The next morning, as Leng Ruo Li opened her door, a cold gust of wind brushed against her cheeks.
Dressed in an ice-blue, fitted, narrow-sleeved tunic, she ran five laps around the courtyard, practicing close-combat techniques.
Just then, her two young maids also woke up. Seeing Leng Ruo Li, they hurried over.
"Miss, you're back? Is the General alright?" Xing'er asked with concern.
In the General Leng's mansion, apart from her own miss treating her well, General Leng was also exceptionally kind to her, like a father.
So, when she learned that Leng Jin Yu was in trouble, she was too worried to sleep.
"He's fine now."
Leng Ruo Li replied with a smile, looking at Xing'er.
"That's great!"
Xing'er said happily.
Moments later, Leng Ruo Li finished her training and returned to her room. She then entered her system space for a good wash of her hair, a bath, and tidied herself up before returning to her room.
The weather today was rather cold, so Leng Ruo Li chose a thicker, moon-white jacket with four auspicious symbols and ruyi patterns.
After leaving her room, she had breakfast with Xing'er and Ling'er, then took the mansion's carriage towards the imperial palace. Today, she was to go to the palace to give a follow-up consultation to the Empress Dowager.
An incense stick later, the carriage carrying Leng Ruo Li quickly arrived at the palace gates. Since it was her spontaneous decision to go to the palace to examine the Empress Dowager today, she did not have a governess to lead her in. She presented the imperial entry token bestowed by the Empress Dowager and proceeded towards the Empress Dowager's Longevity Palace.
As she passed the Imperial Garden, a young palace maid dressed in a light green maid's uniform hurried towards her, directly thrusting a white cat into her arms. She quietly asked Leng Ruo Li to look after it for a moment before rushing away in a hurry.
Leng Ruo Li looked at the beautiful, milky-white cat in her arms. Her eyelids twitched, and a sense of foreboding washed over her. She checked the cat, finding no injuries.
At that moment, the white cat suddenly went into a frenzy, wailing. A few seconds later, it died.
Leng Ruo Li immediately understood that someone was trying to frame her, but it was too late for her to escape.
The Empress, dressed in a bright red palace gown, followed by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, was already rushing towards her.
"Your Majesty, your white cat is with her," the Empress's attending governess said, pointing at Leng Ruo Li.
The Empress quickly walked up to Leng Ruo Li, touched the lifeless white cat, and then, furiously pointed at her, asking,
"Leng Ruo Li, you actually killed my beloved white cat."
"Your Majesty, this humble subject did not kill it."
Leng Ruo Li answered truthfully.
"You did not kill it, then why did it die in your possession?"
The Empress retorted with a sullen expression.
"This humble subject was on her way to the Empress Dowager's Longevity Palace when a young palace maid threw this white cat to me."
Leng Ruo Li explained calmly.
"Do not try to quibble with me. I only see the white cat dead in your hands, making you the murderer. Guards, throw her into prison!"
The Empress immediately ordered Leng Ruo Li to be taken to prison.
Unexpectedly, a clear voice called out from behind her.
"Wait!"
The Emperor stopped the Empress. Accompanying him were Jun Mohan and a large retinue of palace maids and eunuchs, approaching the Empress and her group.
The Empress quickly led everyone in saluting the Emperor: "Your humble subject (daughter) respectfully greets His Majesty, may His Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
The Emperor waved his hand and said loudly, "You are all dismissed!"
With the Emperor's permission, the Empress and the others dared to rise.
"Empress, what exactly is happening here?" the Emperor asked, looking at the Empress and Leng Ruo Li.
"Your Majesty, Leng Ruo Li killed my beloved white cat and is trying to deny it," the Empress said, making a false accusation.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's brows furrowed slightly, and he asked in a calm tone, "Eldest daughter of the Leng family, is what the Empress says true?"
As he finished speaking, Leng Ruo Li calmly and steadily replied, "Your Majesty, this humble subject has not harmed the Empress's cat."
After she spoke, Leng Ruo Li's words immediately ignited the Empress's anger again.
"Then how did my most beloved white cat die in your hands?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this humble subject has already stated that this white cat was handed to this humble subject by a young palace maid."
Leng Ruo Li repeated what she had told the Empress to the Emperor's face.
"Then I ask you, where is the young palace maid who threw the cat to you?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, after the young palace maid threw the white cat to me, she left in a hurry. This humble subject does not know where she went, nor does she know her."
Leng Ruo Li replied calmly.
"Then I will ask you again, when that young palace maid threw the cat to you, was the cat dead or alive?"
"Alive," Leng Ruo Li answered.
The Empress's words made Leng Ruo Li smell a conspiracy. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss; this matter was likely a trap set for her.
"Then that's that. Someone hands you a lively cat, and it inexplicably dies in your hands. If you are not the murderer, then who is?"
The Empress retorted.
Then, she turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, such a malicious woman must be severely punished."
However, the Emperor did not pay attention to the Empress's words. Instead, he looked at Leng Ruo Li and said, "Eldest daughter of the Leng family, if you cannot produce sufficient evidence today to prove that this white cat's death is unrelated to you, it will be difficult for me to help you."
Leng Ruo Li nodded, understanding that if she could not prove her innocence today, she might not be able to leave the palace.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to prove her innocence."
"Very well, if you can ascertain that this white cat's death is unrelated to you, I will surely uphold justice for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Jun Mohan, who had been standing silently beside the Emperor, suddenly spoke, "Father Emperor, this son is willing to assist his consort in investigating this case."
"Good, Prince Leng, you will assist the eldest daughter of the Leng family in clarifying this case."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor greatly approved of Jun Mohan's suggestion.
"Thank you, Father Emperor!"
The Empress, however, was extremely displeased. With Prince Leng's involvement, she would not be able to punish Leng Ruo Li.
"Your Majesty, your humble subject has an objection!" the Empress called out, her brows knitted.
"Why?"
The Emperor was somewhat displeased with the Empress.
"Since Prince Leng is assisting her in clarifying this matter, your humble subject believes that with Prince Leng's intelligence, this matter should be revealed soon. Perhaps, Your Majesty could set a time limit for them, say one hour, to find the killer of the white cat?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's gaze turned cold as he looked at the Empress.
"Empress, your actions are a bit excessive."
"Does Your Majesty not believe in the capabilities of Prince Leng and the eldest daughter of the Leng family?"
The Empress continued, as if not noticing the Emperor's expression.
The Emperor's face immediately turned ashen.
Sensing the tension in the air, Leng Ruo Li immediately said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject agrees with the Empress's proposal; we will find the killer of the white cat within an hour."
"Very well, since you have said so, I agree to the Empress's proposal. If you cannot find the killer within an hour, and the Empress wishes to punish you, I will not help you."
Leng Ruo Li nodded.
"Your humble subject thanks Your Majesty!"
~
~
Thank you, my dear readers, for the little gifts you sent. If you like my book, please leave more comments, urge me to update more, and give me your support. I love you all!