CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 339: VOUCHING FOR HER

Nangong Ning also knew that the Crown Prince had always favored her, but right now, she was displeased and being petulant.

"Everyone says my royal brother dotes on me, but now I’ve been so miserably harmed by that commoner! My brother doesn’t even help me take revenge and severely punish that commoner!"

Lin Yanran, seeing this, had a subtle and unreadable smile in her eyes and softly comforted her, "The Crown Prince will definitely not let the princess suffer such grievances in vain."

"It’s just that Lin Wanyue is inherently cunning, leaving no evidence or trace when harming you. As the Crown Prince, every word and action is under the scrutiny of hundreds of officials, and he cannot afford to make any mistake."

"If we cannot find evidence that Lin Wanyue plotted against the princess, even if the Crown Prince wishes to support you, there’s nothing he can do about her!"

Nangong Ning understood these reasons, but she did not quite agree.

"I am a dignified princess! My status is noble! What I say is evidence!"

"I can feel that it’s Lin Wanyue, that commoner, who harmed me! Isn’t that enough to condemn her?"

"I think my royal brother is just reluctant to punish her because of his affection for her."

Nangong Ning’s unintentional words were like a dagger stabbing into Lin Yanran’s heart, making her heart throb with dull pain.

Affection? Yes! She often felt that the Crown Prince still had feelings for her, but she was unwilling to believe it and even sought all kinds of reasons to deny these feelings.

But a woman’s intuition is always accurate; she was merely deceiving herself.

A sudden sadness swept through her heart, mixed with boundless anger and jealousy.

Lin Yanran quietly clenched her palm, suppressing her emotions, and maintained a gentle and well-mannered demeanor.

"Is the princess not being childish? How could anyone else compare to the princess in the Crown Prince’s heart?"

"Now, King Qin is completely bewitched by Lin Wanyue and ignores human life and laws for her, even at the risk of conflict with His Highness."

"He came well-prepared to Qishan, and his men are arrogant soldiers and desperados. If they truly stirred up trouble without regard for their lives, it would indeed be a big problem."

Nangong Ning couldn’t help but interject, "What big problem? Do we really fear a washed-up cripple? Does he dare to rebel?"

"The Crown Prince is in charge of the hunt by imperial command and must consider the bigger picture, unable to make mistakes. When facing the lawless King Qin, his actions are naturally constrained."

"I’m saying all this in hopes that the princess can understand His Highness’s difficulties and not distance yourself from him. Besides, I know the princess is aggrieved and unable to swallow this anger. I have an idea that could help the princess vent her frustrations."

This last sentence made the previously listless Nangong Ning’s eyes suddenly shine with uncontrollable excitement, "What idea? How to deal with her? Quickly tell me!"

...

Imperial Doctor Fang, in accordance with the Crown Prince’s orders, had conducted a thorough examination of the horse, missing not a single detail.

However, the final conclusion reached was:

"Reporting to the Crown Prince, I have completed the examination. The horse shows no signs of poisoning or medication, nor any abnormal injuries. Everything is normal."

The stable attendants on duty last night also reported in time, saying everything was normal last night and no suspicious persons were seen entering or leaving the stable.

After hearing this, the Crown Prince frowned slightly, "If everything is normal, why was the horse startled for no reason?"

"This..."

The few people present looked at each other, unable to answer.

After a moment of thought, Nangong Jue ordered that everyone present at the time be summoned for questioning.

Qin Feng, Du Ziteng, and Hao Duoyu all said:

"The princess and Princess Qin had a conflict and argued, then suddenly the princess’s horse was startled and ran off frantically. At the time, we weren’t paying attention and couldn’t confirm whether Princess Qin secretly used some method to frighten the horse."

"However, she did speak threateningly about the princess breaking a leg or something, and she was very close to the princess at the time."

The implication was clear: there was motive, premeditation, opportunity, and a very high suspicion!

Even though Prince Rui and Yun Yan had already left before the horse was startled, Prince Rui still joined in the excitement.

"I do believe our Ninth Sister-in-law is a remarkable woman. Many things that seem impossible can become possible in her hands."

"In just two short days, first archery, then the Beast Taming Skill, dazzling everyone; who knows how many extraordinary skills she secretly possesses."

"Taking on a mere horse would be no trouble at all."

As Prince Rui finished speaking, Lin Ruoxue gracefully stepped forward, bowing slightly, "Crown Prince, my elder sister was emotional at the time, and even if she did something, it must have been a momentary lapse. Please be lenient."

Shen Mubai immediately frowned at Lin Ruoxue, his expression cold, and his icy gaze swept over Prince Rui and the others.

"Your Highness, I disagree with Prince Rui and Miss Lin’s statements."

"I was also on the scene, and I saw clearly that Princess Qin made no moves, neither against the princess nor her horse."

"Even though the princess and Princess Qin argued, the princess was in the dominant position, and she nearly injured Princess Qin."

"I am willing to stake my life on the assertion that the horse startling incident had nothing to do with Princess Qin."

Yu Qingyan looked at Shen Mubai in shock, worry evident in her eyes, and softly called, "Mr. Shen?"

Prince Rui praised from the side, "Young General Shen is truly courageous! A hero on the battlefield, unafraid of facing life and death!"

Nangong Jue looked at Shen Mubai, his seemingly warm and gentle gaze hiding an unreadable depth.

"Shen Qing, are you so certain that the horse startling incident had nothing to do with Princess Qin?"

Unafraid, Shen Mubai met the Crown Prince’s gaze directly, neither arrogant nor servile, "I am certain that this incident has nothing to do with Princess Qin. The horse startling was merely an accident."

Immediately, someone retorted, "How can an accident occur for no reason? If the horse was fine and no one provoked it, why would it go mad?"

Shen Mubai glanced at that person lightly and spoke solemnly:

"Qishan is full of fierce beasts, and today’s Tiger King was witnessed by all. The princess’s steed is a spiritual horse from the Western Regions, its sense of danger far greater than ordinary horses."

"Perhaps the Tiger King was lurking nearby at the time, and it sensed the threat, panicked, and bolted. It’s not impossible."

Although some were unwilling to admit it, this explanation did make some sense.

The most crucial point is that there is no conclusive evidence proving she acted! No one saw her act, so all conjecture is speculation and cannot convict someone.

In the end, the Crown Prince dismissed everyone and took a few attendants to Nangong Mo’s tent.