Chapter 243: Herbaceous Peony

“My greetings to the Queen and Royal Uncles.”

Even at this very moment, there was not a tinge of panic in Lin Mengya’s eyes.

No doubt she was wearing the costume in question, but that did not mean she was guilty of any sins.

The senior members of the royal family initially thought that they would be greeted with a teary and weepy daughter-in-law. Little did they expect that the lady before their eyes was composed, exceptionally beautiful and elegant. She definitely did not appear to be one to break the rules purposely.

“You may arise, and don’t blame me. After all, the sacrificial ceremony pertains to the nation’s rise and fall. Therefore, it’s not something we could trifle with. The princes present are of good moral standing and reputation. They will not allow you to be wrongly accused.”

Lin Mengya nodded and retreated to the side as she awaited the judgment upon her.

“Eunuch Huang, you were saying that there’s a problem with Princess Yu’s costume. What’s the problem?”

The Queen, playing the dominant role here, would not give any chance for herself to be exposed. Therefore, Eunuch Huang naturally became the object of questioning.

Eunuch Huang, who tried to look just and firm a moment ago, changed the expression on his face immediately as he said, “In response to Your Highness’s question, it was the ceremonial official in charge of the incense who spotted the inappropriate pattern on Princess Yu’s costume.”

He continued, “The ceremonial official claimed that the phoenix on her costume was a seven-color phoenix. The supposed pattern of a herbaceous peony had turned out to be a peony!”

The faces of the elders turned pale at Eunuch Huang’s words.

Only the Queen had the privilege to put on a costume of such specification with the pattern of the seven-color phoenix wearing a peony. Princess Yu had broken a golden rule by having such a pattern on her costume.

This was especially unacceptable during the Winter Solstice sacrificial ceremony. It was as good as rebellion!

“Are you very sure you’ve clearly seen it? This is a grave matter. Don’t you wrongly accuse Princess Yu!”

A bearded King of Chongshan demanded as he shot a glare at Eunuch Huang.

Immediately, Eunuch Huang nudged the ceremonial official forward and he bowed to the King of Chongshang and instantly replied, saying, “Without a doubt. I had a careful look at it. Although I didn’t quite understand, the colorful phoenix on Princess Yu’s costume had purple eyes, and there was a pattern of peony on it. I’m sure I did not make a mistake!”

As the ceremonial official confirmed what he saw, Lin Mengya was once again plunged deeper into danger.

The suspicious eyes of all the people in the side chamber fell on Lin Mengya. However, she remained composed as if nothing had happened. She smiled politely as she took in all the finger-pointing calmly.

The poise with which Lin Mengya carried herself earned the admiration of the two senior princes.

“We can’t simply base our judgment on these two people’s claims. Princess Yu, given that this all started with you, do you have anything to say to defend yourself?”

By now, Prince Lishan had put on a straight face. However, there was a tinge of tenderness in his eyes.

After all, Princess Yu carried herself with such grace it made him think that she was probably just unlucky to have gotten into this mess.

Although the senior princes were not involved in palace matters, they were still aware of some of the things going on in the palace.

Although the Queen rarely erred on important matters, she was lacking in magnanimity in terms of her forbearance towards others. Moreover, all the costumes came from the palace’s internal department in charge of costumes. Princess Yu was simply too careless to have fallen into someone’s ploy.

“What the ceremonial official and Eunuch Huang said—” Lin Mengya purposely paused, then continued.

“They were words of slander! Most respectable princes, ever since I, your niece-in-law, married into Prince Yu’s Mansion, I had been cautiously exercising self-discipline and have not broken any rules or overstepped my authority. Never did I expect that I would meet with such circumstances the first time I attend the Winter Solstice celebration. I am bitterly disappointed.”

Lin Mengya’s outright denial only brought about the sneering look in the Queen’s eyes.

She was not worried that Lin Mengya would deny it, given that the evidence was overwhelming. She believed that Lin Mengya’s defense would only speed up the process of her, the Queen’s thorn in her eyes and flesh, being eliminated by the Queen.

“Your Highness the Queen, you have to uphold justice for me! Although I’m merely a ceremonial official, the protocol set down by the ancestors must be adhered to. If the Queen is not convinced, you may check it out personally!”

The ceremonial official immediately went on his knees and spoke with sharp clarity.

The Queen and the two senior princes exchanged looks.

Thereafter, the Queen said, “That’s right. A thorough investigation is required for this matter, lest we wrongly accuse Princess Yu. Official Yun, you’ve been working in the palace for so long, moreover, this costume was personally tailored by the department in charge of costumes. You’re the best person to investigate on this matter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As a voice sounded, a middle-aged woman dressed primly emerged from behind the Queen.

Lin Mengya sniggered in her heart. What a sly Queen, who had even brought along the person in charge of costumes of the royal family. It was apparent that the Queen was set on humiliating her.

One could not really see anything different about Official Yun. After taking a bow at the Queen, she walked up Lin Mengya politely and respectfully and was about to examine Lin Mengya when she frowned.

With a cold voice, Lin Mengya said, “Wait! Am I going to simply allow you to examine me? What is the Queen going to do if nothing is found to be inappropriate on my costume?”

