The guards vigilantly pointed their swords at the human shape bulging in the pile of clothes.

Princess Fu’an glanced at Liu Sujiang. When Liu Sujiang caught sight of the unharmed Qin Shuying and the dead person covered with white cloth on the ground, her mind had already gone completely blank.

Failed?

How was that possible?

But she didn’t dare leave. With the matter botched, how could she dare leave?

Qin Shuying was also in the crowd. Both Princess Fu’an and Liu Sujiang saw her. She smiled slightly, acting as if she saw nothing unusual.

Princess Fu’an’s eyes turned red with anger, while Liu Sujiang was even more bewildered about what to do.

Seeing the person wasn’t moving, the guards used their swords to lift the clothes, revealing the unconscious Liang Zhe inside.

He was tall and imposing, his appearance heroically handsome. Even just lying there sleeping, he gave people an overwhelming feeling of heroic spirit that couldn’t be ignored.

Immediately, everyone was shocked: “Young Master Liang?”

Mo Yiting hurried forward to untie Liang Zhe’s ropes.

With so many distinguished people present today, imperial physicians were always on standby. The Seventh Prince, as the person in charge, naturally had to put on a show under everyone’s watchful eyes, saying to his personal attendant: “Summon the imperial physician to examine Young Master Liang!”

The imperial physician hurried forward to examine Liang Zhe. After just a moment, he bowed and said: “Reporting to Your Highnesses, Young Master Liang has been drugged with a sleeping potion and is unconscious. He will wake up within half a quarter-hour and is otherwise unharmed.”

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Young Master Liang had been drugged?

Who would do such a thing?

Many people couldn’t help but think of Luo Meixiang.

In this kind of matter, everyone knew what was what.

For no other reason than that Liang Zhen’s affair had been handled too obviously.

They wouldn’t believe even if beaten to death that Liang Zhen would get involved with some minor county magistrate from who knows what remote mountain valley!

With her noble status, which man in the entire capital couldn’t she marry?

A noble lady who could marry even a prince would actively pursue and give herself to an incompetent minor county magistrate who frequented brothels… this version was too crude.

Among all the nobility in the capital, which family didn’t have some story? It’s just that no one was so obvious about framing people.

It’s just that behind closed doors they were family, and Marquis Pingxi, the father himself, hadn’t said anything. It was said he had even beaten ten-year-old Liang Zhe back then. What could these completely unrelated people do?

However, thinking it was one thing, saying it was another. Everyone was thinking about this matter, but not one person spoke it aloud.

The scene fell into silence.

Mo Yiting crouched beside Liang Zhe, supporting him in his arms, his handsome brows knotted with worry.

Just then, someone spoke everyone’s thoughts aloud—

“Young Master Liang was drugged? Who exactly drugged him? Young Master Liang was always in the northwest army before, gone for nine years, still just a child when he left. Logically, he shouldn’t have enemies in the capital. He’s only been back in the capital four months and already been drugged. In this subject’s opinion, the person who drugged him must have found Young Master Liang displeasing for a long time—if not ten years, then at least eight—Your Highness, don’t you think this subject is right? Today’s event was organized by Your Highness. Who is so bold as to do such a despicable thing? Are they trying to give Your Highness the reputation of plotting against a loyal and virtuous general? How truly detestable! This subject received Your Highness’s reward last time, and today was again honored to dine with Your Highness. This subject cannot stand such devious villains who want to kill two birds with one stone—both eliminate Young Master Liang and pin the evil reputation on Your Highness.”

Qin Shuying spoke with righteous indignation, her expression agitated. As she spoke, she walked forward, only stopping when she reached Princess Fu’an’s side.

Princess Fu’an was dumbfounded, as were the others looking at Qin Shuying.

Especially Luo Jinniang, who almost immediately wanted to refute—what enemies? Couldn’t he have deliberately tied himself up and then claimed others harmed him?

Before the words left her mouth, Liang Qiong firmly grabbed her sleeve and covered her mouth.

—If she refuted, wouldn’t that be like protesting too much?

Qin Shuying saw their actions, her lips curving slightly. She ignored them and instead encouraged Princess Fu’an: “Your Highness, don’t fear those despicable people who lurk in shadows. The truth will eventually come to light and clear Your Highness’s name.”

Only then did Princess Fu’an come to her senses, watching Qin Shuying’s eloquent speech, both shocked and angry.

However, Qin Shuying’s words were spoken so righteously and beautifully that she couldn’t refute them.

Moreover, although this fake palace maid hadn’t died by her own hand, he was closely connected to her. Princess Fu’an, though she knew some palace secrets, was only thirteen years old after all, and at this moment still felt somewhat guilty.

Princess Fu’an went along with Qin Shuying’s words: “…Yes.”

What the hell, how was she so useless?

As soon as Princess Fu’an spoke, she wanted to bite off her own tongue.

Qin Shuying blinked, leaned close to her ear, and said softly and quickly: “Your Highness, it’s only been half a month since we last met. How did your face become so pitted and scarred? These scars seem like they won’t fade, right?”

Hearing this, Princess Fu’an suddenly seemed to remember something, covered her face, and glared angrily at Qin Shuying.

The scars on her face could never be removed. She hated Qin Shuying, so she had schemed this event to completely crush Qin Shuying into the dirt!

But, but…

Qin Shuying naturally moved one step closer to Princess Fu’an, presenting the perfect image of the princess’s best friend.

Liu Sujiang watched all this with eyes wide as saucers.

Qin Shuying smiled at her and lowered her voice: “Sister Liu, with all this chaos here, don’t be afraid.”

Liu Sujiang hadn’t heard clearly what Qin Shuying said to Princess Fu’an afterward. She was just stunned by Qin Shuying’s passionate speech of righteousness, staring with wide eyes, unable to say a word.

Despite all of Madam Liu’s strategic coaching, she was ultimately still just a young maiden from a secluded chamber. Even though she had previously looked down on Qin Shuying and was impatient to finish this matter quickly, when things spiraled out of her control and Qin Shuying spoke to her so gently, Liu Sujiang couldn’t sort out any clear thoughts in the short term.

In the crowd, Liu Junqing’s eyes never left Qin Shuying.

He had even observed the entire conversation between Qin Shuying and his sister.

He lowered his eyelids.

Soon, Prefect Lü Qing of Shuntian Prefecture personally brought people to investigate the case. At this time, Liang Zhe woke up.

Lü Qing had also brought a coroner.

The coroner needed to examine the corpse, which was inconvenient for the ladies present. Guangbin Tower had already arranged people around the perimeter. The ladies left the scene, and other unrelated people were also cleared out.

However, everyone present today was under suspicion, so until the officials clarified the situation, no one was allowed to leave the area that had been cordoned off by the officials.

Princess Fu’an walked a few steps, then suddenly remembered that the fake palace maid’s death was probably connected to Qin Shuying, which meant Qin Shuying must have something harmful on her person.

Thinking of this, she suddenly stopped and looked at Qin Shuying, who was walking in step with her.