Chapter 763

Everyone initially didn't realize what was happening, but after the thunder sounded, they heard a terrified howl: "My Night Pearl? Where is my Night Pearl?"

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing was also greatly startled inwardly; the lightning obscured the Night Pearl's light, but after the lightning passed, the Night Pearl should have remained bright, its radiance enough to illuminate the entire hall, yet this lightning seemed to have snatched away all its brilliance, and most guests were immersed in the shock of this spring thunder.

Finally, lamps were lit inside the Jewel Hall, gradually restoring the previous brightness, but this brightness had nothing to do with the Night Pearl. Everyone looked up at the beam where the Night Pearl had hung; the netting remained, yet the Night Pearl had vanished without a trace.

Hu Xiaotian stuck out his big belly, rose from his seat, and ran to beneath the beam; this fat man's sudden intrusion instantly ruined the beautiful dance scene of the maidens, looking rather comical, yet no one dared laugh aloud, for everyone realized what had happened.

Hu Xiaotian raised his head and pointed upward, saying: "My Night Pearl, my Night Pearl has been stolen!"

His heart-rending voice was like a thunderclap exploding in everyone's ears, shocking the deaf and awakening the dumb. Among the guests present, some felt sympathy, some gloated over the misfortune, and many more were shocked—such a large Night Pearl actually stolen right before everyone's eyes, and without anyone noticing; moreover, this occurred in the residence of Prince Yan Xue Shengjing.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing's face turned ashen; he had originally been determined to obtain this Night Pearl, yet he never expected someone to beat him to it, his inner loss indescribable, especially upon hearing Hai Dasheng wail: "That Night Pearl I specially brought to present to the Prince."

Princess Xue Lingjun sighed softly: "What a pity!" Anyway, the Night Pearl didn't belong to her; whoever got it was the same, and most of the people present shared her sentiment.

The Crown Prince Xue Daohong furrowed his brows tightly and whispered: "How could this happen? Who has the audacity to steal the Night Pearl in broad daylight before everyone?"

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing shouted: "Seal the Jewel Hall! No one may leave without my order!"

Upon hearing the Prince's order, everyone then realized the matter was serious; although some had previously gloated, now no one dared entertain such thoughts, seeing Prince Yan Xue Shengjing's attitude, it was clear he would not rest until the Night Pearl was found, and everyone feared trouble.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing slowly rose to his feet, his small eyes coldly sweeping over the crowd: "To dare do such a thing in my residence is truly to have the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard; whoever stole this Night Pearl, I give you a chance—either come forward voluntarily and surrender, and I will show mercy, or I will find the Night Pearl and surely tear you apart limb from limb."

Hu Xiaotian bellowed: "Who? Who exactly? Come forward quickly!" He was visibly agitated. In his view, this was merely part of the Xi Yan Plan; all he needed to do was perform well, drawing everyone's attention here, thereby giving Xi Yan a better opportunity to steal the Black Ice Clam.

Princess Xue Lingjun whispered to Prince Xue Shengjing: "Older brother, this matter is highly suspicious. Must we search every guest?" Although the Night Pearl is precious, many of the guests are of high status; doing so would surely provoke heaven's wrath and public resentment.

Prince Xue Shengjing snorted coldly: "Even if I have to dig three feet underground, I will recover the lost item." Hai Dasheng had just said he would present that Night Pearl to me; it is essentially my own property, so who would dare to steal it? It is simply theft of my own treasure.

The Crown Prince Xue Daohong said: "During the lightning just now, everyone was some distance from that Night Pearl; the closest should be them…" His gaze fell on the ten dancers still standing in the center of the floor.

Those dancers were obviously stunned by the sudden turn of events, each at a loss what to do.

A twitch crossed Prince Xue Shengjing's lip. His nephew spoke rightly; at that moment those ten dancing girls were performing beneath the Night Pearl, closest to it, so a search should begin with them: "Seize them for me!"

Wait!

Huo Xiaoru, dressed entirely in black, stepped out from behind the screen.

Everyone had been anticipating Huo Xiaoru's appearance for most of the evening; had this incident not occurred, her entrance would surely have elicited thunderous applause, but now everyone had lost the mood to admire beauty, and moreover Huo Xiaoru's sheer veil obscured her face, making her true appearance indiscernible.

Prince Xue Shengjing, suppressing his anger, said: "Miss Huo, what do you have to say?"

Huo Xiaoru said: "Your Highness, are you suspecting my Music Dance Troupe?"

Prince Xue Shengjing remained courteous toward this renowned talent, speaking softly: "Just a routine check; everyone present is under suspicion."

Huo Xiaoru coldly replied: "Any incident involving the Music Dance Troupe falls under my responsibility; I guarantee my troupe members could not have done such a thing. If Your Highness insists on a body search, please prepare a separate room so we may prove our innocence."

