Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 384 Framing Someone

"Don’t try to fool me with these things. Who knows if you might plant something intentionally to frame me! Ming Pin is dead; you’re certainly looking for someone to take the blame. Are you trying to drag me into this by pretending to make a gesture like this?"

Despite her panic, He Changzai quickly threw the matter back.

Even if the seductive powder was found, she could still claim it was intentionally planted by Lin Xingzhi.

Her unwillingness to relent perplexed Lin Xingzhi.

As the two of them remained at an impasse, Dong Yuzhong arrived.

He hurried in, clearly carrying an imperial command from the Emperor.

As expected, after entering and greeting He Changzai, he handed the Imperial Gold Medal to Lin Xingzhi.

"General Lin, this item is bestowed by the Emperor. During the investigation, you may search anyone’s courtyard without obstruction in both the traveling palace and the Imperial Palace."

Upon hearing this, He Changzai’s expression turned grim.

Though she earlier responded defiantly, now she seemed to have lost all confidence.

Beside her, Qiao Xin, not used to such scenes, was already trembling with fear.

She immediately knelt down, crying out:

"It’s not this servant’s fault, it’s not this servant’s fault!"

This attitude naturally sparked suspicion in Lin Xingzhi and Dong Yuzhong.

The two exchanged glances, recognizing the deception involved!

Lin Xingzhi then pressured Qiao Xin, saying:

"Confess quickly!"

He Changzai’s heart surged to her throat, crouching with alarm.

Her words were full of warning!

"You insolent servant dare to create chaos here, babbling in fear, get lost now!"

"Yes, yes."

Qiao Xin, not wanting to betray her mistress or be deemed a villain by Lin Xingzhi, prepared to retreat in silence.

However, Lin Xingzhi wouldn’t let her off so easily.

Guards seized Qiao Xin on both sides, a blade set at her neck, as he spoke expressionlessly:

"If you confess now, it counts as voluntary. No harm will come to your family. But if we find it before you confess, you will bear the consequences."

Lin Xingzhi was indeed quite handsome, but his cold demeanor now made him impossible to face.

Qiao Xin, terrified, had no choice but to confess truthfully.

"General, it truly has nothing to do with this servant. This servant acted on orders. He Changzai complained about Lady Ming’s constant crying from the adjacent room, disturbing her sleep. That’s why she had me use the seductive powder. Otherwise, even if given a hundred nerves, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing!"

As she spoke, she dodged He Changzai’s murderous glare.

"You wretched girl! I should’ve left you to starve on the roadside back then; why did I save you?"

He Changzai lunged to slap Qiao Xin, but Lin Xingzhi intervened.

After binding He Changzai, he calmly said:

"My apologies, Lady Changzai."

Then he addressed the guards:

"Search!"

"Yes!"

"How dare you! I am the Emperor’s appointed Changzai! Changzai!"

Yet before she could finish, Lin Xingzhi pinpointed her mute point.

The scene grew much quieter.

Only a dying, struggling He Changzai was left to rage.

With Qiao Xin’s confession, they naturally began searching both He Changzai’s and her quarters.

With the area narrowed, things became easier to find.

In no time, they found the seductive powder hidden within a brocade box.

There wasn’t much of it, and as for its use, the Imperial Physician would need to assess.

The Imperial Physician took up the powder, sniffed it carefully, then examined other similar-sized boxes.

Having an idea in mind, he promptly said:

"General Lin, this seductive powder matches the tiny specks of smoke found outside Ming Pin’s room. The other boxes contain aphrodisiac powder, typically found in brothels and entertainment houses. You surely understand its purpose."

An aphrodisiac powder? For whom to foster intimacy?

Ultimately, wasn’t it intended for use on the Emperor?

Thus, it wasn’t just Lin Xingzhi; even Dong Yuzhong’s expression turned cold.

"Audacious He Changzai! You dare to plot against the Emperor!"

Seeing the items exposed, He Changzai struggled even more fiercely.

Lin Xingzhi noticed she wanted to speak and released her mute point.

"I’m innocent, innocent! Mr. Dong, it’s all this vile maid’s doing. How could I possess such things? It must be her who bribed the guards to smuggle them from outside the palace, possibly plotting to steal away to the Dragon Throne behind my back! Her greedy intentions are plain to see. She must be eyeing the palace’s riches to climb higher on my back!"

He Changzai cried out desperately, feigning innocence to the unknowing.

"My lady! How can you slander this servant so!"

Qiao Xin clearly hadn’t anticipated her doing this, so she widened her eyes in disbelief.

Even hoped she might have a conscience and speak words to mend the situation.

Never did she expect He Changzai determined to defame her publicly.

"It must be so! Mr. Dong, this maid relies on her appearance, constantly attempting to inch towards the imperial court. I never noticed until today when I saw these things and realized she harbors a treacherous heart!"

Hearing this, Qiao Xin let out a miserable laugh.

He Changzai’s words had barely settled before Qiao Xin wore a look of resigned determination.

Completely disheartened, she uttered:

"This servant has never harmed my lady, yet my lady treats me so. I can only die to prove my innocence!"

With that said, she took advantage of the guards’ distraction, broke free, and dashed headfirst into a wooden table.

Blood splattered instantly, shocking He Changzai into screams.

And with one breath unable to be drawn in, she fainted on the spot.

Seeing Qiao Xin’s incessantly bleeding forehead, Lin Xingzhi immediately ordered the Imperial Physician:

"Quick, Imperial Physician, see if you can save this palace maid!"

"Yes."

The Imperial Physician knelt to examine the wound and proceeded with various resuscitative methods.

Fortunately, as the physician was nearby, not too much blood was lost.

After a lengthy effort, he finally exhaled in relief, saying:

"The bleeding is now halted, but I cannot guarantee Lady Qiao Xin’s survival fully, so..."

This incident left Lin Xingzhi convinced that the underlying story wasn’t so simple.

Especially with Qiao Xin, why would she seek death so resolutely?

This made Lin Xingzhi deeply suspicious.

So he said to the Imperial Physician:

"No matter, let’s carry her down for all-out treatment first."

"Alright."

As for the unconscious He Changzai, she likely never wanted to awaken.

In her current predicament, regaining consciousness would be entirely unfavorable.

But it was merely a temporary lapse, for eventually, she would awaken.

When she finally did, she bitterly regretted joining the Emperor at the traveling palace.