CHAPTER 71: THE PALACE TRAP

Life truly had a wicked sense of humor.

"Prince Yue," Concubine Hua said again, her voice dripping with disdain, "is what he said true? He claims you know each other, that you refused to marry into our Beirong royal family and secretly met him in a brothel. That you two... tasted the forbidden fruit. When he heard your engagement was dissolved, he entered the palace in desperation to see you again."

At that, Yue Mingxuan’s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.

So this wasn’t a trial, it was a sentencing.

They had already decided he was guilty before he’d even arrived.

Such an obvious setup, he thought bitterly.

If they want to add crimes to my name, they’ll always find a way.

He stepped aside and jerking his robe free from the man’s grasp with visible disgust.

Whoever this fake scholar was, Concubine Hua must have paid him handsomely to dare this kind of performance and to accuse him within the walls of the royal palace itself.

It was almost laughable. Almost.

Yue Mingxuan cast a quick glance at Concubine Hua, and then he spoke calmly and steadily, "I truly do not know this man, nor do I know who sent him to frame me."

Since he had already fallen into someone else’s trap, the only thing he could do now was refuse to admit anything.

"Oh?" Concubine Hua looked at Yue Mingxuan again.

She hadn’t expected the Fifth Prince to be so quick-witted.

He was nothing like the fool people described.

He had already grasped the key point.

Unfortunately for him, someone was accusing him and there was no way she would let him slip away.

"This man was caught by my own guards. According to the Fifth Prince, are you saying that I am framing you?"

Hearing her say this, Yue Mingxuan felt anger rush through his entire body.

What a vicious woman.

First she accused him of having a secret lover and now she wanted to pin the crime of "framing a royal concubine" on him.

One trap after another, she clearly wanted him dead today.

"Mingxuan would not dare," Yue Mingxuan said while forcing down his rage. "But Your Ladyship is judging me guilty based only on one person’s words. I refuse to accept such treatment."

He had no idea how he had offended Concubine Hua, for her to purposely drag him into such an ugly mess.

"The Fifth Prince does make a bit of sense," Concubine Hua said quietly while giving a signal to the old maids beside her.

At once, several women stepped forward and reaching out their hands as if to seize Yue Mingxuan.

"Why don’t I have my maids to examine you? That way, we can return your innocence to you."

There it was again... Yue Mingxuan let out a furious laugh.

Last time someone tried to "examine" his purity and now they wanted to repeat the same method.

Was this the only thing people in the palace knew how to do?

Today, Concubine Hua had clearly come for him.

If he let her servants touch him for so-called examination, even his innocence would be turned into guilt.

"No." Yue Mingxuan refused instantly. "I am a prince of a nation. I will not allow lowly servants to behave so rudely toward me."

As if she had already expected this answer, Concubine Hua covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh. "What is it? Is the Fifth Prince feeling guilty?"

Guilty your mother’s head!

Yue Mingxuan glared at her smiling face, wishing nothing more than to rush forward and tear that smile apart.

However, he could only lower his head and clench his fists tightly.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt how powerless he truly was.

Even with the status of a prince, he could not escape the schemes and cruelty of the imperial harem.

It seemed the truth was the same everywhere, only the highest power could allow someone to walk through the world unchallenged.

When Yue Mingxuan did not speak, Concubine Hua gave a meaningful glance to the maids around her.

Just as they were about to step forward and grab him, a loud announcement came from outside the door.

"The Emperor has arrived. The Imperial Consort has arrived. Prince Rong has arrived."

A flash of panic appeared on Concubine Hua’s face.

Tonight, she had set up this entire trap with the intention of ending Yue Mingxuan’s life.

Who would have thought the Emperor would come at such a moment and even bring the Imperial Consort and Rong’er?

It seemed the palace truly needed a thorough cleansing.

With this thought, she let her gaze sweep across everyone’s faces before putting on a graceful and dignified smile.

"Your concubine greets the Emperor and greets Elder Sister."

Pushing away all signs of panic from her face, Concubine Hua stepped forward with a few elegant steps and performed a perfect bow.

"There is no need for such formalities, beloved concubine."

The Emperor waved his hand lightly and took the seat of honor along with the Imperial Consort.

Behind them, Rong Tieshan caught sight of Yue Mingxuan standing there and a look of confusion flashed across his eyes.

It was clear he did not understand why Yue Mingxuan would appear in this place so late at night.

Once everyone had settled, the Imperial Consort finally turned her gaze to Yue Mingxuan as if noticing him for the first time.

She smiled and said, "Oh my, the palace is so lively tonight. Even the Fifth Prince has been invited as a guest."

Her eyes shifted slightly and she glanced with clear disdain at the man kneeling on the floor.

"Men from outside are not allowed to enter the inner palace. Is this person somehow related to you, Sister Hua?"

Hearing the Imperial Consort’s words, Yue Mingxuan nearly burst out laughing.

There was not a single simple woman in the harem.

With just two light sentences, she had twisted the earlier "night interrogation of the Fifth Prince" into Concubine Hua simply hosting guests.