There was a hint of guilt in Lin Mengya’s voice.

For this reason, the Queen was even more certain that Lin Mengya was trying to find an escape from her sins.

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She gazed at the two senior princes and the few other relatives behind them.

Then she moaned and said, “If the ceremonial official had made a mistake, he shall be punished, so that Princess Yu will have her name cleared.”

What a cunning move. Regardless of how it turned out, it was going to be the fault of Lin Mengya or the ceremonial official. It would have nothing to do with the Queen, right?

Lin Mengya was definitely not the type to swallow grievances quietly.

“That will not do. I’m a royal daughter-in-law and was supposed to make sacrifices in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. However, I’ve been deprived of fulfilling my duty by this evil man. If I’m found to be innocent, I hope that the Queen will allow me to resume my duty to worship in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and offer incense to the ancestors as well as to pray for peace and favorable weather for the nation. After all, the ancestors would be the ones to respond to my prayers and protect me by delivering me from the hands of the evil man. What do you think, Your Highness?”

The Queen raised her eyebrows ever so slightly. She did not expect Lin Mengya to raise such a request.

Nevertheless, Lin Mengya had claimed that the ancestors would respond and listen to her prayers. It would make the Queen look petty if she did not agree to her request.

“Alright, your wish is granted. Official Yun, be thorough in your examination.”

After the Queen gave Official Yun an indicative look, the later began scrutinizing Lin Mengya’s costume as if she was using a magnifying glass to magnify every inch of it.

However, Lin Mengya had a card up her sleeve. She had nothing to worry about even if there were two more people in addition to Official Yun, who came up to examine the costume.

The examination continued in silence.

Increasingly, Official Yun was looking more uneasy with each passing minute.

She studied the eyes of the phoenix carefully and to her surprise, they were not purple in color.

They were obviously black in color! The color black was not considered a color at all. Therefore, it should be concluded that there were altogether only six colors on Princess Yu’s costume. It did not contain the seven colors, which they had designed!

She moved her eyes to look at the peony in full bloom. The more she stared at it, the more shocked she was. It was no longer the peony they had embroidered onto the costume. It was obviously a beautiful herbaceous peony.

What had happened? Why had everything been changed?

“In response to the Queen query, I would say that the costume on Princess Yu did not come from our department of costumes!”

After going through the pattern on the costume, Official Yun concluded with a stammering voice.

The Queen snorted. She had thought that Lin Mengya would have done something drastic, but she had merely employed that same old trick.

“Princess Yu, you’ve swapped the costume without approval. This is a great sin. Do you confess to your sin?”

At this juncture, Lin Mengya remained composed and calm as she smiled and said, “I heard that Official Yun had been in the department of costumes for many years. This costume which I am wearing had obviously come from your department, given the quality of the fabric, the design as well as the workmanship. Why do you malign me? Do you have an ulterior motive?”

A drop of cold sweat trickled down Official Yun’s cheek.

Not daring to look at the Queen’s eyes, Official looked down. This… this was not turning out according to what they agreed!

The fabric, style as well as the workmanship was no doubt theirs, but… but how did all those changes occur?

“Official Yun, look carefully!”

The Queen’s anger was kindled when she saw Official Yun’s hesitation and guilt.

What a useless thing. Had she not been carefully instructed on what to do? Why was she shaking in fear now?

Could Lin Mengya have swapped the costume with another？

“Look, look carefully, Official Yun. I heard that you’re the originator of this pattern of a six-color phoenix playing with a herbaceous peony. Had your eyes become so dim that you are unable to recognize something you’ve created?”

Lin Mengya half threatened and half taunted Official Yun, so much so that the later felt her legs go numb and soft.

With trembling hand, she reached out to touch the eyes of the phoenix and the petals of the herbaceous peony.

She thought she might be able to find some signs of alteration such as holes which a needle would make on the fabric.

However, she was unable to find any evidence. Did something supernatural happen?

By now, her face was totally drained of its color. This was impossible!

“I think it is very clear who was wrong by now, isn’t it? Since I’m a junior, will the Queen and the royal uncles be the ones to judge?”

Lin Mengya, who was on her knees, pleaded earnestly.

The Queen’s face fell and she looked terrible. She was not upset over losing the people who had secretly worked for her. Rather, Lin Mengya’s statement had fueled her fury.

The sacrificial ceremony was coming to an end outside. If she allowed Lin Mengya to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship, she would have suffered a great loss this time round!

With a boom, the ceremonial official and Official Yun went down on their knees. There was a look of defeat and death on their faces.

If Lin Mengya set her mind to investigate the matter, there would be no escape for these two officials.

Moreover, they were fully aware of how ruthless and cruel the Queen was. She would not give them any allowance. In fact, when they were tasked with this task, they had thought about the outcome anyways.

With regard to the fighting between the people of authority, all that the subordinates could do was to keep silent.

“What else do you say?” said the Queen.

The Queen’s eyes were cold as she spoke with a commanding voice.

The two officials exchanged looks and smiling bitterly; they shook their heads simultaneously.