By midday—
The palace exploded again.
But this time—
It was worse.
Much worse.
—
"They found something in her chamber!"
"What?"
"A letter—"
"To a man outside the palace!"
Gasps. Shock. Excitement.
"She's been secretly meeting someone!"
"A princess… behaving like this?"
"This is disgraceful!"
—
In the center of it all—
Xueying stood still.
A folded letter lay on the table in front of her.
Ink still fresh.
Words carefully written.
Too carefully.
—
"This was found among your belongings," a court official said.
His tone was already accusing.
"Do you deny it?"
Xueying looked at the letter.
Then—
"No."
The answer shocked them.
A ripple of murmurs spread instantly.
"You admit it?"
"I admit the letter is in my room," she said calmly.
"But I did not write it."
—
"Convenient," another official muttered.
"Your Majesty," the first continued, turning to Li Jianhong, "this is no longer rumor. This is evidence."
The room grew tense.
Heavy.
Watching.
Waiting.
—
Zhao Meilin stood to the side.
Silent.
Composed.
But her eyes—
They gleamed.
—
"This is serious," the official pressed. "If word spreads beyond the palace—"
"It won't," a voice cut in.
All eyes turned.
Gu Yichen stepped forward again.
But this time—
There was no calm in his expression.
Only cold certainty.
—
"Lord Gu," the official frowned. "This does not concern—"
"It does."
The interruption was sharp.
Clear.
Final.
—
Yichen picked up the letter.
His gaze scanned it briefly.
Then—
"This is forged."
The words dropped like a blade.
Silence followed.
—
"And how would you know that?" someone challenged.
Yichen didn't hesitate.
"Because I've seen the princess write."
Xueying's breath caught slightly.
—
"And this—" he held up the letter, "—is not her hand."
Doubt spread.
Small.
But growing.
—
"That proves nothing," another official argued.
"Then investigate it," Yichen replied coldly.
"Or do you prefer condemning a princess without proof?"
No one answered.
—
Xueying watched everything.
Carefully.
Quietly.
Because this time—
She wasn't just feeling.
She was thinking.
—
Her gaze shifted slightly.
Toward Zhao Meilin.
And for the first time—
She noticed something small.
Almost invisible.
—
A flicker.
A moment of tension.
—
Got you.
—