Chapter 060 Personal Feelings

Wu Qinglin stepped forward, but did not reveal the contents of the envelope before the crowd. Instead, he approached Empress Jiang, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty, Noble Consort, please forgive my presumption. My younger sister is a straightforward girl, lacking in subtlety and restraint. Her quarrel with Miss Huo today was already quite discourteous. As her elder brother, I feel compelled to take responsibility for this matter.”

He presented the torn, incomplete envelope with both hands.

Huo Yunhua stared intently, so anxious she nearly rushed forward to snatch it, but managed to restrain herself and not lose composure before everyone.

Empress Jiang, suspicious, took the envelope and drew out the damaged letter within.

Everyone strained their necks to catch a glimpse of what was written, but the distance and the night made it impossible to discern anything.

Wu Qinglin spoke again, his tone grave and helpless. “This item was found by chance in the fire just now, because…” He paused, as if struggling with something unspeakable, before continuing, “I had intended to present it privately to the Noble Consort once the matter of the fire was resolved, but my sister was never truly involved. She should not be made to bear these malicious accusations. Since everyone seeks the truth, I believe this may be the breakthrough.”

While he spoke, Empress Jiang quickly scanned the words on the half-destroyed page. Her expression changed dramatically as she finished.

Noble Consort Zhao, hearing Wu Qinglin mention her, tried to approach for a look, but Empress Jiang abruptly crumpled the paper in her hand.

Her face was solemn, her gaze sweeping across the hall, and anger flickered in her eyes.

The crowd watched in confusion.

Noble Consort Zhao grew increasingly suspicious. “What is going on?”

Empress Jiang glanced at Princess Lin’an, who stood there uncertainly. Her stern gaze made Lin’an uneasy, and she called softly, “Mother?”

Empress Jiang took a deep breath, barely steadied herself, and issued a decisive command: “Everyone must remain here. Those who should be fighting the fire, fight the fire. Those who should search for people, search. Until the truth is uncovered, no one is to leave this courtyard. Noble Consort, Lin’an, and the members of the Wu and Huo families, follow me to the front hall for a discussion!”

Without allowing any objection, she turned and strode briskly toward the front courtyard.

Empress Jiang was born of a noble family, always composed and dignified. Such behavior was extremely rare for her. The crowd could not fathom the reason and exchanged bewildered glances.

Princess Qingyang and Li Xun’er met each other’s eyes, curiosity piqued.

Li Xun’er tugged at her mother's sleeve, signaling with her eyes, “Mother, let’s go too!”

Princess Qingyang, confident in her status, naturally saw no reason to avoid hearing whatever the Wu and Huo families might. She nodded and led Li Xun’er after them.

In the courtyard, Wu Qinglin bent to help Wu Tan to her feet.

Wu Tan’s legs were numb from kneeling. She struggled to maintain composure in public, clinging to his arm, her expression more miserable than tears could convey.

Wu Qinglin found amusement in her plight and waited patiently.

Huo Yunhua slowly rose, supporting herself on her knees. Her face was pale and weak, her mind blank and dazed. As she finally stood, she saw Xiao Yun standing at the edge of the outer corridor.

He watched the scene with a grave expression.

The light beneath the corridor was dim, making his features hard to read.

Huo Yunhua had no idea how long he had been there. She had been too absorbed in her dispute with Wu Tan to notice her surroundings.

“Your Highness…” Upon seeing Xiao Yun, hope flickered within Huo Yunhua. She was about to call out, but Xiao Yun avoided her gaze and turned away.

Huo Yunhua felt as if struck by lightning; her legs, which had just regained strength, suddenly gave out again.

She stumbled, and Huo Yunhao hurried forward to steady her. “Careful!”

Huo Yunhua turned to look at Huo Yunhao. She had noticed his arrival earlier, but when Lin’an and the others were trapped in the blaze, fear overwhelmed her and she dared not ask. Now, she opened her mouth to speak, but Huo Yunhao gave her no chance, guiding her away. “Come, we must not keep Her Majesty waiting.”

Huo Yunhua swallowed her words.

By then, Empress Jiang was already seated in the main hall, waiting for those she had summoned. Once they had all arrived, she ordered the doors closed.

Inside the grand hall, aside from the uninvited Xiao Yun, Princess Qingyang, and Li Xun’er, there were no others. Even the Noble Consort’s attendants were kept out, leaving only Empress Jiang's confidante, Madam Fang.

Princess Qingyang, ever eager for drama, was the first to speak. “Sister-in-law, what is the matter? That letter Wu Shizi produced…”

Empress Jiang, visibly angry, shot her a cold glance before handing the crumpled paper to Madam Fang. “Give it to Lin’an to read.”

“Yes.” Madam Fang respectfully presented the paper.

Princess Lin’an, anxious and confused, hesitated. “Me?”

She took the paper, unfolded it, and saw the letter was only half intact—the upper portion. With a quick glance, she recoiled in terror. “How… How can this be?”

It was a love letter!

A love letter addressed to her!

The lower half of the page had been burned away, no signature remained, but the black ink on white paper made clear it was written for her.

Princess Lin’an was utterly confounded. She could not fathom how such a letter, meant for her, had ended up here. Embarrassed and furious, she was left bewildered.

Noble Consort Zhao, noticing her daughter’s strange reaction, reached for the letter, but Princess Qingyang snatched it first. After reading it, she too was stunned. “This… Lin’an, you…”

Once rumors spread of a princess exchanging secret love letters with a man, her reputation would be ruined, no matter her royal status. Her future would be lost.

Princess Lin’an’s tears fell in torrents. She gathered her skirts and knelt before Empress Jiang. “Mother, I did not! I have no idea how this happened—this letter…”

Only then did she remember Wu Qinglin had produced the letter. She turned sharply to look at him.

Wu Qinglin did not meet her gaze, but bowed to Empress Jiang. “I heard my sister had gone to visit the princess, so I came to find her. By coincidence, the rear hall caught fire. In my haste to rescue everyone, I found this letter on the floor of the princess’s bedchamber, alongside some half-burned clothing. I picked it up at random. Because it concerns the princess’s reputation, I had no intention of exposing it publicly. But with the arsonist still unknown, and the mood so tense, I thought this might be a clue and had to report it to Your Majesty.”

After all, this concerned a young woman’s reputation. Wu Qinglin was not one to act unscrupulously. Had Huo Yunhua not repeatedly accused Wu Tan, he would have waited to hand the letter to Noble Consort Zhao in private.

But now, it was clear the Huo family was scheming against Princess Lin’an. Wu Qinglin saw no reason for Wu Tan to shield a princess to whom they had no ties.

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Brother Lin’s heart truly belongs to Sister Tan; you can all rest assured.

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