Chapter Five: Encountering the Poisoned Blood

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Li Honghui gave him a faint glance, then turned his head to look at Wen Zhiyan beside him, who appeared calm and unruffled. For a moment, he couldn’t quite discern what was on Wen Zhiyan’s mind, so he nodded and said, “No need for formalities.”

Song Baiqing straightened up, exchanging polite glances with Wen Zhiyan before turning his gaze away and standing firmly in front of his seat.

“Brother, sit quickly! If you don’t sit, everyone else will only dare to stand,” teased Li Youwei warmly, beckoning Wen Zhiyan over. “Zhiyan, come, sit beside me!”

Li Honghui cracked a slight smile, seemingly amused by Li Youwei’s drastic change of attitude, and strode over to sit opposite her. Song Baiqing followed suit obediently, rolling up his sleeve and sitting beside Li Honghui.

Chang Wei remained standing with his head bowed. In this room, everyone present was either royalty or from a noble family—only he was from the common folk, inferior in status.

Wen Zhiyan moved gracefully, serving tea to everyone. After sitting beside the Princess Royal, she glanced at Chang Wei and softly asked, “May the prince allow Guard Chang to take a seat?”

“Indeed, since Zhiyan has invited us here today, let’s consider this a gathering of friends, no need to mind status or rank,” Li Youwei arranged straightforwardly. “Guard Chang, you may sit next to Lord Song.”

Chang Wei looked up to gauge Li Honghui’s expression. Without his master’s word, he dared not move, though he clenched his teeth in frustration.

One day, he vowed, he would sit on equal footing with them!

Chang Wei thought bitterly.

“Seat granted,” Li Honghui finally spoke, and Chang Wei accepted the order. His steps were heavy as he approached the seat bestowed upon him by the high officials. Wen Zhiyan placed the last cup of tea from the tray before him.

“Thank you, Miss Wen.”

“Guard Chang, you’re too polite.”

Wen Zhiyan sat down and picked up a piece of pastry. “Everyone here has helped me look for clues about my father’s misfortune. I am deeply grateful but have little to repay you with. This is a new pastry I made myself—please try it.”

Having said that, Wen Zhiyan took the first bite herself.

“Zhiyan’s skills are naturally excellent,” Li Youwei said with a slightly exaggerated gesture as she picked up a piece and tasted it, as if suddenly remembering something.

“By the way, I had no idea Lord Song had also helped Zhiyan. What is this…”

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Curious and scrutinizing gazes flickered between the two. Li Honghui also cast a faint glance, appearing indifferent but clearly interested in the topic.

Song Baiqing respectfully stood, brushed his sleeve, and knelt on one knee.

“Prince Fu, Princess Royal... I could not bear to see Miss Wen, a fragile woman, suffer indignities in the red-light district... I have sinned and beg Your Highnesses to punish me.”

Li Honghui toyed with his teacup, teasing, “Lord Song, what sin could you have?”

Song Baiqing replied calmly and respectfully, “Harboring a banished criminal, a crime punishable by death.”

Li Honghui smiled. “Very well, I sentence you to death.”

His voice echoed lightly in the empty hall. Wen Zhiyan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she sipped her tea, appearing entirely detached.

Chang Wei stared in disbelief at Li Honghui.

Song Baiqing remained composed. “I, Baiqing, thank Your Highness for the sentence.”

He then folded his other knee to the ground and bowed deeply.

Li Youwei burst out laughing. “Brother, why tease Lord Song so? Everyone in the capital knows he is upright and just, with a chivalrous heart. If he were truly punished for helping Zhiyan, then the two of us would be guilty as well.”

Pausing briefly, Li Youwei continued, “But today, I add one more praise to Lord Song: he truly is loyal and steadfast to his fiancée.”

Li Youwei smiled brightly, eating her tea and pastries as she spoke. The heavy words “fiancée” fell into Wen Zhiyan’s ears like stones, stirring a deep and boundless bitterness within her.

Wen Zhiyan lowered her head slightly. “Princess, you jest. The engagement was merely a joke between our families. Lord Song and I have never had any connection. Moreover, after the Wen family’s troubles, the Song family immediately withdrew the engagement... Lord Song only helped me out of pity.”

Li Youwei patted Wen Zhiyan’s hand. “Zhiyan, how could you be pitiable? To have someone as pure and noble as Lord Song aid you, the ladies of the capital would surely envy you to death.”

Wen Zhiyan shook her head. “With the Princess here, the ladies of the capital would only admire and envy you.”

Li Youwei was pleased to see Wen Zhiyan humble herself before her, then looked at Song Baiqing still kneeling nearby.

“Lord Song, please rise. Prince Fu is just joking—he loves to tease.”

“The Princess cares for Lord Song,” Li Honghui grinned, his mouth curving into a handsome arc. “Since the Princess has spoken, Lord Song, please rise.”

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“Thank you, Princess Royal. Thank you, Prince,” Song Baiqing said quietly as he rose, brushing dust from his knees, then calmly returned to his seat.

“Tsk, tsk, look at Lord Song’s demeanor—no wonder he is the son of Inspector Song and Lady Song, and worthy of the title ‘the capital’s foremost talent,’” Li Honghui shook his head in admiration. Song Baiqing cupped his hands. “You flatter me, Your Highness.”

“Don’t be so polite,” Li Honghui lifted his teacup toward Song Baiqing. “Perhaps one day I’ll even call you brother-in-law.”

“Seventh brother!” Li Youwei feigned anger. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Song Baiqing quickly raised his cup and said, “Your Highness jokes. I dare not offend the Princess. I offer this tea as a token of apology to both Your Highness and the Princess.”

With that, Song Baiqing drained his cup.

A faint, nearly imperceptible smile played on Wen Zhiyan’s lips.

“Ha ha ha ha, Lord Song need not be so nervous. This year you topped the imperial examination, and the princesses have many prospective sons-in-law under their banners. Besides, who doesn’t know our Princess Royal…”

“Seventh brother,” Li Youwei shot him a displeased glance. Li Honghui laughed heartily, then took a delicate sip of tea, praising, “Zhiyan’s tea skills remain excellent.”

After finishing his tea, Li Honghui took several pieces of pastry, praising them enthusiastically. “My household’s chef cannot compare in the slightest to Zhiyan’s craftsmanship.”

“If Your Highness likes them, please have more. Zhiyan prepared plenty today.”

Wen Zhiyan’s bright, inviting eyes seemed almost enchanting. Chang Wei tentatively took a piece, and the pastry’s texture on his tongue made his eyes widen. He quickly ate several more pieces.

Perhaps eating too hastily, he suddenly choked violently. Wen Zhiyan reminded him gently, “Guard Chang, you can drink some tea to wash it down.”

Chang Wei grabbed a teacup and gulped it down. Li Youwei was thoroughly amused. “Ha ha ha, Zhiyan, now you know how good your skills are—everyone who tries them...”

Her words abruptly cut off as she clutched her chest, eyes wide with disbelief, and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.