Chapter 165: A Sudden Turn of Events

With those words earlier carrying a hidden meaning, the envoys were now covered in cold sweat. They tucked their sleeves and dabbed at the beads of perspiration on their foreheads, their panic and dismay entirely exposed.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Jun Yeli did not press any further. Instead, his gaze drifted over the crowd, a faint trace of murderous intent lurking in the depths of his eyes. After all, the conjectures he had just made were matters of life and death!

Just as everyone was at a loss for what to do, Jun Yuchen strode forward quickly, cupped his fists in a salute to Jun Yeli, and said, "Your Majesty, I have found new clues regarding Consort Rong!"

His appearance was so abrupt that the expressions of both the envoys and Jun Yeli turned somewhat ugly.

The envoys were naturally afraid, but for Jun Yeli, this fellow showing up here at a time like this was definitely not a good sign.

Yet, unexpectedly, Jun Yuchen walked up to Hua Rong and suddenly produced a golden token from his sleeve, asking, "Is this the Consort's property?"

Seeing that golden token, Hua Rong could not help but look bewildered. She took it and examined it closely, her expression turning one of profound shock. "Isn't this the item His Majesty bestowed upon me?"

She remembered clearly that this was the very token she held when leaving the palace. Had it not been taken back by Jun Yeli as evidence? Why would it appear here?

"Where did you get this?" Hua Rong swallowed hard, scrutinizing Jun Yuchen twice. She felt as though something was amiss, though she could not quite put her finger on it.

At the same time, Jun Yeli's expression shifted slightly. He watched Jun Yuchen in silence, seemingly waiting for an explanation.

However, Jun Yuchen's gaze suddenly shifted toward a palace maid. "For that, we must ask the Noble Consort's maid!"

A single stone stirred a thousand ripples. Everyone instinctively turned their eyes to the personal maid of Noble Consort Wen, utterly unable to fathom what connection could possibly exist between the two.

"What on earth are you babbling about?" Singled out by name, Noble Consort Wen furrowed her brows.

To pick a fight with her personal maid so blatantly on an occasion like this was nothing short of making her lose face! If she were to sit back and do nothing now, there was no doubt people would spread malicious gossip behind her back.

With a hint of displeasure, the Noble Consort knitted her delicate brows, her voice carrying a sharp, ringing anger. Her furious, flashing eyes seemed to demand a reasonable explanation.

This matter, it seemed, would not end so simply!

"Your Ladyship need not be angry. I am merely speaking the truth, for this token was indeed found on her person!"

Another stunning revelation left everyone present in absolute silence. Amidst the general panic, the maid's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly shook her head, stammering, "Second Prince, what nonsense are you uttering? This servant knows nothing of this item!"

"If you don't know it, why don't you undo your collar and let us all take a look at the lotus mark on the back of your neck? Then we shall see if you know it or not!"

The remark sounded somewhat frivolous, leaving the crowd puzzled. Yet, the mere mention of a lotus mark immediately reminded everyone of the captured assassin.

"What on earth are you talking nonsense about? Could it be that you suspect she is a member of the Lotus Cult?" Jun Yeli's gaze turned icy. He found it hard to imagine that such a person could be lurking right beside Noble Consort Wen.

Moreover, Jun Yuchen's timing was far too abrupt, and the entire sequence of events defied all logic.

Without answering, Jun Yuchen simply took a step closer to the maid. The terrified servant retreated step by step, hurriedly pleading with Noble Consort Wen for mercy, "Your Ladyship, please save this servant!"

Hearing this, Noble Consort Wen stepped in front of the maid. Like a mother hen protecting her chicks, she blocked Jun Yuchen's path, her attitude filled with indignation. "Will the Second Prince please stop advancing? She is my personal maid, and I know well enough whether she is good or bad. Isn't going this far rather excessive of you?"

If Jun Yuchen were permitted to subject her maid to such humiliation in front of everyone today, she, as the mistress, would never be able to hold her head high again.

As a noble consort of the inner palace, she maintained a firm grip on her authority. She could never allow such an unexpected mishap to ruin her standing.

Faced with this sudden obstruction, Jun Yuchen looked somewhat helpless. He turned his head slightly toward Jun Yeli and said, "Your Majesty, if you wish to know the truth, why not let us inspect the back of her neck to see if it is as I claim?"

Things had progressed to this point, and Jun Yeli was unsure how to respond. After all, this concerned Hua Rong's innocence and very survival.

Without direct evidence, even his previous threats would not easily force the envoys to compromise. But if they could prove the maid was indeed a member of the Lotus Cult, the situation would take a completely new turn.

After a moment of silent thought, Jun Yeli's gaze flickered as he suddenly commanded, "Noble Consort Wen, step aside."

"Your Majesty, she is my personal maid! If she is stripped and interrogated in front of everyone today, where will I save my face? How is she supposed to continue living in the palace?"

The latter was unimportant; her own pride was what mattered most.

With a final plea, she had hoped Jun Yeli would at least show her a modicum of respect. Who could have anticipated that Jun Yeli had no patience to play word games with her? "Take Noble Consort Wen aside and seize that maid!"

"You!" Noble Consort Wen gritted her teeth in fury. Unwilling as she was, she had no alternative and could only allow herself to be pulled away.

Seeing the guards closing in step by step, the maid panicked instantly, the terror on her face unmistakable.

Noticing her slightly clenched fists and her shuffling steps backward as she tried to retreat, she thought, *Damn it, it seems escape is impossible. Then I have no choice but to take your life first!*

Realizing she had nowhere left to run, the maid hardened her heart. She suddenly drew a dagger from her robes and lunged directly toward Hua Rong standing nearby.

Before anyone else could react, Hua Rong lost her wits entirely.

Seeing the gleaming blade descending toward her head, she instinctively closed her eyes. Yet, in that split second, the first sensation she felt was a gentle warmth spreading across her forehead.

Immediately afterward, a faint, clean scent drifted past. Hua Rong blinked in a daze, feeling no pain whatsoever. Peeking through her half-closed eyes, she discovered that right above her forehead, the man was gripping the razor-sharp blade tightly with his bare hand, fresh blood dripping down the edge and splashing onto her face...

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?!" Hua Rong's face turned pale as she covered her mouth in horror.

Acting as if nothing were amiss, Jun Yeli furrowed his brow, forcefully wrenched the dagger away, hurled it aside, and kicked the maid sprawling to the ground. "Apprehend her!"