Chapter 51
Of course, the Fourth Prince had not made friends for nothing.
"Had Princess read this so-called secret book before?" Tang Kexin did not rush to reply the Emperor's query. Instead, she suddenly turned toward the princess and asked in a soft voice.
"No... It was a secret book, how could I just read it?" The Princess was taken aback for a moment before she replied spontaneously.
"Yes. Indeed..." Tang Kexin softly replied and slowly nodded her head. Her lips revealing a faint smile.
This way, the matter would be easier to handle.
"Your Majesty, the guard said that the book was found under this humble girl's clothings. Can this humble girl take a look at that book?" Tang Kexin immediately looked at the emperor and slowly spoke. Her voice was very light and even, as if she were speaking of an ordinary matter.
When the crowd heard of what she said in that tone, they were all puzzled. Shouldn't she be trying to defend herself at this time?
Could it be that she would be able to come up with a solution after reading the book?
The emperor's brows creased slightly, clearly a little confused as well.
Ye Lanjue's eyes lightly flickered. He too, couldn't guess her intention.
(Ye Lanjue's POV)
It didn't matter whether the book was a secret book or not because no one had seen the secret book before, and the princess had just said that she hadn't even seen the secret book herself, so no one could testify for her that the book wasn't the real secret book.
However, he sensed that the book was the real deal. It was the true secret book, so he was puzzled by Tang Kexin's words right now. What was she trying to do now?
"Presumptuous! How dare you to read that secret book!" Before the emperor could even speak, the Old General Li already roared in anger.
"Old General Li's fiery eyes could tell right away that this wrapped book was the secret book by just looking?! That was impressive! Impressive indeed! Also, General Li seems to hold such great authority. This humble girl had asked the Emperor, yet the General was the one who replied with supremacy. This girl is wondering who the General was trying to intimidate just now." Tang Kexin looked at Old General Li as she spoke slowly, word by word. Although her voice wasn't loud, but her words were absolutely thunderous.
What's more, her words about authority and prestige were clearly referring to how Old General Li was acting proud due to his status and position when he beat the emperor in speaking up. She was undoubtedly implying that Old General Li didn't place the emperor in his eyes.
As soon as she said this, everyone's expression drastically changed. The atmosphere suddenly became cold, dropping the temperature by several degrees.
The emperor's originally gloomy face had darkened even further.
Everyone held their breath as they gawked at Tang Kexin. This woman was really bold. She really dared to say anything, and just anything! Now that she had offended Old General Li, her fate would be even worse.
If Old General Li were to accuse her of bewitching others, it would be enough for her to cowered in fear. After all, if a woman were to say such words, such big words, in front of all the officials in the palace, in front of the emperor, then the consequences would be very serious.
But of course, the decisive point of this matter would depend on the emperor's attitude, but since the emperor had yet to speak, the meaning was unclear.
The Prime Minister broke out in cold sweats. When did this girl learn to speak up like this?! Did she really intend to die fast?
Old General Li's face turned green, and when he didn't hear anything from the emperor, he clenched his fist and gnashed his teeth as he look at Tang Kexin. He was clearly seething with anger as if he wanted nothing more but to tear her aparts.
"Aiya, that stare scared this humble girl to death." Tang Kexin's hands suddenly patted her chest and breathed out. She seemed to had been frightened quite a bit.
Her expression, coupled with the fact that her words were a little funny and exaggerated, caused everyone's eyeballs to nearly pop out of their sockets.
Wha-What? Was she at all serious?
The corner of Ye Lanjue's mouth twitched. Why would she be afraid? This woman knew no fear.
Ye Lanchen almost laugh out loud. This was the Xin Xin that he knew—unpredictable and funny, although sometimes, she could be a bit annoying. But she would always be annoying to people who hadn't known her.
Old General Li, who was about to speak again, was stupefied. The colour of his face changed several times, from green to purple, then from purple back to green. It was especially interesting to note that, although the corners of his mouth quivered multiple times in an intention to snap at Tang Kexin, he didn't say a single word. It was obvious he was too angry but unable to vent it out. He was probably holding it in until he would be half-dead.
Tang Kexin smiled inwardly. Although the emperor hadn't spoken but she knew that he was definitely dissatisfied with Old General Li's actions. This was enough for her.
