Chapter 498 The Zhus Tried Launching an Attack

Zhu Qiyun had kept quiet about his son’s death all because he wanted to launch a surprise attack at them here.

Then he would act like a grieved weeping old man, so Lin Mengya would become a target for public criticism.

Little did he expect that he was the one cornered by Lin Mengya the moment he announced the demise of this son.

“A country has its laws and a family its own rules. When a prince violates the country’s law, he is as guilty as any of his people. If my subordinate abuses someone unto his death, I would never deny it. On the other hand, Lord Zhu, not only did you not report your son’s death to the feudal official, you even tried to keep the news of his death in secret. Actually, I find this very suspicious! Unless, Lord Zhu, you think that there is no other righteous judge in the world other than yourself!”

Lin Mengya articulated every word. Her glib tongue seemed to have disregarded all sensibilities.

She had managed to corner Zhu Qiyun with her audacity and directness. Zhu Qiyun was being put under such pressure that he did not have the strength to retaliate.

“Oh, my son! Oh, my pitiful son!”

Lord Zhu realized that the situation had turned against him and moreover, a few of the security officers of the old capital were obviously looking at him suspiciously.

He thought in his heart that this woman was indeed sinister and vicious. She had managed to avoid what was important and dwell on trivial. Not only did she get away from danger, she even planted distrust in his fellow officials towards him.

In that moment, he could only continue weeping over his son. He no longer dared to mention other matters at all.

“It’s only natural for you, Lord Zhu, to be deeply grieved, having to see your son’s death before your own. However, it’s more important to give him a proper burial so he can have peace. Like all the officials, I will definitely visit your son’s mourning hall to burn incense. As for the cause of his death, I believe with so many wise officials, the truth would be out soon. Please restrain your grief and accept the inevitable.”

Seeing that the old man was starting to put up a miserable act, Lin Mengya would have to break the momentum and put his act to a stop.

Lin Mengya softened immediately and her glistening eyes no longer appeared overbearing.

“Snort! I don’t need you to pretend to be kind! You are the one who caused my son’s death!”

Fearing that he was going to miss the chance, Zhu Qiyun would resort to any means to lay the blame on Lin Mengya.

Unfortunately, while he could not swallow how things turned out, what he did was no longer taking any effect.

Lin Mengya moved her body as she prepared to walk away from Zhu Qiyun.

To her surprise, a cowering figure suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Please wait a moment, Your Highness, forgive my abrupt question. If you really are as innocent as you claimed, why did you... why did you offer yourself to me in exchange for my silence in this matter?”

Although there was a quiver in his voice, his words were exceptionally clear in the quiet space.

Lin Mengya lifted her head to look at this man in front of her, the man who went down on his knees before her just a moment ago, complaining about the violence he suffered in the Zhu Family.

So he was the unexpected thrust with the mace. This was the real trump card.

Turning her head around, she spied the triumphant look of Zhu Qiyun’s face.

What he did a moment ago was merely a cushion, a prelude.

Panic flashed across her face and there was a look of helplessness in her eyes, but she forced herself to remain composed.

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

All the people could hear the haste in her voice. If it were something that never happened, why would Lin Mengya be so quick to deny it?

Just when she thought the matter had been settled, this unexpected turn of the event caught her unprepared.

What was it with this gossipy plot he made up?

Instantly, those at the forefront of the crowd had perked up their ears, all ready to spread around what they had just heard.

“Uncle, I’ve wronged you. This woman is malicious. Having failed to seduce me, she warned me that if I told you everything, she would annihilate the entire Zhu Family. My dear cousin had met with such a tragic death. I shouldn’t implicate you!”

Zhu Jiajing broke into tears as he spoke, then he went on his knees in front of his uncle.

“No wonder, no wonder you merely told me that the princess wanted to offer herself to you, but refused to reveal anything else no matter how I probed. So, so this is the shameful truth!”

From a tearful old man, he had become a bitterly wailing man who held his head in his hands.

Lin Mengya could not help but feel incredulous. Why did the men in the Zhu Family love to cry?

In fact, Zhu Jiajing’s tears were like water from a tap that came on command.

Was there not a phrase that went something like a ‘real man did not cry easily’? Where had this principle gone?

These cowardly men could not even be compared to Snow and the baby tiger back home.

“What nonsense are you spouting? When did I promise that I’ll offer myself to you? Stop slandering me venomously!”

Lin Mengya’s denial sounded threatening in manner but cowardly at heart.

Everyone could see the panic in her eyes which she was frantically trying to hide.

In that instant, people began to develop even more suspicion and wild guesses on this legendary Princess Anle.

The uncle and nephew pair of the Zhu Family were determined to defame the princess!

“Is it because you feel ashamed of yourself that you’re trying to deny it now? How then did you seem so fearless when you handed me your handkerchief just now? Your countenance had changed immediately when I refused to accept it. You even threaten me with my life. Now, are you denying that all this had happened?”

Zhu Jiajing had turned his head around by now as he spoke angrily.

He took out from his bosom a snow-white silk handkerchief.

