Rong Che took a few hurried steps to reach Rong Ling, extending his hand to personally help Rong Ling up.
"Uncle, please rise."
His voice was particularly gentle, and his handsome face was full of warmth and kindness. His every gesture showed extreme respect, as if the man before him was his most cherished and respected relative.
Rong Ling's expression remained unchanged, yet he still remembered the propriety between a ruler and his minister: "I thank Your Majesty for your care."
With these words, he stood up and stepped aside.
Once both had settled, a trace of unease and fear appeared on Rong Che's otherwise gentle face, as if he were a child who had made a mistake. He softly murmured, "Uncle must know by now, the eldest and second miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion mixed up the bridal sedan chairs. The eldest miss, supposed to be the Empress, mistakenly boarded the bridal sedan bound for Regent Prince Mansion."
"Earlier, I questioned Second Miss Feng. She said that before the wedding, she spoke with her elder sister for a while. Then, when the auspicious hour arrived, both brides were covered with veils and assisted into the bridal sedans by their maids. But unexpectedly, a mistake occurred."
"I questioned Second Miss Feng thoroughly, and she mentioned that her elder sister, the eldest miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion, had always admired Uncle, pestering her several times, wishing to marry Uncle. I suspect today's events may be orchestrated by the eldest miss."
After Rong Che finished speaking, Rong Ling's brows suddenly turned cold, his phoenix eyes flashing with icy light. Slowly, he turned his gaze sharply towards Feng Qing behind him.
"Do you have affection for me?"
Feng Qing's heart tightened, and she slowly lowered herself into a half-bow and replied, "I do not harbor affection for Your Highness."
Upon hearing Feng Qing's words, Rong Ling initially thought this was a normal response, but upon further reflection, he realized it might not be entirely appropriate and responded with a somewhat displeased expression: "Am I not worthy of your affection?"
Feng Qing's face showed displeasure; men are truly selfish and vain to the extreme. If she loved him, he suspected ulterior motives, if not, he felt slighted.
"Your Highness, urgent matters are at hand."
With these words, Feng Qing turned her gaze towards Rong Che behind her.
At this moment, Rong Che's face was full of disbelief, staring at Feng Qing who was veiled. However, seeing Rong Ling turn around, his heart sank momentarily, struggling to suppress his inner restlessness, striving to remain calm.
No, the person speaking could not possibly be the allegedly deceased Feng Qing. Feng Qing had been poisoned with the Vermilion Bird Pill, making survival impossible.
This might be Uncle testing him to see if he was involved in this matter, hence he must not falter.
Rong Che settled his thoughts and regained his usual composure, looking at Rong Ling as he spoke: "Who is this?"
Rong Ling replied unhurriedly: "Your Majesty spoke of the eldest miss of Marquis Jing'an Mansion who admired me."
Even though Rong Che tried to remain calm, he couldn't help but lose his composure: "How, how can this be?"
Rong Ling raised his eyes, with phoenix-like deep dark pupils containing a mysterious glint. Suddenly, he slightly curled his lips into a half-smile and commanded Feng Qing behind him.
"Remove the veil and show Your Majesty who you are."
Feng Qing raised her hand and took off the veil, revealing her true face beneath. She was unmistakably the eldest miss of the Feng Family. The vividly characteristic spider marked on her face could not be impersonated.
"You, you?"
Rong Che was utterly terrified; how was this possible? She had definitely been poisoned with the Vermilion Bird Pill, yet showed no signs of distress.
Feng Qing slowly stepped forward, respectfully bowed and said: "Feng Qing greets Your Majesty."
Rong Che looked at the gray spider on Feng Qing's face, and was so frightened he took two steps back before steadying himself.
"You, rise please."