Mu Yunjin nodded and sighed softly. “That’s right, this matter was indeed instigated by Lin Meng Wei.”
After saying this, she added, “But instigation aside, Mu’ai still foolishly went ahead with it. She can’t escape her guilt. However, now we should properly investigate who exposed this matter.”
“After what you’ve said, I’m beginning to suspect this Lin Meng Wei,” National Preceptor An raised his eyebrows, his tone somewhat mocking.
“But what benefit would she gain from doing this?” Yun Lianqing frowned, unable to understand the situation.
National Preceptor An smiled. “Among women, sometimes they can harbor grudges for a long time over matters as small as a fingernail. I’ve seen Miss Mu a few times. She’s a spoiled girl. Perhaps she unknowingly offended Lin Meng Wei somewhere, who then harbored resentment.”
“So, she instigated Mu’ai to assassinate this Crown Prince, and then deliberately exposed the matter, wanting to eliminate Mu’ai?” Yun Lianqing continued along with National Preceptor An’s line of thought.
“Exactly, and there’s one more point…” National Preceptor An held up one finger. “Lin Meng Wei’s father, Lin Zhiyang, is the Minister of the Southern Court Country. He’s considered honest and loyal. The Emperor has praised him in front of me many times.”
“Think about it—if Prime Minister Mu were to be brought down, who would be most likely to be promoted to the position of Prime Minister?”
With National Preceptor An’s words, Yun Lianqing felt that the whole matter had been clarified. He remarked with some amazement, “If our guesses are true, then this Lin Meng Wei is truly a formidable woman.”
…
…
“Yes, it’s only because Yunjin overheard their conversation that we uncovered Lin Meng Wei’s involvement. Otherwise, if she had denied everything, her plan would have succeeded.” National Preceptor An thought about the matter and shook his head helplessly.
Listening to National Preceptor An’s analysis, Mu Yunjin also silently marveled at how incredible it was.
This Lin Meng Wei had appeared respectful and docile in front of Mu’ai yesterday, but unexpectedly turned on Mu’ai so quickly and even implicated the Mu family. She was truly formidable.
Chu Li had been quietly listening to the three of them since he arrived. Now, seeing that the matter had been clarified, he turned to look at Yun Lianqing. “Do you want to protect the Mu family?”
“Yes, I originally didn’t intend to pursue this matter. But now that Mu’ai has confessed to the crime, if we punish Mu’ai without punishing the Mu family, I’m afraid there will be a rift with Prime Minister Mu in the future. But if we punish the Mu family as well, I fear the Southern Court Country will lose a worthy minister from then on.” Yun Lianqing was somewhat troubled.
“This Prince has a solution,” Chu Li spoke softly, his tone calm and unruffled.
Hearing Chu Li say this, Yun Lianqing’s eyes showed delight. “What solution?”
“Make a big deal small, reverse black and white.”
…
An hour later, in Yun Guangyao’s study.
After Yun Guangyao woke from his afternoon nap, he was informed that there were developments in the morning’s case, the true culprit had been found, and Yun Lianqing had requested him to go to the study.
Now, he sat in the study with a row of people standing in front of him, and a few people kneeling.
Standing were Chu Li, Mu Yunjin, Yun Lianqing, National Preceptor An, Qiqi, Prime Minister Mu, and Minister Lin.
Kneeling were Mu’ai and Lin Meng Wei.
After scanning everyone, Yun Guangyao’s eyes revealed some deeper meaning as he looked at those standing. He waved his hand, pointing to the empty chairs nearby. “All of you, sit.”
After everyone sat down, Yun Guangyao looked again at Mu’ai and Lin Meng Wei kneeling on the ground.
Then, he looked at Yun Lianqing. “You asked me to come. What do you want to say?”
“Reporting to Father Emperor…” Yun Lianqing stood up, walked to the center, and looked at Yun Guangyao. “I just met Sister-in-law, and she told me some things.”
“What things?” Yun Guangyao looked at Yun Lianqing, then at Mu Yunjin.
Seeing this, Mu Yunjin also stood up, walked to the center, and slowly spoke. Yesterday at noon, Qiqi and I were eating at Cloud Tower Restaurant in the market. We happened to encounter Miss Mu and Miss Lin eating together. During that time, we unfortunately heard some things…”
Then, Mu Yunjin told Yun Guangyao everything she had heard at the restaurant.
As Yun Guangyao listened, his expression grew increasingly stern.
This account was consistent with what Mu’ai had said in the morning. However, at that time, the Lin family’s daughter had strongly denied it. Now that Mu Yunjin was saying the same thing, it naturally couldn’t be false.
When Lin Meng Wei saw Mu Yunjin earlier, she had started to panic. She had seen Mu Yunjin in the restaurant yesterday, who was laughing and talking with the woman next to her. Her thoughts weren’t on her and Mu’ai, so she hadn’t paid any attention.
Unexpectedly, she had heard everything…
After hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Minister Lin Zhiyang hurriedly stood up, knelt, and said in a trembling voice, “May the Emperor see clearly. This old minister knows Meng Wei best. She is usually well-behaved and sensible. She can’t have instigated Miss Mu to do such a thing.”
“Is Minister Lin suggesting that I am deliberately framing her?” Mu Yunjin felt angry at these words.
“No, no, no, Lin would not dare. It’s just that Lin knows his daughter best. She would never do such a thing. Besides…” Lin Zhiyang paused, glancing at Prime Minister Mu, and said, “Besides, my daughter has never had any intention of marrying into the Crown Prince’s mansion. She had no motive to instigate Miss Mu.”
“You’re talking nonsense! It was clearly Lin Meng Wei who instigated me! The Prince Consort has testified for me. You can’t deny it!” Mu’ai spoke out in annoyance.
