When Old Madam Liang told him about that matter in the side hall, he immediately harbored murderous intent. As for evidence—did he, Zhou Huaiyuan, need evidence to kill someone?

He wouldn’t kill Liang Zhe, but warnings would not be few. However, Qin Shuying could not be spared.

As Emperor Delong pondered, several more men entered.

Leading them was the Crown Prince, followed by the Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, and Seventh Prince.

Qin Shuying knew these people had all been summoned by the Fourth Prince after Lin Zilan delivered his message. At this critical juncture, with Liang Zhe at the garrison, it was impossible for him to appear in the capital.

The muddier the water, the easier it was to fish in troubled waters.

Indeed, as soon as the Crown Prince entered, he glanced at Qin Shuying and, after paying his respects, said to Emperor Delong: “Father Emperor, isn’t this young lady the orphaned daughter of Salt Commissioner Qin? This son had the fortune of meeting her once before. ‘Essential Notes on Ingenious Writing’ was written by this young lady. It’s an excellent book—this son followed the water wheels and windmills described within to harness water and wind as labor, and gained quite some insights.”

Emperor Delong was slightly stunned.

Since he had arranged Qin Shuying’s marriage, he naturally knew her identity and couldn’t possibly be unaware that she was Qin Yongzhou’s daughter.

However, although he had valued Qin Yongzhou at the time, with Qin Yongzhou dead for four years, no matter how deep their bond, it had dissipated with time. Moreover, he was the emperor—Qin Yongzhou’s loyalty to him was only natural.

Therefore, when he had earlier harbored murderous intent toward Qin Shuying, he felt nothing wrong with it.

But with the Crown Prince’s reminder, he recalled Qin Yongzhou.

After all, this was a minister who had made great contributions to his territory. Emperor Delong was not a heartless man, so it would be false to say he felt no melancholy.

However, this young woman’s words just now…

Evidence exists only in people’s hearts—one only needs a feeling, not much physical evidence, not witness testimony…

After a moment’s consideration, Emperor Delong said: “Lady Qin, since you’ve spoken thus, and your old madam is also present, today we shall beat the gongs face to face and clarify this matter thoroughly.”

Qin Shuying curtsied: “This subject thanks Your Majesty for upholding justice for the Liang family!”

Emperor Delong remained noncommittal and was somewhat displeased.

Whether Old Madam Liang was fake or not, Emperor Delong knew perfectly well after meeting her once.

Old Madam Liang was Luo Yanyan—the genuine Luo Yanyan without a doubt.

They had known each other for forty or fifty years. Would he, Zhou Huaiyuan, not recognize the real from the fake Luo Yanyan?

He was curious to see how Qin Shuying would use her silver tongue to claim that a real Luo Yanyan was fake.

Who would have thought that Qin Shuying didn’t argue, but simply said: “Your Majesty, this subject said earlier that this subject has no evidence to prove the person before us is not Old Madam Liang. Therefore, this subject will only ask a few questions. If she can answer them, this subject will have nothing more to say. If she cannot answer, this subject’s doubts will likely remain forever unresolved.”

Emperor Delong said coolly: “Ask.”

“Yes. The first question: Are you a descendant of the Qifeng Dynasty?”

Old Madam Liang looked at Qin Shuying with eyes that seemed to shoot fire.

This wretch Qin Shuying!

Luo Yanyan could not deny Qin Shuying’s question, because she was indeed the biological daughter of Baozhu, the youngest legitimate princess of the Qifeng Dynasty.

When Baozhu was young, the Qifeng Dynasty was destroyed. Baozhu followed her wet nurse to Great Zhou, later marrying the then-Old Master Luo as a concubine and giving birth to Luo Yanyan.

After Baozhu’s death, her wet nurse disappeared. When Luo Yanyan was in her teens, that wet nurse found an opportunity to meet her, told her of her identity, and left her many things.

Although very few people knew of this matter, Emperor Delong might well know. If she denied it, there would be no need to answer the subsequent questions.

This wretch Qin Shuying must have learned of her identity and thrown out such a difficult question.

However, she, Luo Yanyan, was of noble legitimate princess bloodline, naturally intelligent and stunningly beautiful—she had always been proud of this. Why should she deny it?

Old Madam Liang looked coldly at Qin Shuying and clearly uttered one word: “Yes!”

Immediately, the ladies throughout the hall began discussing animatedly.

Old Madam Liang paid no attention. She was the genuine Luo Yanyan; she had no intention of harming the Liang Yuan and Liang Jie brothers. She wasn’t afraid of this wretch Qin Shuying’s questions.

Qin Shuying waited for the ladies’ discussions to quiet somewhat, then threw out the second question: “You are not General Liang’s birth mother, correct?”

Old Madam Liang’s pupils contracted slightly. No wonder Qin Shuying was so confident—she even knew such a secret matter.

“…Correct.”

The ladies immediately erupted—this woman actually wasn’t Liang Yunshan’s birth mother?

After a while, Qin Shuying threw out the third question: “The thirteen characters on that note earlier were all written by you, correct?”

Old Madam Liang’s breathing became rapid.

This wretch was truly cunning!

The three questions she asked were all facts—all facts she couldn’t deny. Based on these three questions alone, these women could conclude she wasn’t Old Madam Liang but an impostor.

Old Madam Liang remained silent for a long time. The paper had also reached the eunuch beside Emperor Delong. After reading its contents, Emperor Delong frowned slightly.

Qin Shuying suddenly urged Old Madam Liang loudly: “Please answer—did you write it or not?!”

Old Madam Liang raised her head, neck held high: “So what if I did?! You’re unfilial, actually forcing me like this—you deserve to die! You…”

Qin Shuying became excited: “You are a descendant of the Qifeng Dynasty, you are not Earl Liang’s birth mother, and you want to kill Earl Liang’s biological son and daughter-in-law. You sneakily went to meet someone with this letter—how can I not suspect you’re fake? Is this something a real grandmother could do? Killing the Liang family’s legitimate descendants—what are your motives? What exactly are your motives?!”

Princess Liang leisurely added: “Her motives are quite simple—when good generals perish, Great Zhou perishes. How many enemy soldiers has Liang Zhe killed fighting bravely on the frontier? To her, this is hatred. Liang Yunshan defending the frontier is an even greater thorn in her side. Kill Liang Zhe, throw the Liang family into chaos without bloodying a blade… Heh heh heh, for a woman to have such ambition and capability—I must admit I’m impressed!”

Emperor Delong’s brow furrowed tightly.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Old Madam Liang argued desperately: “You’re talking nonsense! You just can’t stand that Prince Liang has me in his heart. You’ve hated me for over thirty years, so you’re spouting lies!”

Qin Shuying was very glad that Old Madam Liang rarely went out and, not having experienced so much scheming and plotting, was quite poor at arguments.

Even Princess Liang was better at quarreling than her: “How amusing! Knowing our prince can’t speak now, you fabricate wildly. Are you next going to slander all those deceased gentlemen too? After all, they can’t speak! You’re a remnant of the Qifeng Dynasty—our prince is loyal to the throne and loves the country. How could he possibly have entanglements with a woman like you? Moreover, you keep saying ‘our prince’—he’s another woman’s husband. Where does that leave Liang Changshun? If you were truly Old Madam Liang, how could you be so shameless in front of so many people?”