Chapter 116: How Could I Know!

It is Huo Wenxuan's camp tent!

Inside the tent, Huo Wenxuan paced restlessly, anxiously awaiting news.

A sudden screech of a monkey troupe outside the tent made her freeze.

Where did those monkeys come from!

Impatiently she shouted, "What's happening outside? Didn't I say I have a headache today and no one may disturb me! Hurry and drive those filthy beasts away!"

Xiao Er ignored the maid's obstruction outside the tent and ripped the curtain aside.

Huo Wenxuan was startled by the sudden intrusion and stepped back half a pace.

She instantly arched her brows and, with the bearing of a noble lady, scolded sharply, "How dare you! You, a Guard, dare to trespass into my camp tent! Have you no sense of propriety!"

Xiao Er clasped his fists and bowed, "Miss Huo, His Majesty summons you; please proceed to the imperial tent."

Huo Wenxuan's heart leapt, "His Majesty summons me? For what purpose?"

Xiao Er gave no answer, stepped aside to clear the way, "Please, Miss Huo."

Sensing trouble, Huo Wenxuan inhaled deeply, lifted her hand to adjust her hairpins and dress, forced down her unease, and strived to keep a proud bearing as she left the tent.

Stepping into the imperial tent, she instantly spotted a bound man on the ground, and her pupils narrowed sharply.

Looking around, the Emperor sat upright, his face an icy slab.

Xiao Yuanhang's expression was as still as water, while Cheng Ru'an clutched his unscathed daughter tightly, his gaze toward her filled with cold hatred.

Her heart sank completely.

The matter has been exposed!

I cannot admit it! Absolutely cannot admit it!

She quickly composed herself, stepped forward a few paces, and bowed gracefully, "I, Huo Wenxuan, present myself before His Majesty; I have seen Prince Ning, the Princess Consort, and Princess Jiayou."

She showed confusion, "I do not know why His Majesty has summoned me; for what purpose?"

As soon as she finished, Tuan Tuan stuck out a small finger at her, "It's you who caused me harm!"

Huo Wenxuan's heart thudded violently, yet her face showed disbelief; with a "thump" she fell to her knees, "His Majesty, discern the truth! From where does the Princess derive such words? I am wronged!"

"Yesterday I was frightened by a ferocious tiger and have been convalescing inside the tent, never stepping out of the camp! How could I plot against the Princess?"

"I have no idea what happened; how can the Princess speak such falsehoods and tarnish my innocence!"

A sidelong glance at the man revealed he was a death soldier summoned by her mother, with all family under control, making it impossible for him to testify.

If you truly have ironclad evidence, you would have already sentenced us; why still "invite" me for questioning?

At present it's merely suspicion, no concrete proof! As long as I never admit, what can you do to me?

From outside the door came a report, "His Majesty! Xiao Er requests an audience."

"Approved!"

Xiao Er, holding a stack of silver notes, knelt on one knee, "His Majesty, these are the silver notes the monkeys found beneath Miss Huo's embroidered bed."

Huo Wenxuan's complexion changed.

Eunuch Cheng immediately stepped forward, took them, and examined carefully, "His Majesty! These silver notes are from the same money house as those seized from the criminal, and their numbers are consecutive!"

Xiao Jieyun slammed the table hard, his dragon‑like face raging, "The evidence is as solid as a mountain! Huo Wenxuan, what else do you have to say?!"

Huo Wenxuan's face turned as white as paper, yet she gritted her teeth and defended, "I've never seen these silver notes! Someone must have framed me!"

She raised her hand and pointed at Tuan Tuan, "It was her! Surely her! She commanded those demonic monkeys to slip the silver notes into my tent to frame me!"

"Stubborn and dimwitted!" Xiao Jieyun shook his head, "Fine! Since you insist the Princess framed you, I will issue an edict to investigate the entire Huo family!"

"I will not believe it; your entire Huo clan is like you, daring to deceive the throne!"

"Seize the household!" Those two words thundered like a shock, striking Huo Wenxuan's head.

All her luck and defiance were finally shattered completely.

