TFSRITA Chapter 49

“What?”

“Aren’t they real sisters?”

“Did she drug the Imperial Concubine?!”

That was everyone’s first reaction, and then they looked at Yan Qing in surprise.

Yan Qing hadn’t expected Yan Jing to be so cautious. For a moment, she panicked when Zhu Yin spoke, but quickly calmed herself down. She clenched her hand tightly in her sleeve, trying to stay composed as she said, “I know nothing about this. This cup of wine was given to me by Miss Chang.”

“Miss Chang?” A deep voice, filled with doubt, echoed through the room.

Everyone fell silent, too scared to speak, and cast nervous glances toward Minister Chang’s side.

Minister Chang, pale-faced and sweating, wiped his forehead nervously. Beside him, Chang Ya was even paler, trembling in fear.

Minister Chang had no idea what was happening and stammered, “Your Majesty, my daughter would never do such a thing. This must be a misunderstanding!”

Emperor Ji ignored him, his cold, piercing gaze fixed on Chang Ya. He slightly raised his chin and said, “Speak.”

Chang Ya gritted her teeth, trembling all over. She wanted to deny it and clear her name, but the cold gaze of the emperor made her feel like he could execute her with a thousand cuts if she lied. Terrified, her legs gave way, and she fell to her knees, crying for mercy. “It wasn’t me! It was Li Ru! She did it, not me!”

Without hesitation, Li Ru also dropped to her knees and kowtowed. “Your Majesty, I admit my guilt! Please spare me!”

Seeing the two of them fall into the trap, Yan Qing felt a tinge of regret that her plan hadn’t fully succeeded. Nonetheless, she knelt with an apologetic expression and said in a clear voice, “I am at fault as well. I shouldn’t have offered the tainted wine to the Imperial Concubine.”

After speaking, she looked expectantly toward the emperor.

At that moment, Yan Qing was on the high platform, closer to the emperor than ever before. She had never had the chance to observe his appearance closely until now. As she looked up at him, she was struck by his breathtakingly handsome face.

Her expression froze for a moment, and jealousy stirred in her heart once again. Yan Jing was truly fortunate—first, Song Yu, was the dream man of all the noble ladies in Chang’an, and now, this man, the most powerful figure in the kingdom, also happened to be incredibly good-looking.

Unlike the delicate, scholarly types favored by many women, the emperor had a more rugged and commanding appearance. His thick, dark eyebrows framed a pair of captivating eyes, his high nose bridge and thin lips exuded a sense of cold detachment. When he slightly smirked, there was an undeniable allure, far more striking than Song Yu’s refined demeanor.

Sensing her gaze, Emperor Ji frowned and gave her an icy look of displeasure.

Feeling the weight of his cold stare, Yan Qing instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look up again.

Seated below the platform, Chancellor Yan’s face was equally grim.

To be honest, even Chancellor Yan didn’t believe his daughter’s claim that she hadn’t noticed the poisoned wine. Ever since she recovered from her illness, Yan Qing had become unusually sharp. At a recent gathering of noble ladies, she had outshone many others and caused a few of the more arrogant girls to suffer.

He didn’t mind his daughter being clever and resourceful, as it could help her protect herself. But using those skills against her own family—now that was something he couldn’t tolerate.

Down below, the entire Chang and Li families had knelt, pleading for mercy.

Emperor Ji played with the ring on his finger and said coldly, “Take them away and give them fifty lashes each.”

He gave no further instructions.

Whether they survived or not would be up to fate.

But for a young girl, surviving fifty lashes was nearly impossible.

Though he wasn’t the type of emperor to punish others without cause, only the two culprits were dragged away. As Jiang Wende oversaw the punishment, he hesitated, unsure of how to deal with Yan Qing.

Emperor Ji had initially intended to punish her too, but when he glanced over and saw the young girl sitting properly, secretly glancing at the chancellor with hesitation, he paused.

Just as he was about to order her to be taken away, he changed his mind. “Twenty lashes for this one.”

“Your Majesty!” Yan Qing’s face turned pale, shocked that she too was being punished.

This can’t be happening!

“Your Majesty, I know nothing about this! I had nothing to do with it!” she protested frantically.

But Emperor Ji waved his hand dismissively, showing no interest in her pleas.

Jiang Wende hurried to have her taken away.

As the eunuchs approached and grabbed her by the arm, panic set in. Yan Qing instinctively looked toward Yan Jing for help. “Sister! Help me! I didn’t do anything! You’re so kind-hearted, sister, please save me! You can’t be so heartless…”

Yan Jing met her pleading, panicked gaze, which was now filled with fear, in stark contrast to her usual arrogance.

Yan Qing had always looked down on everyone, especially Yan Jing. Though she thought she had hidden her disdain well, it was still obvious to those perceptive enough, like Yan Jing. Before this, as the eldest unmarried daughter of the chancellor, Yan Qing’s pride had been warranted.

But now, with no other options, she was begging for help from the very person she had looked down on the most.

Yan Qing’s desperate cries echoed through the hall. The onlookers glanced discreetly at Chancellor Yan. With both daughters at odds, which one would he choose to support?

Chancellor Yan remained still, though his expression darkened. His hands rested firmly on his knees, showing no sign of wavering.

The crowd couldn’t help but admire him in their hearts. As expected of the chancellor—his composure was truly unshakable.

Yan Jing exchanged a glance with Yan Qing, then lowered her eyes, pretending not to notice.

If Yan Qing had no compassion, then neither would she.

In truth, in the novel, Yan Qing had a special ability that could cure any poison. Even if she had been drugged, drinking from the spiritual spring would have neutralized the effects. However, instead of using it herself, her first instinct was to offer it to Yan Jing, hoping to watch her fall victim to the poison.

Yan Jing was not someone who would repay evil with kindness.

Dragged away, Yan Qing’s eyes widened in shock as she realized the person she had begged for help had merely glanced at her before looking away. Her eyes filled with venom as she glared at Yan Jing. So, she was a “white lotus”—the type to retreat and hide faster than anyone when trouble arose!