The scene suddenly fell silent as countless eyes turned towards them.
How could a maid be so bold?
The person who had been splashed was a minor official from the Court of State Ceremonial. Though his rank wasn’t high, he was still an imperial official. For a lowly maid to throw a cup of wine at him so decisively in public was almost unimaginable.
The official, his face dripping with wine, was stunned. After a moment, he came to his senses and flew into a rage, “You insolent slave—”
Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guard, was already striding over.
Jiang Si lowered her eyes and said softly, “Sir, it was he—”
Han Ran was momentarily startled but quickly understood, secretly praising Prince Yan’s wife for her cleverness.
Using this method to point out the problematic person wouldn’t raise any suspicions from others.
If Jiang Si knew what Han Ran was thinking, she would have laughed at his overthinking.
Her splashing of the wine was purely out of disgust at the lecher’s behavior. She had acted on impulse to vent her anger first.
Han Ran looked sternly at the official.
The official felt quite wronged, “Commander Han, you see this lowly maid—”
This small banquet was hosted by Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guard. Even though they were usually wary of the Jinlin Guard, today the Jinlin Guard was the host and they were guests. When a maid caused trouble at the host’s banquet, the guests naturally felt they could be more assertive.
Moreover, the official couldn’t imagine that Han Ran would defend such an audacious maid.
But the unimaginable happened.
Han Ran’s gaze fell on the official’s face, and he said coldly, “Take him away.”
The official coughed lightly, “It’s just an ignorant little maid, Commander Han, please don’t punish her too severely—”
Before he could finish, two Jinlin Guards stepped forward and gripped his shoulders.
The official was shocked, “Commander Han, what is the meaning of this?”
Han Ran gave him a look, his face expressionless, “Take him away!”
“Commander Han, Commander Han—”
The two Jinlin Guards ignored the official’s calls and struggles, quickly dragging him away.
The hall fell silent, with no more clinking of cups.
Everyone was stunned, unconsciously swallowing.
What was going on? Just for trying to touch a maid’s hand, which he hadn’t even managed to do, was he being sent to the imperial prison?
Han Ran smiled slightly at the crowd, “Please, everyone, continue drinking.”
People stared at the wine cups in front of them, feeling that the once-fragrant wine had lost all its appeal.
It was too frightening; who could drink now? Their courage had been scared away.
“Then I’ll drink first,” Han Ran raised his cup and drained it.
Seeing Han Ran drink, the others dared not hesitate and raised their cups as well.
Han Ran placed his empty cup on a nearby maid’s tray and said calmly to Jiang Si, “You come with me too.”
Jiang Si silently followed Han Ran out of the hall.
Once they were alone, Han Ran immediately bowed respectfully to Jiang Si, “I apologize for the abruptness today, Your Highness—”
Jiang Si smiled slightly, “It’s alright. Commander Han, could you please bring me a cup of wine?”
Han Ran immediately brought a cup of wine.
Jiang Si pricked her fingertip with a silver needle, squeezing a drop of blood into the wine cup. The amber-colored liquid briefly turned a light red.
She swirled the cup, and soon the wine returned to its original color. Smiling, she handed it to Han Ran, “Commander Han, have that official drink this cup of wine, and the worm inside him will come out.”
Han Ran took the cup, his lips twitching. He very much wanted to ask where the worm would come out from, but feeling that the answer might be terrifying, he decided it was better not to ask.
“Your Highness, what about the others—”
“The others are fine,” Jiang Si instructed, then quietly boarded a carriage parked behind the government office, heading towards Prince Yan’s residence.
The official was taken to a room, feeling anxious, when he saw Han Ran enter.
He stood up abruptly, “Commander Han—”
Han Ran carried two wine cups, offering one to him with a smile, “I apologize for the poor hospitality. Let me make it up to you, Official Liu.”
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare,” Liu took the cup nervously.
Han Ran clinked his cup against Liu’s, “Let’s drink this cup, then.”
Official Liu hesitated for a moment, holding the cup.
Han Ran had been so harsh in the hall, and now he was being so gentle. Could this be a cup of poison?
With this thought, Liu’s hand holding the cup began to tremble, the amber liquid rippling, threatening to spill at any moment.
Han Ran’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “What’s the matter? Official Liu won’t give me this face?”
“No, no,” Liu steeled himself and drained the cup in one go.
If the commander of the Jinlin Guard wanted to kill him, there was no escape anyway. It was better to just drink it.
Han Ran smiled slightly and casually placed his cup on a nearby table.
Seeing this, Liu’s face turned even paler. Suddenly, his stomach churned, and he vomited.
Along with the overwhelming smell of wine, Han Ran’s eyes narrowed as he spotted a wriggling worm in the vomit.
At this moment, his scalp tingled, and all the hair on his body stood on end.
Only seeing it with his own eyes could he believe such an incredible thing. Prince Yan’s wife’s methods were truly formidable.
After vomiting, Official Liu, without looking at the mess on the ground, tried to say something to Han Ran, his face pale.
Han Ran smiled slightly, “It seems Official Liu has had too much to drink. Don’t worry, when you’re sober, I have some questions about Wumiao to ask you. Someone come and help Official Liu to rest elsewhere.”
Two Jinlin Guards quickly appeared and led Liu away. Throughout the entire process, Liu never noticed the worm slowly wriggling in his vomit.
After they left, Han Ran crouched down, pinching his nose and using chopsticks to pick up the worm, placing it in a small box he carried.
Of course, he couldn’t just rely on words when reporting back to the Emperor. Whether or not the Emperor wanted to see this worm, he had to bring it.
In the imperial study, Emperor Jingming had been waiting for news from Han Ran.
“Your Majesty, Commander Han requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
Soon, Han Ran entered, performed the proper greetings, and reported to Emperor Jingming, “Your Majesty, Prince Yan’s wife discovered a worm inside Official Liu’s body.”
Emperor Jingming’s face darkened slightly.
He had been worried about this, and now it turned out the Wumiao people had indeed made their move.
“Did it alarm anyone else?”
Han Ran quickly explained the details.
Emperor Jingming looked perplexed, “You’re saying that Prince Yan’s wife, disguised as a maid, directly splashed a cup of wine in Official Liu’s face?”
“Exactly. That’s why I took the opportunity to remove both the Princess and Official Liu from the scene.”
Emperor Jingming laughed briefly, a rare occurrence, and said to Pan Hai, “I knew Prince Yan’s wife was quick-witted.”
As for Official Liu, for an imperial official to behave so frivolously, he might as well go home and plant sweet potatoes.
Seeing the Emperor smile, Pan Hai secretly felt grateful to Jiang Si and said, “It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s discerning eye.”
Emperor Jingming’s smile faded as he asked Han Ran, “What’s the situation now?”
“The worm inside Official Liu has been expelled. Once he sobers up, we’ll question him about his contacts in Wumiao.” Han Ran paused, then asked, “Would Your Majesty like to see it?”
Emperor Jingming was momentarily confused before realizing what Han Ran was asking him to look at. His mouth twitched slightly, “That won’t be necessary.”
He didn’t have that much curiosity. However, it was time to strike back against Wumiao!