Chapter 304 - The Failure and Consort Yus Panic (1/2)

There were so many young ladies and masters present. Not only was the crown prince of Yan Kingdom present, so was the First Prince of Yan Kingdom, the Mind Duke’s son, and the son of the Military Minister… All of these people were not to be trifled with. Even the n.o.ble prince of Yan Kingdom was involved in the disappearance of a mere hairpin. The Ding General Manor would gain many enemies because of this. Ling Fengyan would not do something so stupid, and she would not dare to either.

However, she was already forced into a corner. If she did not check, then Ling Rui’er trying to force Mo Xuetong into a corner would look suspicious. Were they just targeting Princess Anping?

“It is just a mere hairpin. Forget it!” Ling Fengyan said with a smile. Her eyes darkened.

“Second Miss Ling is wrong. All the young ladies here are either wealthy or n.o.ble. None of them can take this blow to their reputation. Since Second Miss Ling’s hairpin has really gone missing, it is best to check carefully lest the young masters and ladies present here be pointed at by others after this. It is not very meaningful, is it? Second Miss Ling, please prove our innocence.” Mo Xuetong said with a slight smile. Her smile was as gentle was flowing waters. She seemed even more innocent than Ling Fengyan and her eyes were like pools of water in autumn. It was as if she was truly being considerate towards everyone present.

Bai Yihao’s beautiful lips curled upwards.

Ling Fengyan was forced into a corner and could not speak. Behind her, Ling Rui’er grew anxious. She pushed Ling Fengyan aside and said, “It is just a hairpin. The Ding General Manor can afford to lose it. Your Highness…”

Before she could finish her sentence, something suddenly fell from her sleeve and onto the ground. It shone a brilliant red and there was a golden flash beneath that. The red was brilliant and the yellow was stunning.

“It is a hairpin!”

“It’s Second Miss Ling’s hairpin. Why is it with Third Miss Ling?”

“Didn’t they say they lost it? Was it intentional?” Someone had a sudden epiphany and looked at the hairpin in Ling Rui’er’s hand and then at the hairpin on the ground. “They are obviously a pair!”

Ling Rui’er was completely shocked. She stared at the hairpin on the ground and then at the hairpin in her hand.

“Third Miss Ling, the hairpin is obviously with you. Why did you keep pressing Her Highness and insisted that she took it? Did you guys hide it intentionally to frame Her Highness?” Mo Ye’s reaction was quick as well and she pointed at the hairpin on the ground. She said to Ling Rui’er, “No wonder you kept refusing when Her Highness asked you all to check. So…”

“Framing a royal princess is as good as framing the royal family. Second Miss Ling, Third Miss Ling. The two of you are gutsy!” There was an odd and loud mocking laughter. It was from Li Youmo.

Ling Fengyan was so embarra.s.sed that she could not say anything when she saw the hairpin on the ground. She flushed and paled. Even though she was usually wittier than most, she could not say anything right now.

Ling Rui’er was even more shocked. She looked down at the hairpin that seemed to be mocking her and listened to the sarcastic jibes made at her. Then, she looked up to see the look of disdains the other young ladies gave her. She quickly paled and then glanced at Mo Xuetong’s smiling face. She turned to look at Consort Yu and suddenly raised her hand and said urgently, “Consort Yu, it’s you, right?”

She thought of how Consort Yu had taken the hairpin and said that she was going to frame Mo Xuetong with it. Then, the hairpin had appeared in her sleeve for no reason and she had been caught by many. Ling Rui’er could not control her anger and she pointed at Consort Yu.

“I, I didn’t…” Consort Yu was panicking as well. She clearly remembered putting the hairpin in Mo Xuetong’s hair. Why was it different now? And now, Ling Rui’er had another hairpin. She looked up at Mo Xuetong. The smile on Mo Xuetong’s innocent face seemed to hold a hint of mocking.

“How can it not be you? You…” Ling Rui’er had lost all her wits after being aggravated. She glared at Consort Yu and spoke hatefully, refusing to back down.

Ling Fengyan saw that the situation was not right and she quickly pulled Ling Rui’er back. Ling Rui’er stumbled backward and almost fell.

“I’m sorry everyone. My third sister and I made a mistake today. We searched for the hairpin but did not find it earlier and my third sister thought we lost it. That was why… I did not expect that the hairpin to have been caught in my third sister’s sleeve. It is a misunderstanding.” Then, she curtsied to everyone with an apologetic expression.

“Forget it since it was a misunderstanding. It is just a hairpin and was no big deal anyway.” You Yuecheng said lightly after he took a step forward. He wanted to watch the show from the side but did not expect the sly girl to escape like that. The two young ladies from the Ling family had fallen into the trap instead.

As someone from the Third Prince’s faction, he was naturally on the Ding General Manor’s side. He would of course step out to diffuse the situation.

“His Excellency is right. It is just a small matter. The Fifth Princess’ banquet is about to start. Let’s go together.” Bai Yichen also smiled and helped to diffuse the situation. He was going to marry the Fifth Princess and must not be on bad terms with the Empress’ family. It was not difficult for him to do them a favor this time.

“Since the matter has been resolved, I will take my leave.” Mo Xuetong said lightly. She looked at Consort Yu and Ling Fengyan with a deep silent gaze. There was an ambiguous smile on her lips that was very misleading.

Everyone present who was smart enough knew that Ling Fengyan and Ling Rui’er had tried to frame Mo Xuetong. Consort Yu had of course given Princess Anping the hairpin. Everyone said that Ling Fengyan was beautiful and gentle while Consort Yu was known to be virtuous. It seemed that that was all false.

Everyone sighed once more. Rumors were really not to be believed.

The two of them were obviously plotting and were vicious. They even dared to plot against a princess. It would do them well to stay far away from the two women. One would not know when they would be the ones they plotted against and one wouldn’t even know how one died.

“Since the matter has been made clear, then let’s go together.” Bai Yihao looked at Mo Xuetong with his beautiful eyes, expressing his concern.

“Many thanks, Sir Bai, for your kind intentions. But I suddenly remembered that the present mother meant to give Fifth Princess is in Mingzhu Palace. I have to go and retrieve it.” Mo Xuetong refused decisively with a smile. Then, she curtsied and left in a different direction with Mo Ye.