Volume One, Chapter 18: Punished to Kneel in the Ancestral Hall

Mei Lingxi was startled and turned around to look, only to see that all the ancestral tablets had collapsed to the ground.

Prince Ning’s face darkened like iron as he strode over to Jian Si and shouted, “Jian Si, what are you doing?!”

Jian Si trembled with fear, raising the pink object in her hand and stammering, “This, I... I was just going to take... this.”

“What is this?!” Prince Ning snatched the object from her hand, unfolded it, and his face paled and flushed in turns. “Where did you find this?”

At this moment, Consort Liu finally realized what was happening and urgently said, “My lord, please calm down. Jian Si saw this on the tablets and intended to retrieve it, but accidentally knocked over the tablets. I beg your forgiveness.”

As she spoke, she dropped to her knees, pulling Jian Si down with her, both sobbing bitterly.

During the ancestral rites, Bi Shui was not allowed inside. Only after they had ended was she permitted to enter. She had intended to help Mei Lingxi tidy up the ancestral hall but witnessed the pink garment in Chun Wu’s hand flying into Prince Ning’s grasp.

She was nearly fainting from fright, cold sweat breaking out on her back, thinking, This is over, completely over!

Mei Lingxi was deeply alarmed, her body trembling slightly. She thought, How did this woman’s item suddenly appear in the ancestral hall? For such a solemn place, this was a grave desecration.

And she was the one primarily responsible for conducting the ancestral rites.

Her vision darkened, her knees weakened, and she realized, This must be a trap set by Consort Liu.

Beside her, Ye Jianxun, unaware of Mei Lingxi’s involvement in the rites, noticed her reaction and quietly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Mei Lingxi didn’t have time to answer before Prince Ning raised his voice angrily, “Consort Liu, you have overseen the ancestral rites for two years. How could such a glaring mistake occur under your watch?”

Consort Liu glanced at Mei Lingxi. Mei Lingxi had no choice but to grit her teeth and kneel, whispering, “Father, I was mainly in charge of the rites this time, but Consort Liu assisted in verification.”

“Then tell me, where did this thing come from?” Prince Ning tossed the pink garment in front of Mei Lingxi as if it were a hot coal.

The garment struck her shoulder. She didn’t brush it away but endured the humiliation, analyzing calmly: “Before the rites, Consort Liu and I both confirmed there was nothing amiss. The appearance of this item afterward suggests someone slipped it in quietly during the chaos as people dispersed.

Therefore, the culprit must be someone currently inside the ancestral hall.”

At that moment, Ye Jianxun also realized the situation. He knelt beside Mei Lingxi, took the pink garment from her shoulder, sniffed it, and said, “This garment carries a strong scent of cosmetics. Whoever smells of this is the one behind it.”

Prince Ning was silent for a long moment before ordering a guard to bring a military dog. Ye Jianxun stepped forward, placed the garment before the dog, and watched quietly to see which direction the dog would take.

Everyone in the ancestral hall exchanged glances, holding their breath.

The dog sniffed eagerly, circling Ye Jianxun and Mei Lingxi, pausing briefly, then moving to Jian Si’s side and lingering a moment. Finally, it stopped beside Consort Liu and barked loudly.

Consort Liu’s eyes widened in fear, her voice trembling as she hurriedly explained to Prince Ning, “I was close to Jian Si just now, so the scent may have transferred then.”

Ye Jianxun interjected, “But the dog lingered the longest beside you.”

Then Mei Lingxi finally realized that from start to finish, Consort Liu had set her up.

Previously, she had suspected an informant in the Rainfall Garden, but when Mei Lingxi sent Bi Shui to investigate, nothing unusual was found.

The reason was simple: they had not been in the household long and had little contact with the servants, and the planted informant was likely an older person well versed in the household’s rules and relationships.

Today, despite all her careful checks, Mei Lingxi was still trapped by Consort Liu’s scheme. Thankfully, Ye Jianxun’s quick thinking exposed the plot on the spot.

Consort Liu then began a pitiful display. Seeing Prince Ning’s furrowed brow unmoved, she resolutely declared, “If you don’t believe me, I shall prove my innocence with my life.”

With that, she suddenly slammed herself against a pillar. “Thud!” Blood splattered across the red wood as she collapsed.

Only then did Prince Ning act, bending down to lift Consort Liu and shouting, “Someone, fetch the court physicians immediately!”

Consort Liu’s impact had caused a deep head wound, blood pouring out. That night she developed a high fever, slipping into unconsciousness, her breath shallow.

One group of physicians after another arrived, all wearing grim expressions. Finally, Prince Ning summoned the imperial doctors from the palace.

Thanks to their meticulous care, Consort Liu was pulled back from the brink of death.

When Mei Lingxi and Ye Jianxun learned of this, they exchanged helpless looks, both secretly admiring Consort Liu’s ruthlessness.

However, since the matter had occurred, someone had to bear responsibility. As the principal organizer, Mei Lingxi could not shirk her blame.

Prince Ning’s face was stern as he ordered, “Lingxi, you shall kneel in the ancestral hall all night to appease the spirits and calm this turmoil.”

Just then, Prince Ning’s consort approached, pleading, “Lingxi just recovered from illness a few days ago. Kneeling in the ancestral hall all night in the bitter cold could harm her health.”

Mei Lingxi lowered her eyes and said, “Mother, the prince has already shown mercy. My body is well now; kneeling all night will not be a problem.”

Ye Jianxun then stepped forward, lifting his robe with one hand and kneeling on both knees. In a deep voice, he said, “Husband and wife are one. Let me kneel in her place. I beg Father’s permission.”

Prince Ning paused, scrutinizing him for a long while before replying, “If it is you, then it will not be just one night, but an entire day and night. Go accept your punishment.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Ye Jianxun said no more and left Consort Liu’s courtyard. Mei Lingxi hurried after him, saying as she went, “Honestly, I don’t mind kneeling.”

Ye Jianxun ignored her and walked straight into the ancestral hall, kneeling on the cold floor.

The scandal of the pink garment had raged all night, ruining the festive spirit of the New Year gathering. Now, on the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, light snow drifted outside.

Prince Ning’s consort came over and, seeing Ye Jianxun had not even put on his coat, said to Mei Lingxi, “Lingxi, send someone to find a cloak for Jianxun.”

Mei Lingxi sent Bi Shui to fetch it, but Bi Shui’s face was unusually grave. She whispered into Mei Lingxi’s ear, “Young mistress, come with me. I have something to tell you.”

Mei Lingxi nodded and told Prince Ning’s consort, “Mother, I will speak with the kitchen to prepare some ginger soup, to prevent Jianxun from catching a cold.”