This whole affair already made her feel miserable enough, and now Lin Meng Wei was still pretending to be innocent, which made her even angrier. Yes, she was the one who hired assassins, but Lin Meng Wei, the instigator, couldn’t escape responsibility either!
“Silence! How dare you be so disrespectful in front of the Emperor!” Prime Minister Mu stood up, preparing to slap Mu’ai.
He was almost dead from anger because of this unfilial daughter. She had created such a huge mess. The crime of attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince, according to the law, was a serious offense that would implicate nine generations of relatives!
He didn’t mind dying himself, but if other clan members were implicated, he would be the greatest sinner of the Mu family. Thinking of this, Prime Minister Mu’s eyes reddened.
Before the slap could land on Mu’ai’s face, Prime Minister Mu’s arm was caught by National Preceptor An. National Preceptor An patted Prime Minister Mu’s shoulder. “Minister Mu, please sit down first. Don’t get angry.”
Prime Minister Mu’s face was deadly pale as he was helped back to his seat by National Preceptor An.
Afterward, National Preceptor An looked at Yun Guangyao and said softly, “Emperor, since this matter involves both sides, let’s clarify it step by step.”
“Hmm, I’ll follow your lead.” Yun Guangyao was getting a headache. Since Chu Li and Mu Yunjin had both stepped forward in this matter, they must already have a safe solution. He would just follow along with their words and listen.
Seeing that Yun Guangyao had agreed, National Preceptor An smiled and then looked at Yun Lianqing. “Didn’t the Crown Prince bring those people who injured you into the palace? Where are they?”
“Outside,” Yun Lianqing said.
“Then bring them in quickly.”
“Yes.”
A moment later, the men in black who had attacked Yun Lianqing yesterday were brought into the study, bound and kneeling on the ground, each trembling severely.
“Were you the ones who came to assassinate the Crown Prince yesterday?” National Preceptor An asked.
“No, it was she who paid us and instigated us,” a man in black quickly pointed at Mu’ai.
Then, another man in black added, “Actually, we weren’t trying to assassinate the Crown Prince. This Miss Mu paid us a sum of money to pretend to assassinate the Crown Prince, then she would rush out and take a knife for the Crown Prince, and she told us to retreat immediately afterward.”
After this man in black finished speaking, Mu’ai, kneeling on the ground, suddenly remembered something and looked at Yun Lianqing’s left hand in surprise. “That’s right, Crown Prince, your left hand wasn’t injured by them…”
She had been so frightened this morning that she had only focused on confessing and begging for mercy. She had forgotten that yesterday she was the one who took the knife, and they hadn’t injured the Crown Prince at all!
So where did the Crown Prince’s injury come from?
“Oh? According to Miss Mu’s words, this arm wasn’t injured by the assassins you sent?” National Preceptor An pointed at the left arm.
Mu’ai nodded repeatedly. “Yes, it wasn’t them. I swear on my life. I hired those assassins just to act out a scene, so that I would have a life-saving favor to the Crown Prince and could marry into the Crown Prince’s mansion. I had no intention of hurting the Crown Prince.”
This time, Mu’ai finally clarified the situation.
Pretending to assassinate the Crown Prince and assassinating him were two completely different concepts. Although she couldn’t escape punishment, perhaps there was still a chance to live.
“Then your arm…” National Preceptor An turned to look at Yun Lianqing. He had thought the arm injury was caused by those men in black, but unexpectedly, there was more to the story.
“This arm…” Yun Lianqing pouted. If he revealed the truth, it would reach Qinghuan’s ears. He didn’t know what Qinghuan would think then.
Just as he was pondering, a silent message entered his ear, transmitted by Mu Yunjin: “Just say you were trying to personally cook for Bai Qinghuan and accidentally got cut by a knife.”
Yun Lianqing was stunned. Such a poor excuse?
However, it was better than revealing the truth.
Then, Yun Lianqing explained the wound on his arm according to Mu Yunjin’s suggestion.
After hearing Yun Lianqing’s explanation, National Preceptor An laughed a few times and looked at Yun Guangyao. “Emperor, it seems this was all a misunderstanding. This Miss Mu was too playful and played a prank. I was wondering, how could a girl like her try to assassinate the Crown Prince without reason?”
Listening to National Preceptor An’s words, Yun Guangyao inconspicuously glanced at Prime Minister Mu beside him. He couldn’t help but clench his fist and continued along with National Preceptor An’s narrative. “So that’s how it is. Then this matter was a misunderstanding.”
Seeing the Emperor and National Preceptor An describe Mu’ai’s assassination attempt as a prank, Lin Meng Wei was filled with dissatisfaction. This was a capital offense; how could they just let Mu’ai off?
“The Crown Prince’s wound is on his arm. If he were cooking, how would he cut his arm? Could it be that the Crown Prince is deliberately trying to exonerate Mu’ai and confuse right and wrong?” When Lin Meng Wei said this, although she was terrified inside, now that she could grasp a loophole, she definitely couldn’t miss this opportunity.
“This Crown Prince was cooking for the first time. Can’t I be clumsy? Besides, what are your intentions, woman? According to this Crown Prince’s understanding, you and Mu’ai grew up together as childhood friends. Why are you so insistent on implicating her?” Yun Lianqing’s tone was tinged with anger, and his expression darkened.
Just then, the Chief Eunuch serving beside Yun Guangyao hurriedly entered, approached Yun Guangyao, and said, “Emperor, the Imperial Guard leader was searching in the city and caught a suspicious man who was exchanging money with someone. After the Imperial Guard leader restrained the person, they discovered he was a servant from the Minister’s mansion…”