Chapter 015 Lin Yi Deceived Me

Chapter 015 Lin Yi Deceived Me

The Fourth Prince's surname is Zhao, and his name is Zhao Xuan. His mother was a minor palace maid responsible for sweeping the imperial garden, who was favored by the emperor when he was drunk.

The next morning, when the emperor regained consciousness, he ordered her to take a contraceptive potion. However, this little palace maid still became pregnant.

Due to irregular menstrual cycles, the little palace maid was unaware until she was six months pregnant, and only then did the imperial harem discover that the minor concubine was carrying the dragon's seed.

She managed to get through the early stages of pregnancy, but unfortunately, her fate was thin, and she never had the chance to be promoted.

She was small in stature with a narrow pelvis, and during childbirth, she endured three days and nights before finally succumbing from exhaustion, giving birth to the Fourth Prince.

During her early pregnancy, the little palace maid did not eat well, so the Fourth Prince was born very light, like a tiny mouse. No one knew if he would survive, and none of the imperial concubines wanted to take him in.

Zhao Xuan was eventually sent to the Cold Palace to keep company with the dowager consorts left behind by the late emperor.

Since the death of the late emperor, the palaces where the dowager consorts resided were desolate. For them, this sudden arrival of a young prince was a treasure.

The dowager consorts raised the Fourth Prince, treating him as their best confidant. The imperial harem was lonely, especially the Cold Palace, which lacked vitality. Thus, the elderly nannies also began to recount old stories.

This led Zhao Xuan to develop an unknown hobby: he enjoyed listening to tales of domestic affairs and tragic romances. With his ability to help those in need, he fell in love with the feeling of justice after once clearing someone's name. Unfortunately, he was accused by the censor of neglecting his duties and was confined to the palace for three months. Now, he had decided to handle the case properly.

Zhao Xuan arrived at the Lin residence in a carriage, and Qin Yuanting raised his hand, signaling the Jinyiwei to surround the place.

Upon seeing this, Lin Yi's previously relaxed brow furrowed again.

Wang Shi hurried out, her hairpin trembling violently. "What's going on?"

In the capital city, who dared not avoid the Jinyiwei upon sighting them? Wang Shi, now seeing the Jinyiwei surrounding the Lin residence, could only think of what possible offense Lin Yi might have committed while serving in the Ministry of Rites, a department known for its integrity.

Seeing Wang Shi's panic, Lin Yi found it somewhat amusing, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"This is the Fourth Prince, this is Thousand Commander Qin. This is my wife, Wang Shi."

Wang Shi stared intently at Lin Yi, hoping he would say more, but Lin Yi ignored her, as if the gilded characters of the Lin residence were masterpieces.

Zhao Xuan smiled reassuringly at Wang Shi. "Madam, please don't be nervous. We are here to see Concubine Wen and Second Miss Lin. By the way, it would be best to move them out temporarily until we clarify the matter."

"What matter?" Wang Shi's eyelids twitched as she murmured the question.

"What else could it be?" Zhao Xuan said with a smile. "Yesterday, Miss Lin was telling everyone that Minister Lin took a concubine outside the family. We are here to investigate whether Minister Lin deceived Wen Shi into becoming his concubine."

Wang Shi looked at the embroidered spring knife on Qin Yuanting's waist and regretted yesterday's actions. Something must have happened in the court today to bring the Jinyiwei here!

Feeling remorseful, Wang Shi said, "Our daughter has been spoiled too much and says things without thinking. There is no such thing in our household. Wen Shi is a legitimate concubine with proper documentation, and the illegitimate daughter Lin Yingxue was recorded in the family register since birth. My husband always conducts himself with propriety."

Lin Yi laughed, filled with mockery. Now she acknowledges Wen Shi as a concubine? If not for Lin Baozhen's nonsense and the involvement of the Changqing Marquisate, how would they have attracted the Jinyiwei?

"Where is Baozhen?" Lin Yi asked.

Wang Shi replied, "My mother had a nightmare and always asks Baozhen to stay with her when that happens. Sometimes, she acts like a child due to her age, so Baozhen has gone to the Changqing Marquisate."

