Chapter 46: Not a Coincidence

Lai Changya slowly stood up, and there was no kindness in her gaze as she looked at Zou Yingru. "Actually, I'm a bit confused. Why is Miss Zou so certain about this matter that everyone is puzzled by?"

"It sounds as if Miss Zou knew the whole process from the very beginning." Lai Changya walked around the table and slowly squatted down in front of Pan Yueqing. Her movements were elegant, just like a fairy who had strayed into the mortal world.

"Miss Lai is right," Qi Sicheng, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly spoke up. His sword - shaped eyebrows and star - like eyes drew everyone's attention. He squatted down beside Lai Changya. All the tenderness in his eyes was directed at Lai Changya, and the smile on his lips seemed extremely sincere. "Just because Miss Pan dropped a package of something, you've decided that it was Miss Pan who harmed the Princess. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"

Pan Yueqing had a faint smile on her lips. Looking at Qi Sicheng and Lai Changya, they seemed like a perfect couple. Although Lai Changya had been avoiding Qi Sicheng's gaze, Qi Sicheng pretended not to notice and still showered her with tenderness. Pan Yueqing lowered her hands and rubbed her wrists, hiding the sneer on her lips. She knew Qi Sicheng better than anyone in the world. Qi Sicheng was always like this towards those who were useful to him. It wasn't that he had fallen in love with Lai Changya at first sight, but that he had his eyes on the power of the Lai family behind her.

And she, in her previous life, had drowned in those tender eyes. Lai Changya's gaze was indifferent, and she didn't even respond to Qi Sicheng. She reached out her hand to Pan Yueqing and raised a smile.

Pan Miaoqian had never seen such a situation before. She slowly sat back in her seat, too preoccupied to care about her grandmother's angry gaze. Her fingers turned white from twisting her handkerchief. Seeing Lai Changya's attitude towards Pan Yueqing, she suddenly felt a chill in her heart. Among the renowned young ladies in the capital, the daughters of the major aristocratic families had always been high and mighty. She couldn't even imagine that if Pan Yueqing became close to Lai Changya, how many people would flock around Pan Yueqing in the future?!

Pan Yueqing glanced at Lai Changya, reached out to take her hand, and stood up with her help.

Naturally, Zou Yingru was not convinced. She glared at Pan Miaoqian resentfully. Seeing Pan Miaoqian turn her head away with a hint of guilt, she couldn't hold back her anger any longer. She stepped forward and grabbed Pan Yueqing's belt. "There must be Boruo Incense on you!"

Lai Changya grabbed Zou Yingru's hand and her gaze darkened slightly. "In public, you actually want to untie Miss Pan's belt? Miss Zou, what grudge do you have against Miss Pan? Why are you being so vicious?"

Pan Yueqing's expression was calm. She quickly pinched Zou Yingru's hand with two fingers and threw it forcefully behind her. Zou Yingru lost her balance and was pulled by Pan Yueqing. She staggered two steps and fell face - first onto the floor tiles, hitting her forehead and bleeding all over her face. In the surprised eyes of everyone, Pan Yueqing took a quick step forward, grabbed Zou Yingru's sleeve, and swiftly took out a small package of "medicine powder".

"The thief accusing others of stealing. That's you, isn't it, Miss Zou?" Pan Yueqing's smile was mocking.

When everyone saw that Pan Yueqing had genuinely taken it out from Zou Yingru's sleeve, the Sixth Young Master of the Qi family stepped forward and grabbed Zou Yingru's collar. Before he could let out an angry shout, he was stopped by the Prince of Anbei. The Sixth Young Master of the Qi family stared at Zou Yingru with a sinister gaze. "My mother has treated you well on weekdays! Why did you do this to her?!"

Qi Simeng's gaze also darkened slightly. He had already suspected that someone with ulterior motives was behind this matter today, but he never expected that this person would be Zou Yingru. Over the years, the Princess of Anbei had taken great care of Zou Yingru. If Zou Yingru was really the one behind this, then she was being extremely ungrateful.

"Impossible... impossible..." Zou Yingru looked at the thing in Pan Yueqing's hand in disbelief. It couldn't be! She had already given this to Xia Yang! According to the plan, this package of medicine powder should be on Pan Yueqing at this moment!! Could it be that the lowly maid Xia Yang had defected?!

Zou Yingru looked around in panic. Everyone present was pointing at her. She was the only daughter of a non - royal prince. Over the years, her father had been guarding Dongzhou, and she and a group of old servants lived in the capital. It seemed that the Emperor was showing favor to the descendants of meritorious officials, but in fact, she was nothing more than a pawn for the Emperor to restrain her father. If this matter was exposed today, how could she survive? Moreover, most of the ideas had been proposed by Pan Miaoqian, and the information had been obtained from Xia Yang! But now, no one would believe what she said... She turned to Pan Miaoqian with a pleading look, hoping that Pan Miaoqian would expose Xia Yang, who was by Pan Yueqing's side. But to her surprise, Pan Miaoqian turned away and slightly shook her head.

Looking at Pan Miaoqian's expression, Zou Yingru understood that she had been used by Pan Miaoqian today! But now she still had one more try! She definitely couldn't be convicted of the crime of attempting to harm the royal family! Immediately, with tears in her eyes, she stepped forward to grab Pan Yueqing's hand. Qi Sicheng was quick - witted and grabbed Zou Yingru's wrist. Zou Yingru let go as if electrocuted. Qi Sicheng's tone was menacing. "What? Does Miss Zou still want to harm Miss Pan in front of everyone?"

Pan Miaoqian... Zou Yingru thought viciously: If I'm really convicted, I'll definitely drag you, the mastermind, down with me!

"This medicine powder isn't mine!" Zou Yingru shouted like a madwoman. She was certain that Xia Yang had already taken this medicine powder! But she couldn't break free from Qi Sicheng's grip. The Sixth Young Master of the Qi family, who had been stopped by the Prince of Anbei and didn't dare to act rashly, could no longer hold back his anger. He pointed at Zou Yingru and cursed, "There's both witness and evidence! You still want to quibble?!"

Pan Yueqing silently took a step back and hid behind the Sixth Young Master of the Qi family.

"Except for that garrulous fortune - teller from the seventeen households in Huangjidao, where else in the whole capital can one get this 'Boruo Incense'? Pan Yueqing, search your conscience. Did you really not go to the East Ward yesterday?!" Zou Yingru's voice had become extremely shrill due to panic. "Otherwise, where did you get that detoxification and heat - clearing pill from?!"

Pan Miaoqian's heart stirred. This was a good opportunity. She immediately glanced at Xia Yang with a meaningful look.

Xia Yang took a step forward. Luo Shui was about to reach out and stop Xia Yang when she saw that Xia Yang had already spoken first and confirmed Zou Yingru's words. "My young lady did go there, but what does that have to do with today's matter?"

"How could there be such a coincidence in the world? You just bought the detoxification and heat - clearing pill yesterday, and you can use it today?!" Zou Yingru sneered, and the way people around her looked at them began to change gradually.

"Yes, it's really not a coincidence." Pan Yueqing's expression remained normal.

Before she could finish speaking, a fanatical hope appeared on Zou Yingru's face, distorting her entire face. "You're just framing me! This medicine powder isn't mine at all!!"