The capital had not even finished cleaning the mess from the assassin attack—
When the next disaster fell.
Harder.
---
### MORNING COURT — DRUMS OF SUMMONING
Dong—! Dong—! Dong—!
Emergency court session.
Every official rushed in panic.
Lei Hua sat behind the screen with the Emperor's permission, pretending to sip tea while shaking like a leaf.
(*Why do emergency meetings always mean someone's life is about to end…*)
Jun Hao stood in his scholar robes.
Calm.
Polite.
Unaware.
Jun Lin stood beside him.
Nervous.
Too nervous.
---
### THE ACCUSATION FALLS
Zhen Ruo stepped forward.
"Imperial Father," he said loudly, "this assassination attempt was not random."
The court quieted.
Lei Hua's heart dropped.
Zhen Ruo continued:
"We have discovered treasonous communication—between the assassins and a court official."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Who."
Zhen Ruo raised his finger.
Straight at—
"Jun Hao of the Finance Ministry."
---
### THE COURT ERUPTS
Gasps exploded everywhere.
"What??"
"Impossible!"
"He's only been back one year!"
Jun Hao froze.
"…Your Highness," he said calmly, "this accusation is false."
Jun Lin suddenly fell to his knees.
"Brother… why did you do it?!"
Lei Hua nearly choked on air.
(*OH MY GOD HE JUST ACTIVATED HIS BETRAYAL SKILL—*)
---
### THE "EVIDENCE"
Soldiers dragged in a wooden chest.
Inside—
Blood-stained letters.
Financial records.
Assassin payment slips.
All bearing—
Jun Hao's seal.
Jun Hao stared.
His face finally cracked.
"…That seal was stolen."
Jun Lin sobbed dramatically.
"You told me to keep it safe… but I never imagined…"
Lei Hua vibrated with rage.
(*LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR LIAR—*)
---
### DANGER
The Emperor's face darkened.
"Treason is punishable by immediate execution."
Jun Hao bowed his head.
"I ask only one thing before sentencing."
"Speak."
"Let my elder sister look at the records."
Jun Lin's eyes widened.
Too late.
---
### THE SISTERS MOVE
Lei Hua leaned forward.
The system chimed dangerously.
[DING. This conspiracy connects to five hidden factions.]
Lei Hua swallowed.
(*Five… the same number as the male leads…*)
Before she could speak—
Lei Yue stepped out of the back rows.
The court froze instantly.
The pressure dropped.
Silence swallowed everything.
---
### LEI YUE SPEAKS
Her voice was calm.
"But the handwriting is not his."
Jun Lin jerked.
The Emperor turned fully toward her.
"You are certain?"
Lei Yue walked forward slowly.
Unhurried.
Unbothered.
Unshaken.
"These financial routes transfer through three shadow merchants."
Her eyes lifted.
"One of them belongs to Feng Tain."
The court exploded again.
---
### JUN LIN PANICS
Jun Lin screamed.
"SHE IS LYING— SHE IS LYING—"
Tain Yu appeared behind Jun Hao silently.
His dagger rested lightly against Jun Lin's neck.
"True assassins use clean money routes," he said.
"These… are fake."
Jun Lin went pale.
---
### THE EMPEROR'S COMMAND
The Emperor slammed his palm on the armrest.
"Arrest Jun Lin immediately."
Jun Lin collapsed.
"No! I'm innocent! I'M A VICTIM TOO—"
He was dragged away screaming.
Jun Hao stood frozen.
Then slowly—
He bowed deeply to Lei Yue.
"You saved my life."
Lei Yue replied coldly:
"Don't misunderstand."
"I simply hate ugly framing."
---
### LEI HUA'S SHOCK
Lei Hua stared at Lei Yue like she was seeing a god for the first time.
(*THIS IS THE QUEEN. THIS IS THE REAL BOSS—*)
---
### ZHEN RUO'S SMILE IN THE SHADOWS
Zhen Ruo watched everything.
Unangry.
Unpanicked.
Still smiling.
(*So she interferes personally now… interesting.*)
---
### END OF CHAPTER 19