Schemes Within Schemes 2

"Just a lesson? This prince doesn't presume it as so. Don't neglect the fact she'll be my future princess consort," A clear voice rang out from behind.

The Crown Prince!

The general stiffened. The garden wasn't far from the banquet, so if the general could hear the commotion, who couldn't? He appeared because of the sobbing and piercing wails. However, General Wei just didn't imagine he would see Hongyue here. He had thought someone had simply fallen and needed help. Presently now that the Crown Prince saw an injured Hongyue, how was he going to carry this out?

This was troublesome.

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes at General Wei, "I do hope great general provides me a fair explanation."

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Under a rain of colorful lanterns, a banquet was festively set up. Outside, in the central hall, a seat of honor was established in the center, and running down either side of the chair were spacious guest tables — jars of fine wine and different dishes of food adorned each table. Yet, instead of being interested in the food, all the guests were fascinated by observing the play in front of them.

General Wei grimaced. There were numerous essential state guests tonight, including the Crown Prince himself. The general had proposed this dinner party to curry favors with higher-ups. The recent developments alarmed him enough to look for more assistance from others. Although he was distrusting, he still needed to obtain more help to maintain his power.

He sighed, if he knew this was going to happen, he wouldn't have handed over the <Roaring Dragon Token>.

The general sat down on his seat of honor and gazed at three figures kneeling in front of him. He kneaded his temples, and dismissively waved his hand. Concubine Ruolan smiled sweetly and got up from the cold ground. Since his gesture wasn't intended for the other two, Hongyue and Qingyu remained still, their knees planted on the ground.

"Thank you, lord husband," Concubine Ruolan chirped, her garments stirring in the air.

General Wei only glimpsed at her before landing his eyes back on Hongyue. Wasn't she an obedient child a day ago? What happened?

"Tell this general what happened," He commanded.

Concubine Ruolan nodded, biting her lips. Her eyes welled up with tears as she began to act like a pure white lotus disheartened by a raging child.

"It's like this. First Sister Concubine granted me her hair stick before her death as a parting gift. However, the eldest miss stole it from me. When I requested for it to be returned, the eldest miss brutally talked back to me, so I disciplined her. However, now the eldest miss is unreasonable, acting like I bullied her. All these guest madams can be witnesses."

Hongyue sneered.

This second madam is quite skilled at spinning lies, isn't she?

Hongyue already anticipated this, so she wasn't surprised. However, she thought as she tilted her head to her left, she didn't foresee Dumb Pig to come and assist her. What motive did he have? Seeing that Qingyu was still in this child-like form, he must not have been able to heal himself of his recent and previous injuries.

Why bother helping her then? Did he want to kneel with her for no purpose? From his powers, he couldn't be a small character. Did he have too much time? Did he want to perform in this play as well? Why help if he was going to be insulted in the end? His brain wasn't broken!

Puzzled, she pursed her lips.

If Qingyu could hear her thoughts, he would most likely curse his head off. Who would want to kneel so submissively in front of a mere general he could quickly kill off if he were in his true form?

General Wei turned his head to Hongyue, his eyes raging. Didn't he order that the eldest miss wasn't to attend tonight's event? This brat dare ruin his banquet!

"Good! How bold! Do you have anything to say?"He coldly asked Hongyue.

Hongyue looked up as if hesitating, "This daughter does. The story the second madam told appears to be backward. She was the one who stole the hair stick from me, not me."

Underneath the second madam's tears, a cruel smile emerged. Hmph. Who would believe that her, a highly regarded concubine, would steal from a child? This was her win.

Hongyue smiled as well. A smile that was even crueler than the second madam as she twisted up a plot.

"This daughter had a hair stick given from mother. The color seemed to be a match for father's taste, so knowing that tonight's father's special night, I brought it for you. How...How would I know the second madam would...would steal it and, in return, accuse me of stealing it!" As the eldest miss spoke, her voice choked with tears.

Concubine Ruolan stiffened. What?

The general frowned, he leaned forward and gestured for Hongyue to calm down.

"Oh, is that so?"He skeptically asked.

Hongyue looked up, "Of course, this daughter knew father would be unhappy after fourth madam's death, so this daughter prepared a gift for you to see you smile."

Concubine Ruolan paled as she listened and immediately shrieked, "Husband! This girl is lying!"

Hongyue skillfully injected, "Second Madam, how am I lying? Why don't you show the hair stick?"

Concubine Ruolan panicked. The reason why she was bold enough to carry out her acting was that she knew general hated petty disturbances. If Hongyue indeed did steal a hair stick from her and threw a tantrum, then the general would ultimately be on her side, even if the general knew she was lying mainly because of three points.

1) The other madams didn't know that she didn't own the Dragon's Glory. However, her lies were within reason, so they believed her. Both the ladies and the general weren't fully aware of the truth, so if he heard the other madams speak out on her behalf, would the general dare drag this on? If he dared, he would offend the other officials. After all, it was their wives the general chose not to listen to. It was like slapping their faces indirectly.

2) The general wouldn't risk losing his face for just going out on the limb to believe in Hongyue. In front of all these guests, would he truly dare to punish a favored concubine over a good-for-nothing daughter?

3) Even if General Wei knew she didn't own the Dragon's Glory, Concubine Ruolan was sure if she claims it to be hers, the general would side with her even if he knew it was a lie. After all, why would he keep something so precious in the hands of a 'normal'? However, this was her last card of insurance.

This whole time, Concubine Ruolan made sure not to mention the hair stick's name, simply referred to it as a hair stick. If she were to show it, then the general would see the Dragon's Glory. Although she had believed he would side with her, now it was different since the eldest miss said she was going to give the hair stick to the general.

This sentence changed everything.

The general was a greedy person, so the one who was going to be punished tonight was going to be her. Concubine Ruolan refused to take out the hair stick. As long as the general doesn't see it, he'll believe it was an ordinary hair stick that had been stolen. She bit her lips and stumbled back and sobbed even louder, "Lord husband, she speaks nonsense."

Hearing Concubine Ruolan's increasing sobs, Hongyue also increased her wails. Hmph. You want to get out of this by crying? Then I'll cry even louder than you. Do you think you'll win in a crying contest when I'm not even crying real tears?

Hongyue smirked.