Chapter 22: Exposing the Lie

Jiang Ruoqing took a deep breath. She understood now: Lin Zhaoyan and Zhou Jingxuan were working together. Was the reason Lin Zhaoyan had insisted on the doctor examining her to... check whether she had lost her virginity?

If that doctor were truly skilled, wouldn't her lie be exposed? What should she do now? But she had no way to refuse.

In a state of shock and suspicion, Jiang Ruoqing was led to the side hall of the Linshui Pavilion, and Xia Wan soon arrived as well.

As Xia Wan approached carrying her medical kit, Jiang Ruoqing’s complexion turned faintly pale. For some reason, she suddenly felt extremely unwell; a wave of nausea surged in her stomach, and she felt as if she were about to retch.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiang Ruoqing reluctantly held out her hand. Xia Wan glanced at Lin Zhaoyan before beginning to take Jiang Ruoqing’s pulse.

Zhou Jingxuan remained alone outside the Linshui Pavilion, idly picking at the wildflowers along the wall, looking calm and composed.

Inside, Xia Wan pondered for a moment, remaining silent for a time, her expression unchanged. Lady Jiang, unable to contain her anxiety, saw that the room was filled only with women, so she cautiously asked, "Doctor Xia, is there anything unusual about Qing'er's health?"

"What kind of unusual?" Lin Zhaoyan asked, feigning confusion.

Xia Wan knitted her brows and pressed her lips together.

Jiang Ruoqing opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, she was overcome by nausea and leaned over to dry-heave, unable to stop the sensation. She covered her mouth in terror, her expression panicked.

The Princess of Zhou was stunned, thinking to herself that this was a bad sign. Could it be that during the Mid-Autumn Banquet, Jiang Ruoqing had been molested by Zhou Jingxuan and was now…

"Doctor, I must confess, my Qing'er has been unwell since last month. Could it be that she is with child?" Lady Jiang asked, feeling uneasy as she saw Jiang Ruoqing’s condition.

Xia Wan let out an "Ah" of surprise, her expression puzzled. "Miss Jiang is still a maiden; how could there be talk of a pregnancy?"

"A maiden?" The Princess of Zhou frowned, even more confused.

"Miss Jiang is still a young lady of the boudoir; naturally, she is a maiden," Lin Zhaoyan chimed in. "Lady Jiang must be losing her composure out of worry."

Lady Jiang also looked at Jiang Ruoqing in surprise. During the Mid-Autumn Banquet, it was Jiang Ruoqing who had cried and made a scene, claiming she had been molested. How could she be…

Jiang Ruoqing was speechless, her expression flustered. "I…"

Seeing her reaction, the Princess of Zhou realized everything. She sneered and stood up with a start. "So, the Second Miss Jiang was lying all along! She has been deceiving me for so long!"

"Qing'er, did the Heir Apparent really molest you or not?"

"Mother, I..." Jiang Ruoqing choked on her words, caught off guard and completely unprepared.

The Princess of Zhou was furious. "So that’s how it is. So that’s how it is. Our Prince Zhou’s Mansion prides itself on never doing anything dishonorable, and we treated the Second Miss Jiang with the utmost hospitality. To think we were being toyed with like this! Since that is the case, I shall let others judge this for themselves!"

"Wait," Lin Zhaoyan urged, stepping in to mediate. "Your Highness, please do not be hasty. After all, Minister Jiang is your own brother. Is there anything between blood relatives that cannot be resolved privately? If this becomes a public spectacle, it will not look good for either side."

The Princess of Zhou was easily persuaded and sat back down. She had spoken out of frustration and did not actually want to leave no room for reconciliation.

"My colleagues in the military should be arriving soon. I must go and check on them. Please excuse me."

With that, Lin Zhaoyan left gracefully with Xia Wan, leaving no trace of her achievement behind. Without outsiders present, the Princess of Zhou would likely be even more decisive.

Once outside the Linshui Pavilion, Lin Zhaoyan asked curiously, "Can taking a pulse really tell if a woman is a maiden?"