Tang Kexin once again turned her attention to the emperor. "Your Majesty, the fact that this book was found along with this humble girl's clothings, she still has the right to check of its authenticity to confirm the real source of this book. This humble girl hopes that His Majesty would find this reasonable?" The playful expression on her face had already disappeared and now replaced with a serious and business-like one.
Her words were very reasonable.
The emperor was stunned for a moment. "Mm, you're right... But what do you want to see? Would it make any difference if I would agree to it?" The corners of his lips curled up slightly, his curiosity had once again awoken.
"Right now, everything was pointed out to be related to this humble girl. According to the witnesses and the evidence, this humble girl had injured the Princess and even stole a precious book from her which she meant to present to Your Majesty. But this humble girl begs to remind everyone that she was just some foolish, weak and delicate little girl." Tang Kexin's eyes drooped slightly as her voice became a bit heavy. Her speed of speech had also slowed down. That kind of affect had stirred people's feelings that it made them emotional.
Ye Lanchen tightly pursed his lips. He was speechless! He couldn't help but glare at Tang Kexin.
She was a weak and delicate little girl? Goodness sake! If she was to be considered a weak little girl, then there wouldn't be any weak girls left in this world. And a fool? Then every people in this world were fools!
The Crown Prince seemed to smile while the corner of Ye Lanjue's lips smirked as he took a sip from his tea.
The emperor's expression on the other hand seemed to have eased a little. It wasn't sure if it was due to guilt or he was just reminded of that fact that he was slightly moved.
But it was the Empress' and Prime Minister's expression that set almost everyone close to tears. The empress' face was pained, while the Prime Minister trembled in sorrow as he pitied her daughter for all her sufferings.
In the contrary, Old General Li, who had just been indirectly scolded by Tang Kexin, suddenly felt like he was going to collapse. 'Damn this girl!'
"But even so, this humble girl still wants to find as much evidence as possible to prove her innocence. This humble girl hopes His Majesty could grant her this wish." Tang Kexin's words paused for a moment before she continued. "In addition, even if this was the real secret book, a fool like myself who had just recovered from her foolishness wouldn't be able to know of its significance and secrets."
"Poor Xin'er." The empress couldn't hold it in that she was about to cry.
"Alright, alright! Let her see it! Let her see it...! It won't change anything anyway..." When the emperor saw the empress' appearance, he couldn't bear it any longer, so he anxiously agreed to it, over and over.
So, when the emperor had given out the order, the imperial guard who was holding the book didn't dare delay any further. He passed the book directly to Tang Kexin.
Tang Kexin took the book and unhesitatingly unwrapped it. She then started to flip the book obliviously, her fingers casually twirling the pages, page after page.
The crowd had gotten bored that they looked at her with scepticism. What was she doing, really?
"You've been leisurely flipping the pages there for a long time now, haven't you seen enough? Could it be that you are just wasting our time by deliberately mystifying us here to stall unnecessary time for you? But what for? Also, that is a secret book! It was not something you should be casually flipping through. How many more pages do you plan of flipping before you will be satisfied?" Imperial Consort Ming couldn't help but spoke up sarcastically.
"Did you see anything?" After all, this was supposed to be a secret book. Even if Tang Kexin was a fool who had just recovered from her illness, she still shouldn't be reading it through for a long time than necessary.
When Tang Kexin heard the Emperor, she slowly closed the book and held it in her hand. Her eyes slightly closed as she secretly exhaled.
"You said this book was found along with my clothings?" Tang Kexin raised her eyes and subtly ignored Imperial Consort Ming and the Emperor. Instead, she turned to look at the imperial guard who had brought in the secret book.
"Yes." The guard was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement. The rest of the guards were also baffled, not knowing why would she asked them such question. Had Miss Tang discovered something amiss?
For a moment, everyone perked up their ears. They wanted to hear what Tang Kexin would be saying next.
Under everyone's anticipating gaze, Tang Kexin unceremoniously spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "Since you said that this book was found among my things, then it must be mine. Such a simple logic that anyone could understand."
When the crowd heard this, they were dumbstruck. She... she dared to claim the book to be hers, although the princess had already said it was her secret book from the very start?!
Under this circumstances, a normal person would do anything in their intelligence to prove that the book had nothing to do with them. But why would this girl say it was hers?! Was she trying to cement herself to the road of death?
Ye Lanjue's eyebrows creased. Why would she say such a thing? What was she trying to do, really?