Volume 5, Chapter 333 – Why Is It So Hard to Stay Low-Key?

“What the hell? Where did this reckless fool come from?”

Qi Huang was genuinely startled, it was a case of fearing something, only for it to happen.

The Imperial Garden fell into dead silence. Everyone’s gaze locked onto Ouyang Tong, their eyes brimming with undisguised aggression, like countless spears tearing apart her flimsy disguise.

Ouyang Tong’s breathing grew ragged. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead like morning dew on leaves, and her already weak legs trembled as if they had lost all their bones, leaving her swaying unsteadily.

“Second Brother, you’re saying she isn’t Qi Huang? Are you questioning the security of the palace? Do you think any random stray can just waltz in here?”

Lin Tu’s expression darkened, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

“Indeed, this woman is not Qi Huang. I can say that with certainty.”

Lin Kang remained unfazed, reiterating his stance.

“This Emperor must remind you, even a prince must bear responsibility for his words. So, I suggest you think carefully before speaking further.”

Lin Tu’s warning carried an implicit threat.

“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Brother! But since I dare to speak, I naturally have irrefutable proof.”

Lin Kang remained unyielding.

A flash of murderous intent flickered in Lin Tu’s eyes, but he maintained a calm tone. “Oh? And what, pray tell, is this ‘irrefutable proof’ of yours?”

“Witnesses and material evidence, of course!”

Lin Kang strode forward, stopping before Ouyang Tong as he spoke confidently. “First, the witnesses. As far as I know, Cheng Hongling attended the Evergreen Conference four years ago at Golden House Mountain near the capital. Given how recent that was, a person’s facial features couldn’t have changed so drastically.”

Ouyang Tong hung her head low in fear, like a criminal standing trial.

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“Elder Zuo, if I recall correctly, you presided over that Evergreen Conference. Tell me honestly, is she Cheng Hongling?”

Lin Kang turned his questioning to Elder Zuo, who stood nearby.

“Your Highness, though it hasn’t been long, she was very young at the time. As the saying goes, ‘A girl changes eighteen times before adulthood’. I dare not make a hasty judgment.”

Elder Zuo hesitated before giving an ambiguous reply.

“So, your so-called ‘witness’ is Elder Zuo? You heard his answer yourself. What else do you have to say?”

Lin Tu seized the opportunity to muddy the waters.

“No matter! He’s not the only witness.”

Lin Kang remained unruffled. “As everyone knows, the Evergreen Conference is held once every three years. Although Cheng Hongling didn’t come to the capital last year, she did attend the local conference in Yongning Prefecture, and there were plenty of eyewitnesses there.”

Hearing this, Qi Huang felt a faint sense of foreboding.

“Coincidentally, just a few days ago, I ran into a cultivator in the capital who attended that very conference.”

Lin Kang turned toward his entourage and called out, “Ah San! Tell His Majesty, is this woman Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger?”

At his words, a man stepped forward from the group, casting a malicious glance at Ouyang Tong before bowing to Lin Tu.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this lowly one swears on his life, she is not Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger.”

“How can this be? If she’s not Qi Huang, then who is she?”

“Such audacity! To dare impersonate an imperial consort, such deception is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations!”

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“The real issue is that she actually managed to sneak in. The palace’s security seems rather lacking.”

“Now the Emperor is in an awkward position, he didn’t even notice his own consort had been swapped out.”

The moment these words were spoken, the imperial garden erupted into chaos. The scandal was simply too explosive, no one could maintain decorum anymore.

Ouyang Tong clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her legs shook as if stricken by palsy, but sheer survival instinct kept her from collapsing entirely.

‘It seems my plan has completely failed.’

Qi Huang sighed inwardly. She truly couldn’t figure out where she had slipped up, allowing this unexpected interloper to exploit a loophole.

Lin Tu’s face darkened with fury, but he was not one to admit defeat easily. “So these are your so-called ‘witnesses’? What about the material evidence?”

“The material evidence? Simple!”

Lin Kang, now brimming with confidence, spoke with a hint of smugness. “I’ve heard that Cheng Hongling enhanced the seeds of a Golden Fate Blossom in her childhood and had them activated with Pink Bamboo Water. As members of the imperial family surely know, any woman who undergoes this process will emit an intoxicating natural fragrance from head to toe, just like the Fragrant Consort of the previous dynasty. The Phoenix Selection Token gave her an eight out of ten for scent, which was why she was granted the title of Fragrant Consort.”