Xia Wan blinked.

Zhou Jingxuan walked slowly toward them and answered for her, "No."

"Then why did you put on such a show..."

"Naturally, to bluff her." Zhou Jingxuan said with a cold, calm expression. "She knows nothing. If others intimidate her, she will panic."

Xia Wan nodded. "Fortunately, I did not fail the General's mission. By the way... the smell of houttuynia on the Heir Apparent is truly unique."

"As long as it makes Jiang Ruoqing feel sick, any smell will do."

A faint arc, barely perceptible, touched the corner of Lin Zhaoyan's mouth.

Xia Wan took her leave, and only Lin Zhaoyan and Zhou Jingxuan remained outside the Linshui Pavilion.

"Let's leave here first," Lin Zhaoyan said, heading toward the palace path.

"The General must have forgotten that we are supposed to avoid suspicion," Zhou Jingxuan remarked softly.

Is that how the term is used? Lin Zhaoyan paused for a moment, unable to think of a rebuttal.

"Let's take the small path," Zhou Jingxuan suggested.

But wouldn't that invite misunderstandings? Just as Zhou Jingxuan was about to correct himself, he heard Lin Zhaoyan agree readily, "Fine."

The two walked side by side along the pebble path at the edge of the east woods, their distance very close.

Zhou Jingxuan subconsciously softened his breathing, focusing all his attention on Lin Zhaoyan beside him. Lin Zhaoyan, however, was single-mindedly pondering the matter of Jiang Ruoqing.

"Is that earring in your hand Jiang Ruoqing's?" Lin Zhaoyan asked. She didn't know where Zhou Jingxuan had pulled it from, but this earring had clearly thrown Jiang Ruoqing into a state of panic.

"Yes, I picked it up from the ground during the Mid-Autumn Banquet." Zhou Jingxuan held his hand out to Lin Zhaoyan; in his palm lay a magnolia-shaped earring.

Zhou Jingxuan said gravely, "This is mutton-fat jade, of excellent quality, precious and rare. It is not something a young lady from a minor household like the Jiangs would have access to."

"She seems to treasure this earring, yet she was afraid to let Lady Jiang know of its existence. I suspect it was a gift or the result of a transaction, and the identity of the other party is not something that should be known," Lin Zhaoyan analyzed.

"Indeed," Zhou Jingxuan said, putting the earring away. "I will send people to investigate the origin of this earring."

"I fear it will be difficult to find," Lin Zhaoyan shook her head. "But we should try."

"Thank you, General, for playing along with me tonight," Zhou Jingxuan said, curling his lips and bowing mockingly, looking quite mischievous. "I am grateful."

Lin Zhaoyan returned the gesture. "No need for thanks. I am merely returning the favor to the Heir Apparent."

The two parted at the end of the pebble path. Lin Zhaoyan headed toward the Qingfeng Terrace, while Zhou Jingxuan waited a moment before following.

Lin Zhaoyan was led to her seat by palace servants. She was surrounded by officials she did not recognize, all of whom wore smiles as soon as they saw her, filling the air with endless, polite chatter.

A headache... If she was going to transmigrate, why didn't they give her some memories?

Fortunately, Lin Zhaoyan had not returned to the capital for a long time and had always been reclusive, having had little interaction with anyone, so they introduced themselves.

From the Ministry of Rites to the Ministry of Personnel, from Ministers to Vice-Ministers, Lin Zhaoyan met them one by one. The welcome banquet had not yet begun, and she was already restless.

Although she had plenty of social engagements in her past life, she had not needed to be so cautious. Times were different now; she had to be careful.

"General Lin," Li Xianjin said, bowing with a faint, breezy smile. "If you are tired, shall we take our seats?"

Lin Zhaoyan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled back. "Alright, please."

"After you." They sat next to each other, though it was unclear if it was intentional.

Li Xianyu sat diagonally across from them, her eyes smiling, looking very satisfied. "It's wonderful. It seems my brother winning over the General is only a matter of time."