Lin Yi thought, indeed, the favored eldest daughter would be sent away whenever trouble arose.

Zhao Xuan said curiously, "Minister Lin, I don't need to see Miss Lin; seeing Second Miss Lin is enough. Why are you asking about Miss Lin?"

Qin Yuanting lowered his eyes, knowing Lin Yi's question was meant to reprimand Lin Baozhen, not to introduce her to the Fourth Prince. Could such a naive prince uncover the truth?

Lin Yi, who had been frowning, could only say helplessly, "I was surprised that my eldest daughter did not come out when the Jinyiwei arrived."

"Your concubine and second daughter haven't come out either," the Fourth Prince remarked, pausing as he saw Wen Shi and Lin Yingxue.

Young Lin Yingxue was beautiful, like a flower blooming brilliantly in the spring sun. The lady she supported had a different kind of beauty, having been secluded in a small courtyard of the Lin residence, finally revealing her hidden elegance.

Wen Hui's allure lay in her contradictions—she exuded a cold, otherworldly aura, yet within her, there was a suppressed flame flickering quietly, waiting for a gust of wind to ignite it into a raging fire.

Lin Yi noticed the bandage around Wen Hui's neck, which caught his attention differently than the Fourth Prince's.

His heart felt as if it were being squeezed, and he rushed forward to grab Wen Hui, but a hand holding the embroidered spring knife stopped him, tapping the hilt against his hand. "Minister Lin, please step back."

Even restrained, Lin Yi called out to Wen Hui, "Hui, who did this?"

He glared fiercely at Wang Shi, causing her to step back.

After stepping back, Wang Shi felt a surge of resentment. If only Wen Hui had succeeded last night.

The Fourth Prince walked over, placing his hand on Lin Yi's shoulder. "Minister Lin, now that everything is fine, let me ask what happened. Can you speak, Wen Shi?"

Wen Hui opened her mouth and whispered something to her daughter. Lin Yingxue said, "Your Highness, my mother's throat is injured, and her voice is weak. If she needs anything, she will tell me, and I will relay it to you. The wound on her neck is from a self-inflicted attempt, unrelated to anyone else."

Wen Hui nodded.

The Fourth Prince looked at Wang Shi. "Not even related to Madam Wang?"

Wen Hui nodded again.

Her daughter had already spoken, and the situation had changed. She no longer needed to honor the agreement made with Wang Shi last night.

Wang Shi breathed a sigh of relief but was annoyed at the crowd gathered in the alley, wondering why the Fourth Prince and Qin Yuanting did not disperse them.

Lin Yi said, "Your Highness, perhaps we should talk inside."

The Fourth Prince shook his head and addressed Wen Hui directly. "I came here to ask a question. Did Old Master Wen sign the concubine document, making you Minister Lin's concubine? Or did Minister Lin deceive you by saying he was unmarried, making you his mistress, and then bringing you into the Lin residence?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding crowd began whispering, and Qin Yuanting frowned deeply.

How could he ask such a direct question with Lin Yi present? Under Lin Yi's influence, Wen Hui might not speak the truth.

Unexpectedly, Wen Hui suddenly lifted her head, tears falling, and then she began to laugh.

She was unable to speak, so she pointed at Mama Ou. Mama Ou stepped forward and knelt before the Fourth Prince. "Your Highness, back then, our old master wanted to find a suitable husband for Wen Hui. He always said that a daughter of the Wen family would not be a concubine. Lin Yi was his student, and he claimed he was unmarried, so the old master agreed to betroth Wen Hui to him."

Lin Yi, upon hearing Mama Ou's words, immediately rebuked her: "Mama Ou, I had a wife and son, and I truthfully informed Old Master Wen. Perhaps initially, the old master did intend for Wen Hui to marry, but after meeting me, he indeed changed his mind."

Wen Hui firmly pushed her daughter away and knelt before the Fourth Prince. Her eyes blazed with an intense fire.

Wen Hui covered her neck and spoke each word with difficulty: "Lin Yi deceived me, tricking me into becoming his mistress, forcing me to be his concubine!"