Chu Qing's "sincere" exhortation would surely be taken by Xu Xin as an act out of jealousy, fearing that she might steal the limelight.
Watching Xu Xin being so self - conceited, there was a playful glint in Chu Qing's eyes.
When the Empress Dowager saw the red coral presented by Xu Xin, the haughty woman's face immediately showed a look of amazement.
It seemed that the Empress Dowager was quite satisfied with the quality and weight of the red coral. But one wondered if she would still be so... contentedly smiling after taking a closer look and finding out where this red coral came from.
"You've shown great thoughtfulness," said the Empress Dowager. At this moment, since she was unaware of the hidden trick, the usually false woman actually showed a bit of genuine emotion.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's reaction, a flash of pride crossed Xu Xin's eyes. Then, with a shy smile, she said, "I chanced upon this red coral. Knowing that Your Majesty has always loved red coral, I've always been thinking about how to present it to you."
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, then waved her hand. Immediately, someone came to support her and walked her towards the red coral.
The Empress Dowager was about to take a good look at this gorgeous red coral.
As the Empress Dowager stepped forward, for some reason, Xu Xin became nervous. Her hand unconsciously tugged at the corner of her dress, while on the other side, Chu Qing was leisurely watching the show.
It wouldn't be long before the good show started.
Sure enough, when the Empress Dowager reached the coral, she gently touched it with her hand, then lowered her head and sniffed it.
Just as the great hall fell into complete silence, when the Empress Dowager looked up again, her eyes were filled with coldness.
"Xu Xin, right?"
Thinking that the Empress Dowager was about to praise her, Xu Xin immediately replied with a beaming smile, "Yes."
The Empress Dowager gave Xu Xin a cold glance and slowly said, "You've heard that I like red coral, but have you heard what I extremely dislike?"
Realizing that the Empress Dowager wasn't praising her, Xu Xin's legs went weak from nervousness, and she almost knelt on the ground.
"Xin'er... Xin'er is ignorant and doesn't know..."
The Empress Dowager sneered, "Could any of you here kindly remind our... Concubine of the Prince of Ning?"
The official who had presented the pearls immediately bowed and said, "I've heard that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager extremely hates... things from the Eastern Barbarians."
The Empress Dowager nodded, then walked up to Xu Xin. "You've really given me a wonderful gift."
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Xin'er is ignorant and doesn't understand what Your Majesty means..."
"You don't understand? Don't you know that the red coral you've presented is from the Eastern Barbarians? Do you think I'm old and blind?" The Empress Dowager completely shed her initial amiability, and the overwhelming might of a superior radiated from her eyes.
Xu Xin looked at the Empress Dowager in horror. She never thought that the Empress Dowager could tell the origin of the red coral! She thought she could get away with it!
Xu Xin knelt on the ground. Just as she was about to look up and defend herself, she saw Chu Qing looking at her indifferently.
How could she be so calm?
Xu Xin gritted her teeth and replied tremblingly, "This... the red coral is..."
"Your Majesty, this red coral was given to her by Chu Qing," said Chu Qing. Seeing the look in Xu Xin's eyes, she immediately knew what she was going to say.
Did she want to drag her down with her? There was no way!
Without giving her a chance to speak, Chu Qing continued, "I told my younger sister before that this red coral was from the Eastern Barbarians, and she said she wanted to keep it. I repeatedly told her not to give this coral to Your Majesty, but unexpectedly... my younger sister still did it. I failed to persuade her well. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Saying this, Chu Qing lowered her eyes, looking like she was ready to accept the punishment.
After hearing what Chu Qing said, some people in the hall began to whisper about Xu Xin's wrongdoings.
Xu Xin finally panicked. She originally wanted to frame Chu Qing and tell the Empress Dowager that it was her fault. But instead, Chu Qing had skillfully shifted the blame back to her.
Feeling as if her heart was being bitten by insects, Xu Xin's eyes were filled with tears, looking extremely frail. "Your Majesty, please make a fair judgment. Sister didn't tell me at that time that this red coral was from the Eastern Barbarians!"
Chu Qing looked at Xu Xin coldly, and the smile on her lips also turned cold.
Tsk, she was acting pitiful again to gain people's sympathy.
Xu Xin really was like a wilted white lotus soaked in mud!
I wonder who was so stupid as to believe her.
Thinking of this, Chu Qing casually glanced around with the corner of her eye.
...
There seemed to be quite a few fools. It seemed that some people were already pointing fingers at her.
"Sister, you can beat and scold me in the mansion, but it's really inappropriate for you to use such a trick to harm me and make Your Majesty unhappy," Xu Xin still knelt on the ground, her eyes slightly red, sobbing softly.
What a pathetic look of having suffered so much injustice.
...
"Isn't the Princess of Ning just the daughter of a merchant? Where does she get the courage to treat the Concubine like this?"
"Do you know? The Concubine is the daughter of the Minister of Revenue!"
"Really? Then it's easy to tell which one has better upbringing."
All kinds of sarcastic remarks reached Chu Qing's ears. Chu Qing was so angry that she laughed instead.
She really had underestimated Xu Xin's ability to act at any time!
Although Xu Xin lowered her head and timidly sobbed, her ears were listening to the voices from all around.
Sure enough, the crowd was starting to side with her!
This time, Chu Qing would surely become the target of public criticism!
Thinking of this, Xu Xin looked up again. "Your Majesty, please forgive Sister. She must not have meant to let Xin'er give you this."