Chapter 66 Still Daring to Quibble

Princess Dowager inspected the small clothes Chang Yuniang had embroidered for the child, noting that the stitching patterns were identical to those on young Lord Qing's garments.

Frowning, Princess Dowager Xu asked, "This embroidery style is very similar to Chang Yuniang's. Where did you find this handkerchief? And what on earth is this Water-Cloud Pavilion?"

"You should ask the Prince about that!"

Ning Junruo looked at Zhao Shenxing with a half-smile. "This Water-Cloud Pavilion is a brothel in the region of Shu. The owner of this handkerchief was previously a patron of Chang Yuniang..."

"You... you..."

Princess Dowager Xu trembled slightly, her finger pointing at Ning Junruo with a distinct tremor. "You are making baseless accusations! When has the Prince ever been to Shu!"

"Whether the Prince has been to Shu is something he knows best in his own heart."

Ning Junruo's gaze turned sharp. "I knew the Princess Dowager and the Prince wouldn't believe it. Why don't we go to the Yunmeng Pavilion and see for ourselves?"

As soon as Ning Junruo's voice fell, Zhao Shenxing's face turned as pale as paper. He stood up in a panic, attempting to defend himself.

"Mother, don't listen to her nonsense! I have never been to any place called Shu, nor do I know anything about a Water-Cloud Pavilion!"

Princess Dowager Xu's gaze shifted back and forth between Zhao Shenxing and Ning Junruo, her face written with confusion and shock.

She knew Ning Junruo's temperament well; if she did not have conclusive evidence, she would not easily make such an accusation.

"Prince, have you truly never been to the Water-Cloud Pavilion?" There was a trace of an imperceptible tremor in Princess Dowager Xu's voice.

Zhao Shenxing replied eagerly, "Mother, I swear, I have never been there! This is all her conspiracy; she wants to frame me!"

"Why would I want to frame you?" Ning Junruo's cold gaze was filled with disdain. "Whether it's a conspiracy or not, we only need to take a trip to the Yunmeng Pavilion to find out."

Princess Dowager Xu uttered a single word of agreement before slowly rising to her feet. The group of people, heavy-hearted, hurried toward the Yunmeng Pavilion.

Chang Yuniang was still bedridden. Seeing them enter with solemn expressions, she struggled to sit up, but Princess Dowager Xu, with a cold face, threw the handkerchief right into her face.

"Do you recognize this..."

Chang Yuniang picked up the handkerchief. Upon seeing the insignia upon it, her expression instantly darkened, and she cast a pleading look toward Zhao Shenxing.

Seeing him lower his head, Chang Yuniang immediately forced a smile and said, "This humble concubine naturally recognizes it. I embroidered this handkerchief for the Prince."

"You embroidered this for the Prince?" Princess Dowager Xu was far from satisfied with this answer. "What is the meaning of the insignia upon it?"

"This... this is just a cloud pattern this humble concubine embroidered on a whim, signifying that the Prince and I fly wing to wing like mandarin ducks," Chang Yuniang replied glibly.

"So, you are saying you embroidered this handkerchief?" Princess Dowager Xu's expression remained cold and aloof, revealing no emotion.

Chang Yuniang composed herself slightly. "Reporting to the Princess Dowager, this was indeed embroidered by this humble concubine."

"Audacious!" Princess Dowager Xu rebuked sternly. "This handkerchief does not belong to the Prince at all! You shameless woman, things have come to this and you still refuse to tell the truth!"

Chang Yuniang's hand trembled, and the handkerchief immediately dropped to the floor.

Her face instantly turned pale. In a panic, she shook her head and explained, "No, no, I... I truly don't know what is going on. This handkerchief... this handkerchief was indeed embroidered by me."

Princess Dowager Xu looked at her coldly, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger. "You still refuse to tell the truth! The cloud pattern insignia on this handkerchief is clearly the mark of the Water-Cloud Pavilion. What on earth is your relationship with the Water-Cloud Pavilion?"

