Chapter 217: Innocent Person
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fang Hongwen, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, knelt before Chu Mingyuan and reported, “Emperor, this incense can indeed confuse people. If you burn it, the effect is even stronger. It not only clouds one’s judgment but also has an aphrodisiac effect.”
Chu Mingyuan nodded and said, “Lan Ling.”
Lan Ling walked over to a partition behind a screen, where Fang Hongwen was burning incense. Everyone was separated by the screen. After a while, they noticed that Lan Ling appeared somewhat dizzy, his steps unsteady. His rapid breathing became audible.
To ensure fairness, Chu Mingyuan even had a palace maid stand with Lan Ling behind the screen.
As Lan Ling took a few steps toward the palace maid and touched her skin, a nerve seemed to snap within him, instantly igniting his desire.
“This medicine is indeed potent. It’s no wonder Young General Su was affected,” Chu Chengye frowned.
He couldn’t help but feel relieved that it was Su Hao who had been targeted by Wu Ruofei’s scheme and not Su Yingxue.
Su Yingxue could only belong to him!
Standing beside Chu Yihan, Su Yingxue clenched her fists.
Chu Yihan noticed her troubled expression and asked, “Are you worried about Lan Ling?”
She replied firmly, “He is innocent!” Su Yingxue bit her lip, believing that Chu Chengye should have been the one testing the medicine, not an innocent person.
Chu Yihan remained expressionless. In his heart, no one was truly innocent.
When Lan Ling tried to approach the palace maid, she screamed, “Ah! Guard Lan, don’t come over!”
Chu Mingyuan was about to order someone to intervene, but then he saw Lan Ling pull out a knife and stab it into his thigh. Blood splattered onto the screen, and many women cried out in fear.
After wounding himself, Lan Ling regained his senses. He approached Chu Mingyuan with a pale face, kneeling on his uninjured leg, and quietly reported, “Emperor, this incense’s effects are intense. I couldn’t control myself. If it is said that Young General Su was bewitched by this medicine, it should be considered credible.”
“Very well, go and tend to your injuries,” Chu Mingyuan said, satisfied with Lan Ling’s performance and testimony, waving him away.
As Lan Ling departed, he passed by Su Yingxue. Seeing her looking at him with concern, he suddenly felt that the wound on his leg wasn’t as painful.
Su Yingxue remained unconvinced by Lan Ling’s injury, but Su Hao’s innocence was sufficient proof.
She looked up at Chu Mingyuan and stated, “Emperor, this can prove that my brother is innocent. He shouldn’t be held responsible for the actions of the person who framed him.”
“Of course,” Chu Mingyuan affirmed.
Turning his cold gaze to Wu Ruofei, he continued, “As the daughter of a noble family, your thoughts are so impure. Not only will I not grant you marriage, but I also won’t allow you to marry into any noble households, for fear that you’ll tarnish the royal family’s reputation.”
“Emperor, please reconsider! I love Su Hao, and I want to marry him!” Wu Ruofei failed to grasp the gravity of the situation and continued to cry out for Su Hao.
Her mother, Madam Wu, was shocked beyond belief. Chu Mingyuan’s punishment for Wu Ruofei was akin to a life sentence!
Their family held a prominent position as part of the Minister’s Estate. Wu Ruofei was unlikely to marry into any prestigious family now, thanks to Chu Mingyuan’s decree. Even low-ranking officials would be reluctant to accept her!
In this lifetime, she could only marry into merchant families or smaller households and lead a modest life.
“Emperor, this is unfair! My daughter was manipulated by someone, and the one who manipulated her was Su Yurou! Why hasn’t the emperor punished her?” Madam Wu had suffered a heavy blow. At this moment, she could not care less about anything else and kept telling the truth..