Chapter 28: Exposing the Truth 4

Helping the old lady to her feet, the eunuch smiled and said, "Madam, you are too kind. His Majesty is deeply grateful for everything the Fourth Young Lady has done for the Imperial Court, which is why he has restored the official positions of your family's brothers."

In the imperial court, such is the way of things: when one person succeeds, their entire circle ascends to heaven, and when one falls, the consequences are often shared.

Upon hearing this, Madam Han’s face beamed with joy. She grew even more convinced of her decision; when the two children were swapped at birth, she had agreed to keep Wanyue at the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate. Just look at the girl’s innate good fortune! It was no wonder that the wandering Taoist priest had claimed years ago that her daughter-in-law’s child was a "star of fortune," destined to be an empress, and urged them to treat her well.

"This humble subject does not understand court affairs, but I must thank His Majesty on behalf of my incompetent brothers!"

"What 'incompetent'? His Majesty always praises the children of the Duke of Fuguang for their great promise. Your blessings are yet to come!" Eunuch Jinbao said, handing the imperial decree to Lin Wanyue. "Fourth Young Lady, from this day forward, you are a County Princess personally conferred by His Majesty!"

"Many thanks to His Majesty, and to Eunuch Jinbao and the Ninth Prince for coming all the way to our estate..." At an age when her heart was just beginning to flutter, catching a sudden glimpse of such a handsome young man—and a prince of the royal blood at that—Lin Wanyue felt her cheeks flush. She wanted to maintain her composure, yet she couldn't help but steal glances at him.

"The Fourth Young Lady has worked tirelessly regarding the Northern Rong matter. Between us, it should be I, representing my Imperial Father, who thanks you." Jun Wuchen nodded slightly, his cold, refined face carrying an indescribable air of nobility.

Soon, a chorus of congratulations erupted from all sides.

"In our Great Yong, since His Majesty ascended the throne, I have never seen a young lady conferred as a County Princess on her own merits! I believe only the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Qingyuan has such capability!"

"Indeed! With such a kind heart and virtuous nature, such high praise—I fear she shall soon be bestowed as the primary consort of some prince!"

"To think they are all young ladies; my own little girl knows only how to eat and play. She is truly far behind the young lady of the Marquis of Qingyuan's estate!"

"The Ninth Prince visited in person, and she is so beautiful... the marriage prospects of the Marquis’s daughter surely need not be worried about!"

"No worries? You must have forgotten the Fifth Young Lady of the Marquis’s house, who knows nothing of brush and ink! Her skills in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all mediocre. If not for the Fourth Young Lady having such a sister, her own reputation might be even better!"

Amidst the chatter, Jun Wuchen, standing in the crowd, could not help but fix his gaze on the blushing Lin Wanyue.

What a kind and intelligent soul! His Imperial Father had long intended for him to take a wife, and the Empress had been scouting noble daughters for him, but he had no clear candidate in mind. Until now, when his father mentioned that the daughter of the Marquis of Qingyuan had saved the young prince of Northern Rong. His spies had reported that Lin Wanyue did not seem to be of the Marquis’s blood, and he had been reluctant to marry her, but now, seeing her...

The Marquis of Qingyuan already doted on Lin Wanyue, and given the Northern Rong affair, only such a woman was fit to be his future wife, to assist him, and for them to advance together.

At this moment, in front of everyone, Lin Wanyue ran forward happily holding the imperial decree. "Grandmother, I did it! Your granddaughter did not fail the mission! I have not brought shame to the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate!"

"That is only natural!" Madam Han had always doted on her; had it not been for the Zhao Shuangshuang incident, there would have been no rift between them. Now, seeing that Lin Wanyue had resolved the issue concerning her brothers, the more she looked at the girl, the more pleased she became. "Good child, it is our fortune to have you in the Marquis of Qingyuan’s estate!"

Standing behind them, Madam Bai could not help but clench her fists. *Fortune, my foot!*

It was clearly Zhaozhao who had saved them. Now, fearing punishment for deceiving the Emperor, they had wronged Zhaozhao. Her heart felt bitter.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, a shrill whistling sound cut through the air. Several black and red objects fell from above.

Lin Wanyue looked up and screamed, "A snake! There’s a snake! A huge, long snake!"

Eunuch Jinbao and Jun Wuchen looked in the direction she pointed. A red snake, as thick as a child’s arm, was flicking its tongue at Lin Wanyue. A breeze carried a foul, fishy stench.

"Oh no," Eunuch Jinbao’s expression changed. Being well-traveled, he knew that highly venomous snakes often carried a strong, foul odor. If anyone were bitten, even if they survived, they would be left with permanent damage. "Quick, protect the Ninth Prince!"

"Help! Help me!" Lin Wanyue shrieked, jumping back. "What is this thing? Is it poisonous? How could such a filthy thing be in the estate? Someone, come quickly!"

The chrysanthemum banquet was crowded with noble families, and seeing such a terrifying creature, everyone turned pale and scattered. With the crowd so dense, the servants could not easily catch the snake.

Lin Qingci, startled, quickly said, "Sister, don't move! That looks like a red-banded snake; its colors are so bright, it must be poisonous! If you keep jumping around and get bitten, it will be a disaster!"

"What red-banded snake?!"

Being only a teenager, Lin Wanyue broke into a cold sweat. "Then what are you waiting for? Get it away! I don't want to die!" She sobbed, pinned by the gaze of the snake.

Watching from the corner, Aronglang looked at her with surprise. The reason was simple: he remembered clearly that the young lady who had treated his snake venom had been extremely calm and had not shown such panic even during the assassination attempt. Kaman had said the girl was well-versed in medicine, but now, even though he had deliberately let Kaman release some non-venomous snakes, this girl didn't even recognize the species. How could she possibly know how to treat him?

Aronglang’s suspicions deepened.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhaozhao, who had been locked in her courtyard, heard the wailing outside. She guessed it was the plot from the original book: the red-banded snake was about to bite Lin Wanyue, and the male lead, the Ninth Prince, would save her just as he finished reading the decree, leading to love at first sight.

She simply crawled out through a hole in the wall. She walked up to the posturing snake and kicked it.

"Hissing away, are you? Who do you think you are! Let me tear you apart!"

*[To think you're a red-banded snake! You can't even kill a little white lotus!]*

*[I waited a while to come out, and you still couldn't get the job done!]*

Lin Qingci, "..." He had been right; this sister who returned late was truly vicious! Although her actions saved Wanyue, her words and mannerisms were anything but kind.

However, seeing Lin Zhaozhao take action, Aronglang’s expression suddenly shifted.