Mingyi staggered in shock, her frail figure swaying like a delicate willow before Granny Xun swiftly caught her.
After steadying herself, tears finally cascaded down her cheeks. "She promised not to tell! She promised!"
Her tear-streaked face and fragile frame would evoke pity in anyone who saw her.
Situ Ling studied her intently. "Sister Ming, is there more to this matter you wish to share?"
"Young Master, please be just." Mingyi sniffled as she wiped her tears. "This humble one and Zhang Tai were both Dancing Girls in the Music Bureau, so we had some friendship. Even after leaving the inner court, I still thought of her and made a special trip back to visit her when Lord Ji was occupied."
"Only then did I discover she was with child and couldn’t perform at the royal banquet. With the Music Bureau short on dancers, there was no avoiding it. Out of past camaraderie, I agreed to take her place—and she swore never to mention it to anyone. After all... after all, I already have a master. If Lord Ji learned I secretly performed behind his back, he’d doubt my loyalty, and I’d have no place left in this world!"
She wept pitifully. "I acted out of kindness—how could she betray me?"
Zhang Tai had confessed to this as well, confirming Mingyi spoke the truth.
Situ Ling pondered briefly. "What of Mulan Qing’s dress?"
"That dress wasn’t mine. That day, I took Zhang Tai’s position, and her spot was at the edge. You need only ask the nobles who attended the banquet—so many eyes saw it. Rong Xin was undoubtedly the one wearing Mulan Qing’s dress."
Mingyi dabbed her eyes. "Such a beautiful color—if it were mine, why wouldn’t I claim it?"
"Because that dress may very well be what killed Prince Ping," Situ Ling said coolly.
Her heart skipped a beat. Mingyi lowered her gaze.
What a sharp young man.
Still, Situ Ling had talent but lacked experience, making him easily swayed. For instance, right now, her tears alone were enough to unsettle him.
"Young Master’s words imply you’re accusing this humble one of murder?" She trembled between sobs. "A mere Dancing Girl—what grudge could I possibly hold against His Highness Prince Ping to risk my life harming him?"
"I never said that." Situ Ling waved his hands hastily. "I meant the dress might have poisoned Prince Ping, but the wearer may not have intended it. If you clarify the dress’s origins, this matter won’t involve you."
Mingyi blinked at him in surprise. "Young Master means for me to falsely accuse Lord Ji?"
Situ Ling jolted in alarm. "No, no! I didn’t say that!"
"But if the dress wasn’t mine, and you demand I explain its source, doesn’t that mean pinning it on Lord Ji?" Mingyi tilted her head in confusion. "If not, then the murderer becomes me—isn’t that what you just implied?"
His ears flushed red. Situ Ling shook his head vehemently. "I didn’t say that."
"Then... then the Young Master must be trying to torment me." Mingyi burst into tears again. "Regardless of whose dress it was, everyone wore Mulan Qing’s dresses before. Who could’ve guessed there was poison? If it was poisonous, it should’ve been banned long ago—why let someone wear it to the royal banquet?"
Her weeping was heartrending, full of grievance. Situ Ling’s face burned crimson, utterly flustered.He only discovered that the herbal scent infused in Mulan Qing clashed with the ingredients in Prince Ping's usual health tonic, forming a deadly poison when combined. Thus, he intended to investigate further, never expecting it would implicate Mingyi.
After their encounter at Prince Gong's residence, he found Mingyi to be an exceptionally rare woman—skilled in Essence Power yet using it only for self-defense, never for show. She even credited him with the merit, earning him praise from Ji Bozhai.
That praise might have been casual for Ji Bozhai, but it later became his stepping stone into the Hall of Judgment. Grateful, he never truly intended to incriminate Sister Ming or Lord Ji. However, when Zhang Tai implicated Mingyi in her testimony, he had no choice but to question her personally.
Yet, to his dismay, his good intentions seemed to have backfired, frightening Sister Ming.
Situ Ling stood helplessly for a while before asking Granny Xun to steady Mingyi.
"I didn’t mean it that way," he said, his eyes slightly red. "Prince Ping’s death was likely just an accident, but the full story must be clarified before reporting it. Right now, Sister Ming’s testimony contradicts those of Rongxin and Zhang Tai. I..."
His lips pressed tightly together, holding back tears as he stood there, nervously rubbing his sleeves. He looked both adorable and pitiful, stirring Mingyi’s conscience.
Here she was, a grown woman, bullying a child.
With a faint, self-deprecating smile, Mingyi wiped her eyes. "Young Adjudicator, if this matter of testimony escalates, this humble servant fears Lord Ji might cast me out."
"Well..."
"The skirt was never mine, nor does it concern Lord Ji. If the evidence is inconclusive, might the young adjudicator show mercy and let me go?"
Situ Ling was torn, but he knew Sister Ming was in an even tougher spot. She had only meant to help a sister, only to be dragged into this mess. If anyone was innocent here, it was her.
After a long silence, Situ Ling sighed. "Let’s stop here for today. Your residence has suffered misfortune—you should rest and recover."
Mingyi nodded, then hesitantly asked, "Is Zhang Tai... doing alright in the Hall of Judgment?"
Even now, she still worried about her?
Situ Ling frowned slightly. "She seems to have suffered some shock. Her emotions are unstable—she’s been screaming nonstop in the holding cell and even tried to slam her belly against a table corner."
Mingyi stiffened. "May I see her?"
Witnesses weren’t usually allowed to meet to prevent collusion, but Situ Ling knew she was only concerned for Zhang Tai.
After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. "In a couple of days."
"Thank you, young adjudicator." Mingyi curtsied sincerely.
Situ Ling didn’t linger, only ordering his men to carry away a few charred chests.
Buxiu moved to stop them but was subtly blocked by Mingyi’s raised hand.
"My lady?" he asked urgently.
"I burned everything clean," she replied calmly. "Those chests they took didn’t contain the fabrics Prince Gong gifted—they were just bluffing."
Buxiu froze.
As dusk approached, the wind scattered the blue smoke over the ruins. Mingyi stood in the twilight, head slightly bowed in thought. The tears were gone, as was her fragile demeanor. Now, she resembled an unyielding bamboo grove, her phoenix eyes glimmering with resolve.
Suddenly, Buxiu understood why his master had recently stopped dallying with those frivolous women outside.As night fell, Granny Xun came specifically to tell Mingyi, "There's no need to wait for the master today. He won't be returning."
Mingyi nodded, yet she still dressed up and went to the crossroads as usual.
Granny Xun frowned deeply. "Why must you do this, miss?"
Though the day had been slightly warm, the evening turned cool. Her frail constitution certainly couldn't withstand standing all night.
"It's the master's wish," Mingyi replied without turning back. "Please trouble yourself to gather more people to watch the spectacle."
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