they get tired or hungry?”

Ruyi shook her head, “Even if they get tired or hungry, there are relief guards to replace them. We can’t get out.”

Jixiang said anxiously, “So we just wait here doing nothing? The Tang King is truly… I clearly told him that everything was Fourth Princess’s scheme, but he just won’t believe it.”

Ruyi sighed, “All of this is just our speculation. We have no real evidence. Even if the Tang King truly has suspicions, he can’t speak out before investigating thoroughly.” She continued, “Don’t worry so much. This matter concerns Second Young Master’s life and death—the Tang King will definitely investigate until the truth comes to light. We won’t be in danger.”

“I hope so.” Jixiang said helplessly. Ruyi noticed that Yunyi had been sitting in her chair staring at the clothing in her hands without speaking since earlier. Thinking she was worried about the outcome like Jixiang, she poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, saying, “Princess, please don’t worry. The Tang King will surely see through Fourth Princess’s treacherous scheme and restore your innocence and Second Young Master’s.”

“I’m fine.” Yunyi came back to her senses and handed the clothing to her, “Do you remember this garment?”

Ruyi looked at it and said, “I remember. This goose-yellow scattered-flower gauze shirt was sent to the Palace Wardrobe Bureau for cleaning before and was only brought back yesterday. Because the Princess said she would wear it today, I placed it with other clothing on the rack beside the bed. What’s wrong?”

Yunyi stood up and walked a few steps, pointing at the ground, “This is where His Majesty was killed. It’s a full zhang away from the rosewood rack where the clothing was placed. Why would this garment have blood stains on it?”

Hearing this, Ruyi quickly examined the garment in her hands carefully. Indeed, there were several drops of fresh blood. “Yes, it’s truly strange. By logic, being so far away, it would be impossible for His Majesty’s blood to splatter onto it.”

Jixiang thought for a moment and said, “Could it be that after His Majesty was attacked, he wanted to wake up the Princess to call for help, so he came to the bedside, thus dripping some blood on the clothing?”

“No.” Yunyi said with certainty, “I examined His Majesty’s wound. It was a single stab straight to the heart, causing immediate death. In such a condition, he should have died instantly—how could he have had the strength to walk so far? Moreover, if His Majesty had truly walked all the way over, there should be blood drops on the ground, but aside from the pool of blood where His Majesty fell, everywhere else is clean without a trace.”

With her explanation, Ruyi also felt it was impossible. But to say blood had splattered onto the clothing from over a zhang away was equally impossible. So exactly… where did this blood come from?

“Could it be that you accidentally got it on there when you brought it back yesterday?” Before Jixiang finished speaking, Ruyi was already shaking her head, “I wasn’t injured—where would blood come from? Besides, it rained all day yesterday until evening. Even if blood had gotten on it, it would have been washed away by the rain. How could it remain so intact?”

As the three pondered the origin of the blood stains, several peach blossoms were blown into the hall by the evening wind, landing perfectly on Yunyi’s plain white skirt hem. At a glance, they seemed to be reflected on the fabric.

Looking down at those peach blossoms, Yunyi suddenly shivered and exclaimed, “I know!”

Ruyi and Jixiang’s expressions brightened as they quickly asked, “Has the Princess thought of where the blood stains came from?”

“Exactly.” Yunyi said in a concentrated voice, “Among those we know, Xin’an is the most suspicious. But have you thought about this—if she really killed His Majesty, why wasn’t there a single blood stain on her?”

Jixiang said dismissively, “That’s not strange. After she killed His Majesty, she went back to Shuangyue Palace and changed her clothes. Naturally, there would be no traces left.”

“That would be too risky. If someone saw blood stains on her along the way, it would be troublesome. Someone capable of setting such a complex trap would never be stupid enough to make such a mistake.”

Jixiang frowned, “According to the Princess, the one who killed His Majesty might not be Princess Xin’an?”

“No, it was her!” It was Ruyi who said this. She held up the clothing and said, “Princess Xin’an must have held this garment in front of herself at the time. This would explain why this garment has blood stains.”

“Exactly.” Yunyi took the garment and spread it out, “From the blood stains splattered on this garment, the one wielding the knife should have been right-handed.” Speaking to this point, a cold smile appeared on her beautiful face, “Xin’an calculated everything, but unfortunately, she still made one oversight.”

“One oversight?” Ruyi repeated her words in confusion, then seemed to understand something and said joyfully, “Is the Princess saying that this garment can prove your innocence?”

Yunyi nodded, but then her brow furrowed with worry again, “But I still don’t know how to clear the suspicion from Shimin.”

Jixiang said urgently, “Even so, at least after we get out, we can run around and investigate for Second Young Master. That’s better than sitting here doing nothing.”

Yunyi had the same thought. Looking at the gradually darkening sky, she said, “There’s no time to waste. Go immediately to see those guards and tell them I’ve found evidence and need to see the Tang King and Princess Xin’an immediately.”

Jixiang was even more anxious than Yunyi. She quickly agreed and rushed out. As soon as she reached the palace door, the guards stationed there blocked her path and said coldly, “The Tang King has ordered that Princess Jinyang is suspected of killing His Majesty. Until the truth is clarified, no one from Mingse Palace may take a single step out. Please return!”

Hearing this, Jixiang quickly waved her hands, “Several elder brothers have misunderstood. I’m not trying to go out. It’s the Princess—she’s found evidence and wants to see the Tang King and Princess Xin’an. Please ask the elder brothers to go and invite them over immediately.”

The guard looked her over and said hesitantly, “Have you truly found evidence?”

“How would I dare joke with the elder brothers about such a matter? It’s absolutely true. Please help us, elder brothers.” As she spoke, she remembered something and quickly took out the money pouch from her bosom, stuffing it entirely into the hands of the guard who had spoken, pleading, “This matter concerns the Princess’s life. Please be sure to report it.”

The guard hesitated for a moment and said, “Very well, I’ll go report to the Tang King and Princess Xin’an for you. But whether they’re willing to come is not something I can decide.”

Seeing his agreement, Jixiang thanked him repeatedly, “I understand. Thank you, elder brother, thank you!”

The following time was like living through years for Yunyi and the others. Jixiang kept looking toward the door, and finally, when the lanterns were first lit, Li Yuan and Xin’an finally appeared in their sight. Li Jiancheng had come with them as well.

After simple greetings, Li Yuan got straight to the point, “I heard from the guards that the Princess has found evidence. What is it?”

Yunyi took the garment that Ruyi held in her hands and said, “The evidence is this garment. It can prove that the murderer who killed His Majesty was not me.”

Xin’an said coldly, “Ridiculous. How can a mere garment prove such a thing? Can it speak?”