The Old Madam frowned. “Just summon the physician I normally use—”

However, Li Minfeng said, “An ordinary physician may not suffice. I’ve long heard that Imperial Physician Lin is most proficient in distinguishing medicinal materials. Why not invite him to make the trip?”

The Old Madam hesitated for a moment. Imperial Physician Lin was famously rigid and upright, highly virtuous and respected, and would never deliberately show favoritism to either side. By proposing to summon him, Li Minfeng wanted everyone to accept the verdict wholeheartedly. The Old Madam closed her eyes, ultimately still hesitating.

The entire room fell into deathly silence.

Li Weiyang’s delicate face was illuminated in patches of light and shadow by the scattered sunlight streaming in. She smiled coldly. “Since Elder Brother can summon Imperial Physician Lin, that would be best. However, if Imperial Physician Lin proves my innocence, what then, Elder Brother?”

Li Minfeng raised his eyebrows in a smile, full of confidence. “Then I’ll kowtow to Third Sister in apology and kneel to serve you tea!”

“Excellent! It’s settled!” Li Weiyang smiled soundlessly.

Hearing this, Li Changle’s gaze swept silently but sharply across Weiyang’s cheek.

Soon, Li Xiaoran was summoned. The moment he entered, he saw Li Weiyang standing alone in the great hall while the others sat, implicitly forming a confrontational stance. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat troubled. What had happened now! Just as he was about to inquire, he heard the Old Madam say, “Since you’ve arrived, take a seat. We’ll wait until the Imperial Physician arrives before making any judgment!”

Li Xiaoran’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces, finally settling on Li Weiyang, who stood with her back ramrod straight. His brows furrowed deeply.

An hour later, Imperial Physician Lin finally arrived, carrying his medicine chest and walking in at a leisurely pace. To everyone’s surprise, he hadn’t come alone—following behind him was a young gentleman wearing casual robes of pale purple patterned with bats, a jade-green hairpin crown on his head. Tall and elegant with firm, handsome features, he was unmistakably Third Prince Tuoba Zhen.

Upon seeing him, everyone immediately froze. Li Xiaoran quickly stood up and led everyone in paying respects. Tuoba Zhen made a gesture of support, wearing a faint smile on his face. “Brother Minfeng and I had arranged to play chess, but he failed to arrive for quite some time. Growing anxious, I took the liberty of visiting. I hope Prime Minister Li won’t take offense.”

“Your Highness is too kind. We should have gone to receive you personally.”

After an exchange of pleasantries, Li Xiaoran sat down with Tuoba Zhen.

Seeing the Third Prince, Li Changle recalled what her elder brother Li Minfeng had said, and her fair face flushed slightly.

Tuoba Zhen’s gaze turned to Li Changle. The eldest daughter of the Li Family was not only from a distinguished lineage but also gentle, virtuous, beautiful, and stunning—she naturally commanded his attention.

Then, he unconsciously glanced at Li Weiyang. Her skirt was embroidered with brilliant crabapple blossoms, blazing red as fire and surrounded by emerald leaves, forming a stark contrast with her delicate, cold countenance. For some reason, this young woman always gave him an extremely mysterious feeling, and from her he could sense an intense aversion. But why?

Realizing he had become somewhat distracted, Tuoba Zhen frowned. Regardless of what schemes this girl harbored, he need not concern himself. Only someone with Li Changle’s status and beauty was worthy of him!

However, Li Weiyang couldn’t even be bothered to spare Tuoba Zhen a single glance. To her, this person was even more detestable than Li Changle. But such obvious aloofness made Tuoba Zhen, who had always been the center of attention, even more puzzled and perplexed.

People may have no intention to harm the tiger, but the tiger has intent to harm people. Since the other party wanted to place her in mortal danger, she couldn’t be blamed for turning ruthless! Li Weiyang glanced at Li Minfeng and said, “Elder Brother, let’s not waste time. Please begin.”

Li Minfeng smiled coldly, then respectfully addressed Tuoba Zhen. “I request that Your Highness serve as witness.”

Tuoba Zhen nodded slightly.

Li Minfeng walked before Imperial Physician Lin and said, “Please examine what exactly is in the teacup.”

“Very well, let me take a look,” Imperial Physician Lin replied.

Li Minfeng pointed at the fragments scattered on the ground along with the dispersed ginseng slices. “The items haven’t been cleaned up yet. We’ve all been watching here, and no one has touched anything…”

Imperial Physician Lin nodded, stepped forward, crouched down, and began carefully identifying the medicinal materials. Everyone stared wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before them.

During the examination, Li Minfeng continued speaking. “Third Sister, you should confess early. When Imperial Physician Lin determines the results, you’ll be even more embarrassed.”

Li Weiyang looked at this distinguished and handsome elder brother of hers, cold laughter rising in her heart. After all, he was still young and hadn’t yet navigated the treacherous waters of official life, nor was he familiar with the sinister machinations of the inner quarters. If this were him ten years from now, he certainly wouldn’t be so decisive. “Elder Brother, I did not do this!”

Li Minfeng looked at Weiyang and smiled, his eyes containing a cruelty that shouldn’t belong to a youth. Then he looked toward Ziyan. “What other evidence do you have?!”

Ziyan glanced at Li Weiyang, a trace of barely perceptible guilt flashing through her eyes. Ultimately unable to resist the temptation of fine clothes and delicious food, she steeled her heart and said, “This servant personally saw Miss hide a paper package, so I secretly retrieved it.”

Li Minfeng nodded. “Where is this paper package?”

Ziyan withdrew a paper package from her bosom. “This is it.” Then, before everyone’s eyes, she opened it. The Second Madam cried out in alarm, “Red ginseng?”

Ziyan lowered her head. “No, this is the perilla seed that Third Miss used to replace the red ginseng. Please observe, honored masters—doesn’t it look exactly like red ginseng?”

The Old Madam nodded, and a maid came forward carrying the paper package to show her. After one glance, she truly couldn’t distinguish any difference from red ginseng, and her complexion became unpleasant.

Tuoba Zhen watched this scene with great interest. The dignified Third Miss of the Prime Minister’s Manor had actually done such a thing—truly both pitiful and laughable. As expected, concubine-born daughters were simply too disgraceful!

Li Minfeng sneered coldly. “Third Sister, if you don’t want others to know, don’t do it in the first place. Now that this item has been exposed before everyone, how will you try to argue your way out!”

Li Weiyang glanced at Ziyan indifferently. “Since she’s accusing me, naturally she prepared long ago. What’s so surprising about producing so-called evidence now!”

Li Minfeng laughed. “I never expected that even now, Third Sister, you would persist in your delusion! Fine, since you won’t admit it, do you dare let us search your quarters?!”

Li Changxi nodded. “Precisely so. Since Third Sister has nothing to hide, just let us search!”

Li Changle also said gently, “Third Sister, I also cannot believe you would do such a thing. However, matters have escalated to this point. If we’re to restore your innocence, we can only have people inspect your quarters. Then naturally all truth will come to light—”

The Third Madam frowned. Ziyan was Li Weiyang’s personal maid. Since she could falsely accuse Weiyang, naturally she could also plant fabricated items in the bedroom. Everything had been prepared. But if they truly searched and found something, even a hundred mouths wouldn’t be enough for Li Weiyang to explain!

At this most tense moment, Li Weiyang smiled. Her smile appeared so composed, so at ease, that it almost gave Li Minfeng goosebumps for an instant.