Li Wanming's gaze was as sharp as a knife, coldly sweeping across Lady Kang's face. But the moment she turned to the Princess of Ning, she managed to melt the ice in her eyes into spring water, rippling with gentle tenderness.
"Mother," she gently held the Princess of Ning's slightly trembling hand, her voice so soft it was almost dripping. "How could I not be worried about Jingnan? But I know that this time when he and Father enter the palace, they will surely turn the danger into safety and return in peace."
"Really?"
The Princess of Ning looked up, a glimmer of joy flashing in her eyes. But then she hesitated again. "You... you're not just trying to comfort me, are you? The matter of accusing the Marquis of Xuanping of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country must be extremely far - reaching..."
"Mother, please trust me. At the latest, they will be back this afternoon."
Li Wanming picked up the celadon teapot and poured a cup of tea. Softly, she said, "Mother, I was personally involved in the affairs in the southern border. Naturally, I know that the Marquis of Xuanping colluded with Anluo, burned the granaries, and sold military supplies. Every single charge has both human and material evidence."
"But Jingnan not only has the personal confession of the national master of Anluo, but also the letters between the father - son pair and Anluo. The evidence is conclusive. Besides, we can also add the testimonies of the Duke who Protects the Country, General Feng, and even the Emperor..." She handed the teacup to the Princess of Ning. "Jingnan has a very good chance of success this time."
"But... but it's the Marquis of Xuanping..." the Princess of Ning said anxiously.
Li Wanming sat down beside her and chuckled. "Mother, do you mean that since this case involves the Empress Dowager's family, it doesn't depend on evidence or facts, but on how the Empress Dowager wants to judge it? So no matter how much evidence Jingnan has, it's useless?"
The Princess of Ning was momentarily speechless and lowered her head awkwardly. That was exactly what she was thinking in her heart, but she couldn't say it.
"Mother, please rest assured." Li Wanming gently shook her sleeve robe. "The Emperor, outside the city gate, in front of all the citizens of the city, handed this case to Prime Minister Fang and asked him to lead the joint trial of the three judicial departments... So how this case will be judged is no longer up to the Empress Dowager."
"Really?" Lady Kang sneered. "I'm afraid the Princess of the Heir Apparent doesn't know that Prime Minister Fang was promoted by the Empress Dowager..."
"Aunt, do you mean that Prime Minister Fang is loyal to the Empress Dowager rather than the Emperor?" Li Wanming raised her eyes and looked at her unceremoniously.
Lady Kang's face turned pale. Just as she was about to retort, she was interrupted by the Princess of Ning. The princess quickly held Li Wanming's hand. "Good child, what do you think? Quickly tell mother."
Li Wanming glanced at Lady Kang proudly and slowly said, "The difficult part of this case lies in the status of the Marquis of Xuanping and his son. But the Emperor received this confession outside the city gate, with all the people of the world watching. So it's absolutely impossible to downplay it... With such a conflict, the case is at a deadlock."
"In my opinion, this case may still take a long time to be tried, and the result won't come out so soon."
The Princess of Ning asked, "Then according to what you said, why does the Empress Dowager still detain the prince and Jingnan?"
Li Wanming patted the princess's hand with a smile. "Mother, no matter how the Empress Dowager wants to handle this, she has to figure out the matter first. Moreover, Jingnan still has the charge of being greedy for merit and being impetuous. He should also explain himself to the Empress Dowager, right? Alright, alright. You've stayed up all night. You're tired..."
She waved to Nanny Yu. "Nanny Yu, go and bring a cup of soothing tea for mother. Help mother go in and rest."
The Princess of Ning was muddle - headedly helped up by her. When she walked out of the room, she couldn't help but turn back. "Really? They will really be okay?"
Li Wanming's voice was gentle and firm. She nodded like she was coaxing a child. "Mother, don't worry. The Emperor just appointed Jingnan as a court official. How could he let something happen to him now? Oh, by the way, don't try to use connections anymore. At this critical moment, if we're misunderstood as forming a clique for private gain, it won't be good."
"Yes, yes, yes..." The Princess of Ning quickly said to Lady Kang. "Sister - in - law, quickly call back all the people you sent out. Don't cause more trouble for the prince..."
Lady Kang reluctantly curtsied. "Yes."
Finally, the Princess of Ning was helped by Nanny Yu to the back to rest.
"You..." Lady Kang looked at Li Wanming with jealousy and hatred. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Li Wanming curtsying to her. "Aunt, I got up too early this morning, and my head still hurts. I'll go back and rest first. You've been busy all night. Go back and rest quickly too."
After saying that, she walked towards the door, leaving Lady Kang so angry that her face turned white.
After such a big commotion early in the morning, Li Wanming kept her eyes half - closed all the way. When she was supported by Qinglan and returned to the Shiyongzhai, she was still drowsy.
However, she still saw a sneaky figure standing at the door, craning his neck and waiting for her.
Li Wanming sighed helplessly in her heart. "Uncle..."
Xiao Yuanjie was dressed in a gray linen shirt, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was looking at her eagerly. "Hey, Princess of the Heir Apparent, you're back?"
"Yeah..." Li Wanming knew his intention and said directly, "It's already autumn. I'll ask Chuntao to find the boss of the warehouse this afternoon... Within a month, I'll surely let uncle see the Golden - thread Ghost Orchid!"
Xiao Yuanjie was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly to Li Wanming. "Thank you, Princess of the Heir Apparent! The princess will surely enjoy boundless blessings and a long life!"
Li Wanming didn't know whether to laugh or cry...
Boundless blessings?
Was such a grand word suitable for her?
Xiao Yuanjie really only had flowers in his heart and didn't care about anything else...
"Uncle is flattering me too much!" Li Wanming curtsied and gently helped him up. "Uncle, just wait for the flower to enter the capital. When the time comes, you can invite us to enjoy the flower together..."
She was just being polite casually, but unexpectedly, a look of embarrassment appeared on Xiao Yuanjie's face.
"This... the flower is very delicate and has come from a long way. It hasn't taken root yet. It may not be able to bear so many people... If it's exposed to turbid air, the flower will wither..."
Li Wanming was a bit angry and amused.
So, I can't even look at the flower that I found for you?
"According to uncle's meaning..." she deliberately put on a straight face. "Can't even aunt, Yingchu, and Jingbai look at it?"
Who would have thought that this time, Xiao Yuanjie straightened his back even more. "Of course not!"
"They don't like flowers! Showing a famous flower to them is just a waste! Besides, Xiao Jingbai is busy practicing polo now. When does he have time to enjoy flowers?" Xiao Yuanjie said confidently.
"Polo? What polo?" Li Wanming was a bit curious when she heard him say this.
"Of course, it's the annual polo tournament in the capital!" Xiao Yuanjie said. "It's hosted by the Duke of Qing, the Prince of Ning's Mansion, and the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion in turn. This year, it's our Prince of Ning's Mansion's turn... Why, didn't my wife tell you? Well, no need to say! She must be trying to plot against you somewhere... Sigh, marrying an unvirtuous wife is really a disaster for the family."