The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1179 - 1179 571 Long Yi Returns (Second Update)_3

Chapter 1179: 571 Long Yi Returns (Second Update)_3 Chapter 1179: 571 Long Yi Returns (Second Update)_3 Empress Xiao patted her son’s shoulder with relief; although he still felt distressed, at least he wasn’t as stubborn as his father, the Emperor.

The Crown Prince said, “Mother, I’m off to court.”

Empress Xiao still worried, “Even though I don’t get along with Princess Xinyang on a daily basis, after all, she is your aunt. She won’t harm you. Whatever she says, just listen; do not argue with her in hall. If someone attempts to drive a wedge between you both, do not listen at all.”

The Crown Prince muttered, “I won’t bully her. My uncle would come back and beat me for it; after all, he’s very fond of my aunt.”

Empress Xiao rolled her eyes, “Hmph, your uncle doesn’t adore her; it’s all about male pride.”

Eunuch Su hurried in with a look of urgency, “Empress! Your Highness! Something has happened!”

Empress Xiao frowned at him, “What happened?”

Eunuch Su said with barely concealed panic, “Princess Xinyang and Princess Ning An are quarreling outside of Jinluan Hall!”

Empress Xiao, puzzled, “What are they quarreling about? Why is Ning An at Jinluan Hall again?”

Eunuch Su said, “It seems that Princess Ning An went there specifically to find Princess Xinyang. She said…”

Empress Xiao asked, “What did she say?”

Eunuch Su steeled himself, “She said… that Princess Xinyang is an impostor!”

“You say I’m fake? What proof do you have?”

Outside the Jinluan Hall, Princess Xinyang, sporting a bamboo hat and a veil, stood on the highest step looking down at Princess Ning An several steps below her, “Without evidence, it’s slander.”

An official from the Office of the Imperial Censor said, “Yes, how could Princess Xinyang be fake? Even their voices are identical.”

Princess Ning An earnestly looked at everyone, “I know you won’t believe me, but I did personally see this person impersonating Princess Xinyang in the Avenue yesterday. I’ve asked the old palace maids; a lady-in-waiting named Yujin always accompanies Princess Xinyang wherever she goes. Then why, on such an important day as the court assembly, is there no sign of Yujin by her side?”

“This…” the official from the Office of the Imperial Censor choked up.

Yujin had been with Princess Xinyang for over a decade indeed, and she always accompanied her into the palace.

Princess Ning An’s gaze landed on the face of the little maid beside Princess Xinyang—this was the very same maid from yesterday, though she had guessed the maid’s true identity by now.

Princess Ning An, pointing at the little maid, exclaimed, “This maid wears a human skin mask; she too, is a fake.”

“What?”

The crowd was shocked.

Not only was the princess fake, but the maid as well?

The people hadn’t yet recalled the imperial decree of Princess Xinyang’s regency, but if they were to find out that these master and servant were siblings from the Gu Family in disguise, a charge of rebellion was inescapable for the Gu Family.

The crime of conspiring to rebel demanded the execution of the entire family. Xiao Liulang, being the son-in-law of the Gu Family, would also meet his end under the guillotine.

There’s a saying ‘a pillow arrives when you’re drowsy’; this was it.

She had been worrying about how to kill Xiao Liulang.

The crowd glanced at the expressionless little maid and then to Princess Xinyang, who dared not show her face under the bamboo hat. Seeing Princess Xinyang’s fingers slightly clenched, it wasn’t hard to notice her nervousness.

The little maid gently patted the back of Princess Xinyang’s hand and shook her head slightly at her.

This seemingly inadvertent gesture was still caught by the crowd.

Princess Xinyang took a deep breath and spoke calmly, “Sister Ning An, I have never wronged you; why would you defame me like this?”

Princess Ning An said, “I’m not trying to defame you. I just do not wish for you to continue deceiving others under the guise of Princess Xinyang. Yesterday you even met with the Emperor; who knows what you might have done. They say the Emperor’s condition has worsened.”

Everyone’s gaze darkened, and they looked at Princess Xinyang with suspicion and a chill in their eyes.

Princess Ning An stared straight at her, “If you really are Princess Xinyang, would you dare to take off that bamboo hat?”

Princess Xinyang gripped her handkerchief tightly, her voice steady, “I have developed a rash, and my appearance is unsightly, not fit to be seen.”

Princess Ning An ascended the steps step by step, “Is it truly a rash, or are you not Princess Xinyang at all?”

Princess Xinyang replied indifferently, “What if I am?”

Suddenly, Princess Ning An looked past Princess Xinyang, “Brother?”

As Princess Xinyang turned her head,

Princess Ning An took advantage of her distraction and whisked away the bamboo hat!

A face covered in rashes was abruptly exposed to everyone.

To everyone’s surprise, this was indeed Princess Xinyang’s face!

Princess Ning An was utterly shocked, “…Impossible! You must be wearing a mask!”

She reached out to tear off the ‘human skin mask’ from Princess Xinyang’s face, only to be slapped back by Princess Xinyang!

“How dare you!” Princess Xinyang’s gaze was ice cold, her aura fully unleashed!

Princess Ning An tumbled down the steps.

The imperial guards behind her surged forward to capture Princess Xinyang, but suddenly, a figure like a dragon descended from the sky, majestically standing in front of Princess Xinyang!