The silver silk handkerchief was as soft and smooth skin. Moreover, the delicacy and complexity of its workmanship showed that this was a very rare piece in the Nation of Lintian.

The most crucial point here was that this silk handkerchief was made from the same material as the costume Lin Mengya was wearing.

Even Lin Mengya was taken by surprise. She instinctively felt around the opening of her sleeve and it was then she realized that the handkerchief, which was part of her costume set was indeed gone.

How did it end up with Zhu Jiajing? She suddenly remembered that when Zhu Jiajing was on his knees in front of her just now, he seemed to be trying to get close to her.

It was for the reason of stealing her handkerchief to use it as evidence of her crime.

This nephew of Lord Zhu was indeed very scheming.

“Princess Anle, having this handkerchief as evidence, I suppose there is no way you can deny what you’ve done! Even if you’re not the real princess but just a common woman folk, what you’ve done was intolerable in front of the public. Moreover, your father is the honorable Marquis Zhennan. You’ve completely disgraced him by what you did. Men, seize this adulterous woman. The Pavilion of Herbs would not permit a filthy woman like you to trample its holy ground.

It was only at this moment that Zhu Qiyun revealed his true colors.

What he said had given all the people a reminder.

Lin Mengya was not your average person. She was the daughter of Lin Nansheng, the Marquis Zhennan, the general of the invincible army, who inspired awe throughout the empire.

In this way, those who had been supporting her a moment ago would be quietly keeping her at arm’s length now.

What a way to drive a wedge between these people and Lin Mengya! Veterans were indeed abler than recruits.

“Hang on, since you are aware that I’m the daughter of Lin Nansheng, the Marquis Zhennan, you should know that I’m the wife of Prince Yu. Even if I’m not Anle Princess, I should be treated as a guest of honor. If you lay your hands on me, it is as good as stirring up discord between the two nations and this would lead to war. Lord Zhu, are you able to shoulder the responsibility of the people’s pain and suffering?”

Were they pushing her to showcase her identity? Alright, she would exaggerate it.

All the people from various countries knew that her father was a superb military commander.

At present, not only was she Lin Nansheng’s daughter, but she was also the daughter-in-law of the emperor of the Jin State.

If she was being detained without permission, this would be enough reason for the Jin State to wage a war against the Nation of Lintian.

However, this move of Lin Mengya could not be considered brilliant.

Using war to threaten an important court official might well stir up more aversion.

As expected, the moment Lin Mengya’s word came out from her mouth, someone reacted immediately.

Someone had approached Lord Zhu to advise him against being impetuous on the spur of the moment.

At this moment, Lin Mengya was a hot potato.

Everyone was trying to get whatever benefit they could from her, but no one dared to deal directly with her.

After scanning the surrounding, Lin Mengya did not become disheartened.

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She could see from all angles that the weaker her relationship with the Nation of Lintian was, the easier her life would be.

Dajin was her home after all. Regardless of how good the Nation of Lintian was, she would return to Dajin to continue being Princess Yu.

“Snort, I’ll let you off for now. However, Lintian is a nation that esteemed etiquette. Without an invitation, I would advise Princess Yu against trespass the Pavilion of Herbs!”

Lord Zhu was obviously displeased. One could tell from his words that he had considered Lin Mengya as an outsider.

Given her extraordinary status, however, he could not treat her with disrespect.

He did not expect to see Lin Mengya sneered. She was no longer panicking or feeling unsettled.

“Your Highness, Princess Yu, here is your handkerchief.”

To everyone’s surprise, Yu An, who had vanished during the commotion suddenly appeared before everyone.

Holding on a silk handkerchief that looked exactly the same as the one in Zhu Jiajing’s hands, Yu An approached Lin Mengya.

“Oh? There it is. My mind is failing me and did not remember clearly where it went.”

As Lin Mengya took the handkerchief which looked exactly the same as the one in Zhu Jiajing’s hands, the people looked on with surprise.

At this moment, not to mention the court officials, even Zhu Jiajing and Zhu Qiyun were stunned.

What was going on? Why would there be another one of this handkerchief?

“It was all my fault. When I was inside a moment ago, I had been too busy pouring some water for you, and I had forgotten to remind you that you have left your handkerchief on the table.

Yu An pretended to be unaware of the situation as he spoke to Lin Mengya apologetically.

Lin Mengya waved her handkerchief in the air and with a soft voice, she said, “It’s alright. It’s only a handkerchief. Oh yes, where did you find this handkerchief?”

Yu An answered without any hesitation.

“I found it at the spectator box on the second level. The weather is so warm and I know that you did not like the heat and have been using the handkerchief to wipe away your perspiration. When you left the spectator box, you had conveniently left it on the small table on the second level. Oh yes, some officials had gone to the spectator box to pay their respects to you, Your Highness. Even Prince Shen commented that you left your things lying around.”

At that moment, Yu An had stirred up ripples on a quiet water surface.

Lin Mengya put on an innocent look on her face as she gazed at Zhu Jiajing and Zhu Qiyun.

“I see, now I remember. Yu An had been staying by my side after I left the spectator box. Why don’t we have all of you decide which one of these two handkerchieves is mine?”