The sachet was already fragile. With a tug, it tore open, revealing the carefully folded silk handkerchief inside.
Fu Rongli was overjoyed. He never expected such a turn of events. Immediately, he looked up, holding the handkerchief up and saying, "Mother, look. This is the real evidence. This sachet was carried by the princess all the time. This handkerchief must be hers."
Just then, Nanny Gu rushed back. She said that the young mistress had just asked her to go back and fetch the princess's sachet, and she had retrieved it.
Lu Wanning took her sachet. It looked ordinary, just like the others', only much dirtier.
"The other day I quarreled with my elder brother. Since this sachet was a gift from my brother last year's end and I had always carried it with me, I took it off and was about to throw it away in anger. Thanks to Nanny Gu for keeping it for me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to clear my name today without this sachet."
Nanny Gu just smiled and said, "This humble servant didn't think so much. I was just afraid that if it was really lost, the princess would regret it when she made up with the second young master."
Lu Wanning pretended to be innocent and said, "Who wants to make up with him? He's so bad. I'll never talk to him again."
Hearing this, the princess felt a little relieved. She trusted Wanning. Although Wanning was easily emotional, she would never do anything to disgrace the family. Today's incident was clearly a scheme. Fortunately, her Wanning was safe. She looked up at Wanning. Wanning used to be too impulsive. After being humiliated by Fu Rongxuan, she had become much calmer. Now, she realized that Wanning had really grown up.
Today's incident might not have been resolved by accident. Maybe Wanning had been on guard.
A wave of heartache welled up in her. Her daughter should have been the most noble one. She didn't need to be calculating like others since childhood. But now, her daughter had such thoughts. How could it not make her heartache?
Someone then asked, "So, this sachet doesn't belong to Princess Zhaoyang?"
Zhen Yan said angrily, "It never belonged to Wanning. This man is making wild accusations. He probably picked up this sachet somewhere and tried to frame Wanning. He deserves a severe punishment."
Fu Rongli panicked and quickly held up the handkerchief. "There... There's this handkerchief as evidence. This handkerchief... It can't be fake, right?"
Madam Qin took the handkerchief and was stunned. "Huh? This... This is not Princess Zhaoyang's handkerchief. The embroidery on it is..."
It was the character "Han".
The character "Han" was considered inauspicious by noble families, especially for girls. It was easy to guess who used this character.
The ladies and young girls around Madam Qin were sharp - eyed. They also saw the character on the small silk handkerchief. When they got closer, they all saw the character "Han".
Lu Wanning looked up at Shi Aohan. She saw calmness in her eyes, as if nothing had to do with her.
Was she not afraid? Or was she well - prepared?
Lu Wanning was shocked. Right, Shi Aohan was not the kind of person who would easily fall into a trap. Today, she thought she was the mantis, but she didn't know there was a cicada behind her.
Zhen Yan was shocked and clapped her hands with a laugh. "Han? Haha. Why is there a 'Han' character on it? Fu Rongli, you're really bold. The person you had an affair with is clearly Shi Aohan, but you tried to frame Princess Zhaoyang. Did you collude with her on purpose? But isn't it your elder brother who has feelings for Shi Aohan? Aren't you afraid that your elder brother will be angry if you butt in?"
Fu Rongli couldn't understand at all how things had turned out like this.
Madam He quickly waved her hand. "No, it's not Aohan... Aohan?"
Shi Aohan's beautiful eyes were filled with tears. She looked panicked, as if she was about to faint at any moment.
Madam He immediately said loudly, "How can we determine who it is just based on a handkerchief? Moreover, this sachet doesn't belong to Aohan."
As long as it had nothing to do with Wanning, the princess didn't really care. But now, seeing that Madam He seemed to imply that Wanning had framed someone on purpose, she just sneered. "Just now, you were so sure that the sachet belonged to Wanning. Why weren't you so nervous then, Madam He? Your daughter has a history. If you insist that this sachet was a gift from our Lu family, I'm afraid no one will dare to give gifts in the future."
Madam He's face darkened. Ignoring the princess's words, she pointed at Fu Rongli and said, "I never thought you were so ambitious. You're just a bastard son of a duke's mansion, but you dared to dream of climbing up the social ladder. Tell me, where did you steal this sachet?"
Fu Rongli couldn't understand what was going on at all. For a moment, he stood there stupidly, not knowing what to do.
Madam He didn't dare to do anything to Fu Rongli for fear of involving Aohan. She just said vaguely, "Surely... Did you steal this sachet from your elder brother? You're so bold to frame others. Madam Fu, is this how you discipline your bastard son on weekdays?"
Madam Fu was afraid that things would get out of hand and she wouldn't be able to explain to her family when she got home. She had to reply, "Yes, it's his fault. He's always jealous of his elder brother on weekdays and doesn't learn well. I originally thought that since he was a son of the Fu family, I should find a suitable young lady for him. I never thought he would do such a thing. Madam He, don't be angry. I'll go back right away..."
The princess suddenly stood up. "It seems that you've all ignored what I said just now. This concerns my daughter's innocence. Just now, you all stared with wide eyes, wishing to label my daughter as immoral immediately. Now that you've found out it's not my daughter, you all want to muddle through? I'm telling you, don't dream of getting away with it in broad daylight. If you don't investigate this clearly for me today, I'll go to the palace and ask the emperor and the empress to seek justice for me."
Her eyes were cold as she looked at Madam He. In less than three months, she had seen through her sister - in - law's intentions. Clearly, her sister - in - law didn't want the Lu family to do well. Maybe her brother thought the same. They were her own brother and sister - in - law, but they treated her daughter like this. How could she bear it?
Lu Wanning had known that Shi Aohan had a backup plan when she saw that she wasn't in a hurry at all. She subconsciously wanted to stop the princess from speaking, but how could the angry princess care about Lu Wanning's tugging?
After the princess finished speaking, she gave Lu Wanning a reassuring look, indicating that she didn't need to worry. The family would surely seek justice for her.
Lu Wanning helplessly rubbed her forehead. Since things had come to this, she had no choice but to accept it. She knew that even if Shi Aohan had a backup plan, it would only be to frame someone else. That someone else, if there were no accidents, would be the stupid He Chan.
He Chan was not very smart, but she was really straightforward. Lu Wanning had never thought of doing anything to He Chan.
Well, it was He Chan's fault for trusting Shi Aohan so much. It had nothing to do with her.
Madam Fu was startled. She didn't disrespect the princess. When her bastard son had framed Lu Wanning just now, she knew that the Lu family doted on Lu Wanning so much. Even if Lu Wanning was really bewitched by her bastard son, the Lu family would never let Lu Wanning marry a bastard son. Instead, Shi Aohan now had a low status and was involved with her eldest son. If she was also involved with the bastard son, wouldn't it make others laugh at Xuan'er? Naturally, she didn't want that and wanted to settle the matter quietly.
She never thought that this action would anger the princess. Although the princess was kind - hearted, she was not a person who was afraid of trouble.