CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 70: I WILL PASS JUDGMENT!

Dongfang Chenyuan is someone close to Xie Jiuxiao, so naturally, Mr Ling knows him.

Moreover, with Mu Hongxuan and Yiu Renjian also present, the trust level of Mr Ling and his wife towards Yu Nianzhao immediately increased.

Mrs. Ling, with tears in her eyes, said, "Many thanks to Princess Consort Su for saving Xiangyun. Once she recovers, I will personally visit to express my gratitude."

However, Ling Shuhan was suspicious, "Xiangyun fell into the water? But why are her clothes completely dry? Did she truly fall into the water?"

Dongfang Chenyuan replied triumphantly, "That’s because our princess consort is exceptional. She is adept in mystic arts and has a Fire Talisman in hand, which dried the clothes instantly."

"Fire Talisman?" Ling Shuhan had never seen such a thing and reasonably expressed skepticism.

"Miss Ling’s condition is quite serious, and luckily the princess consort is here. Otherwise, with her frail body, if she continued to be soaked in the icy lake water, she might have perished already," Mr Chen stated truthfully while stroking his beard.

Hearing this, Mrs. Ling nearly fainted.

"Mr Chen, what should we do? Is there still hope for my daughter?" Mr Ling’s voice was strained; this was their beloved youngest daughter – how could they bear to see her pass away?

"I will first use ginseng slices to keep her breathing steady. However, it ultimately depends on what the princess consort does next," Mr Chen, having witnessed Yu Nianzhao’s prowess at Prince Su Mansion, knew the talisman on her forehead was of great importance.

"The princess consort? Why does it depend on what she does?" Ling Shuhan was perplexed, "What does this talisman mean? Does it imply that Princess Consort Su believes my sister isn’t merely ill, but possessed by something malevolent?"

"Stealing health, seizing destiny! Hasn’t the grand imperial concubine informed Mr Ling of this matter?" Yu Nianzhao’s eyes looked over, carrying an aura not inferior to Xie Jiuxiao.

Mr Ling’s expression turned solemn, "The grand imperial concubine has indeed ordered someone to report this matter. However, I’ve searched the entire General’s residence and still haven’t captured the perpetrator."

Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brow tightly, "You’ve thoroughly investigated? No wonder... You certainly alerted the snake in the grass; this person definitely lives within the General’s residence and is quite close to Cousin Xiangyun. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to continually steal her fortune."

Mrs. Ling gritted her teeth in hatred, "Who in the residence could commit such a heinous act?"

"That person has undoubtedly noticed your investigation and wants to end it once and for all by causing Cousin Xiangyun’s death, seizing her remaining fortune, and completely exchanging her health. The Soul Separation Skill has already been employed, and if Cousin Xiangyun’s soul falls into their hands, it’ll be truly hopeless," Yu Nianzhao explained.

"I beg the princess consort to save my daughter. I’ll do anything," Mrs. Ling lamented bitterly, kneeling on the ground with tears flowing uncontrollably.

"What do you mean by stealing health and seizing destiny? Father, Mother, what are you talking about?" Ling Shuhan was completely baffled.

Yu Nianzhao made a swift decision, "General Ling, gather everyone in the General’s residence; I’ll question them one by one."

"Alright, I’ll do it right away!"

At Mr Ling’s command, everyone in the General’s residence, whether servants or maids, was gathered in the courtyard.

Yu Nianzhao scanned the crowd but didn’t see the person she had noticed earlier, stained with death aura among the onlookers.

"Are these all the people in the General’s residence?"

"Yes, everyone is here!"

"Not quite, our older brothers haven’t returned!"

"Fool! They’re Xiangyun’s real brothers – how could they harm her?"

"The person is not among this group," Yu Nianzhao withdrew her gaze, "If there’s no one else, then they’re hiding."

"Wait, there’s one more person who hasn’t come," Mrs. Ling seemed to recall something, gently furrowed her brow, "Go bring Miss Sui Meng here."

"Yes!"

"Sui Meng? Mother, you can’t possibly suspect Meng, right? She’s always been gentle and kind, cautious in the General’s residence, and has an excellent relationship with my sister. How could she possibly harm her?"

Ling Shuhan firmly shook his head, "This matter surely has nothing to do with Meng."

Mrs. Ling pressed her lips, her gaze sharp, "This concerns your sister’s life and death. What harm is there in bringing her so that Princess Consort Su can have a look? If it’s unrelated to her, I won’t bite her."

Ling Shuhan had no choice but to comply.

He thought, even if Sui Meng were brought in, it would merely be a formality.

Soon, a slender figure slowly approached. The woman wore light makeup and glanced apprehensively at them, nervously greeting them, "Sui Meng pays respects to the General and Madam."

"Meng, don’t worry, it’s merely to let Princess Consort Su have a look. It’ll be fine soon," Ling Shuhan gave Sui Meng a reassuring look.

Sui Meng lifted her face, her eyes filled with deep worry, looking at him so vulnerably like a delicate white flower, capturing Ling Shuhan’s heart instantly.

"I found it!" Yu Nianzhao stared at Sui Meng for a long while and softly spoke, "It’s her. Everyone else can disperse."

Ling Shuhan’s comforting smile froze on his face. In disbelief, he said, "Are you crazy? How could it be Meng? You must be mistaken!"

Sui Meng was also anxious and uneasy. She lamented pitiably, "What has Sui Meng done to anger the princess consort? Please enlighten me, and I will certainly amend my ways."

Mr Ling dismissed everyone else, restraining his anger, "Today, Xiangyun was pushed into the lake and is now in grave danger."

Sui Meng lifted her eyes in surprise, sincerely worried, "Really? How could Sister Xiangyun fall into the lake? I wasn’t aware of this. What’s going on exactly? Could it be... that the General and Princess Consort suspect I pushed her in? But I didn’t even leave the house today. Qian can vouch for me; I was in my courtyard the entire day."

Qian, the maid by Sui Meng’s side, had her response verified by Mrs. Ling, who immediately sent someone to question Qian, confirming that Sui Meng indeed stayed in her courtyard all day and didn’t go out.

Even the housekeeper mentioned hearing Sui Meng’s poetic recitations inside her room when breakfast was delivered.

Ling Shuhan breathed a sigh of relief and taunted Yu Nianzhao, "I told you, Meng couldn’t possibly do such a thing. Princess Consort Su, Meng has now cleared her name of any suspicion. It seems you are not proficient enough and have made a mistake."

"Hiss... seeking death!" Dongfang Chenyuan admired Ling Shuhan’s courage for daring to speak to their princess consort in such a manner.

Yu Nianzhao glanced at him sideways and sneered coldly, "She’s tainted with such dense death aura; how could it be unrelated to her? I didn’t say she was the one who pushed the person, but the mastermind behind this is undoubtedly her. What? Mr. Ling is truly fond of her? Even if she intends to kill your own sister, it doesn’t matter?"