Chapter 531: To Admit, or Not to Admit?
Xiao Lansi’s reaction was beyond everyone’s expectations.
Faced with such accusations, if she had done it, she should have been flustered and panicked. If she hadn’t, she should have argued her case.
The one thing she shouldn’t have been was how she was now: so calm and unconcerned.
The Eldest Princess stared at her, an invisible aura of pressure emanating from her. "Is that all you have to say?"
The smile on Xiao Lansi’s face gradually faded.
When she wasn’t smiling, her beautiful face, with its strikingly defined features, took on an aggressive edge.
It was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor.
She carefully smoothed the hair at her temples, which had fallen slightly out of place, then slowly rose to her feet.
Seeing this, the Imperial Guard immediately moved forward and surrounded her!
As if completely unaware, Xiao Lansi looked down to dust off her dress before looking up again.
"At this point, would you still believe anything I say?"
The Eldest Princess’s eyes narrowed slightly. "If you can produce evidence to refute the claims, I will naturally believe you."
Xiao Lansi said nothing.
After a moment, she tilted her head slightly and extended her hands, her gesture a mixture of curiosity and defiance.
"So, are we going to the Ministry of Justice now?"
With an attitude like that, it was hard not to believe she was guilty!
Everyone wore varied expressions, but their eyes all held a degree of confusion.
’Xiao Lansi... How could she react like this?’
’When the truth came to light, wasn’t she afraid at all?’
’She didn’t even show the slightest hint of a guilty conscience!’
Her behavior thoroughly infuriated the Eldest Princess.
"Since you’ve admitted to it, then—"
"Eldest Princess," Ye Chutang suddenly interrupted her softly. "Before you pass judgment, I have a few questions for her, if I may?"
The Eldest Princess suppressed her anger. As her gaze met those clear, gentle eyes, she instantly calmed down a great deal.
She nodded. "Fine. Ask whatever you wish."
Ye Chutang expressed her thanks before turning to Xiao Lansi.
Ye Chutang asked calmly, "Princess Yuhe, you seem to harbor a deep resentment for me?"
Xiao Lansi neither looked at her nor spoke.
Ye Chutang didn’t mind her behavior and mused aloud, "Come to think of it, there is no great enmity between us. I admit that when you asked me to treat Jiang Cairen, I refused on the spot. That might have earned me your resentment, but it hardly seems like enough to make you want me dead, does it?"
As she spoke, Ye Chutang’s gaze swept over the few people beside her.
"Malicious rumors, assassins in the dark... it was all a linked chain of events. If my luck had been just a little worse, I wouldn’t be here talking to you now. I’m truly curious. What is it about me that’s worth all your elaborate scheming?"
By now, anyone could see that Xiao Lansi felt no affection whatsoever for Jiang Qingmei and Xiao Chengxuan.
She even held a deep-seated hatred for them!
Therefore, her desire to kill Ye Chutang had nothing to do with those two.
That made it even stranger.
After all, Ye Chutang had previously treated her and helped her recuperate.
No matter how one looked at it, she had no reason to kill Ye Chutang.
Xiao Lansi finally looked at Ye Chutang.
She revealed an innocent smile.
"You’re just not a very likable person."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. "Just for that?"
Xiao Lansi retorted, "Isn’t that enough?"
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and spoke unhurriedly, "In this world, you don’t need a reason to bully someone. So, of course, you don’t need a reason to kill someone either. It’s such a simple concept. Second Miss Ye, for someone as clever as you, have you truly not figured that out?"
As she spoke, her expression was natural, showing no sign that she felt there was anything wrong with her words.
She genuinely believed it.
Ye Chutang watched her quietly, then suddenly said, "You’re right, I can’t figure it out. I only know to repay every grievance and settle every score. If someone bullies me, I will remember it clearly and repay them in full. But I would never transfer my hatred to an innocent person, let alone try to vent my frustrations on them by any means necessary."
Xiao Lansi’s expression suddenly froze.
Something seemed to occur to her, and her face turned exceptionally ugly, her previous calm and docile manner twisting into a distorted mask.
She stared daggers at Ye Chutang, her eyes filled with unconcealed, venomous hatred.
"What right do you have to say that to me!? What I do or don’t do is none of your business!"
Ye Chutang chuckled lightly. "I normally have no interest in meddling, but, Princess Yuhe, you’ve come to kill me. Am I not even allowed to ask why?"
A playful curve appeared on Ye Chutang’s lips.
"I may be good-tempered, but I have no habit of being a lamb to the slaughter."
Xiao Lansi clenched her teeth.
Every time she faced Ye Chutang, every time she saw that face, she found it impossible to remain calm.
She suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"What are you worried about, Second Miss Ye? You have the favor of His Majesty and the Eldest Princess, plus the Black Cavalry Guard protecting you day and night. Everything is so easily within your reach. Who could possibly harm you?"
Although she was smiling, the jealousy and hatred in her voice were undeniable.
A flash of insight suddenly struck Ye Chutang.
A suspicion instantly formed in her mind.
It was a theory that seemed to explain everything, yet it was utterly preposterous.
"You..."
Ye Chutang chose her words carefully, but just as she was about to speak, she felt that something was not quite right.
Her peripheral vision caught Xiao Chengxuan, and a glint flashed in Ye Chutang’s eyes. She immediately changed the subject.
"So, are you admitting that you were the one who sent Zhou Kangxue and Wu the Fourth? And what about the matter of the Jade Pendant? Do you admit to that as well?"
Everyone’s heart skipped a beat!
Compared to all the previous accusations, this last question was the most critical of all!
Colluding with the enemy and committing treason were capital crimes!
If those Southern Hu assassins were really arranged by Xiao Lansi, it would mean her return to the capital was a conspiracy from the very beginning!
Who knew when she had started colluding with the Southern Hu people? And how much had she done?!
Xiao Lansi had clearly been asked the one question she was most reluctant to answer. Her pale lips remained tightly sealed.
"Of course it was her! It must have been her!" Xiao Chengxuan was the first to lose his composure, cursing furiously. "She framed me! I want to see His Majesty! These crimes have nothing to do with me! I’ve been wronged!"
He had made mistakes and done plenty of foolish things; many of the crimes in that long list had been confirmed.
But he would never admit to something he hadn’t done!
However, Xiao Lansi refused to say another word.
She remained in the same posture, not uttering a single word more.
It was as if she was admitting her guilt, yet at the same time, not admitting it.
The Eldest Princess took a deep breath.
"Chutang, there’s no need to ask any more. Let them handle these matters. Right or wrong, I will give you a final answer. As for her—"
Before she could finish, Lan Yi hurried in, unable to hide the joy on her face.
"Reporting to the Eldest Princess, His Majesty is awake! You should go see him quickly!"
The Eldest Princess was both shocked and overjoyed. She stood up. "Truly!?"
Lan Yi beamed and said quickly, "Of course it’s true! The Chu Hospital Director also requests that Miss Ye go at once to properly check His Majesty’s pulse!"