Chapter 126: Unjustly Framed

At these words, Liuli’s expression grew somewhat agitated, yet it deeply stirred Jun Yecheng’s heart. For a moment, he was at a loss for how to answer the question. Even now, he had not fully understood why he had intervened to save Huayang back then; she was clearly just a pawn he had been using.

Seeing Jun Yecheng silent and unresponsive, Liuli pressed on relentlessly, defiant: “Master, haven’t I hit the mark? You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you? That’s why you can’t let go!”

Faced with Liuli’s persistent probing, Jun Yecheng felt as if his heart were being clawed by a cat—restless and irritated. He shot her a fierce glare, ignoring the pain from his wounds. “Enough. Who do you think you are? These matters are none of your concern! Get out now, or if anyone finds you here, it will be the end of you!”

This was the imperial palace, and Liuli held no status within its walls. If discovered, she would be treated as an assassin. That was why Jun Yecheng resented her presence here so deeply.

Without further ado, he turned away, the anger burning in his heart. Watching the man’s retreating figure, Liuli felt her heart shatter completely, broken beyond repair. She instinctively clutched her chest, lowering her brows with a faint, quivering smile.

“Heh, I’ve been loyal to you, helping you kill and plunder, yet you never see my worth. Instead, that woman captured your heart at a single glance…”

She bit her lip slightly, her tightly clenched fist driving her nails deep into the flesh, drawing faint streaks of blood. The sharp pain could not mask the despair etched in her eyes.

As Liuli lifted her gaze toward the moon breaking through the dark clouds, a coldness crept into her voice. “Master, didn’t you say that those who achieve greatness cannot be bound by trivial affections? If you’ve forgotten, it’s alright—I will sever these irrelevant emotions for you and help you fulfill your grand ambitions!”

The cold wind howled through the night. In less than two hours, dawn arrived.

Yet Huayang sat alone in her chamber, brooding miserably through the entire night.

“That bastard calls me his wife, yet when he violated me, he remained indifferent. Could it be that it was all a cruel joke?”

Jun Ye’s ambivalent behavior left her utterly baffled, causing even her heart to waver.

Just as she was lost in thought, a sharp scream pierced the air outside: “Something terrible has happened—a life has been lost!”

The startled crowd gasped in shock. Huayang was equally surprised. “Who’s dead? Why is the commotion so great?”

Suxin hurried in, her lips trembling as she pointed nervously toward the garden. “Your Highness, you must come quickly! Something terrible has happened!”

“Why are you panicking like that? Can’t you be a little more composed like me?” Huayang rolled her eyes irritably. Death was a daily occurrence in the palace—it wasn’t like the emperor had died today. Why all the fuss?

Still, curiosity got the better of her. She followed Suxin out, who led her to the garden.

There, Noble Consort Yu had gathered a group of concubines, along with all the maids from Huayang’s own quarters. The crowd was large, and though she couldn’t hear their hushed conversation, the solemn atmosphere made it clear that something serious had occurred.

“They’re here again? They never get tired of this. I’m nearly worn out myself,” Huayang sighed softly.

Before she could push through the crowd, a voice called out, “Consort Rong has arrived!”

At once, the crowd parted respectfully, forming a long path and stepping back to give space, deliberately keeping their distance.

“Today, you’re all so understanding. I’m truly touched,” Huayang said with a hint of sarcasm as she stepped forward.

In the center of the garden lay a body covered by a white cloth. She frowned.

“Who is this? Why bring a corpse here? Do they think I killed this person?”

Huayang curled her lip disdainfully. This was nonsense. She was like a mud Buddha crossing a river—barely able to protect herself, let alone have the leisure to play murder games with them.

Yet her words seemed to confirm the crowd’s suspicions, and they nodded eagerly. “See? She admits it. It was murder!”

Huayang fell silent, speechless at the absurd logic. “Stop spouting nonsense. I don’t even know who died, let alone kill anyone.”

She studied the exposed feet of the body—wearing embroidered shoes identical to the palace maids’ uniform. It must be a maid. This only deepened her helplessness.

“No matter what you think, I have no reason to harm a maid. Take this body away immediately. My Xuanji Palace is no morgue. I have enough chickens, ducks, fish, and geese to tend to without harboring a corpse.”

She intended to turn and leave, but Noble Consort Yu blocked her path with a slick step, arms outstretched. “Where do you think you’re going? You know murder is punishable by death!”

Huayang’s patience wore thin. She spun around, bypassing him, and pulled back the white cloth covering the body.

Revealed was a young maid poisoned, her face darkened, lips purple—clear signs of a deadly toxin.

“You actually think I did this?” Huayang stared at them in disbelief, utterly speechless.

Such a potent poison was difficult to obtain even outside the palace, much less here. She lacked the means for such a deed.

Yet Noble Consort Yu was relentless. “If not you, then who? Would I harm my own maid? Look at this!” She produced a sachet from her person and flung it heavily at Huayang.

It was a rude gesture. Huayang caught it reluctantly and examined it carefully. There was nothing remarkable about it, save for its peculiar scent.

“You mean her death is connected to this sachet? I don’t even recognize it. What trouble are you stirring up with me now?”

Huayang disliked court intrigue but was no pushover.

Since this black mark had been forced onto her, she had to resist. Otherwise, she’d appear foolish and be easy prey thereafter.