Because the distance was wrong, the angle was wrong, the body movements were wrong, so after repeated comparisons, it was found that she simply couldn’t touch Cao Xuehua.
If one couldn’t touch her, two couldn’t; if the testimonies of the dozen or so people present couldn’t touch her, and even the account written by Cao Xuehua herself didn’t match with Tangyuan’s current position, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelꜰire.net
Of course, Cao Xuehua wouldn’t admit to this result; she even bit back on the spot.
"You say you stood there without moving, but who saw you? Besides, the scene was so chaotic at the time, it’s possible that everyone remembered incorrectly, and you ask us about the distance—a difference of several feet could result in different outcomes. I think you’re equivocating, looking for a reason to exonerate yourself. I don’t recognize your so-called method of examining the case."
Tangyuan listened and gave a cold laugh, "It doesn’t matter. I’ve already proven my clarity to everyone. It’s fine if you don’t believe it, but then you should prove to everyone that what you’re saying is true, right? You claim I tripped you, yet I’ve found so much evidence to prove you’re framing me. You don’t accept my evidence, so you should just find a reason to make everyone believe you’re right. It’s just a case of ’he said, she said.’ It’s only one thousand silver taels; what’s the fuss, as if someone can’t afford to pay? The reason I’m contending this is simply to prove my innocence!"
All of Cao Xuehua’s evidence had already been overturned by Tangyuan, and before she even began her verbal reasoning, Tangyuan had produced the scene in a painting, passing it around to everyone who was there that day. Everyone’s pupils dilated at the sight—clearly, because the painting was exactly spot on.
With such an exceptional memory, and the ability to remain so calm and collected in a crisis, no wonder she was favored by Prince Heng. Throughout the entire event, Prince Heng hadn’t said a word, standing aside as an observer, watching her quietly, which was enough to show his trust and respect for her.
In contrast, Cao Xuehua seemed to make a spectacle of herself like a clown.
Originally intending to embarrass others, but in the process, they inadvertently showcased someone else’s talent; for the first time, they saw someone painting with a stick, and the characters were so lifelike, even the headdresses and jewelry were depicted with stunning realism. How good must one’s memory be to achieve this?
Thereby, it also indirectly proved her extraordinary intelligence.
At this point, Cao Bingkun, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, had realized that continuing the debacle would only bring shame upon them. So, he personally approached Tangyuan, apologizing on behalf of Cao Xuehua. As an elder, he pressured Tangyuan to let the matter go, not to pursue it further. She naturally did not want to just let it be, but considering that Rong Heng still needed his help, she reluctantly held back her anger and begrudgingly agreed.
When Cao Bingkun took Cao Xuehua away, the latter still glared at her fiercely.
To be honest, Tangyuan felt very stifled at how things ended unresolved; Rong Heng saw her restraining herself for his sake, and to say he wasn’t moved would be a lie.
"Actually, even if things had come to blows, it wouldn’t have mattered. I’ve never been very interested in that position, from beginning to end,"
He had wanted to let Tangyuan not worry too much earlier on, but Tangyuan had signaled him with her eyes to keep calm. So, when he spoke up just now, it was definitely not a case of hindsight being twenty-twenty.