"A pearl sets off a beauty. These dragon - pearl earrings are a perfect match for the princess," said the emperor, playing with the court beads around his neck. The little princess held the pearl case with both hands. After kowtowing to thank the emperor for his grace, she knelt there with a rather complicated look on her face.
Her expression immediately raised a suspicious look on the emperor's face.
"Why does the princess look like this?"
The little princess looked embarrassed. She stammered and hemmed and hawed for a long time but couldn't say a proper word.
The atmosphere in the whole palace suddenly became a bit strange.
"Just speak out. I absolve you of any guilt," said the emperor.
The little princess looked up. With a panicked look on her face, she softly said, "Your subject should be grateful for the emperor's reward. However, these dragon pearls seem to be a bit strange."
As soon as she said this, an uproar ensued.
The Nanyang region is rich in sea pearls, whose quality and luster are unparalleled in the world. Although the "dragon pearls" presented by Imperial Envoy Lin were rare treasures never heard of or seen before, the princess, coming from a Nanyang royal family, might really be able to spot something unusual.
The emperor remained calm on the surface, but there was a faint and unfathomable glint in his eyes.
Imperial Envoy Lin, who had been standing at the head of the court officials looking high - spirited, never expected such a thing to happen out of the blue.
A chill ran through his heart, and a thin layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
"Your Majesty, the princess has come from afar. She must be tired after the long journey and the dance. Why not let the princess take a short rest first?"
He spoke calmly, only thinking that no matter what the Nanyang princess was going to say next, it was essential to stop her in time.
But how could the little princess be easily interrupted?
The "accidental" dropping of the earring during the dance today was just a scheme planned by her and Li Ying.
She took a deep breath and then softly said, "Your Majesty's reward of the dragon pearls to your subject shows your love and respect for Nanyang. Your subject is extremely flattered. However, these dragon pearls don't seem to be naturally formed. In your subject's opinion, they seem to be dyed fakes."
She spoke without any concealment. Seeing that all the court officials gasped in unison, she quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Your subject has no intention of disrespect. Maybe your subject has misjudged!"
Imperial Envoy Lin felt his heart tighten.
Today's incident was clearly aimed at him!
He wanted to say something more, but the emperor had already stood up and slowly walked in front of the court officials. Looking at the Nanyang princess with a dignity that didn't need anger to show, he asked, "How do you know?"
For the celestial dynasty to present fakes as gifts to a small foreign country was a great disgrace and an insult to the national prestige!
"Your Highness the Princess, please be careful with your words," said Imperial Envoy Lin, looking coldly at the Nanyang princess. The threatening meaning in his expression was self - evident.
"Your Majesty, these dragon pearls, also known as conch pearls, are formed by a very rare giant conch. Your subject once had the chance to see them by accident."
"The real dragon pearls not only have a brighter luster, but most importantly, they have natural patterns all over, like flame patterns, which is the most precious part."
"Your subject observes the ones in hand. Although they also have a gorgeous color, the patterns are not very clear. That's why your subject can't help but have some doubts..."
Before she finished speaking, the emperor frowned and ordered his close official to take the "dragon - pearl" earrings. He casually waved his hand.
The close official understood. After a while, he came back trembling with fear to report.
"Your... Your Majesty... This... This is exactly as the princess said... These pearls..."
He didn't dare to continue. Kneeling on the ground shivering, he held up the pair of "dragon pearls" with both hands.
The emperor just took a glance. Sure enough, the so - called "dragon pearls" were just a dull bead core inside. After scraping off the dyed color on the thin outer skin, although one could still see a bit of the luster of pearls, they were far from being top - grade.
He snorted and turned to look at Imperial Envoy Lin coldly.
Imperial Envoy Lin thought that after serving the emperor for many years, he had already figured out a way to accompany the emperor without making mistakes. But now, being looked at by the emperor like this, he felt as if there were thorns on his back, and his heart felt empty for the first time in a long while.
"Your Majesty, your subject really doesn't know why such a thing has happened! Your subject has been loyal for many years and only wants to share your worries. These dragon pearls were also obtained by your subject by chance from a fisherwoman..."
"This bold and despicable person dares to deceive the emperor and pass off fish eyes as pearls!"
Furious, with just a few words of defense, he managed to clear himself completely.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your subject is definitely responsible for today's absurd incident! Please give your subject three days. Your subject will surely arrest that shameless and despicable person!"
That bitch Li Ying was so bold as to deceive him, a high - ranking official under the emperor!
He spoke firmly, but the emperor's face still remained gloomy.
Imperial Envoy Lin felt even more uncertain. He had to brace himself and vow solemnly.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Your subject will spare no effort and search every corner of the land to find the real dragon pearls!"
The emperor didn't comment but just asked, "My dear Minister Lin, how do you know where to find the real dragon pearls?"
Imperial Envoy Lin was at a loss for words. Just then, he heard Su Buchi's steady voice from the side.
"Your Majesty, your subject has something to report."
He stood upright, bowed, and calmly blocked in front of the Nanyang princess, shielding her from the speculative looks of the court officials.
"What is it, my dear Minister Su?"
Su Buchi slowly took out a jade case from his bosom and solemnly presented it to the emperor with both hands.
"Your subject received this today from a merchant. Your subject was still a bit suspicious before, but now the whole story is clear."
When the jade case was opened, there were a pair of dazzling conch pearls inside.
Li Ying's falcon had just delivered them to him last night after a long and arduous journey.
These conch pearls were resplendent and magnificent, truly worthy of the name "dragon pearls".
"When the merchant brought this here, he didn't ask for any reward. He only hoped that your subject could protect him from family disasters. Your subject didn't understand at first. After investigation, your subject found that there was actually a hidden story behind it!"
Su Buchi's words were firm and resounding, like the sound of a drum, hitting the hearts of Imperial Envoy Lin and the court officials heavily.
Fine beads of sweat immediately broke out on Imperial Envoy Lin's forehead.
Today's incident was indeed aimed at him!
That venomous woman Li Ying dared to act in a duplicitous way towards him!
He had been played by her like a fool. It was really a great disgrace!