Prince Xue Shengjing pondered; Huo Xiaoru's request seemed reasonable, for though the Music Dance Troupe consists of dancing girls, one cannot have them strip naked in public. He was about to agree when the Crown Prince Xue Daohong interjected: "I see Miss Huo's request as utterly unreasonable; if you are innocent, why avoid? Concerned about the inconvenience of a guard's search, one could simply assign maids and matrons—why insist on leaving? What are you trying to avoid?"

Huo Xiaoru bit her cherry lip and said: "Although we are merely performers, we cannot allow others to slander our innocence at will. Your Highness, since you deem us related to the Night Pearl matter, if it is proven that the Night Pearl has nothing to do with us, what then would you do?" Her meaning was clear: do not bully us merely because we are lowly performers; if we are proven innocent, even as a prince you ought to apologize to us.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing said: "Miss Huo, do not worry; not only you, but everyone present must undergo a search; I am certainly not specifically targeting you."

Huo Xiaoru stood firm: "If Your Highness is so intent, then please lead by example and prove your own innocence first!"

"Bold!" the Crown Prince Xue Daohong roared, "A dancing girl dares openly to challenge the Prince's majesty—truly audacious to the extreme!"

Hu Xiaotian also couldn't help secretly worrying for Huo Xiaoru; knowing she appears soft but is inwardly strong, yet facing this clique of royal nobles is no time to play personality games—if she truly provoked the Prince, her fate would likely be grim. In Da Yong she has no powerful backing; though famed worldwide, reputation can never equal status in any era.

Prince Yan Xue Shengjing waved his hand to stop Xue Daohong's anger, fixing his gaze on Huo Xiaoru: "If I heard correctly, you too are suspecting me?"

Huo Xiaoru said: "Your Highness loves to hoard treasures; upon seeing that priceless Night Pearl, did your heart stir?"

Prince Xue Shengjing replied: "I was moved! But why would I go to such trouble? Hai Dasheng himself promised to give me the Night Pearl." His gaze drifted to Hai Dasheng not far away; Hu Xiaotian stood there, mouth agape, looking rather dull-witted, yet ever since Huo Xiaoru appeared, his heart had not known a moment of peace.

Huo Xiaoru said: "Your Highness, you nobles are forgetful; before the Night Pearl was lost, this Mr. Hai never said he would give it to you."

The venue fell so silent that a dropped pin could be heard clearly; no one expected the famed performer of Dakang, Huo Xiaoru, to openly oppose Prince Yan Xue Shengjing. Her remarks were pointedly clear, essentially accusing the Prince of being the prime suspect.

Prince Xue Shengjing stared silently at Huo Xiaoru, killing intent flickering in his eyes, yet she showed no trace of fear, her beautiful eyes calm and waveless: "If you yourself refuse to prove your innocence, why demand it of others?"

Everyone expected Prince Yan Xue Shengjing to explode in rage, yet he instead chuckled "hehe," nodded and said: "Miss Huo, you truly have a distinctive character; I admire you." Inside, however, he felt a cold sneer: "Huo Xiaoru, Huo Xiaoru, do you really think you are someone important? You are merely a dancing girl; if I were not enamored of your beauty, why would I treat you with the courtesy due an honored guest? Unexpectedly, you rely on favor to grow arrogant, openly challenging me before all—utterly oblivious to heaven's height and earth's depth."

Princess Xue Lingjun actually worried for Huo Xiaoru; a performer daring to openly defy the Prince of Da Yong must have a death wish. She knows her brother well: though Prince Xue Shengjing appears mild and approachable, his mind is narrow, he repays grudges; she is certain Huo Xiaoru will pay a heavy price for today's conduct.

Prince Xue Shengjing said: "Since Miss Huo has spoken, I find it not bad; as the host, I ought to prove my own innocence."

Princess Xue Lingjun's eyes showed appreciation; her second brother has many faults, yet also many merits—at least he can let go in public. If he truly quarreled with a performer, he would only lower himself.

Prince Xue Shengjing rose from his seat, smiling: "If I had my subordinates search, it would surely be hard to convince everyone; since Miss Huo raised this matter, why not let you personally search me to see whether the Night Pearl is on my person?"

Upon hearing this, everyone secretly admired him; Prince Xue Shengjing's move was truly ingenious. Though a prince being searched is hardly glorious, if the searcher is the world-renowned talent and performer Huo Xiaoru, it is another matter—indeed, every man present thought, if Huo Xiaoru herself conducted the search, he would not object.

Hu Xiaotian secretly admired the Prince's quick wit, yet couldn't help thinking: if the Prince sets such an example, does that mean I too will be publicly searched? I hope this fake belly doesn't give way.

All eyes turned to Huo Xiaoru; they thought Prince Xue Shengjing had successfully put her in a difficult spot—her publicly searching a man's body would surely damage her reputation if it got out. Yet Huo Xiaoru firmly nodded: "Very well! Since the Prince trusts me, I will verify this matter for him."

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