His tone then shifted. “But this woman? Her scent barely scores a three. How could she possibly be Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger?”

“Golden Fate Blossom? What’s that?”

Murmurs spread through the crowd. Given its rarity, over ninety percent of those present had never heard of it.

“The Golden Fate Blossom is an incredibly precious treasure. If consumed during infancy, it can completely alter one’s bone structure, regardless of how inferior the inherited bloodline might be. The child will grow tall and exceptionally beautiful. For women, if further enhanced with Pink Bamboo Water, their bodies will emit an enchanting fragrance. This is no secret among cultivators and the imperial family.”

“Heavens! Such a thing exists in this world? If there were enough of them, wouldn’t the world be filled with stunning men and women?”

“I wonder how much it costs. I must get some for my future children.”

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“Exactly. In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme, but in the mortal realm, appearance determines one’s fate, for both men and women.”

Astonishment painted every face in the imperial garden.

“Second Brother is quite knowledgeable, you even know about Cheng Hongling consuming Golden Fate Blossom seeds.”

Lin Tu couldn’t resist a sarcastic jab.

“What can I say? Living in the capital under Imperial Brother’s care, I’ve had little else to do but indulge in gossip. If you don’t believe me, feel free to send someone to verify.”

Lin Kang brushed off the remark before pulling out a box of rouge from his sleeve. “This rouge was bestowed upon my beloved consort by Imperial Brother. It contains pollen from the Golden Fate Blossom, hence its exceptional fragrance. If anyone doubts me, they may step forward and compare her scent to this.”

Yet despite his invitation, no one moved, the Emperor had yet to speak.

“Imperial Brother, would you care to verify it yourself?”

Lin Kang pressed further, pushing his advantage.

Lin Tu’s expression twisted with suppressed rage. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined his own brother would ruin his scheme. Truly, “No matter how much you guard against outsiders, it’s the traitors within that are hardest to defend against.”

Lin Tu knew the act could no longer continue. If he kept resisting, it would only make him look guilty. The wisest move now was to sacrifice the pawn to save the king, to minimize the damage.

Having made up his mind, Lin Tu acted swiftly. He pointed at Ouyang Tong and bellowed, “Audacious commoner! How dare you impersonate an imperial consort? Who gave you the courage?!”

Ouyang Tong, already a frightened bird, shattered under the verbal assault. Her legs gave way, and she crumpled to the ground.

Qi Huang reacted instantly, using her divine sense to steady Ouyang Tong’s body.

Chief Steward Zhong shuddered at the Emperor’s words. He knew Lin Tu was cutting his losses, and he himself would not escape unscathed.

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“Heh. The imperial consort was impersonated, yet Imperial Brother claims to know nothing? The palace’s security is truly lacking! I’m starting to worry for your safety.”

Lin Kang’s mocking tone dripped with sarcasm.

“Speak! Who are you? How did you sneak into the palace?”

Lin Tu loomed over Ouyang Tong like a crushing mountain, suffocating her with pressure.

Ouyang Tong knew she was doomed. Tears streamed down her face as her pale lips trembled, unable to form a single coherent word.

“Imperial Brother, a mere woman like her couldn’t have entered the inner palace, let alone passed the gates, without inside help. I suggest a thorough investigation.”

Lin Kang continued fanning the flames, showing no mercy in dragging his imperial brother deeper into the scandal.

Chief Steward Zhong’s face grew even more ashen, his features contorting as wrinkles deepened, aging decades in mere moments.

Meanwhile, the four women in the pavilion reacted differently. Consorts Hui and Li were delighted, with Ouyang Tong exposed, she could no longer threaten them. But Empress Zheng and Consort Jin were troubled. They knew the truth, and if this matter came to light, it would severely damage Lin Tu’s reputation, perhaps even jeopardize his throne.

“Guards! Take her to the Ministry of Justice’s dungeon and interrogate her under torture. We must get to the bottom of this!”

Fearing Ouyang Tong might reveal something incriminating, Lin Tu immediately ordered the nearby guards to act.

At these words, Ouyang Tong’s face drained of all hope. The Ministry of Justice’s dungeon was a place where death would be a mercy.

“Sigh… Why is it so hard to stay low-key?”

Just then, Qi Huang’s voice—clear and melodious, like a nightingale’s song echoing through a valley—rang out across the imperial garden.