Chang Yuniang's body began to tremble. She knew she could no longer conceal the truth. She raised her head and looked at Zhao Shenxing with tear-filled eyes. "Your Highness, please save me! I... I truly know nothing about any Water-Cloud Pavilion."

Ning Junruo sneered. "Even if you don't know the Water-Cloud Pavilion, do you still remember Wu Yong? You gave this handkerchief to Wu Yong back then—surely you haven't forgotten that so soon?"

Upon hearing Ning Junruo mention Wu Yong's name, Chang Yuniang suffered a violent shudder, a flash of terror crossing her eyes.

She knew her secret had been exposed and she could no longer argue her way out of it.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Zhao Shenxing or Princess Dowager Xu any longer; her heart was filled with terror and despair.

Yet, like a trapped beast, she still attempted a final struggle. "What is the Princess Consort talking about? I don't know any Wu Yong at all!"

"Wu Yong was your patron; has Chang Niangzi forgotten so quickly?"

Though her expression remained normal, Ning Junruo felt immensely gratified inside. "If Chang Niangzi truly doesn't remember, shall I bring him here to see you?"

"No!"

Chang Yuniang's eyes were brimming with tears. Matters having reached this point, she feared she had no choice left but to admit it.

"This humble concubine was indeed sold to the Water-Cloud Pavilion once, but I was a courtesan who played music and poetry—how could I have any patrons?"

"You are still quibbling!" Ning Junruo said sternly. "Mother, that man Wu Yong stated that Chang Yuniang has a red birthmark on her waist."

Princess Dowager Xu's gaze fell upon Chang Yuniang's waist, a flicker of scrutiny in her eyes. Chang Yuniang's body went taut; she knew that once this secret was exposed, her destiny would change completely.

"Chang Yuniang, do you have a red birthmark on your waist?" Princess Dowager Xu's voice was cold and resolute.

Chang Yuniang trembled even more violently, knowing that the answer to this question would determine her future. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly unfastened her garments.

Everyone held their breath, their gazes converging on Chang Yuniang's waist. As the clothing parted, a distinct red birthmark appeared before their eyes, shaped precisely like a peach blossom.

"Princess Dowager, look, this is the red birthmark Wu Yong spoke of." Ning Junruo's voice was calm and unwavering.

Princess Dowager Xu's gaze grew complex. She looked at Chang Yuniang with a whirlwind of emotions in her heart. Taking a deep breath, she demanded, "Chang Yuniang, what else do you have to say?"

Tears slipped down Chang Yuniang's cheeks, and she knew her lies had been thoroughly dismantled. Lowering her head, she whispered, "Princess Dowager, this humble concubine indeed served as a pure courtesan in the Water-Cloud Pavilion in the past, but when I was with the Prince, I was a woman of pure virtue."

"That's right, Chang Yuniang once exposed her waist in public, and many people knew about her birthmark; that proves nothing."

Xu Mingyi chimed in to help. "When Yuniang came to me, she was indeed chaste."

Only then did Princess Dowager Xu's expression soften slightly. "Is this truly the case?"

"If this humble concubine has uttered even half a falsehood, may I be struck by lightning!" Seeing that the Princess Dowager's stance had softened, Chang Yuniang hurriedly pointed to the heavens and swore an oath. "I beg the Princess Dowager, for the sake of young Lord Qing, not to make this matter public!"

Princess Dowager Xu, who had been furious just moments before, felt her anger dissipate significantly upon hearing the name of Lord Qing.

"Yes, Mother, when Yuniang was sold to the brothel, it was against her will. I implore Mother, for the sake of Lord Qing, to pursue this no further." Zhao Shenxing bowed with cupped hands and pleaded.

Unable to help herself, Ning Junruo sneered, "Your Highness, don't you think it's time to face reality?"

"Enough!"

Zhao Shenxing abruptly stood up and glared angrily at Ning Junruo. "My personal affairs—what right do you have to interfere!"