Chapter 700: Chapter 700: Losing Hope

The people around were all speechless, unsure of whom to believe now.

Both were like beasts trapped in a dead end, wanting to tear a piece of flesh from each other.

Wu Junren harshly said, "How could a hypocrite like you let me off easily after catching my weakness? Naturally, you would use me as a stepping stone, using my hand to throw dirt on Qin Siyuan and Young Master Nantang.

If you succeed, wouldn’t all the connections of the Qin Family be yours from then on?"

He glanced at Marquis Gu standing aside, then sneered coldly, "Moreover, you mentioned that once Qin Siyuan is trampled down, you would arrange for me to marry into Dingbei Marquis Mansion. Then, we would be bound together, sharing wealth and glory. How could I not be tempted?"

Once these words were spoken, everyone was outraged.

This was truly outrageous.

Upon learning these two had even targeted Gu Baoshu, Marquis Gu was furious, but luckily Qin Yuan had already blocked him, whispering, "Marquis, calm down. Do not fall into others’ ploy to sow discord."

The murderous intent towards Wu Junren immediately dissipated.

Princess Fuyun saw it all and couldn’t help but speak, "Brother, Marquis Gu..."

Prince Qi was indifferent, "What brother could tolerate this? Luckily, Young Master Nantang stopped it. Actually... with Gu Baoshu’s disposition, how clouded would Wu have to be to want to marry in?"

He clicked his tongue twice after finishing.

Only the Gu Family treats Gu Baoshu like a treasure.

The Crown Prince was scared witless, no longer daring to plot. Wu, with that intent, better have that life too.

Princess Fuyun lowered her eyes, suppressing inner agitation.

Now was not the time to think about it.

Coincidence!

It’s all just coincidence!

"Nonsense!" Lin Ziqi had now understood, "You fail to throw dirt, now you try to falsely accuse me, is that it? I was truly blind before, didn’t see you were such a scoundrel. What on earth has the Qin Family done to offend you?"

Wu Junren didn’t argue with him, instead looking to Prince Qi, "May Prince Qi please have someone recite this poem, and compare it to the ones Lin Ziqi wrote in ’Poetry Collection of Traveling in Yuyuantan,’ then you’ll know my claim is not false."

Lin Ziqi hesitated for a moment, immediately said, "Although one who stands upright fears not a skewed shadow, people as scheming as you might have long forged evidence, ready to frame and harm me."

Prince Qi thought for a moment, "Lin Junren’s words do have some reason."

Lin Ziqi looked smugly at Wu Junren, "You have accused before, who would dare trust you now?"

Turning to Qin Siyuan with eagerness, "Brother Siyuan, it’s all my fault, blinded by this scoundrel, yet I ask your forgiveness, please."

Qin Siyuan, overwhelmed, raised his sleeve to wipe his sweat, covering his face, refusing to look at him.

Fortunately, Prince Qi then said, "Perhaps Young Master Nantang and Mr. Qin could verify whether this manuscript is the one you mentioned?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "It might be better to let Mr. Qin inspect it, as for me... I’ll just jot it down right here with pen and paper, three-way verification saves words."

Prince Qi said, "That’s very good."

Asking Lin Ziqi, "What does Lin Junren think?"

Lin Ziqi also nodded, "This is quite fair."

Wu Junren’s eyes were filled with mocking ridicule.

A duck that’s cooked—still stubborn at this point.

Shen Changle hurriedly came from the side, eagerly handing over pen and paper, about to open the inkstone to grind some ink, while Yang’er crowded over, "Manager Shen, let me do it."

Shen Changle looked at Yang’er disguised as a servant, chuckled dryly, "Fine, fine, you do it, you do it, you are more dexterous, serving all the time."

Yang’er also hadn’t really ground ink for Qin Yuan much, pretending to be skillful, "Following the Young Master, we’ve done those things regularly."

Opening the lid, only to find the ink was already ground.

Yang’er glanced at Shen Changle.

Shen Changle laughed, "Maybe Sixth Master ground it earlier but didn’t use it all."

Yang’er breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s just right, also saving people from waiting."

Qin Yuan picked up the pen, quickly writing on Hehua’s back, Princess Fuyun sighed, "Young Master Nantang’s handwriting is also so good."

Ninth Princess said, "These scholars spend all day either reading or writing, shouldn’t their handwriting be good?"

"Let’s see whether you could embroider a handkerchief after years of holding a needle."

Prince Qi showed extreme disdain.

Ninth Princess said, "Finally born a princess, why bother with that nonsense embroidery?"

Prince Qi sarcastically said, "Mother Empress was a wise Empress, Father Emperor’s socks were all made by her own hands, you being a legitimate princess, why haven’t you learned a fraction from Mother Empress? Father Emperor didn’t say you resemble Mother Empress the most?"

Empress Lin was formerly a maid serving Empress Yuan, later receiving the Emperor’s favor, elevating her to the Central Palace against many controversies. Praised for virtuous, coming from the folk therefore very empathetic to commoners’ woes, exemplifying thriftiness, cherishes every thread and yarn showing piety, possessing the demeanor of mother of the nation.

Occasionally used to belittle Empress Yuan who hailed from aristocratic family.

Prince Qi long harbored resentment, inevitably expressed it.

Ninth Princess rolled her eyes, "Mother Empress’ father wasn’t an Emperor."

Prince Qi coldly glanced at Ninth Princess, said no more.

Meanwhile, Qin Siyuan had checked the manuscript, confirming it’s the missing original. On Qin Yuan’s side, the ink was already dry.

Prince Qi casually pointed someone over to compare.

This person observed, only to stomp his feet and exclaim, "This, this is actually true?" Then shook his head with a long sigh, "Still this piece is more exquisite, truly a prodigal waste, sinful."

After waiting for a while, everyone heard this person’s exclamation, itching with curiosity.

"What exactly is going on?"

"Yes, dear man, speak up, won’t you?"

This person finally calmed down, loudly said, "It’s truly unbelievable, turns out Wu spoke the truth, Lin Ziqi’s best poem was adapted from Young Master Nantang’s poem, and,"

He sighed, looking at Lin Ziqi with a condemning gaze like seeing a spoiled child, "The adaptation is indeed clumsy, the poetry’s realm isn’t as profound as before."

"What nonsense are you spouting here?" Lin Ziqi couldn’t contain his outrage anymore, harshly reprimanded, "Are you all conspiring against me?"

The person spat, "Why, are you the only immaculate one under the sky? Evidence is right before us, so many people watching, are you going to deny it?"

Without waiting for Prince Qi’s instruction, he then shook his head theatrically while reciting Qin Yuan’s poem.

Highlighted several places Lin Ziqi had altered, then said, "Everyone hearing can discern the quality, though the original in the poetry collection is superior, compared to the original poem, it is still inferior."

The crowd all said, "Yes, yes, yes, clearly evident, no need for further discussion."

Lin Ziqi collapsed on the ground, utterly ignoring others pointing fingers at him, only muttering, "Finished, finished."

This poem he acquired from Qin Wan, a moment of luck, unexpectedly trapped in such a plight.

"Qin Wan betrayed me!"

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