She could no longer hold herself up, collapsed limp on the ground, tears and sobs streaming, realizing the situation was lost with no room for rebuttal.

Xiao Yuanhang, who had been suppressing his fury, stood up, "His Majesty! Previously she ordered the kidnapping of the little girl! Out of respect for the elder Princess's pleas, I refrained from further investigation!"

"I did not expect this poisonous woman not only refuses to repent but bears a grudge; this time she set a vile death plot to put the little girl in mortal danger! I can no longer tolerate it!"

Xiao Jieyun, hearing this, felt his eyes grow colder, "There is even such a matter?!"

He looked at Xiao Yuanhang, "Yuanhang, this poisonous woman, I entrust her to you for disposal."

Xiao Yuanhang bowed deeply, his gaze icy.

He stared at the mud‑like limp Huo Wenxuan, "His Majesty, since she intends my daughter to perish in the swamp, I will return the same treatment to her!"

The Emperor gave a slight nod.

Huo Wenxuan's voice was hoarse, "No—! His Majesty, spare me! Prince, spare me! I know I was wrong! I will never dare again!"

Cheng Ru'an tightly embraced his daughter and covered her ears.

Xiao Er stepped forward, and together with several Guards, dragged her out mercilessly.

From outside the tent came the monkeys' chatter, and Tuan Tuan ran out, "Have you all eaten?"

All the monkeys stared at her, the Monkey King chittered and shrieked in a burst of sounds.

"Wait for me!" Tuan Tuan turned and ran back to the main tent, "Imperial Uncle! They want to go home! Can we let them take all the walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and such?"

Xiao Jieyun placed his hand on his forehead, "Cheng Jinyan! Go! Grant my dried fruits and fresh fruits to these meritorious officials who solved the case!"

Eunuch Cheng was startled, and cautiously said, "His Majesty! Give everything to these monkeys? Then your daily portion…"

Xiao Jieyun glared at him, "Old man! Won't you have them transport more from Jingcheng for me?"

Eunuch Cheng smiled and replied, "Yes! This old servant was careless; I will handle it right away."

Thus, the Monkey King, with his followers, carried small bundles filled with dried and fresh fruits and left the camp satisfied.

A few days later, after the autumn hunt ended, everyone returned to Jingcheng.

Feng Zhou heard that he had been promoted to the fifth rank and felt as if he were dreaming.

So, this already makes me a fifth‑rank official?

He thanked Cheng Ru'an and Tuan Tuan profusely, knowing in his heart that he had no rank or title, having only submitted a drawing, and it must be that Prince Ning recommended him before the Emperor.

Compared with his former self, he now truly feels proud!

But how should this private affairs workshop, directly under imperial authority, be established? Where should it be placed? Whom should it recruit?

Upon learning that Tuan Tuan had been appointed special envoy of the private affairs workshop, he respectfully bowed to her and said, "Alliance Leader, do you know how this private affairs workshop should be established?"

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled and said, "How would I know!"

"Huh?!" Feng Zhou felt that his mind, which had been blank before, was now a tangled mess.

Cheng Ru'an chuckled beside them, "Young Master Feng, no, now that you have an official position, you should be called Sir Feng."

Feng Zhou immediately bowed and said, "I dare not, I dare not, Princess Consort, you overstate it; without the Prince's recommendation, I would never have attained this official position!"

Cheng Ru'an nodded slightly, "Sir, no need to be formal. The establishment of this private affairs workshop will still require your careful attention, given Tuan Tuan's official post."

She shook her head, "It's just a matter of checking in when you have time; you need not consult me, Sir. Decide everything yourself."

Feng Zhou nodded, "I understand, sir. I have been disturbing the household for many days; now that I have received the assignment, I will do my utmost, and I shall take my leave today."

Cheng Ru'an nodded, and Feng Zhou's face shone with radiance as he left eagerly.

Early the next morning, a servant reported, "Your Majesty, Princess Consort, the Minister of Works, Lord Sheng, requests an audience with the young miss."

Tuan Tuan lifted her head from the rice bowl and asked, "Who?"